Welcome to the feature where we sit down with hosts of podcasts and find out more about them!Today we speak to Kate Hemingway about the brand new podcast Kate Confidential – The Truth Behind the News Stories. The show is released monthly on a Tuesday and today we find out all about it!

Hello, nice to meet you! How did the idea of your podcast come around?

Spending 20 years in TV and radio broadcasting has been an absolute privilege. I’ve had a front-row seat to breaking news and incredible events, but the biggest constraint in traditional media is time. You often only get a three-minute interview to scratch the surface of a deeply complex person or situation. I wanted to create a platform with no ticking clocks—a place where we can strip back the headlines, get comfortable, and finally hear the truth behind the stories.

Tell us about the team behind the show!

It’s just me, Kate Hemingway. My background is deeply rooted in media and storytelling. Before launching the podcast, I worked in the media industry for two decades—most recently as a senior producer and video journalist for ITV’s Good Morning Britain—reporting on some of the biggest national news stories. I’ve also conducted extensive real-life investigations into fraud and crime, including an interview with a loan shark that was watched by 20 million people online.

Alongside the podcast, I run my own business, Kate Hemingway Media Limited. 

There are so many podcasts out there, how do you stand out from the rest?

Spending years in TV and radio newsrooms has made me an expert at finding the core news hook in any story and I have a deep understanding of what audiences actually want to consume. As a trained broadcaster, I know how to maintain a natural conversational flow and ask the probing questions that result in the most interesting answers.

My strong background in media law and compliance also means I don’t shy away from gritty stories or difficult conversations. From an editing perspective, I can spot a tease clip the second I hear it. Plus, I bring a ‘little black book’ of fantastic guests with whom I’ve built trust over the last 20 years.

Who have been some of your favourite guests you have interviewed?

We have only just launched, but I absolutely loved interviewing Katy Rickitt. She’s incredibly open and honest. Because we know each other really well, it resulted in a very natural, unguarded interview. She even spoke about her anxiety for the first time – something she has never discussed publicly before. It was so well received that one of the teaser clips hit 32,700 views in just a week.

Do you use any specialised equipment to record your show?

Yes, we record in specialised, high-quality podcast studios, including a fantastic setup in Knutsford, run by a trusted industry contact.

What are the challenges of running a podcast?

Time! I have a wealth of ideas and a long list of confirmed guests, but finding the hours in the day to pursue those ideas and treatments is challenging whilst simultaneously running a busy new business. The aim, long term, is to secure sponsorship so I can pursue the fantastic guests I have in mind – many of whom I’ve interviewed before and have built strong trust with.

What are the highlights of hosting the show?

Connecting with real people and being able to explore their stories in genuine depth. I love that I now have the editorial freedom to use my own judgment on what will interest people – giving the audience a front-row seat to those conversations.

The sheer variety and ‘talkability’ of the topics we are planning to feature is incredibly exciting. We have guests lined up who will really get people talking and because of my background, we don’t shy away from gritty subjects – especially in the topics of health and crime.

Favourite podcast

The News agents

Tell us about Kate Hemingway Media. What sort of work do you do alongside the podcast?

Kate Hemingway Media Limited is a storytelling, videography and communications consultancy that helps brands and business leaders amplify their voices. We specialise in high-quality video production for businesses and organisations. We also offer media training and strategic PR – helping businesses secure valuable press coverage, as we know exactly how to pitch a story and land it on the right desk to ensure it gets noticed.

Three words: why should people check out your show?

Real. Talkable. Stories.

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