Jessica Rowe confronts Karl Stefanovic over Today Show sacking on new podcast

Journalist, television presenter and author Jessica Rowe has partnered with Southern Cross Austereo’s LiSTNR to launch a new tell-all podcast The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show.

Launching on the LiSTNR app, the new series sees Rowe joined by a cast of famous guests to discuss their career shortcomings and personal experiences within a safe environment, shedding light on their personalities outside of the spotlight.

The podcast’s first episode features Rowe reconnecting with former Today Show co-host Karl Stefanovic, marking the duo’s first encounter since Rowe was infamously sacked from the program while on maternity leave 14 years ago.

In the emotional episode, Rowe and Stefanovic break down the circumstances that surrounded the controversial sacking, with Stefanovic apologising to Rowe and admitting that he didn’t do enough to support her throughout the experience.

“Karl was big-hearted and willing to open up in a way I hadn’t expected,” Rowe said of the duo’s reunion.

“It was a hard conversation, which often are the best conversations, and it left me able to put a sparkly full stop on a dark and troubling time in my life.”

Other guests set to appear on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show’s first season include Osher Günsberg, Sophie Monk, Steph Rice, Pauline Hanson and Curtis Stone.

LiSTNR’s original podcast senior executive producer, Nic McClure, who produced the series alongside Rowe, praised the veteran journalist’s interviewing prowess across the new podcasts.

“Jess is really good at skipping the small talk and asking the questions we want to hear,” McClure said.

“Because she has such a kind heart and deep empathy for her guests, she can easily get straight to the sometimes uncomfortable questions and people just naturally open up to her, sharing things we haven’t heard before.”

Rowe also elaborated on the direction of the new podcast, saying:  “I love ‘big talk’, cutting the crap and getting to what makes our heart sing. I simply love talking and talking about what matters in our lives.

“In this podcast I can have those ‘deep and meaningful’ conversations that are good for my soul. I learn something new each time in these conversations and I know our listeners will too.”

McClure recently won Podcast Executive Producer of the Year in the Radio Today Podcast Awards.