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Drop the Mic

In 2024, 47% of the U.S. population aged 12 and over listened to podcasts every month. This rate reflects a significant growth in podcast listening as just 10 years ago, only 15% of people listened to podcasts monthly.

These days, there are too many distractions; society has developed a toxic tendency to tune one another out. However, a specific form of mainstream media proposes a solution to these problems – behind their headphones, millions are tuning back into reality by replacing their go-to tunes with podcasts. The recent surge in podcasts has allowed celebrities and public figures to prompt meaningful conversations spanning topics of all different depths.  The recent popularity of podcasts has allowed public figures to expand their brand or, for some, stay relevant while providing the public with accessible and diverse entertainment options.

 

Sorry, What’s a Podcast? 

Let’s start by defining podcasts. Podcasts are digital or video files that can be listened to on a device for informational, educational or entertainment purposes. Podcasts have quickly turned from single episodes into full series, where hosts create seasons of content and post them. Most hosts bring on guests who keep listeners engaged and provide a new perspective to each episode. 

While podcasts have existed since 2004, their creation popularity has experienced a significant influx recently. Much of the recent spike in podcast popularity sources from celebrities starting their own podcasts. 

Launching a podcast seems to be a common choice for celebrities who want to expand their business endeavors or simply keep their name relevant in the public eye. Often, they’re a final attempt at redemption for celebrities who have been out of the limelight for a while. 

 

Differentiating Podcasts 

Celebrities who launch podcasts aim to gather an audience based on a niche related to their personality or career. Different types of celebrity podcasts include TV show rewatches, banter-based conversations, popular culture reviews, fashion critiques, celebrity-on-celebrity interviews or unscripted brain-rot-based discussions that go nowhere. For a celebrity with superfans or a general good standing in the public eye, gathering listeners can be as easy as speaking into the mic without any plan. 

Connor Wood and Brooke Averick’s “Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast” is the perfect example of two influencers whose personalities are entertaining enough on their own to keep listeners plugged into a combined podcast. 

“Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast” is one of those celebrity podcasts where the two’s comedic chemistry outshines any topics of real importance. This iconic internet duo has no limits, or filters for that matter.If you love meaningless rambling, give their podcast a listen.

 For a celebrity that needs more intrigue to hook listeners, a script, special segment or constant guest appearance is necessary. No shade to Taylor Lautner, because the Team Jacob roots run deep, but “The Squeeze” podcast he hosts with his wife is an example of a celebrity pods that tends to be a little dry and less talked about. 

The media realm has become so oversaturated with celebrity podcasts that some argue they’re ruining the art of podcasting all together. However, one can also argue that celebrity podcasts allow listeners to feel more connected with their favorite popular culture icons and understand a certain topic better from a celebrity perspective. Who better to break down all the drama in Hollywood than the stars themselves? 

It’s when celebrity hosts speak on a topic that listeners assume doesn’t apply to them that the public gets a little skeptical.

For example, on “Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain,” Emma tends to take on more of a philosophical approach to topics. For those who don’t normally stan Chamberlain, her line of reasoning could be seen as unreliable due to a lack of degree or real education in philosophy. To the people who get Chamberlain and her relatable opinions on life, she is really just a girl with a microphone and a vast audience. 

 

Popular Celebrity Podcasts

Seemingly every celebrity today has a podcast. Even Jojo Siwa has her own podcast called, “Jojo Siwa Now,” with an “about” description stating, “High side ponytail and bows. That was then, THIS is NOW.” Sounds like a pretty accurate description, except for the missing bit about how her dream podcast guest would be one of her exes. 

The celebrity podcast of all celebrity podcasts is none other than “Call Her Daddy” by Alex Cooper. Though Cooper began her career as a podcaster before entering the limelight, her podcast has morphed into one of the most famous of them all. 

On the most listened-to podcast by women, ‘Father Cooper’ asks other celebrities the burning questions we all want the tea on. From favorite sex positions, to the worst icks, or  childhood trauma, Alex uncovers it all and leaves nothing out. 

Listeners are also really intrigued by the Kelce brothers’, “New Heights” podcast, ever since Travis began his love story with the pop icon, Taylor Swift. 

Another popular celebrity podcast is the recently-released “Hot Mess” podcast hosted by Alix Earle. The TikTok phenomenon, and University of Miami alumna, uses this platform as a big post night-out debriefing session where she explores topics like her dating rumors, recent travels and navigating life after college. 

The podcast shout-outs are nowhere close to being over, so sit tight. UM junior education major Annie Codega, said her favorite podcast is called “Emergency Intercom.” “An unserious podcast hosted by two best friends in the LGBTQIA+ community with a ton of wit,” said Codega. “Emergency Intercom,” featuring Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips, can be streamed on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

One celebrity podcast especially known for its star-studded guest lineup is “Therapuss” with Jake Shane. “Therapuss” is a therapy style talk show with past guests including Charli XCX, Snooki, Elizabeth Gillies, Joe Jonas and more. Jake takes all of his Pussies — Jake’s unique fanbase name — on a deep dive into random thoughts and feelings. 

Final mention is the current number-one podcast on Spotify, “The Joe Rogan Experience” with Joe Rogan. Hosted by a retired UFC color commentator and television host, “The Joe Rogan Experience” is a purely comedic podcast with long-form conversations and expert guests getting silly. Rogan famously hosted Elon Musk, where smoking weed, fidgeting with flamethrowers, and the nature of reality came into play in the timespan of just two-and-a-half hours  mic’d up. 

Besides being entertaining, podcasts also have a multitude of mental health benefits. Feeling lonely? Many podcasts feature in-depth, meaningful discussions or personal stories that make listeners relate and help them to feel socially connected.

Why Listen?

Podcasts are all about convenience. For the always-multitasking individuals, podcasts are the perfect outlet for absorbing information or receiving entertainment while also working on something else simultaneously. 

Summer Nelson, a sophomore at UM double-majoring in political science and broadcast journalism, explained how listening to podcasts while doing something else has become second nature. 

“Most of the time when I am doing various miscellaneous tasks, I personally enjoy having background, and if I am not playing music then it is one of two current go-to podcasts, ‘5-4’ and ‘Swish and Flick Podcast,’” said Nelson.

Podcasts became such a large part of popular culture because of their accessibility and room for creativity. COVID-19 definitely had a lot to do with people not only listening to podcasts, but also starting their own. Anyone can start a podcast about anything, and if you’re engaging enough on the microphone, chances are you’ll start to build a following. 

UM senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media Management, Trevor Green, explained that starting a podcast is really simple from a creator’s perspective. 

“On a podcast from day one, you can start to monetize with only 5,000 views. From the money standpoint, it is a lot easier to branch into compared to other saturated mediums,” said Green

The rise of podcasts is nowhere near slowing down. Stay up to date with what endeavors your favorite celebrity is working on, because you never know if they could launch the next best podcast tomorrow. A lot of the recent attention towards podcasts can be attributed to celebrities and influencers, especially when it comes to Gen Z listeners. 

Aris Montero, a UM senior studying creative advertising, said, “Public figures doing their own podcasts have allowed me to notice their rise in popularity.” 

If tuning into a celebrity’s audio rant is your way of getting into podcasts, so be it, the stars will be waiting for you.

 

words_remi turner. illustration&design_marita gavioti

This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2024 print issue.

 

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