Known to many as Smallzy, Kent Small is the kind of broadcaster who makes global celebrities feel like old friends, who treats interviews as genuine conversations, and who still, after 23 years in radio, approaches his work with honest curiosity and care.

We recently sat down with Kent on the latest episode of our podcast ‘Not Just A…’ and, within minutes, it was obvious why Australia has spent decades inviting him into their cars, kitchens, and commutes.

But behind the microphone is something even more compelling: he’s a person who has spent a career learning how to stay himself in an industry that constantly tries to shape you into something else.

A radio nerd in the best way

Kent’s journey into radio began with listening.

“I used to listen as a kid, making mix tapes, recording songs off the radio,” he says. “But what was different for me is that I was more interested in what the people were saying between the songs. All my friends were like, ‘Who cares? Just play the music.’ And I was like, ‘No, I actually want to hear what the DJ has to say.’ I loved the IDs and sweepers, the production between tracks. I’d record that just to listen back.”

Kent was tuned into the banter, the personality, the little moments that made radio feel alive.

“So yeah,” he laughs. “I’m a radio nerd.”

Born for it? Maybe. But he was paying attention to these kinds of details long before he ever stepped into a studio.

The only job he’s ever had

Radio has always been Kent’s thing.

“What people need to know is that I’ve done nothing else except radio my entire career,” he says. “Apart from a great retail job… stacking CDs at Dick Smith. My casual job was putting CDs in those plastic hard lock case so no one would steal the album.”

It was a strangely perfect and ordinary origin for the future radio star, literally packaging music for other people to take home.

Kent’s first on-air gig was midnight to dawn at Nova and, for him, it was everything.

“Back then, I was so excited I’d get there at like 9pm, three hours earl,” he says. “If I was doing it again now, I’d probably roll in 10 minutes to midnight, just to make sure the mic worked and the coffee machine was on. But in those days, I was there so early just to talk three or four times an hour.”

Higher stakes, bigger consequences

These days, Kent’s world looks a little different: major networks, huge audiences, international press lines, Hollywood’s biggest names.

And with that comes pressure.

“The consequences are bigger,” he says simply.

Making a mistake at 19 on a small night show is one thing.

“Embarrassing yourself in an interview at 19 on a small night show is vastly different to sitting in front of Bradley Cooper next week and making a mistake. There are more people invested. People want outcomes.”

Not chasing headlines

Kent has interviewed just about everyone, but his approach has never been about getting a viral quote.

“I always pride myself on not being the guy chasing a headline,” he says. “My intention is to make them feel comfortable. Maybe they’ll offer something genuine.”

In a media landscape obsessed with soundbites and salacious headlines, he stays committed to authenticity over sensationalism.

One interview he mentions is the time he met Tom Cruise.

“Tom Cruise is one of the most memorable. So much gets said about him, but he’s one of the few Hollywood stars I’ve watched take the time to meet every single fan on the red carpet. He spent like three and a half hours saying hello to people. Then on the press line, where actors sometimes skip outlets… he spoke to everybody. Absolute professional.

“He does things that technically he doesn’t need to do, but everyone walks away going, ‘God, he’s a good guy.’”

Tom Cruise’s effort, respect, and showing up to events and interviews fully is especially noteworthy to Kent as that’s how he operates too.

The same person on-air and off

When asked about who he was when nobody’s watching, Kent shares that he doesn’t feel like he has two versions of himself.

“This is going to sound cliché, but I genuinely believe I’m the same person,” he says. “A lot of people put on their corporate hat when they walk into work. They leave their family, their desires, their real self at the door. I’m lucky that I do a job where they just want me. They want me as I am.”

But that comes with its own challenges as he admits he finds it difficult to conform and do what he’s told, comparing himself to golden retrievers: high energy, slightly chaotic, and needing a treat to cooperate.

His treat?

“Just praise,” he laughs. “Tell me I’m good and I will do whatever you want.”

Justice and politics

One character trait Kent says shows up strongly for him: justice.

“Justice is high for me. I get emotionally hooked when I feel like there’s injustice happening,” he says. “Someone’s been misled, lied to, manipulated, unfairly sacked… I lean into that. If I see you being critiqued for something that isn’t true, I’ll jump in.”

But he’s aware enough to know it’s a trait that can have consequences.

“Overusing or underusing any trait has consequences. Underusing justice means unjust things happen,” he explains. “Overusing it, you become a fighter, always correcting the record.”

Still, it speaks to who he is beneath his high-profile career in radio: he’s someone who cares deeply about fairness… and politics.

He shares, “I love politics. I spend my work life talking about what Taylor [Swift] had for breakfast, and then in my personal life going, ‘Did you see what happened today? What’s Trump done? What’s Albo up to?’ It’s total opposite.”

Living in the moment as he steps into KIIS

If Kent could tell his younger self one thing, it would be: “Enjoy the moment more and be present.”

Upon reflection, he acknowledges that in the early years of one’s career, you’re always chasing what’s next.

“When I look back at my early career, it was like the wild west,” he says. “You could get away with so much because the stakes were smaller. Now it’s still fun, but there’s a lot more on the line.”

And as he enters a new chapter at KIIS this year, he’s trying to take his own advice.

Not just a radio host

Kent “Smallzy” Small has built his career on compelling conversations, not only due to his ability to speak, but his ability to listen.

Not just a radio personality, he is a broadcaster who still feels excited by his craft, who cares more about people rather than viral headlines, and who shows up as his authentic self in an industry full of expectations.

He’s someone who believes curiosity is a strength, justice is a responsibility to shoulder, and feedback is only painful when ego gets in the way.

As he says, “The thing with feedback is you have to leave your ego at the door. Feedback only hurts because your ego is hurt.”

And perhaps most importantly, he reminds us that everyone is more than what we see.

“Imagine all of us are icebergs. We only show the world the 10% above the water,” he says. “But 90% of an iceberg is underneath the ocean. So we walk around only seeing the top 10% of people. But you compare your hidden 90% — your fears, insecurities, doubts — to the 10% you see of someone else. And you have no idea what’s going on underneath.”

To hear more of Kent’s story in his own words, watch the full podcast episode on our YouTube channel.