Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald are the co-founders of Shameless Media, one of Australia’s most influential and commercially successful independent media companies.
Launched from their bedroom floors in 2018, Shameless Media has grown into a multi-platform media business built on three pillars: community, cultural relevance and authenticity.
Scaling without outside investment, Shameless Media has amassed over 170 million listens and has a collective social audience of 1.9 million loyal followers. Shameless Media accounts for 10 per cent of Australia’s podcast wealth* across their portfolio of nine media verticals, driven by a team of 31 staff from their Melbourne headquarters.
Zara and Michelle have built a cult following for their sharp perspective and deep understanding of modern consumer behaviour, particularly among female Gen Z and Millennial audiences. They are respected and trusted voices of authority on popular culture, providing a gateway to understanding the psyche, motivations and desires of young women today, one of the fastest-growing and most valuable demographics for brands.
Their work sits at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, and influence, offering insight into how audiences engage, what they value, and how trust is built in a crowded digital landscape.
Shameless Media has received major industry recognition, including International Podcast of the Year at the 2026 iHeart Audio Awards and Australia’s Best Podcast at the 2026 AACTA Awards. Michelle and Zara were listed in Forbes’ inaugural 30 Under 30 in 2024.
Beyond their platforms, Michelle and Zara are experienced and deft live hosts and interviewers. They have facilitated conversations with bestselling author Dolly Alderton at the Sydney Opera House, and launched Zoë Foster Blake’s ‘Things Will Calm Down Soon’ in Melbourne. They have spoken at live events with corporate clients such as Qantas and Westpac amongst others.
As Michelle and Zara continue to evolve, both personally and professionally, they are bringing their audience along beside them on their journey, this speaks to their vision of continuing to create content that they have always craved. 2027 will be Shameless Media’s biggest year to date with the addition of new podcasts, a shoppable Style-ish website and their licensing deal with KICPod and KICBump go live.
Zara and Michelle are the voices of their generation, connecting with audiences with ease, humour and intelligence. Their influence in Australia is unmatched.
Podcasts: Shameless; Everybody Has a Secret; Style-ish; Inherited; Shameless Book Club; Just Start Here: The Room and KICPod; KICBump