Spilling the Podcast Tea: Do Celebrity Shows Actually Work?
Behind the mic: what works, what flops, and why real always wins.
This week, I got a surprise email from a journalist at Yahoo Entertainment asking to interview me about what makes a celebrity podcast successful. She specifically wanted my take on shows hosted by Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, Kylie Kelce, and Amy Poehler.
Oh wow. No pressure, right?
Cue the imposter syndrome. But I said yes—and hopped on the call at 6:30 AM Monday morning, fully fueled by two cups of coffee (bless them). We had such a fun, thoughtful conversation, and I shared what I always share with all of you: myself.
And that, my friends, is exactly what I believe makes a great podcast—whether it’s hosted by a celebrity or not.
We love hearing real stories. I know I do. I’m a sucker for a good tea spill—the messier, the better. In fact, a friend recently told me there’s research showing that people who crave behind-the-scenes details are actually more intelligent. So yes, I’ll take that PhD in gossip now, thank you very much. 😉
Now, because of what I do, I get to see the actual download data behind these shows. Honestly? Kylie Kelce’s podcast is performing the best, with Michelle and Amy following close behind. Meghan’s… not so much.
Why? In my opinion, we’re just not getting enough of the real Meghan. I watched her Netflix series and was kind of disappointed—it wasn’t even filmed in her home. I get wanting privacy, but as a viewer, I was craving something a little more unfiltered. I wanted to see the real kitchen, the real mess, maybe even Harry popping in mid-convo. Real life.
Kylie Kelce shot to the top of the podcast charts—knocking ol’ Joe Rogan out of the #1 spot—and honestly, it makes total sense. She’s spilling the tea on her life, cracking jokes, and showing up as her full, hilarious, unfiltered self. She’s real and—gasp—authentic. (If you’ve been here a while, you know how I feel about that word… if you have to say you’re being authentic, you probably aren’t.)
Amy Poehler’s podcast is right there with her. She’s laughing so hard she’s falling out of her chair with her guests—and truly, in this moment, couldn’t we all use a little more of that kind of joy?
Michelle, on the other hand, is crushing it. Not just because we share a name (though that helps 😉), but because she’s co-hosting with her brother. That’s an intimate move. Siblings know our unpolished, unfiltered selves. It gives us a glimpse into her life that feels authentic, human, and vulnerable.Here’s the truth: Whether you’re a podcast host, a guest, or just showing up online—the secret is being yourself. Not perfect. Not polished. Just real. You don’t have to spill every ounce of tea about your life, but you do need to show up as you. That’s what resonates. That’s what builds connection.
The internet can make it feel like we really know the people we follow. And in some ways, we do. We share snippets of our lives and create real connections. But it’s still an illusion. We don’t fully know their inner struggles, dreams, or fears. And because of that, we need to extend grace.
Grace for how they choose to show up. Grace for the boundaries they set. And maybe a little grace for ourselves too, as we figure out how to share what we want to—and protect what we need to.
Because in the end, the best podcasts—and the best connections—start with honesty.
National Women Talk Politics Day
II can already imagine the eye-rolls some might give that headline—but if you know me, you know where I stand: everything is political. The personal is political, and it’s more important than ever that we talk about it.
Today is National Women Talk Politics Day, and it’s no coincidence that it falls on May 2nd—the day the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade. This moment in history changed everything for women, and we need to keep showing up, speaking up, and pushing forward.
Lately, I’ve been having more and more conversations with women who feel inspired, fired up, and ready to get involved. They’re sharing their stories, their “why,” and what matters most to them—and every one of those conversations gives me hope.
That’s why I joined —a community of women using our voices, not just as individuals, but together. We show up. We support one another. We don’t back down.
If you’ve been looking for your people—those who care, who act, who raise their voices and raise the next generation of changemakers—come join us.
I also just started reading Lose the Cape: The Mom’s Guide to Becoming Socially & Politically Engaged (& How to Raise Tiny Activists) by
, and it’s already shaping up to be an incredible resource. Highly recommend for any mom ready to lean in and take action.Authors & Podcasts
This week’s question from authors: Should authors focus on book/literary podcasts for interviews?
My quick answer, no! Unless your book and writing is specifically for the literary community, you should be looking at podcasts in other categories. The goal is to reach people who want to read your book. I’m sure you’ve already done the work of figuring out who your ideal reader is, so the challenge is figuring out what podcasts they’re listening to. I’ve mapped out some questions for you to ponder which work great for authors and anyone else who wants to guest on podcasts.
Who is my ideal reader—and what season of life are they in?
(Think: Are they parents? Entrepreneurs? Grieving? Healing? Starting over?)What are their biggest struggles, dreams, or questions right now?
(You want to speak into what keeps them up at night and what gets them excited in the morning.)What other books, authors, or thought leaders do they follow or admire?
(Find out where those people have been interviewed.)What kinds of podcast episodes would they save, share, or binge?
(True stories? Tactical advice? Motivational interviews? Conversations about identity, relationships, activism?)Are they listening for entertainment, inspiration, or transformation?
(This helps you determine tone and topic—funny, deep, practical?)What topics overlap between what I write about and what they’re curious about?
(This is the sweet spot!)
Use your answers and then head over to Google! Read the podcast description of shows, listen to a couple of episodes. You’ll quickly be able to tell if these podcasts align with not only your message but who you’re trying to reach.
Book Roundup
I posted my April book reviews this week and it was pointed out to me that I read quite the variety of books! I know that May is going to bring even more variety and cannot wait!
I also shared another video of Books On My Desk!
My Simplified Life Podcast
This week’s episodes were especially meaningful to me. I truly love every conversation I have on the podcast—but these felt extra special.
Reading Bearer of Bad News was such a powerful experience, and I was genuinely surprised (in the best way) by how Elisabeth wove in the stories of women who resisted during WWII. Our conversation went even deeper as we explored her work as an attorney at the International Criminal Court, prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was fascinating, moving, and unforgettable.
#305 Bearer Of Bad News with Elisabeth Dini
Steph and I, of course, talked books—but we also dug into something deeper: the moment she saw herself reflected in a story, and why diverse representation in books truly matters.
#306 Booked & Unfiltered: Empathy Through Literature: A Conversation on Reading
I shared a quick solo episode on a topic I feel strongly about: balance is BS.
Here’s my take—it's not about juggling everything perfectly or constantly flipping between roles. It’s about being fully present in the moment you’re in. That’s where your focus belongs. Whether it’s work, parenting, rest, or something else entirely, being all-in right now is more valuable than striving for some unrealistic version of “balance.”
And let’s be real—these solo episodes? They’re pep talks I’m giving myself... I’m just letting you listen in.
You’re doing a great job. Don’t forget that.
#307 The Myth of Balance: Embracing Presence
If you have a specific question about podcast pitching, guesting, speaking up and taking action, or even business…let me know and I’m more than happy to answer them!
