Podcasting February 18, 2026

The pressures, pivots and burnout of audio life: Mike E launches new podcast

Sarah Patterson

Reporter

If anyone truly understands what it takes to build and sustain an audience in this day and age – it’s Mike E.

A radio veteran of more than two decades, this week Mike – aka Mike Etheridge – has begun a new career journey, launching the Behind the Mic with Mike E podcast, a long-form interview series which explores the pressures, pivots, ego, burnout and ambition that come with a life in audio.

His first guest is radio legend Amanda Keller (main photo with Mike).

Other big name guests featured in Season 1 include Lu & Jarch (pictured above with Mike), Ben Fordham, Mitch Coombs and Jana Hocking.

Having spent years on the radio rollercoaster himself, Mike most recently co-hosted the long-running Mike E & Emma show across Edge 96.1, 2Day FM, LiSTNR and the Hit Network.

When Mike E and Emma were replaced by The Hot Hits with Nic & Loren at the start of last year, the duo went their separate ways.

It wasn’t long before they both re-emerged on-air, with Mike going on to host programs nationally across the Hit Network and Emma now one half of the 2DayFM Breakfast team alongside Nathan Roye.

Produced by the team at Pro Podcast, Behind the Mic strips away the usual promo gloss to focus on the person behind the microphone.

Mike stresses this is not an industry podcast. It’s for listeners who hear these voices every day and want to know who they really are.

And he’s in a unique position to deliver these honest chats.

“This podcast marks a new chapter for me,” says Mike.

“Because I’m no longer in the daily churn of a flagship content role, I can sit down with these voices and talk candidly about what’s really going on in their role and lives, the pressure, the doubt and the decisions that don’t usually make it to air.”