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It seems like every celebrity has a podcast these days. For every actor, musician, or reality star, a microphone and a “tell-all” interview format seems to be the next logical career step. Of course, it’s not as simple as just hitting the record button, since many of these shows come and go.
The ones that remain or make a significant impact to be remembered are what we’re covering here today. Making a podcast is not the same thing as producing entertainment in any other medium, and yet these few celebrities managed to make that work for their careers.
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Dax Shepard
Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” launched in 2018 with his wife, Kristen Bell, as the first guest. It became the most downloaded new podcast that year, exploring what he calls “the messiness of being human” with guests like Barack Obama.
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Conan O’Brien
After decades in late night, Conan O’Brien launched his podcast in 2018 to finally make some friends. It worked. “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” has over 700 million downloads and features hilarious interviews with stars like Tom Hanks.
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Will Arnett
Teaming up with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, Arnett launched “SmartLess” in 2020. The simple ‘mystery guest’ format was a massive hit, landing them a reported $100 million deal with SiriusXM in 2024 and a documentary special on Max.
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Marc Maron
A true podcasting pioneer, Maron started his first podcast back in 2009 from his garage. He famously interviewed President Obama there, and his raw, honest conversations changed the game for the medium.
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Michelle Obama
The former First Lady brought her bestselling book “The Light We Carry” to podcast form in 2023. Her Audible-exclusive show features inspiring conversations recorded live on her book tour, sharing wisdom on navigating uncertain times with a wide audience.
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Shaquille O’Neal
The NBA legend brings his larger-than-life personality to “The Big Podcast with Shaq.” Joined by co-hosts Nischelle Turner and Spice Adams, he dives into everything from sports to pop culture, proving he’s still “the world’s biggest kid.”
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Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe’s enthusiasm is on full display in his podcast “Literally!,” which launched in 2020. He also co-hosts a “Parks and Recreation” recap show, proving his love for behind-the-scenes stories and chats with famous friends is genuine.
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Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson’s podcast “Sibling Revelry,” co-hosted with her brother Oliver, explores the unique bond between siblings. They’ve welcomed famous families like the McCartney sisters and even fellow podcaster Rob Lowe with his brother Chad as guests.
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Anna Faris
Anna Faris proves she’s more than qualified to host a hit podcast. On “Anna Faris is Unqualified,” she interviews celebrity guests before taking calls from listeners seeking relationship advice, combining humor with heartfelt, if unqualified, guidance.
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Questlove
The legendary musician dives deep into music history on “Questlove Supreme.” Since 2016, he and his “Team Supreme” have hosted incredible guests like Bruce Springsteen, Usher, and Michelle Obama for masterclass-level conversations on the art of music.
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Gwyneth Paltrow
As an extension of her lifestyle brand, Gwyneth Paltrow hosts “The goop Podcast.” Each week, she sits down with a variety of experts, creatives, and thought leaders to discuss everything from wellness to culture, one conversation at a time.
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Joe Rogan
One of the biggest names in podcasting, Joe Rogan started his show in 2009. His long-form conversations led to a reported $200 million Spotify deal, and in 2023 it was the platform’s most listened-to podcast in the world.
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Bill Maher
Bill Maher takes a break from politics on his podcast “Club Random,” launched in 2022. Recorded in his home bar, the show features free-flowing, one-on-one conversations where just about any other topic is on the table.
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Justin Long
Actor Justin Long gets philosophical on his podcast “Life is Short,” which debuted in 2019. With his brother Christian along to keep him humble, he interviews guests like Neil Patrick Harris about how they make the most of life.
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Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil’s “I Weigh” podcast grew out of her powerful social media movement for self-worth. Launched in 2020, the show focuses on activism, body positivity, and celebrating accomplishments, earning a People’s Choice nomination for its impact.
The post 15 Celebrities Who Made the Perfect Switch to Podcaster appeared first on Den of Geek.
