Tag: Morgan Absher

Podcasts Take Center Stage at SXSW as Top Creators Discuss Video’s Impact

March 18, 2025

From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, have become a cultural conversation driver among listeners, with video continuing to grow in popularity. 

There are few better places to celebrate the power of the format and its evolution than at SXSW, where culture, content, and business collide. That’s why we brought Spotify House to Austin and invited guests to relax and enjoy a day of conversations featuring some of today’s most influential voices. 

The first session of the day served up hot takes, modern wisdom, and plenty of laughs from Ira Madison III, cohost of the Crooked Media award-winning podcast Keep It, Chris Williamson, host of the popular show Modern Wisdom, and Sara Foster, actress and cohost of The World’s First Podcast, in a conversation about how podcasts have helped evolve commentary in the digital age. 

The next session turned its focus to video, with panelists Morgan Absher, host of the comedy podcast Two Hot Takes, and Rachel Lindsay, attorney, media personality, and cohost of the NAACP-nominated show Higher Learning as well as Morally Corrupt on Spotify’s The Ringer.

Both creators broke down how the format has changed their approach to podcasting. For Rachel, video has offered a level of intimacy for the audience in a way that audio alone could not. 

“Video has been a game changer for us. At first, it was a bit intimidating, but soon you forget the camera is there and just get comfortable,” she told the crowd. “My facial expressions almost become another character on the show, like an extra cohost. It unlocks a whole new level of podcasting, making our audience feel like family.”

Morgan, who recently added video episodes to Spotify, agreed with this sentiment, adding that video has the ability to capture the unspoken moments, adding an additional layer of dynamism to the conversation. 

“Sometimes there are no words and you need that reaction. Bringing video on Spotify is a ‘have your cake and eat it too’ experience,” she said. 

Discover why fans can’t get enough of Morgan Absher on Two Hot Takes, now featuring video episodes: 

‘Two Hot Takes’ Host Morgan Absher Talks All-New Video Eps of Her Popular Podcast

March 6, 2025

Up-and-coming comedian Morgan Absher is the creator and host of Two Hot Takes, a wildly popular podcast that transforms viral Reddit stories into unfiltered laugh-out-loud discussions on relationships, friendships, and life’s wildest dilemmas. 

How did she get started? After graduating from her doctoral program during a global pandemic, Morgan turned to podcasting as a means to channel her obsession with Reddit and pass the time while searching for a job as an occupational therapist. Her hobby quickly gained momentum. Since its debut in February 2021, Two Hot Takes has amassed more than 60 million listens annually, and Morgan has gathered more than 5.2 million social followers.

Now, she’s launching video episodes of her show on Spotify. We caught up with Morgan to understand what makes her tick, her creative process, and how she envisions video upping her podcasting game.

Hi, Morgan, and congrats on your launch! First, a little history: What inspired you to start your show? 

Thanks! I talked about starting my show for about a year before I actually did it. In April 2020, I began begging friends to start it with me, as I had just graduated with a doctorate in occupational therapy but couldn’t do anything with it because of the Covid pandemic. I was in a really dark spot mentally, as so many were, but Reddit and the drama I found on there kept me entertained. Fast-forward to the holidays of that year and my boyfriend at the time—now fiancé—gifted me all the equipment and taught me how to edit. Shortly after that, the first episode was posted and it immediately found its people thanks to social media. 

And now you’re bringing video episodes to Spotify! How do you think working with us will help strengthen your connection with your fans?

A majority of my audience is audio listeners, so being able to partner with Spotify and now enhance their experience with video in an app they’re already using and love is so, so amazing. Just being able to hear a crazy title of a story and glance quickly to catch a reaction will really add to the experience for them, so I think it’s going to bring our community even closer together, increase engagement, and hopefully land itself in more people’s cars, homes, and adventures.

Has video changed the way you approach each episode?

I don’t think video has changed much of how I operate. I’ve always wanted to create a cozy, comfortable environment, on camera or not. When you’re recording video for two hours, the last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable or be constantly worrying about how you’re coming across on camera. I think it makes guests feel right at home, listeners can relax as they tune in, and we can get down to business and focus on what matters most: these crazy stories. 

Are there any Spotify features or tools you’ve found especially helpful?

I love the polls and questions features—it’s such a fun way to instantly get the listener’s thoughts on these stories—especially if we have one that we ourselves really have a hard time deciding on. It’s also a great way to hear what guests would like to see. It makes the community closer and really gives them a voice in our show, too. 

What advice do you have for emerging creators?

Don’t be your own biggest barrier. It can feel so daunting to start, but the best thing you can do is try. I think my show is the perfect example of: You never know what could come out of trying something you’re passionate about. Watch videos on how to get started and just do it! Don’t focus on having the best equipment. Don’t worry about your set being perfect. Just focus on having fun and making content you’re excited about. Your people will find you if you start putting it out there, which feels a little Kevin Costner-in-Fields of Dreams-ish, but it’s so true.

Finally, who are some of your favorite creators?

I love Hannah Berner and Chris Klemens—some of the most fun, witty, kind people I’ve met on this normal-person-to-content-creator journey. Also Joe Santagato and all my friends over at Smosh. I don’t think I laugh more than when I’m watching their content.