This is the fifteenth in a series of interviews exploring the career and life journey of women in the media industry. The aim of the series is to reflect on the wisdom they have gained during their journey.
So far we have had a cross section of women in different roles and career stages: Lauren Joyce, Laura Bouchet, Cathy O’Connor, Megan Smith, Kim Napier, Amanda Lee, Jacquie Riddell, Helen Tzarimas, Rebecca Ackland, Cheryl Lee, Manpreet Kaur Singh, Justine Kelly, Lizzie Young and Archana Kapoor.
This week we profile, Millie Starling who began her radio career in Adelaide. She moved to Sydney and had a successful career in production, before coming back to Adelaide as Content Director SAFM and Executive Producer.
1.Describe your current professional life and your stage of life.
I am a mum of an 18-month-old and I’m currently the Content Director of SAFM and Executive Producer of the breakfast show, Bernie and Emma G. My little one was 6 months old when I went back to work for a new network, in a new job, back in Adelaide after living in Sydney for 10 years. It was daunting to start with, and the hours are long but I’m getting better at delegating things to my team and focusing on the things that need my attention most.
2. How did you come to be in this industry?
I always knew I wanted to work in the media – but radio came up in an interesting way. I was studying media at Adelaide University and my mum was at a dinner with someone who worked in sales at FIVEaa in Adelaide. They suggested I do an internship with the breakfast show.
While I was doing that, a job was going as a part time receptionist at the station, so I balanced working on the front desk and studying at uni. With FIVEaa being 24/7 I had the ability to watch shows when my shift finished and eventually, I hung around long enough they gave me some casual producing shifts which then led to full time job downstairs at Nova Adelaide.
3. What are your core beliefs? How are your values evident in the work you do or the life you lead?
I like to be able to get on everyone’s level and be an approachable leader. There is a quote by Jacinda Ardern which I love and look to a lot, which I think best describes me and my leadership. ‘One of the biggest criticisms I’ve faced over the years is that I’m not aggressive enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I’m empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong’
4. How did your education, formal and informal, enrich your career/ life journey?
I think the people I have worked with along the way have been my biggest teachers and mentors, rather than formal education.
Lucy Cornes comes to mind as a mentor early in my career. I produced a weekend show for her and I was so impressed at her work ethic, her tenacity and how she balanced work/life/parenting with such grace and confidence.
Amanda Keller is another big mentor and best friend of mine. Working on content with her will always be one of the greatest career highlights of my life. We’ve done some pretty special stuff together. Not only that, I watched her take on lots of other projects while having a lot going on in her home life. Her ability to compartmentalise her life is unmatched. She’s also not afraid to tell you when she’s having a bad day – wears it all on her sleeve but still remains totally in control and that is what makes her so special.
Laura Bouchet, Content Director for Triple M in Sydney, is also a big mentor of mine. She’s always been a great ear for me for nearly 10 years. She’s the person who made me feel like I was actually good at my job when we met producing Jonesy and Amanda together.
However, I have found that my detractors have been my biggest teachers – the ones who haven’t been a great experience to work with/for are the ones I have learned the most from, especially about myself.
5. What are some of your key decision change points and how did they shape your career/ life journey?
11 years ago, I felt like there was something more for me and Sydney felt like where I wanted to be. I’ll never forget lying in bed one Saturday night and saying to myself that there will be a sign I’m meant to move… and on Monday a job came up with Fitzy & Wippa as a producer in Sydney.
They had many excellent candidates but had given me the time. To get their attention after my interview, I thought I had to do something quirky to get them to remember me… so, from Adelaide, I organised a friend of mine based in Sydney to deliver them a fish in a fish tank with a note saying that the fish was called Millie, and if they hired me I would look after it… and if they didn’t, they had to look after it themselves. They might’ve just been lazy and not wanted a random fish in their office, but I got the job which then led to some incredible career opportunities – and some great life moments, like meeting my husband.
Series compiled by Serena Ahern for radioinfo.
If you have a suggestion for someone to be considered for this series, please send a note to [email protected]
Previous articles in this series:
Wisdom of Women in Media: Archana Kapoor founder Radio Mewat
Wisdom of Women in Media: Justine Kelly, Manager Audio Output & Strategy, ABC International
Wisdom of Women in Media: Manpreet Kaur Singh, SBS Audio Program Manager
Wisdom of Women in Media: Cheryl Lee Co Founder and Manager Rebel Radio Network
Wisdom of Women in Media: Rebecca Ackland Chief People & Culture Officer SCA
Wisdom of Women in Media: Helen Tzarimas News Reader and Journalist Gold 101.7
Wisdom of Women in Media: Amanda Lee, Head of HIT Metro Content/Fox FM Content Director
Wisdom of Women in Media: Kim Napier, Breakfast Presenter ABC Northern Tasmania
Wisdom of Women in Media: Megan Smith, Senior Producer Gold 101.7
Wisdom of Women in Media: Laura Bouchet, Content Director Triple M
Wisdom of Women in Media: Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience & Content Officer ARN