Episode transcript

Note: This transcript has been edited for clarity and readability while staying true to the spirit of the conversation.

Amanda: This is Not Just A…, a podcast where we get to know the person behind the job title. I’m your host, Amanda, and today we’re speaking to Mitch Churi, who is a creator.

We chat about his theatre experience that had him travelling around the world, how he shows up authentically, and his career pivot — but more importantly, who he really is behind the job title. Let’s get into it.

Amanda: Mitch Churi, welcome to the podcast.

Mitch: Wow, this is fun. This is exciting. You’ve got palm cards. The world needs to know. Soundproof curtains, three lights.

Amanda: Yeah, I know, we’re very glam.

Mitch: Overkill on the light.

Amanda: It makes the skin look really good.

Mitch: Yeah, really dewy. I feel like a glazed donut. Sometimes when the lights are on, I look wet.

Amanda: You can get a bit of powder for that.

Mitch: I should. Where’s your makeup team? They’re off today.

Amanda: I had to do my own makeup, which is really bad.

Mitch: Get out. Do they know who you are? You should have blotting papers.

My boyfriend on our first date pulled out blotting papers because he was nervous and sweaty, and I thought it was really endearing. It could have given me the ick, but I was like, this is cute.

Amanda: That is really sweet. How long have you been together?

Mitch: Two and a bit years. There was like six months of a situationship. I was holding off.

Amanda: So just sussing the waters.

Mitch: Yeah. For that reason, we don’t have an anniversary. It just melted into it, so we made one up.

Amanda: Do you think as you get older you don’t even need an anniversary?

Mitch: Maybe. But I like to celebrate moments. Otherwise life goes too fast and then you get depressed and you’ve died.

So I think it’s nice to celebrate the wins, enjoy the moments, go get the dessert, burn the candle.

Amanda: I was following your travel diaries over Christmas. You went around Europe — was it five weeks?

Amanda: Six weeks.

Mitch: I’m scared to talk about it though because I got cancelled for talking about it.

Amanda: What happened?

Mitch: I posted a TikTok, I was jet lagged and I said, what’s the ideal length of a holiday? Is six weeks too long? Is four weeks the sweet spot?

And then I went to bed, woke up, and I was cancelled. People were like, read the room, it’s a cost of living crisis, people can’t afford groceries.

So I deleted it. But I was just asking a question.

Amanda: That’s wild.

Mitch: Yeah. But I think the sweet spot is three to four weeks.

Two weeks isn’t enough. You’re still settling in, you’re figuring things out, you’re getting over jet lag. The third week is when you’re like, this is perfect. And then by the fourth week you’re like, okay, I could go home now.

Amanda: You’re a wonderful creator, but also a bit of a jack of all trades. You’ve been on radio, you’ve been on TV, you’ve interviewed amazing celebrities. You’ve got your own show now.

Mitch: I do, The Mitch Churi Chat Show. We were discussing this off the show, like how I describe myself.

And I lead with radio presenter only because that’s my craft. That’s what I’ve honed my skills in for ten years on a commercial radio station. I love radio.

But the industry is in such an interesting spot that it’s not something I’m currently working in, which has forced me to pivot and sharpen my other strengths.

I’m working on a stand-up show. I’m working on comedy for the first time. I’ve done stand-up before in the past, but I don’t really call myself a comedian. But my show lies in the comedy space.

Am I a cultural commentator? A content creator? An influencer? Just a lot of different things.

When I came back from that trip you brought up, I filled out my customs form. I just wrote “entertainer” for my occupation.

Amanda: I like that.

Mitch: It’s ridiculous though. What does that even mean? Customs will be like, “Do a backflip. Entertain us. Do you juggle? What are you?”

And I’d have to explain, “Well, it’s not really tangible. Do you have YouTube? What podcast app do you use?”

So yeah, I don’t know. I’m a lot more comfortable now in not having a real title. It sits awkwardly with my parents, they don’t really get it.

Amanda: Yeah, but I think the older generation are a little bit different to us, right?

Mitch: Right. They had to turn up for a 9 to 5, they had to get their payslips, and it’s a different world.

In the same way that you could buy a house for $17 and a meat pie, I don’t understand that.

Amanda: Will we ever?

Mitch: No, we never will.

Amanda: So, before you were an entertainer, what was Mitch Churi doing?

Mitch: I was born prematurely. Do we wanna go right back?

Amanda: Let’s go right back.

Mitch: I was born prematurely. I was in the NICU premature baby ward. Two months early, or seven weeks, that’s pretty early. I was ready to come out. Mum was having a picnic and said, “he’s coming”. And I came out.

I was very unwell. I was a water polo player as a kid, I know, shocking. I was a water polo player for around 10 years. I loved it. It got to a point where I could’ve played competitively, but I was the weakest in the group.

I was very buoyant. I was in the position where I didn’t have to swim much, positioned right at the back. I was very much the morale hire, which I have been most of my life.

I was hired at KIIS FM as the morale guy as well. Very good for the team, good for the banter. And that kind of got me onto the air.

I kind of lived my life bringing some vibes, being the morale guy, and seeing where that takes me.

Amanda: So, before you went into radio and after water polo, did you go to uni?

Mitch: I did. I went to University of Wollongong. Shout out, UOW. I did that for a month and I hated it. I did journalism and performance.

I was a theatre kid. I was a kid that grew up in theatre, studying theatre, and representing Australia at a national level in a theatre company. We toured to London when I was 12, we toured to Hong Kong. I did shows all around the world with a theatre troupe.

That was very much my childhood. If I would picture what I did in my youth it would be theatre and performing arts. And I loved it. All the high school productions and all the stuff you picture a little Glee kid doing was what I was doing.

I wanted to do theatre full time, but I was also intimidated by NIDA and WAAPA and these big schools. I genuinely thought that I wasn’t good enough at that age.

I auditioned for NIDA, didn’t get in. Auditioned for WAAPA and got a call-back but didn’t want to move to WA.

So, I thought, logical next step, Wollongong.

I did a double degree in performance theatre and media communications as a backup. And left, because it just wasn’t for me.

Amanda: And what did the NIDA interview process look like?

Mitch: It was hell. The NIDA interview process was really intimidating, it’s all the stories you hear.

It’s like seven different Cate Blanchetts staring at you, all with a well-spoken Australian accent bordering British. You know, rounded words and slow, intentional beats.

You choose a two-minute monologue from a play or a film. They’d look down on you if you did a two-minute monologue from something like Ratatouille. They’d want you to do something like Chekhov.

Amanda: What did you choose?

Mitch: I chose a scene from a West End production that James Corden starred in called One Man Two Guvnors. It’s a great musical and I love James, it was just a ridiculous scene. It had some guy rolling around, it was very physical. It was physical comedy.

Amanda: So, did you have to roll around on the ground?

Mitch: I didn’t have to, but I certainly did. And I rolled right out that door. They were like, “Keep rolling, kid.”

I did short courses at NIDA but it just wasn’t for me, and I’m glad I didn’t. Tertiary full-time study as we know it in this country and in this system doesn’t work for me.

I don’t retain information in that way, I very much like to get hands-on and work and jump in. That’s how I learn. I learn from other people and doing. That’s something I have learned myself over time.

Amanda: For sure, I feel a lot of young people feel that way now.

Mitch: Yeah, and there’s a big conversation about whether uni is worth it.

For some careers, obviously yes. If I’m getting open heart surgery, I don’t want you learning via TikTok.

But there are other ways now.

If I was 16 today and saw people making money from content, I would definitely explore that route.

I did end up studying though, I moved to New York when I was 19. I studied at the Atlantic Theater Company. Spent a few months in New York and a few months in LA.

Amanda: Are you a New York guy or LA?

Mitch: I love them both but LA has my heart. I love LA. I love showbiz. I love glitz, glamour, the mountains, and being close to the water. I’m a shire boy so I love the beach and feel very grounded around water.

LA just has everything that Sydney has.

Amanda: Well, they say LA is like Sydney and Melbourne is like New York.

I like seeing you do your hot girl walks on Instagram. Tell me, who are you when nobody’s watching?

Mitch: I’d argue I’m very similar, but you have to ask someone that’s not here and knows me very intimately.

I do switch off heavily, and I like to just ‘zen out’ and stop my brain. When I’m working, my brain is running a hundred miles an hour.

One of my favourite things to do is to drive. I love driving. I love putting on the radio or a podcast and just letting my mind wander because it can be a bit crazy inside there.

I’m a more muted version of myself.

I’ve got many a hobby. I love cooking food and cooking videos.

I’m a bit of a nerd, I love a good YouTube algorithm deep dive. The algorithm knows me so well. I can just lie there in bed and do a good 2-3 hours of YouTube algorithms.

I love a disaster movie, like an end of the world situation. But that’s just watching the news right now, isn’t it?

Amanda: What is your favourite thing to cook at the moment?

Mitch: My favourite thing to cook at the moment, I’m big on toast right now. Toast is so back. Recession indicator. But it’s just so easy, you can put so many things on that bread.

I’ve never delved into the world of sourdough, and I don’t think I’m that depressed. Yet. Because it feels like a real intentional choice.

Amanda: As in, sourdough-making?

Mitch: Yes! People with their bread baskets like they’re in Bethlehem. Give me a break.

Amanda: No breadmaking for Mitch.

Mitch: No. I’m just off the breadmaking.

Amanda: Fair enough.

Mitch: Go and buy a loaf, I promise you it will be better. Ask for it fresh, I’m sure you’ll get it hot if you really want it.

So, I haven’t fallen victim to the breadmaking yet. But I am loving toast. I’m having a real moment with granola, that’s come full circle like it’s 2013 again.

That’s my vibe. Boiled eggs in the morning. I live a real fun life.

Amanda: Have you done a driving holiday?

Mitch: I did that a year ago. I flew to Arizona from New York and then drove the whole Route 66. Arizona, Utah, Vegas, New Mexico, LA. It was great. I did that with a friend and my sister.

I’ve never done that in Australia. I’d love to get a Maui campervan and go to all the Big4s.

—

Mitch: Have you lived overseas?

Amanda: No, but I’d love to.

Mitch: Yeah, me too.

Amanda: I just haven’t had the opportunity or chance?

Mitch: Yeah, you’ve gotta make it. I’m a big believer in you gotta make what you want. Especially in these last 12–18 months, I’ve had the realisation that nothing will come to you. You have to make things happen in life or else.

Just make the call. You know that Kris Jenner meme? “What if you just call Taylor [Swift] up? Just call her up.”

My mantra in life is just: Make the call. Do it. Nothing’s going to come to you.

—

Mitch: I love to shop, it’s one of my favourite things to do in the world.

I love to buy. I love retail therapy. So does my boyfriend, we really bond over that. I’m scrolling SSENSE and I’m on the apps when I’m chilling.

I enjoy brands. I enjoy fashion. I love to shop. I love to buy new things. I love to express myself through what I wear. It’s a shame it’s such an expensive hobby.

Amanda: Well, all hobbies can be expensive. Are you at Westfield Miranda quite a bit?

Mitch: Please, it’s my daily. I love Westfield Miranda.

—

Amanda: I need to go back to my questions. Can you share a story from your work that perfectly captures how being fully yourself, not just the professional version, has made you successful?

Mitch: I think more recently when I started The Mitch Churi Chat Show, which is a podcast and a YouTube show, I’d just left a high-profile job. It was a very publicised exit, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with myself. I didn’t know what the right next step was. I was sort of crippled by the decision and the weight of what to do next.

Traditional media is in a weird position at the moment, so I thought I needed to do my own thing otherwise I just wouldn’t be working.

I didn’t know how to articulate that to my audience, that I was not sure what to do. I wanted to hide it and be like, “Here I am with my brand-new show.”

And then I thought, I’m struggling behind the scenes. I’m not sure how to get there. I’m trying to make this happen. I’ll just take everyone along on the journey with me.

I started posting and I documented it. That’s how I got a groundswell of support and that’s how I got my listeners. That’s how my audience was built.

That was a good example of just leading with authenticity.

Amanda: Were you nervous at all?

Mitch: Yeah, I was. It was something I always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to host a talk show and make my own chat show. So it felt the time was right to make that happen.

Of course I was nervous. Radio was my career and that’s where my skills lie. Won awards, had great ratings, had major career success, and then it all disappeared in a day.

I had to readjust who I was and what I wanted.

Authenticity’s a weird one though. You can’t talk about your own authenticity, because then it’s not really authentic, is it?

Amanda: I think you are authentic, and people can see that.

Mitch: I’m openly gay, and I’m openly gay when I’m on air. I had issues with that when I first started in radio.

When I first got on air, it was 2016. It was my first ever year on air as a radio host. The same sex plebiscite happened in 2017, and I was still in the closet. I was still 22 or 23 and hadn’t come to terms with it myself.

So, I came out the following year in 2018 and never came out on air. Just started talking about partners and never had any issues.

Amanda: You’re paving the way for the next generation to know that it’s okay.

Mitch: Yeah, I think so. I hope so. It’s one of those things that you don’t even realise you’re doing, or the impact you potentially may have had. So, I’ll just keep being me.

But there’s also a lot of criticism on that. You get a lot of people saying, “Well, you don’t have to talk about that. Just be yourself. If it comes up, it comes up. You don’t need to make it your whole personality.”

To which I tend to disagree. If you let these things fester and let them melt away and disappear into the shadows, that’s when you risk the loudest voices which are homophobia or discrimination.

I’ll proudly keep talking about it. I’ve worked through my shit with my sexuality, and there was quite a bit. I have no shame in it. It’s only a reflection of the person bringing it up.

Amanda: Do you mentor people?

Mitch: Some, I do have a few. I’m open to it. Slide into my DMs if you need any advice, kids.

I’ve had great mentors. No gay or queer presenters, isn’t that interesting?

I remember I reached out to Joel Creasey when I was new and now we’re good friends. The fact that he replied, we had a discussion, and formed a friendship is crazy to me.

It’s affirming to see someone similar to you achieve their goals and their dreams in a landscape that traditionally doesn’t support those types of personalities and people.

I also get accused of being a watered down palatable gay. You know, real queer culture is rooted in protest because you needed to be. You needed to be outspoken and you needed to be vocal to enact actual change.

But now, we feel we’re in a comfortable position where you can just be gay and live your life assimilating into the “normal culture”.

There’s this argument, “Well, you can work and be gay because you can be passable.” Or, “You’re an inoffensive gay man. You’re not feminine presenting.”

I take in my stride and happy to discuss, but I get accused of passing or “skating through”, but everyone’s queer journey is so individual to themselves.

This is me. I’m not putting on a straighter voice or changing who I am so I can get work. This is still who I am, and it doesn’t negate the challenges I faced by being openly gay in the entertainment industry. I’ve had many conversations saying, “I don’t think you could have a number one breakfast show.”

It’s a big topic, isn’t it?

Amanda: What’s something you’re deeply passionate about that might surprise people who only know you professionally?

Mitch: My family. I really love my family, but that’s such a boring answer.

Amanda: Yeah, we’re going to cut that.

Mitch: I would too. I really don’t know. Maybe this is me realising I need to have more hobbies? What am I passionate about?

I really love entertainment. I’m a media junkie. I listen to the news, I love politics as well. International politics, especially American politics.

I listen to countless UK and American political podcasts, I read all the trade and political press, I watch all the press conferences. And I just find it really interesting.

I love the pundits. I know all the commentators, I follow them all. I livestream. NBC, CNN, I love to watch Sky News and Fox News to see how everyone is covering everything.

I find it so deeply entertaining. I could go on about politics for ages.

—

Amanda: If you could be known for something completely different than what you’re known for now, what would it be?

Mitch: My mum really thinks I should get into politics. But I think I’ve said too much on the public record. I’ve hosted a podcast for the last six or seven years.

Amanda: But wouldn’t that make you more real?

Mitch: I guess, but I mean they could go and find something and go, “Look at this ridiculously problematic thing that he said.”

My defence would be was that I was 22 or 23, but look, if Trump can get away with the horrific things that he’s done — the files — I could get away with saying something salacious in 2020.

I’d like to do politics… But I don’t think so. It’s a later in life thing.

Amanda: So, what would you be known for then? If not politics?

Mitch: I don’t know, isn’t that sad? Maybe having great hair? I do love my hair. I’m trying to change it now because I’ve had the quiff for 15 years. I haven’t changed my hairstyle since I was 13 or 14.

I don’t know, what would you say?

Amanda: I feel like, for you, it could be personal shopper at Westfield Miranda, a walking tour guide, or it could be politics.

Mitch: Yeah, one of the three. I’m not sure. My career is in an interesting spot at the moment that it could take any form.

It’s exciting but it’s scary. I don’t have a salary, I make money as it comes where you can have great months and some really quiet months.

I’m struggling at the moment with having a quiet day and feeling really guilty.

My biggest fault is that I compare myself and I do unfortunately fall victim to jealousy.

It’s just who I am, I’m a jealous person. I get jealous of what people are wearing, I get jealous of lunch! If someone has a better meal than me, I get jealous. If my boyfriend gets the steak and I get chicken, and the steak looks better? I’m jealous.

And it throws me off. I’m really trying to work on it because I don’t know where it comes from. I get envious and I get jealous, and I pit myself against people that don’t even know me. It’s bad.

Amanda: I think everybody does that and that’s the problem with social media.

Mitch: Yeah, it is, but you can also work on not caring. You have to, otherwise it cripples you. There’s always someone doing what you want to do, but better than you.

Amanda: This is true. What are you doing to help change that?

Mitch: Cut my screentime down. Being mindful. Trying to celebrate my wins and my moments.

It’s all in check. It’s not ruining my life but it is something that I’m mindful of. It’s not healthy.

Amanda: What’s a lesson outside of work you’ve learned that made you better at your job?

Mitch: Trying not to compare myself. I think I’ve learned so much about myself in the last 12 months.

The big lesson for any creatives or young kids listening is: You have to make the call.

You have to make the work. It will not come to you. Everything I’ve ever achieved or created in my life, I have made happen.

With great people, great support and great mentors. And people that have opened doors, but it’s because I have pushed or I have asked.

You’ve gotta ask the question. What’s that ridiculous cliché saying? “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s true.

I’m a very regretful person. I don’t live with many regrets, but I will feel them and then let them pass.

My mantra at the moment is, I don’t want to have any regrets so just do it.

I’d rather regret it failing than not doing it at all.

Amanda: Final question — what’s your hidden talent?

Mitch: I can play the theremin. The X-Files instrument. It’s the only instrument you don’t touch to make sound. It’s like an electromagnetic forcefield. Big wooden block with a big metal pole and you control it with the electromagnetic field of your body.

I picked it up during COVID because I wanted to be different and stand out from the pack. It’s silly, it’s fun, it’s ridiculous. I didn’t want to learn the saxophone, everyone can play the alto sax. I did the theremin and I loved it.

I love to cook. I love aeroplanes. I love the livery of planes. I love Airbus and Boeing. I love researching the planes and the new editions and why they upgraded it. I love the Airbus A380 and I have a thing about planes.

Amanda: Thank you so much for coming on.

Mitch: My privilege. My honour.

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