After parting ways with commercial radio earlier this year, Mitch Churi hasn’t wasted time figuring out his next move.
Instead, the award-winning broadcaster is stepping into podcasting with The Mitch Churi Chat Show, launching September 10 in partnership with Acast.
Framed as a modern twist on the late night format, the podcast will deliver long-form, unfiltered conversations with high-profile guests.
Episodes will be available in both audio and video, with full versions on YouTube and highlights packaged for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
A late night talk show for the internet age
Alongside celebrity chats, the series will feature a rotating group of commentators discussing the week’s biggest pop culture stories.
It builds on Churi’s reputation for creating viral moments – his interviews have already attracted more than 220 million views online.
“Creating a talk show has always been a dream of mine,” Churi said.
“This podcast fills a gap in the market I first noticed while working in radio. I was constantly recording these fantastic, nuanced and vulnerable interviews that would be chopped down to just a few minutes.
“This show is the full version – think Call Her Daddy meets The Graham Norton Show, but made for Australians,” he explained.
Mitch Churi
A new chapter beyond radio
The move marks a significant change for Churi, who has decided to step back from national radio to focus on building his own brand as an independent creator.
Across his career, Churi has been recognised for his warmth and humour, winning Best Music Presenter at the 2022 Australian Commercial Radio and Audio Awards and being named “Australia’s Most Relatable Broadcaster” by TalentCorp in 2024.
He has hosted his own program on KIIS FM, guest-hosted across the Nova Network, and appeared on popular podcasts including Life Uncut and The Pickup. On television, his credits include Beauty and the Geek and Love Island Afterparty.
Churi is also an ambassador for Stan and has interviewed major international artists such as Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, Stephen Fry and Billie Eilish.
Mitch Churi
Partnership with Acast
The podcast will be hosted and distributed by Acast, which will also support monetisation. Known for its independent model, Acast works with podcasters to maintain creative control while offering production and commercial resources.
“Working with Acast has been a dream,” Churi said.
“Those cuties are so easy to work with and really get what I’m trying to create with this show. Maybe it’s all the saunas or the clean Swedish air – Acast first launched in Sweden and now has a killer local team here in Australia – but the way they let podcasters retain full creative freedom, while still offering guidance and resources, is something the audio industry could really learn from.”
Ryan Lamont, Senior Development Manager for Acast ANZ, said the partnership was well-timed: “Mitch is deeply embedded in the world of pop culture and is a fantastic storyteller. He’s going to bring a fresh energy to Australian podcasting with a format that’s missing locally.
“With the decline of late night shows in the US and Australia, podcasting is becoming the new hub to facilitate celebrity chats, comedy spotlights and cultural commentary. Mitch’s next chapter is perfectly timed to make waves in Australia and beyond. The team at Acast is excited to support Mitch in building an entertainment show he fully controls.”
The Mitch Churi Chat Show launches on 10 September. It joins Acast’s roster of Australian podcasts including Casefile True Crime, Toni and Ryan, We Mean Well, Basically Besties, Hello Sport and Just The Gist.