Media careers and the power of authentic audio
Audio creates a kind of closeness that screens rarely match. That’s the heartbeat of my conversation with David Spencer, the Media Mentor, who has spent decades helping people navigate the messy, mystifying world of media recruitment.
Audio Gets in Your Head
In episode 14 of Creators from TrueFans, David reminds us that a podcast is a one-to-one medium first, seated quietly inside someone’s headphones, where tone, presence and care turn advice into action. That intimacy makes hard topics land: how to rebuild a CV after years off the market, how to switch into media mid-career, how to stop second-guessing and finally publish. These are not abstract notions. They’re practical moves grounded in empathy, and they stand out in a market obsessed with video clips and quick wins.
Media Careers in a Modern Age
David’s approach to his podcast, called The Media Mentor, blends three strands that keep the show fresh and useful: direct, actionable guidance on CVs and cover letters; frank case studies from clients who moved the needle; and straight talk from recruiters and working pros on the ground. That mix avoids the lecturing trap. It offers perspective without pretense and debate without ego, including the vital caveat that no single formula fits everyone.
Consistency and Authenticity
Consistency matters, and David is candid about past mistakes: launching too fast, underestimating research time, and letting excitement outrun a production pipeline. The lesson is simple: momentum is a schedule, not a mood. Build a buffer of episodes, block calendar time for guest outreach and pre-production, and respect the boring parts that create reliability. That discipline makes room for creativity later, whether you’re guiding a listener through AI in recruitment or unpacking the psychology of hiring managers reading CVs at speed. The process protects the craft.
We also confront the video question head-on. Yes, social platforms reward visuals. No, that doesn’t make a podcast a TV show. Audio’s strength is its honesty. When cameras disappear, guests loosen up, stories breathe, and the audience hears the person rather than the performance. That’s why walking interviews work, why body language can sometimes hinder candour, and why authentic voices are a brand necessity. Audio doesn’t just travel with a listener; it travels into their judgment of whether they like, trust, and want to work with you. For service-led creators, that trust is pipeline.
Listen to episode 14 of Creators From TrueFans here, or on another podcast app
