The podcast industry has grown exponentially since it started in the early 2000s. Like talk radio, podcasts feature audio listening opportunities that typically fall into certain formats, like news, interviews, or storytelling. Unlike the radio, podcasts can be listened to at the subscriber's discretion, and similar to traditional TV series, they tend to release episodes weekly. The industry has seen a surge in popularity over the past five years, doubling the monthly active podcast listener from $45.8 million in 2015 to $105.6 million in 2020.

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It’s no wonder then that actors who often already have a strong social media presence and fanbase are flocking to the medium. All of these actors have great stories of their own to tell, but instead, they use their platform to interview notable guests from many different industries. Some of these podcasters are B-list celebrities who have more time on their hands to dedicate to their shows, while others were simply inspired by the medium and its format that allows for more in-depth and meaningful conversations. With the podcast phenomenon steadily growing, many are looking for an entry point and what better than one hosted by a notable actor.

Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard

Banner for Armchair Expert showing Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard is an actor known for his roles in Employee of the Month, the CHiPs reboot which he also directed, and most notably the role of Crosby Braverman in NBC’s series Parenthood. In 2018, Shepard started a podcast called Armchair Expert, where he and his co-host Monica Padman interview celebrities, journalists, and academics.

His first guest was his wife, Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Frozen) and, most recently, he interviewed pop-artist Shawn Mendes, actress Natalie Portman, former NFL player Emmanuel Acho, and retired astronaut, Scott Kelly. In 2018, Armchair Expert was the most downloaded new podcast on iTunes and continues to be at the top of the charts.

Life Is Short With Justin Long

Justin Long has been acting for over 20 years and is known for his many comedic roles in Dodgeball, Waiting..., and Accepted as well as Apple’s popular “Get a Mac” commercials. In April 2019, the then 40-year-old actor started his podcast Life Is Short with Justin Long published by Wondery. His brother, Christian, co-hosts the podcast and often brings context and humor to Justin’s stories.

Like Armchair Expert, Long interviews all types of celebrities and notable people in the hopes of getting in their heads and learning how to make the most out of his short time on Earth. In fact, Dax Shepard came-on as his first guest.

Bill Gates And Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions

Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions

Rashida Jones the daughter of actress Peggy Lipton and famed musician/record producer Quincy Jones. She carved out her own career starring in both NBC’s The Office and Parks and Recreation. In 2020, Rashida started a podcast with Bill Gates called Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions.

Both of these remarkable people have a lot of experience to share with their audience, including them both attending Harvard University, though Gates dropped out before graduating. Instead, the two use their platform to host guests and talk about some of the biggest issues facing the world today. The first episode aired on November 16th and featured Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Anna Faris Is Unqualified

Anna Faris Is Unqualified

Known for her role in the Scary Movie film series, as well as the co-lead in the CBS sitcom, Mom, Anna Faris has become a household name. The charismatic and often goofy actress launched her advice podcast in 2015 called Anna Faris is Unqualified. Like Dax Shepard and Justin Long, Faris uses her platform to interview celebrities and cultural figures, which makes up half of each episode. The second half consists of actual phone-calls with listeners asking for advice.

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Faris was inspired to start her podcast after listening to the 2014 podcast phenomenon Serial by This American Life. While Unqualified’s first episode was with Moms co-star, Allison Janney, it was later removed due to explicit content. The almost 200 episodes long show won the 2017 Shorty Award for Best Podcast, at which point Faris published a memoir under the same name. The book focused on both her life and relationship advice which, at the time, centered around her then-husband, actor Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy).

Sibling Revelry With Kate Hudson And Oliver Hudson

Sister and brother duo Kate and Oliver Hudson decided to start a podcast back in November 2019. The two share the same parents, Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn, and musician Bill Hudson. They were raised in Colorado with their mother and her partner, Kurt Russell.

Like other podcasts, Kate and Oliver interview celebrities, but with a twist. They ask their guests to come on with their siblings to further explore the bond between siblings and family dynamics. Most recently, they hosted sisters Emily and Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) and brothers Rooster and Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar).

Inside Of You With Michael Rosenbaum

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

While Michael Rosenbaum is often recognized as Lex Luthor from Smallville, he also had a successful career as a voice actor bringing to life The Flash on the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series.

In 2018, Rosenbaum decided to use his unique voice to start a podcast called Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum, where he conducts casual celebrity interviews. He often hosts people who are affiliated in one way or another with the superhero industry, even having his Smallville co-star, Tom Welling, on his first episode. Most recently he reunited with his fellow Justice League voice cast in a special reunion episode, including George Newbern (Superman), Phil LaMarr (Green Lantern), Susan Eisenberg (Wonderwoman), Maria Canals-Barrera (Hawkgirl), Carl Lumbly (Martian Manhunter), and Michael Rosenbaum (The Flash).

WTF With Marc Maron

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Stand-up comedian Marc Maron wasn’t really an actor before he started his podcast in 2009 called WTF with Marc Maron, only appearing in small roles, most notably in Almost Famous as an angry promoter. The show is one of the longest-running podcasts with over 1,000 episodes and was voted the best comedy podcast by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2014.

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Notable episodes include episode 1,091, with former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer in his first public interview since leaving the band, episode 995 with actress Mandy Moore, who revealed her unhealthy and emotionally abusive marriage she had to musician Ryan Adams, and episode 67 with Robin Williams, where the comedian discussed with Maron his contemplating suicide.

Minor Adventures With Topher Grace

Actor Topher Grace is most notably known for the role of Eric Forman on the Fox sitcom, That ‘70s Show. Since then he has appeared in several films, including Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman.

Like most of the podcasts on this list, Grace sits down and interviews different celebrity guests, having them take on certain topics or projects in each episode. Guests include actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, where he is tasked with writing a jingle, comedian Jim Gaffigan, who must join a barbershop quartet, and actor Zachary Levi, who officiates a wedding.

Creative Processing With Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a child actor appearing in Angels in the Outfield and, most notably, 3rd Rock from the Sun. He has gone on to star in several films and was even nominated for Best Actor by the Golden Globes for his performances in (500) Days of Summer and 50/50. In 2004, he founded an online production company called HitRecord, a revolutionary collaborative media platform that was the first of its kind.

In July 2019, Gordon-Levitt yet again branched out into another form of media with his podcast, Creative Processing with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The series hosts guests from across the entertainment industry to explain the ins and outs of the creative process. Guests range from Jessica Alba discussing acting and Casting Director Mary Vernieu to Liv Boeree, a professional poker player.

Work In Progress With Sophia Bush

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Actress Sophia Bush is known for her roles as Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill and Erin Lindsay in Chicago P.D. Bush was named one of the most charitable celebrities by CNN with her work in activism and global education. She has raised over half a million dollars for charities and even built three primary schools in both Guatemala and Laos.

Bush’s podcast focuses on the many people, who like her, are using their power and platform to make a difference. Notable guests include Emma Grede, the co-founder and CEO of Good American, an apparel brand that promotes healthy body ideals, and actress Natalie Portman, whose new book, Natalie Portman’s Book of Fables, retells the classic children’s stories in a more modern and representative way.

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