Q&A with In All Honesty's Bert LaBonté & Liza McLean

What made you want to start a podcast?

Bert - To be honest, I didn’t. I was sort of one of those people saying, “oh my god, how many bloody podcasts are gonna be made in lockdown” and rolling my eyes at the thought of it. And here we are. I blame Mike McLeish and Gillian Cosgriff.

Liza - Over the past 2 years, I’ve started listening to a lot of podcasts. There is so much great content out there and as a Producer, it’s wonderful to hear so many stories. I realised that many podcasts would be great theatre adaptations. When Covid hit, a podcast felt like the right creative development to get out to audiences while our theatre’s doors were all closed.

What was the biggest challenge making your first podcast?

Bert - I guess for me it was the continual thought of, is this even interesting? Do people even care? Is that what my voice actually sounds like recorded? All the usual stuff an actor feels when they bare all and are no longer playing a character to hide behind. This was such raw content to expose as it was, let alone the thought that it may not be of interest to others. But apparently, it is so I’ll just go with the feedback so far.

Liza - The process for us was so organic, just a creative development that we then realised was best delivered as a podcast. How to financially support the podcast, and understanding potential commercial viability is our greatest challenge.

What was something that surprised you making this podcast?

Bert - How cathartic and therapeutic it was. I never saw myself reliving these moments in such great detail, but it was in many mays very beneficial, to my own mental health on a personal level. I’m not a particularly reflective person but it seemed to come quite easily.

Liza - How music and the process of verbatim lyricising could have such a poignant impact on a listener's ability to really hear and sit with a complex conversation.

What podcasts are you listening to right now?

Bert - Bill Simmons the book of Basketball. I’m a sports nut sorry.

Liza - How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, Big Sister Hotline, The High Low, Who the hell is Hamish.

What is your dream theatre production to be a part of or produce?

Bert - Oh look, I may have already done it…..or it might be coming. Watch this space.

Liza - The next one, whatever that may be.

What’s the first thing you are going to do in Melbourne as it opens up?

Bert - Go to the PUB. After I’ve seen my parents and siblings and nieces and nephews of course.

Liza - Arrange to meet up with The Twelve in person.

We gotta ask, do you have a favourite Ad?

Bert - The old HBA ad with the little kid talking about the Crocodile. The best part of that is his older brother was auditioning, but the director liked his vibe in the waiting room and asked if he could see him as well. He got the gig.

Liza - Carlton Draft - The Big Ad

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If you haven't heard the incredible new podcast from Bert & Liza, In All Honesty, you can find it on Apple Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcast.