For those eager to uncover the deepest secrets of their favourite celebrities, a new trend is emerging. Instead of traditional mainstream interviews, stars like Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber are now choosing to share intimate details of their lives on podcasts, often hosted by friends and colleagues.
This shift sees celebrities increasingly launching their own shows, such as Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy or Jay Shetty’s On Purpose. These long-form conversations offer the public a more personal, direct look into their world. Tune in for a curated selection of the best podcasts available now, including some of our favourite, closely guarded secrets.
Call Her Daddy hosted by Alex Cooper
View this post on Instagram
Launched in 2018, Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy has become the most-listened-to podcast by women, boasting over 3.7 million followers on Spotify. The weekly comedy and advice series, which secured a $125 million deal with Sirius XM in August 2024, drops new episodes every Wednesday. Instalments range from lighthearted breakdowns, such as the segment on “The Wellness Industry Is a Scam”, to high-profile interviews, including a conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.
Zayn Malik’s appearance on the show—following his first sit-down interview in six years, which also took place on the podcast—further underscored its growing cultural significance as a destination for candid, high-profile conversations. In this episode, Malik shared more personal insights about his life, including his previous relationship with Gigi Hadid and a lighthearted anecdote about gifting his daughter US$500 for her first lost tooth. The interview builds on the show’s momentum, alongside buzzy moments like its Miley Cyrus-Hannah Montana related special, reinforcing its role in shaping contemporary pop culture discourse.
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce
View this post on Instagram
Football fans and pop culture enthusiasts alike will enjoy this series, co-hosted by brothers Jason and Travis Kelce. Beyond providing insightful commentary on NFL games, the pair delve into various cultural moments. The genuine chemistry between the two siblings—once rivals in the NFL—is evident, and the show has attracted major guests, including Super Bowl Champions Cooper Kupp and AJ Barner, as well as Matt Damon, who discussed what it’s like “Being a Girl Dad“.
One particular episode gained significant attention when Taylor Swift seemingly announced her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, and shared insights into her relationship with Travis, including how they first began dating. It also achieved a Guinness World Record for the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube.
On Purpose hosted by Jay Shetty
Launched in 2019, Jay Shetty’s podcast, On Purpose, has earned the title of the world’s number one mental health podcast. The life coach and mental health advocate interviews experts, celebrities, and prominent leaders, exploring previously untold experiences with the goal of helping listeners become “happier, healthier and more healed”. His impact is undeniable: the show has garnered over a billion views, and Shetty recently received the 2026 Social Impact Award for Mental Health Conversations at the iHeartPodcast Awards, underscoring the influence of his insights on millions.
A standout episode features Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Alex Warren. In a candid and raw conversation, Warren reflects on his challenging upbringing, including losing his father as a child, enduring physical abuse from his alcoholic mother, and experiencing periods of homelessness. Despite these deeply personal losses, he explained how he transformed hardship into meaningful songwriting, ultimately leading to the success of his award-winning track, “Ordinary.”
In Your Dreams hosted by Owen Thiele
View this post on Instagram
Comedian and insomniac Owen Thiele, known for his roles in the comedy shows Adults and Overcompensating, has found a path to notoriety through late-night broadcasting. Under Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network, he engages in candid, humorous exchanges with celebrity friends. The show is recorded in a bedroom-style setting, complete with a wall decorated in iconic 2000s and 2010s pop culture imagery.
That same candid, conversational tone carries into the show’s guest interviews, where celebrity friends often feel comfortable addressing even long-circulating rumours. In one such episode, Kendall Jenner spoke publicly for the first time about persistent speculation surrounding her sexuality. While the rumors continue to circulate, Jenner shared that she would be open about her identity if they were true, while also calling out the online discourse as “mean and unkind.” She went on to dismiss speculation about alleged cosmetic procedures, using the moment to push back against the scrutiny that often surrounds her public image.
Therapuss hosted by Jake Shane
Jake Shane’s show has quickly gained popularity since launching in January 2024, thanks to interviews with A-list guests like Glen Powell and Hilary Duff. The format sees Shane seated in a “proverbial chair”, offering a playful form of therapy as he responds to fan dilemmas and engages in deeper conversations with celebrity guests and influencers about their lives.
In the Season 3 premiere, Hailey Bieber shared that her 16-month-old son, Jack Blues, whom she shares with Justin Bieber, is already speaking and even singing lines from his father’s 2010 hit song, Baby. Bieber shared her experience with fame, detailing how the constant scrutiny of public life and the pressure to please everyone has taken a mental toll. This moment alone makes the episode worth streaming.
Good Hang hosted by Amy Poehler
View this post on Instagram
Tune in for a “good time” with Amy Poehler’s conversational series, now in its second season, where she welcomes celebrity guests for discussions so intimate you’ll feel like a fly on the wall. Expect laughter alongside reflections on careers and everyday life. The show recently took home the inaugural Best Podcast award at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, further cementing its place as a standout in the podcast landscape.
Whether she’s swapping career stories or diving into more personal territory, Poehler’s signature warmth and openness creates an atmosphere of easy intimacy. Her long-standing guest relationships lead to natural conversations and unexpectedly poignant moments, notably in her episode with Aubrey Plaza. Having known Poehler for much of her professional life, Plaza shed her typically guarded persona to speak candidly about the death of her husband, who had died by suicide early that year. In this space, she took control of her own narrative, describing the “giant ocean of awfulness” of grief and even likening it to The Gorge. The rare, deeply moving exchange showcases Poehler’s ability to draw out emotional depth.
Smartless hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett
View this post on Instagram
The three hosts connect people from all different chapters of life while hilariously bantering among themselves. This format is distinctive: after securing a three-year, U$100 million deal with SiriusXM, one host surprises the other two with a mystery guest each week.
In a highly unusual instalment, the show featured an unprecedented trio of guests: then-President Joe Biden alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Marking the first triple-guest segment, the conversation shifted from the programme’s typical wit to weightier topics such as economic recovery and gun violence, while still allowing space for personal reflections from the three leaders. The timing coincided with President Biden’s re-election campaign.
Friends Keep Secrets hosted by Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky and Kristin Batalucco
View this post on Instagram
Hosted by best friends, the show is a first-of-its-kind experiment, with over 18 hidden cameras discreetly rigged throughout Lil Dicky (Dave Burd) and Kirstin’s Los Angeles home. Viewers are treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of real-life friendships and impromptu guests. Rather than following a typical interview format, the trio often record a song, cook, or play games. Blending elements of podcasts, livestreams, and sitcoms, the show captures the relaxed rhythm of quality hangouts. A clever nod? Its title also references Blanco’s debut studio album from 2018.
A particularly well-kept secret emerged when Selena Gomez revealed that Taylor Swift’s track Dorothea was inspired by her reflecting the formative, self-defining moments they shared as teenagers. Blanco also candidly discussed supporting Gomez through bipolar disorder, navigating multiple therapists and rehab programmes, often without fully understanding her experiences of “mania” at the time.
The Burnouts hosted by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni
View this post on Instagram
Part of Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network, The Burnouts is a candid, conversational podcast from former Stanford roommates Phoebe Gates (daughter of Bill Gates) and Sophia Kianni. They delve into navigating their twenties, running their co-founded startup, Phia, and feature insightful interviews with other entrepreneurs. Featuring guests like Karlie Kloss, Paris Hilton, and Chelsea Handler, this podcast offers compelling career insights from influential thinkers, making it a must-listen.
In this episode, the hosts welcome media matriarch and entrepreneur Kris Jenner to discuss her journey from a 1970s flight attendant to the driving force behind one of the most influential entertainment families in the world. Reflecting on her early career, Jenner recalls refusing to passively accept undesirable flight assignments, instead approaching the scheduling office to negotiate better routes. This proactive mindset later shaped how she managed her family’s rise to fame through Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Rather than treating the show as a fleeting moment of celebrity, Jenner strategically guided her children’s careers, turning media attention into a portfolio of brands and business ventures.
Editor
Tanya ParmanandCredit
Lead Image: @alexandracooper via Instagram
