Pocket People: Shira Kilgallon

In the first instalment of a new regular feature profiling our team, senior producer Shira tells us about working at Folding Pocket, the joys of gigantic greengrocery and the dangers of koalas.

Mon 25th, Sep

It’s no surprise that Shira Kilgallon has ended up as an executive producer for the world’s biggest rugby podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, and its sister podcast The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby: “Rugby is a massive part of my identity and my life, and I’ve always loved putting on a show – so my job suits me down to the ground.”

Before joining Folding Pocket in June 2021, Shira gained valuable experience in live radio production and reporting at the BBC following the completion of a masters in Broadcast Journalism from City, University of London, but since joining Folding Pocket her personal passion for rugby has been just as important as her professional expertise.

In the last two-and-a-bit years, Shira has been a central part of all output at GB&R and GS&R, which includes a diverse range of audio and video, social-first content and live shows.

In a long list of memorable moments the achievement that Shira is most proud of since joining Folding Pocket is the growth of GS&R, and she describes working with hosts Elma Smit, Emily Scarratt and Natasha Hunt as her favourite part of the job: “I’m so proud of this podcast. It’s rare that a producer and their ‘talent’ find such a friendship, as we have. But when you’re bound by a higher purpose, it’s not really a surprise”.

The ‘higher purpose’ that Shira refers to is the desire – which sits at the heart of GS&R – to champion and grow rugby as a game for women and girls: “We’re creating more than a podcast, it’s a platform to spotlight high-performing women across our game.”

Shira’s highlights in what are an ever-evolving job have included working with incredible guests such as Richie McCaw, Eddie Jones and Johnny Sexton; bringing more talent into GB&R including Ben Kayser, Shane Horgan, Jonathan Davies and Ellis Genge; and producing the recent Royal special podcast (turning the whole thing round in less than 72 hours), the GB&R live theatre show tour, and a branded Top Gear-esque series of challenges between the GB&R boys and the GS&R girls as part of a branded content campaign for Honda.

And, if you’re wondering about the koalas, you’ve obviously not watched the video yet!

Interested in working at Folding Pocket? Get in touch here – we’d love to hear from you.