One of Australia’s most successful podcasters, Rosie Waterland, has relaunched her award-winning show Just The Gist after a two-year hiatus. 

Originally launched in 2019, Just The Gist became a cult hit in Australia, amassing more than 12 million total downloads and a devoted fanbase known as ‘Gisteners.’ The podcast is known for its signature coverage of topics about anything and everything – scandals, celebrity drama, true crime and extraordinary lives.

We sat down with Rosie to chat about her long-awaited return to podcasting.

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Acast: Just The Gist is back! Tell us about the relaunch. What can listeners expect from the new show and why have you decided to relaunch now?

Rosie: The Gisteners can expect the Just The Gist they know and love: amazing stories without any of the boring bits. Brand new episodes mixed with re-records of original episodes, three hilarious new co-hosts, and just the gist of what you need to know to make you sound impressive at a dinner party.  

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Acast: This time, you’re releasing the show under your own production company, Just The Network. What does having that creative control and autonomy mean to you? 

Rosie: After two number one podcasts, major industry awards and more than 20 million downloads, I thought I might try to finally leave that pesky imposter syndrome behind? I’ve spent a lot of years getting very good at this, so it was time to back myself.

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Acast: You’re re-recording the entire back catalogue, which is giving Taylor Swift in all the best ways - how have you found the process and how different do those stories feel now?

Rosie: It’s actually been really freaking fun. Just The Gist is one of those podcasts with a lot of ‘iconic’ episodes – stories that the fans stay obsessed with. So I can’t wait for them to hear all their old favourites with new research and updates. As for the Taylor Swift vibes... you said it, not me!

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Acast: What has it been like working with the team at Acast and why did you decide to choose them as a hosting partner for the relaunch?

Rosie: Acast has been AMAZING. I talked to Guy [Scott-Wilson, Content Director for Acast ANZ] as far back as 2023 when Just The Gist first went on hiatus. He was actually the one who first mentioned that my situation reminded him of Taylor Swift. Since then, he and Simon [McDermott, Senior Development Manager for Acast ANZ] have been SO supportive during the very long process of getting some form of the show back on air.

‍Acast’s business model is one I respect and appreciate because it’s fair to artists, which sadly is pretty rare in this industry. I own all my creative work and get to do what I love, while you guys bring in the dollars! A match made in heaven.

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Acast: Just The Gist has always had one of the most loyal and passionate fanbases in podcasting. What do your Gisteners mean to you?

Rosie: Everything. The Gisteners mean everything. Not a day goes by where I don’t have at least one fan approach me to say how much they love listening (gistening!) to the show. I always tell them I love making it just as much.

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Acast: When the trailer dropped last month, the podcast shot straight to #1 on both the Apple and Spotify charts. Were you expecting that kind of reaction? 

Rosie: Not in less than 24 hours! The Gisteners have been desperate for the show to return, so I knew they’d be excited. But the reason I dropped that trailer a couple of weeks before launch was because I expected it would take some time for everybody to discover the new RSS feed and listen and subscribe. How wrong I was! I should never underestimate the Gisteners.

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Acast: Fans will have seen you went on the most incredible road trip earlier this year – what were your highlights? Did having that time away help with planning the Just The Gist relaunch?

Rosie: I spent most of 2024 doing a lap of Australia in a campervan with my partner James, which was incredible. But I’d say the highlight was just how many people, in even the most unexpected and remote places, wanted to tell me how much they loved and missed Just The Gist. Seriously, we’d be in the middle of the outback, eight hours from the nearest town, and I’d hear someone say, “I love Just The Gist! Please tell me it’s coming back soon!” It was a great way to do market research on people’s favourite episodes too, while we were deciding which ones to re-record first.

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Acast: And finally, what are your long-term plans for this next chapter? Is there anything new you’re keen to explore over the coming months or do differently this time round?

Rosie: Well, the back-catalogue has over 200 episodes in it, so along with new episodes, that’s going to keep us going for a good while. We’re also adding ‘JTG Minis’ to the line-up, to enable us to put out episodes on topics that may not be big enough to fill a full show but can still be great content that adds to our downloads.

‍I’m also really, really excited about the ways Just The Network can work with Acast to commercially expand the Just The Gist universe through engaging new kinds of content. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years but never had a capable team behind me. I’m thinking Just The Gist Kids, Just The Gist of Film and TV, Just The Gist of different places and experiences…

‍Just The Gist is in a pretty unique sweet spot – it really lends itself to brand partnerships and sponsored content that can still stay completely true to the ethos of the show. It’s exactly why I accepted the invitation to that Medieval Festival last year – if I can give Just The Gist of something in an entertaining way, it’s worth exploring!

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Quick-fire round

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Favourite episode you’ve ever done?

‍In the studio: The Trashman Yacht Sinking. In a Live Show: The Woman Who Fell In Love With a Dolphin. Both ‘edge of your seat’ stories, but in very different ways!

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A Gistener moment you’ll never forget?

‍What blows my mind most is when school teachers and uni professors tell me they’ve made JTG episodes required listening in their courses.

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One word to describe Just The Gist (Rosie’s Version)?‍

I can’t say ‘Number One’ without using two words.

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What’s always in your fridge?

‍Sad vegetables that I planned on eating when I felt motivated but then got Uber Eats instead.

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Go-to takeaway order?

‍Maccas nugs.

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A travel essential you can’t live without?‍

I have the pale complexion of a Victorian ghost child who died of consumption, so it has to be sunscreen.

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Most-used app on your phone?‍

A tie between Spotify and TikTok.

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First thing you do when you wake up?

‍Doom scroll.

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Your ultimate comfort binge-watch?‍

Seinfeld.

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The last thing you panic-bought online?

‍A laptop, after I dropped mine in the bath.

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Signature drink of choice?‍

AM: Sugar Free Red Bull (I don’t drink coffee). PM: Bird in Hand sparkling.

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Most chaotic thing you’ve done for podcast research?‍

Listened to an episode of Joe Rogan.

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Audio and video episodes of Just The Gist are released twice weekly and available wherever you get your podcasts, with bonus ‘Breakin’ Nooz’ content available exclusively on Patreon.