Celebrating the Life of Derryn Hinch: The Human Headline
Listen on Soundcloud, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Few figures have left a mark on Australian media quite like Derryn Hinch. For almost six decades, the New Zealand-born broadcaster, journalist, newspaper editor, television presenter and senator built a career on asking the difficult questions, challenging authority and fighting for those who couldn’t fight for themselves.
Affectionately known as the “Human Headline”, Derryn’s passing has left a significant hole in Australian broadcasting. This special episode of The Experts Podcast celebrates his remarkable career, his influence on journalism, and the legacy he leaves behind.
Joining us are two people who knew him better than most. Former 3AW executive producers Kate Stevenson and Shannon Reid worked alongside Derryn during his years on Melbourne radio. They take us behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most fascinating broadcasters, sharing stories that reveal both the brilliance and the complexity of the man behind the microphone.
Derryn loved three things more than anything else in broadcasting: radio, news and opinion. He was relentless in his pursuit of a story and fearless when it came to taking on difficult issues. Whether campaigning for victims of child sexual abuse, exposing injustice or holding the powerful to account, he was driven by a genuine desire to make a difference. His advocacy wasn’t manufactured for ratings. It came from a deep sense of conviction.
But this conversation isn’t a eulogy. It is an honest reflection on a career that was as controversial as it was influential.
Kate and Shannon talk openly about the highs and the lows of working with Derryn. They discuss the intensity of producing his program, the enormous expectations he placed on his team, the stories that landed him in legal trouble, and the reputation that often divided both audiences and colleagues. Behind the on-air confidence was a complicated character who could inspire, frustrate and surprise those around him.
If you’ve ever wondered what it was really like to work with one of Australia’s most recognisable media identities, this episode offers a rare backstage pass.
Love him or disagree with him, there is one thing almost everyone in media can agree on. There will never be another Derryn Hinch.
That’s life.
