After more than two decades inside commercial radio’s relentless content machine, Mike E (Michael Etheridge) is stepping into a new phase of his career, launching his own long-form podcast, aptly called Behind the Mic with Mike E.
Etheridge’s decision to pursue podcasting came after more than a decade as one half of the Mike E & Emma duo. The pair’s professional path diverged when Emma Chow joined the new 2DayFM Breakfast team alongside Jimmy & Nath; the team is now Nath & Emma after fellow co-host Jimmy Smith stepped away from the show last year.
Following the split, Etheridge stayed on to host solo shifts for the Hit Network and continues to do those, and can be heard across the country.
The former Edge 96.1 and Hit Network host admits the transition from the daily grind of a Breakfast show – complete with its 3 am starts – initially rattled him.
“It was a bit of a shock; I’d spent 14 years doing the one show, and I was so used to doing that,” he told Mediaweek. “All that time, I was doing the daily grind of creating content for a show while simultaneously looking ahead to the next day.”
Stepping away
What followed was not a scramble for another slot; instead, he sought distance, travelling and recalibrating after years defined by ratings cycles and the pressure of daily output.
“I took a few months off, went to Thailand, and then realised I didn’t miss it. I think I’ve done it long enough.”
That separation proved clarifying. After spending most of his adult life immersed in radio, he found a creative landscape that extends far beyond traditional network roles.
“When you’re in it, you absolutely love it. You live it and think there’s no other world out there. But now, being removed, it’s been amazing to see that there’s a whole other world out there.”
A creator-led reset
Out of that reset came Behind the Mic with Mike E, a podcast built on his industry relationships and insider perspective. Crucially, the project sits firmly outside the network ecosystem.
“I came up with it last year. I believe I was working on it for months. I had a whole bunch of different ideas,” he said.
“Everyone wants to do a podcast, and I was throwing around all these different ideas. I came on this because you should write what you know. I know broadcasting and podcasting. Beyond that, I am passionate about the medium, and I have the contacts.”
The show opens with ARN’s Amanda Keller and features a roster that includes 2GB’s Ben Fordham and Mamamia’s Clare Stephens.
“I want to sit down and find out what the person behind the mic is like. We’re not going to talk about techniques or how you structure content. It’s really about getting to know the real person. While it’s not an industry podcast, I think industry people will love it as well.”
Industry support reinforces creator-led pivot
The response from within the audio sector has reinforced his sense that the move is a meaningful career reset rather than a personal project.
“I’ve already received a nice congratulations from Craig Bruce at the industry podcast Game Changers.”
Bruce, a former radio executive, told Mediaweek that Etheridge’s move reflects the industry’s unpredictability.
“Mike E and Emma were one of my favourite shows on the Edge; they had great chemistry and some of the best callers on Sydney radio. I’m super excited to hear his podcast. Sometimes out of necessity, good things can happen – I’m hoping that’s the case for Michael.”
Having spent more than 20 years building relationships, Etheridge said the willingness of major audio figures to participate has been validating.
“Amanda Keller was great and got back to me straight away. It was humbling because some people just don’t do podcasts like this. But it also showed me the strength of the career I’ve had and the quality of the people I’ve met who decided to join me.”
While his daily radio role has ended, he remains clear-eyed about the medium’s future, even as podcasting and creator-led platforms reshape the landscape.
“I would say that podcasting is complementing it. Every radio show has a podcast, and many of the people I’m interviewing have their own shows. I think content will become increasingly important, but I still teach my media students this: you can’t replace live and local radio.”
For Etheridge, the microphone now represents a platform he owns rather than a shift schedule.