Podcast Summary: You, Me & Mike — Ep. 206: Our Very First Guest!

Host: Thirteen Media
Guests: Jenn & Mike Todryk, Jane Latman
Date: October 1, 2025

Overview

In their milestone first guest episode, Jenn and Mike Todryk welcome television executive Jane Latman for an open, personal, and deeply insightful conversation about the world of unscripted television, the evolution of HGTV, behind-the-scenes industry workings, balancing leadership and family, the changing landscape of media, and the emotional realities of parenting, career choices, and creative risk-taking. Jane shares her career trajectory, experiences as president of HGTV, and her current focus on true crime production, while the Todryks offer candid reflections on their own media journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Backgrounds

• Jenn introduces Jane Latman using a ChatGPT-generated bio, underscoring Jane's pivotal career at Discovery/Warner Brothers Discovery and her influence on non-fiction and lifestyle networks (01:16).
  • “Jane Latman is foremost known for her outstanding leadership in unscripted television, particularly driving explosive growth of ID ... revitalizing and expanding content across multiple cable brands like the Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network.” — Jenn (01:20)
• Jane's role in greenlighting No Demo Reno and being a champion for Jenn's show.
• Mike expresses gratitude to Jane for nurturing Jenn’s authentic personality on TV and being supportive throughout the show's inception and development (03:16).

2. The Development Process & Inside TV

• Jane breaks down how shows get greenlit, navigating everything from pitch to pilot, and the critical role of a sizzle reel as a "proof of concept" (04:51–09:48).
  • “A sizzle reel is literally just like a test run ... a fake little truncated show in like five minutes or whatever.” — Jenn (08:39)
  • “Not everything should be like full, full on renovation. ... It's really expensive. ... This [show] can be done quickly. ... We had no one else like you on air.” — Jane (06:54–07:25)
• Explains the impact of corporate mergers (such as Scripps, Warner Brothers) and the delays they can cause (07:25–08:03).
• Outlines the roles of networks versus production companies, how budgets were hit by COVID, and the mechanics of show production during the pandemic (09:48–12:12).

3. COVID's Impact on TV Production & Media Consumption

• Jane and the Todryks recall adapting to pandemic protocols: remote production, skeleton crews, and how COVID accelerated shifts toward streaming (12:13–16:11).
  • “We did shut down for a minute ... figure out the technology, how to do shows remotely. ... It was also a way ... to have something to focus on besides what was going on in the world.” — Jane (12:13)
• The move from in-person to remote/Zoom culture and its silver linings.
• How budgets in home renovation television changed due to supply issues and increased costs post-COVID (11:10).

4. Shifts in Content Creation and Platform Consumption

• Discussion on how streaming and online video (YouTube, influencers) upended traditional television and inspired a new generation of talent (16:02–16:46).
  • “You think it accelerated it?” — Mike
  • “I do. ... Because the way people watch streaming is different ... and they just—I mean, I do think it accelerated [the shift].” — Jane (16:06–16:11)

5. Jane's Career Journey: Leadership, Family, Gender, and Balance

• Jane details her “unplanned career,” from her love of theatre and bartending, to a temp job at National Geographic, to executive roles at Discovery (17:27–21:14).
  • “My mother always said, follow your bliss.” — Jane (17:39)
• Honest dialogue about gender dynamics at various industry levels:
  • “At the highest levels, it’s still more male ... what else could it be but some sort of sexism?” — Jane (23:04, 23:15)
• Mike and Jenn ask about balancing ambition, family, and perceived expectations for women in the workforce; Jane explains her own job flexibility post-motherhood, and how Discovery supported a part-time executive arrangement (26:34–29:21).
  • “So I set up this arrangement where I could work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then ... have Friday through Monday ... with Alex ... getting the best of both worlds.” — Jane (28:35)
• Reflections on work ethic: “Everybody should work in a restaurant ... it builds an ethic.” — Jane (34:49)

6. Rising Through the Ranks & The Realities of Leadership

• Jane recounts her ascent from assistant to president, overcoming career hurdles, and sustaining passion amid growing work pressures (35:12–37:02).
• Her imposter syndrome accepting the HGTV role: “Have you seen my house?” — Jane (36:12)
• Life changes: Moving to New York, fulfilling family dreams like owning a sailboat (37:14).

7. Creative Risks, Notable Projects, and Behind the Curtain at HGTV

• Jane discusses projects she greenlit, including the infamous “Thunder Down Under” home reno show, and the importance (and risk) of pushing brand boundaries (39:40–41:22).
• The learning curve of bringing influencer talent to TV: not every online star translates to broadcast success (48:53–49:22).
  • “Not just where I worked ... there was a gold rush ... then I think there was a shift ... every platform has a different audience.” — Jane (48:53)
• Jenn describes the stress of being the first influencer-format talent and championing authenticity against network conservatism (46:00–47:44).
  • “It was stressful ... I got down almost to 100 pounds season one ... every single thing that I fought for ... I stand with all 10 toes on ... why I felt that way.” — Jenn (46:39)

8. The Future of Media: True Crime, Streaming, and AI

• Jane’s transition: After leaving HGTV, she starts a production company under Wheelhouse focused on true crime, launching projects like Girls on the High Bridge on Hulu (52:45–55:41).
• Discussion of storytelling ethics—how to tell true crime without sensationalizing victims (57:18–58:12).
  • “It’s not about sensationalizing trauma ... it’s honoring the story.” — Mike (58:18)
• Candid views on media trends: rapid evolution, YouTube/streaming syndication, the uncertain future, and longform content’s staying power (51:28–52:11).
• The pros and cons of artificial intelligence in media: speed, research, disruption, and anxiety over distinguishing what’s real (75:34–76:47).
  • “I think ... it’s both [good and bad]. … I’m most worried ... for my son. How are kids going to know what’s real and what’s not?” — Jane (75:45, 76:29)

9. Personal Growth, Parenting, and Transitions

• Jane reflects on motherhood, sending her only child to college, and the emotional impact of the “empty nest” (79:16–80:52).
  • “It sucked ... But every time I hear that he’s doing well or happy ... I feel better.” — Jane (79:19)
• Mike and Jenn discuss their family, perspective on milestones, and gratitude for “the present” (80:58–82:11).
• How life, careers, and relationships evolve as children grow up and leave home (85:15–88:10).

10. Advice for Aspiring Creatives and Industry Hopefuls

• Jane’s straight talk for would-be media professionals:
  • “If you’re coming in at the entry level, take any job, do anything … never say ‘that’s not my job’.” (89:42–89:57)
  • “Consistency, resilience, like, keep going. Patience.” — Jane (91:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jane on greenlighting Jenn’s show:
  “We had no one else like you on the air … Let’s cultivate this.” (06:41)
• Jane on work/life balance:
  “My dream was coming true. I was gonna have a baby … But there was also a change at work … I looked down at my baby sleeping and I’m like, I don’t know if I want to leave this little peanut at all, ever.” (27:07–27:53)
• Jane on representation:
  “At the highest levels … what else could it be but some sort of sexism?” (23:15)
• On media disruption:
  “Streaming was taking off … [COVID] absolutely accelerated that.” — Mike & Jane (16:02–16:11)
• On creative evolution:
  “If you just go all the way here … you were talking about the burp … that conservative audience … it’s like this balance.” — Jane (45:31)
• On following your bliss:
  “I’ve never planned anything in my career … My mother always said, follow your bliss.” (17:27, 17:39)
• On leaving corporate comfort for new adventure:
  “They call it golden handcuffs for a reason.” — Jane (71:55)
• Advice for newcomers:
  “Never say that’s not my job … Anything to get your foot in the door.” — Jane (89:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:16] — ChatGPT bio; Jane’s background, leadership at Discovery
• [04:51–09:48] — TV development process, sizzle reels explained
• [12:13–13:27] — COVID’s impact: shutdown, remote production, adaptation
• [16:00–16:46] — Streaming & cultural shifts, kids wanting to be YouTubers
• [17:27–21:14] — Jane’s career roots, theater to television, temping at NatGeo
• [23:04–24:03] — Gender, family, and leadership in TV
• [28:35–29:21] — Jane’s part-time executive arrangement, work-life blend
• [36:12] — Imposter syndrome: “Have you seen my house?”
• [39:40–41:22] — HGTV’s riskiest greenlights: Thunder Down Under anecdote
• [46:39] — Jenn on industry stress, authenticity, and paving the way for creators
• [48:53–49:22] — The “gold rush” of influencers to TV
• [52:45–53:59] — Jane’s new production company, true crime focus
• [75:34–76:47] — AI’s impact and the challenge of sorting real from fake
• [79:16–80:52] — Jane on sending her son to college, empty nest feelings
• [89:42–91:10] — Jane’s career advice for industry hopefuls

Fun & Human Moments

• “Mike’s rumble down under sounds like a fart.” — Jenn jokes about show titles (41:43)
• Jane picks Killing Me Softly as the most embarrassing song she knows all the words to (92:50).
• The trio discusses “booger people” as a marker of true intimacy (94:48).
• Mike’s heartfelt Kung Fu Panda wisdom: “That’s why they call it the present ... because it’s a gift.” (82:09)

Closing Reflections

This episode stands out for its genuine warmth, transparency about the joys and insecurities of broadcasting, and the realities of taking risks in both personal life and career. Jane Latman’s openness about leadership, change, and creativity offers inspiration for listeners at any stage of their media journey.

Listen for:

• Media industry secrets and leadership lessons from one of unscripted TV’s most influential execs
• Raw reflections on work/life balance, gender, authenticity, and navigating change
• Comfort, humor, and encouragement for parents facing transitions
• Actionable advice for would-be creatives and risk-takers in any field

For more on Jane’s new projects:
Check out Twist (her true crime production label), and the Girls on the High Bridge documentary on Hulu.