EXCLUSIVE: Bryce Ruthven lands podcast with MAFS co-star Melissa Rawson

Former Editor & Content Director

Recent Married At First Sight alumni Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson are the first graduates from this season to reveal their next media plans.

The duo have landed a podcast deal with Jay Walkerden’s Podshape, Radio Today can reveal.

The podcast will be titled What Happens After and is being promoted as a “warts and all look at the development of a relationship”, including the highs, the lows and the absolutely ordinary.

Ruthven was previously an announcer at Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) Hit 104.7 in Canberra. His departure coincided with his rising profile on the Channel 9 series.

Throughout the series, Ruthven generated significant column inches and on-air talk breaks as the nation’s media and commentators dissected his behaviour on screen, particularly towards women and his partner, Rawson.

Based on the trailer, the podcast does not address these concerns, but is instead about topics such as whether the duo will actually get married, their views on having children together and how their family views their TV and real-life romance.

Rawson, however, does briefly address some of the negatives in the podcast’s trailer.

“The bad things have definitely been the trolls and the lack of understanding around our relationship,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to showing our relationship for what it actually is and giving insight into Bryce and myself,” she added via a statement.

Ruthven said the two have a definite connection.

“We met in usual circumstances but we’re just like any normal couple, I’m excited to let people inside how lives and our relationship,” he said in a statement to Radio Today. 

The podcast launches on Tuesday, May 4 and will initially run for 10 episodes.

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Mike Hammond
27 Apr 2021 - 11:09 am

This industry is an embarrassment. Is this really the best we can do?

Shameful, the bottom of the barrel trash.

Yuck
27 Apr 2021 - 11:12 am

This is disgusting and opportunistic of Jay Walkerden trying to capitalise on bad press. People will protest this more than they’ll get behind it, and he will come to regret that fast

Rochelle
27 Apr 2021 - 11:21 am

Given the interest around this couple on MAFS, a very smart decision from Jay. They’re really the only couple that come to mind when you think of the TV show at the moment.

The show not only rates well in Australia, but NZ, the UK, the USA and reportedly going into South America later this year.

Ewww
27 Apr 2021 - 11:22 am

Ugh.

Big mistake, huge
27 Apr 2021 - 11:33 am

Podshapes time of death: today

Sarah
27 Apr 2021 - 11:35 am

People giving a negative view on a radio announcer that’s gained a national profile from a TV show like MAFS are only bitter they haven’t got the exposure Bryce has.

Yes, the way he went about it is up for discussion, but he’s got what most regional/provincial announcers want. A point of difference.

Lisa
27 Apr 2021 - 11:36 am

In a couple of weeks time, everyone will have forgotten all about Bryce and Melissa.

Who is seriously going to tune into this?

Insulted Doormat
27 Apr 2021 - 11:41 am

I love how in the trailer the first time Bryce says the word “podcast” he pops massively on the P.

Radio pro, is he?

Paul
27 Apr 2021 - 11:59 am

She actually sounds more of a radio pro than he does!!!

Bryce nope
27 Apr 2021 - 12:14 pm

Do people realise Bryce was a WORKDAY announcer? 0 personality for a content show and that shows. He truly is one of the worst people to represent radio announcers in this country. Jay clearly lacks a spine.

Come in Spinner
27 Apr 2021 - 12:26 pm

What’s the actual deal?
50% of the $0 revenue it makes?

Rod
27 Apr 2021 - 1:01 pm

@Bryce nope

Bryce has also been involved in various breakfast and content driven shows, is a great story teller and has won an ACRA for his music presenting.

Instead of all these posts coming from people under fake names, why not take your negative views elsewhere.

This industry truely has some embarrassing, negative people amongst it at times.

Claude
27 Apr 2021 - 1:33 pm

Does Bryce understand that nobody really cares anymore

Calm Ya Farm
27 Apr 2021 - 2:22 pm

For those getting their knickers in a knot about this (I’m looking at you, Hammond) just remember it’s all about supply and demand. If listeners deem this to be fascinating must-listen-to content, then it’ll stick around. If not – then it’ll go. It’s cute to see how upset some of you get when opportunities are given to people other than yourselves. Rememeber, blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours burn brighter.

ACRA? Shmacra.
27 Apr 2021 - 2:26 pm

@Rod Bryce won his ACRA for a voice tracked shift in Deniliquin, while he was based in Traralgon. Classic loophole of finding a market that qualifies as “country”, while working in a provincial market. There should be a caveat on all ACRAs: you must be located in the market you are entering for.

Peter Johnson
27 Apr 2021 - 2:40 pm

@Rod

Could you please explain to me how this podcast is actually going to make any money?

One of his previous bosses
27 Apr 2021 - 2:47 pm

Old Brycey boy back in the comments using fake names. Maybe try not using the names of PDs who probably don’t respect you champ, and would never write those things?

Norma
27 Apr 2021 - 3:05 pm

Just what we all need

jase
27 Apr 2021 - 3:37 pm

Podshape, the ambulance chasers of the audio world.

Those poppies are looking tall, should cut em
27 Apr 2021 - 4:16 pm

Wow. For people who live and die by ratings, we quickly forgot how well MAFS rated. Supply and demand team.

On the point of Podshape making a huge mistake, why not try something different, we all know what happens when everyone goes conservative… we end up with CRA, Nova, SCA, ARN, NINE, Grant Broadcasters, Capital Radio and Super Radio Network.

Good on Jay for doing what he loves.

Meddy
27 Apr 2021 - 5:11 pm

I’m glad they worked out and that they came out stronger. The other couples should have focused on their own relationships a lil bit more and theirs may have worked out too….or not with some people just being plain unlikeable. I loved Bryce and Mel.

J
27 Apr 2021 - 5:24 pm

I can’t even get the preview to play, so if that’s any indication of how cooked it’s going to be count me out.

All I can picture is the two of them sitting at that breakfast bar in the MAFS apartment, talking about what kinds of things they could do in the future together like – oh, I know – a warts n all relationship podcast!

Literally the only things I could get out of a podcast by these two would be how to identify narcissistic toxic behaviour in real world scenarios; what to say to a gaslighter: a case study; or what not to do on national television.

Andrew Reilly
27 Apr 2021 - 5:38 pm

I thought it was over………..O well,I hope they make a buck.

Nicole
27 Apr 2021 - 7:54 pm

This is really irresponsible. After the way Bryce behaved – emotionally abusing Melissa, the controlling, gaslighting and narcissism. Why would anyone else give him a platform ? There are plenty of health functioning relationships that could be better showcased, and that would set an example. Really disgraceful.

Also the commenters remarking that it’s tall poppy or trying to dull their shine (hello Bryce using fake accounts) that is a completely naive and basic response. The public are not trolling or ‘misunderstanding’ their relationship – we are allowed to call out that his treatment of Melissa raised red flags. Too often people stand by and don’t call out bad behavior. We’ve seen there is an insidious DV epidemic in Australia and more people should call out toxic relationships when they see them.

Kaylene Robinson
28 Apr 2021 - 5:13 am

Good on you both.i smile when I think of you both as a couple that survived that ambush of negativity.i think it was wrong that all those other couples could not focus on their own agendas first.goodluck for your future and may you both live happily in harmony.

Sarah
28 Apr 2021 - 7:48 am

Why is the media normalising a coercive & controlling relationship.

Beverley
28 Apr 2021 - 8:40 am

Congratulations Melissa and Bryce,
I am happy for you both and you look good together.
I will be looking forward to hearing the podcasts.

Patricia
28 Apr 2021 - 9:06 am

Isn’t it too soon to talk about their relationship yet alone do a podcast. Don’t most people say the 1st 2 years are always rosy in relationships. What are they trying to proof

Marty S.
28 Apr 2021 - 9:24 am

This guy’s weakly set lower jaw doesn’t allow him to properly ennunciate. He struggles with all his “s” and “sh” sounds. He’ll never make it on mainstream radio.
Plus, I think people are sick to death of Melissa’s complete absence of self-respect and insight into the type of man she’s shacked up with.
What they’re planning on sharing on this podcast is not what people want to hear.

Nikki Riley
28 Apr 2021 - 9:31 am

This is not news worthy. Will never listen. The only reason I’m bothering to comment is to express my bewilderment. Why? Who cares? What could we listen to that’s more worthy?

Bob
28 Apr 2021 - 9:38 am

Hmm. If that was a teaser, I would of expected slicker production from someone that had been on air in Radio. The teaser did not flow and felt forced.. Not sure how much legs this has… only so much you can talk about the show…

Sharon Eves
28 Apr 2021 - 12:24 pm

Any potential profit from this train wreck of a couple should be sent straight to victims of DV or campaigners for cohersive control to be recognized as abuse by law.

The relationship with this pair was a telivised warning to all of what a toxic, controlling relationship looks like!

Wow Guys
28 Apr 2021 - 9:10 pm

Reading through everyone’s comments has been quite a fun time.

It is so simple, if you don’t like it don’t listen. No one is forcing you to pull up your pod app of choice and sit through it if that’s not what you are keen on doing.

I personally couldn’t give a flying fuck about it however the reality is that MAFS rated well, so chances are the audience will be there for this podcast.

And if it doesn’t find an audience? Who even cares!

As always keep your ridiculous takes coming, very entertaining stuff.

Susan Webster
29 Apr 2021 - 5:04 pm

Well done Bryce and Melissa – looking forward to tuning in 🙂

Brit
29 Apr 2021 - 6:14 pm

HAHAHA
Just an FYI for the couple of people who weren’t aware – the comment by “@Rod” was 100% written by Bryce. This is so sad!

T.P.
30 Apr 2021 - 1:13 am

I cannot stand these two, however, I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt. Professionally, Bryce does not have a radio voice, it is very nasally, he needs to go and see a speech therapist if he wants to take his radio announcing career seriously. Instead of trying to make a quick buck, invest your time into learning and improving your craft, or you are just going to be like the rest of the low class radio announcers out there. Take this as you will, you may have worked in radio, but you were not a top radio announcer. This podcast did not flow at all, and that content could have been covered in just 1 podcast. Nobody really cares anymore.

Peta
30 Apr 2021 - 5:16 pm

Boycott!!!!!!!
DON’T LISTEN!!
BULLIED RELATIONSHIP!!
MAKE A STAND!!!!!!!!!

Rosie
30 Apr 2021 - 10:46 pm

@wow guys

Just because MAFS rated well, doesn’t neccessarily mean the same audience will tune into this podcast.
The other healthy relationships and the experts were the draw card, not Bryce and Melissa. What I’ve read and experienced myself, is that most viewers cringed watching this couple. The media attention including Australia radio (I’ve read the other comments from former colleagues) has been punishing.
This couple has been poorly advised, and are naive in thinking that the show’s ratings had anything to do with them. It is even harder to believe that they would put themselves out there for more of the same.

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