Independent daily news podcast, 7am, is strengthening its editorial bench, appointing veteran foreign correspondent Nicole Johnston as host and executive producer and welcoming experienced television producer Krystal Keller as commissioning editor and executive producer.
The moves come as 7am looks to extend its reach across audio, video and social platforms, while maintaining its position at the top of Australia’s increasingly competitive daily news podcast market.
Johnston steps into the role while long-time host and executive producer Ruby Jones is on secondment at the ABC’s Four Corners, with Jones expected to return at the end of March.
Johnston brings nearly two decades of international reporting experience, having worked across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and the US.
Nicole Johnston.
She spent a decade with Al Jazeera, covering two Gaza wars and Egypt’s military coup, and holds a master’s degree in Middle East Studies from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
More recently, she returned to Australia after a year in Beijing as China correspondent for Sky News UK.
Last week, Johnston began hosting duties at 7am with a special series examining American intervention in Venezuela, Iran and Greenland, while also turning her focus to domestic stories of national significance, including coverage of the collapse and cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week.
Johnston will share hosting and executive producing responsibilities with award-winning writer and broadcaster Daniel James, a Yorta Yorta man who has co-hosted 7am since July 2024.
During that time, James has led the podcast’s federal politics and Indigenous affairs coverage, including the award-winning series This Is Alice Springs.
Krystal Keller.
The podcast has also appointed Krystal Keller as commissioning editor and executive producer, filling a maternity-leave backfill role.
Keller brings more than 15 years’ experience across television and radio and was most recently Senior Supervising Producer and Acting Executive Producer at The Project.
Her background includes producing narrative news, managing teams of around a dozen journalists and leading production teams of up to 100 staff.
Ambitious appointments
Solstice Media’s head of audio Sarah McVeigh said the appointment reflects 7am’s ambitions beyond audio alone.
“We are delighted that a person of Krystal Keller’s experience and skill will lead 7am,” McVeigh said. “Krystal will work with the 7am team to further embed its position as Australia’s home of independent news, especially as we expand our reach on social media and video.”
Keller said joining 7am was an opportunity to work on journalism that goes deeper than the daily news cycle.
“7am is such a powerhouse of daily news podcasting in Australia, and I’m so excited to be joining the team,” she said.
“To be able to unpack stories that matter, at a time when it’s so important to dig beyond the headlines, is a thrill and a privilege.”
Keller will remain with 7am until at least September, when McVeigh plans to return from maternity leave.
Stability in a crowded daily news market
For more than five years, Jones has anchored 7am, helping embed the podcast into the national news routine and take it to number one on the news podcast charts.
Her temporary absence comes as the daily news podcast space grows more crowded, with publishers, broadcasters and independents all competing for morning attention.
Since July 2025, 7am has operated under Solstice Media ownership, a move that signalled an investment in long-form, independent journalism at a time when many newsrooms are tightening resources.
Solstice Media founder and managing director Paul Hamra said the latest appointments reinforce the podcast’s editorial standing.
“7am has added to Solstice Media’s journalism gravitas,” Hamra said. “These experienced appointments are reflective of 7am’s quality, and I’m excited to see the work they deliver.”
With Johnston’s international reporting pedigree, Keller’s production experience and Jones set to return later this quarter, 7am is positioning itself not just to hold its ground, but to grow – quietly, deliberately, and with an eye on what daily news audiences are demanding next.