Tag: podcast

‘Gemischtes Hack’ Hosts on Dream Guests, Favorite Episodes, and Reaching 1 Billion Streams

September 22, 2026

Recently, fans of the German podcast Gemischtes Hack received a mysterious invitation to an event simply called “HACKTAG,” taking place September 22 at the Berliner Ensemble in Berlin. Without knowing anything else, an audience of 600 gathered, anxious to see what the evening might have in store. Then the curtain rose, revealing Gemischtes Hack hosts Felix Lobrecht and Tommi Schmitt seated in their signature studio setup, and the reason for the celebration: the series had officially reached one billion streams.

The milestone adds to an already impressive run for the show, which has been Germany’s most-streamed podcast for seven consecutive years and is the second most-streamed podcast on Spotify globally. Each episode, Felix and Tommi bring listeners into their wide-ranging conversations, covering whatever happens to be on their minds, from politics and culture to sports, music, and more.

HACKTAG was a one-of-a-kind celebration of the show’s milestone moment and a fitting tribute to its fan community. The name itself was a nod to longtime listeners, coming from “Mittwoch ist Hacktag” (“Wednesday is hack day”), one of the podcast’s signature phrases.

Along with watching a live episode recording, guests could snap photos with the hosts after the show and take them home in frames inspired by the 1 Billion Streams Award. There was also event-exclusive merch made especially for the celebration.

For the Record caught up with Felix and Tommi to talk about keeping the show fresh after hundreds of episodes, why they chose to celebrate the milestone with fans, and what’s next for the podcast.

Reaching one billion streams is certainly a moment worth celebrating. Why was it important for you to mark the milestone live with fans?

Felix: We’re generally both not that good at celebrating milestones, or we even forget them sometimes. But you can’t really avoid this milestone, and besides, it’s important to us to celebrate this absurd number together with our listeners. Even though it sounds cheesy, their enjoyment of Gemischtes Hack is the reason our podcast has been around for 10 years. Sounds simple, but in the end it’s the truth.

Looking back to when you first began, how have you evolved as creators over time?

Tommi: Honestly, we haven’t really changed all that much. We still look at life in a very silly way, alongside the seriousness we bring to certain topics. Our friendship is still very close and hopefully that continues to come across. We chat about all kinds of things like we did at the beginning, and we just talk and see where the conversations take us. That’s all still exactly like it was in 2017, we’re just getting a little older like everyone else.

How do you keep the show feeling fresh for both you and fans?

Felix: Since the state of the world, pop culture, and our own lives always provide new material, there’s always something new to talk about. What’s important, though, is that we stay true to ourselves, like each other, and aren’t afraid of what other people think. That’s what keeps it fresh and interesting. Overall, the trick is that it has to be fun for us. And if it is, that comes across automatically.

Of the hundreds of episodes you’ve recorded, do you have a favorite and why does it stand out?

Tommi: There was one episode we actually recorded in the middle of the night—I think it was 3am—called ALLES ALBERN. I was working full time at Studio Schmitt and Felix was on tour and had played a show in Bonn that same day. Both of us were exhausted. Recording in that state of mind in the middle of the night created a very special, melancholic vibe for the episode. There had been nothing like that on the show before. We were worried it might bore or annoy listeners, since they’re used to us being fun and silly. But actually, people loved this episode because it showed them that we’re just human.

Now that you’ve hit one billion streams, what’s next for the show?

Felix: Higher, faster, further hasn’t been a motivation for a long time now. What matters to us is continuing to nurture our relationship with listeners—whether it’s two million or 20,000. As long as we’re still good friends and enjoy recording, and as long as other people enjoy it, we’ll keep going.

Check out Gemischtes Hack’s one-billion-stream celebration episode that includes a new workplace mockumentary where Felix and Tommi give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the “Hack Empire.”

A Deep Dive Into Fandom and Podcasting With The Ringer’s Mallory Rubin

August 26, 2026

A person looking off to the side, with their hands in the air, holding a baseball

Mallory Rubin knows her career is unique. “Sometimes I describe my job to people and they’re like, ‘Wait, you get to just talk about Game of Thrones and football for a living? Like, what?’” she said recently, laughing. In her roles as The Ringer’s director of content and cohost of the House of R podcast, Mallory has spent her career diving deep into some of her favorite pop-culture properties (with plenty of detours to talk about her beloved Baltimore Ravens and Orioles). In the process, she’s had a firsthand look at the unique role podcasts play in strengthening the bonds between fans and their favorite things, from TV adaptations of fantasy novels to sports teams.

One of the funny things about fandom-driven podcasts is the way that being a superfan can earn you plenty of fans on your own, which is how Mallory and her cohost, Joanna Robinson, found themselves taping a live show at Camden Yards ahead of an Orioles game this summer. After they wrapped, Mal took to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before joining the show’s fans—the Bad Babies—in the stands to take in the game. For this child of Baltimore, it was a big deal. “I’m prone to hyperbole, so they’ll release a new flavor of a Dorito and I’m like, ‘What a life highlight!’ But this was actually a life highlight,” she said.

For the Record caught up with Mallory to talk about her fandom journey, the uniquely intimate qualities of podcasting, and the joy of seeing fans meet up in real life.

You threw out the first pitch at an Orioles game last night, but you didn’t just throw out the first pitch—it was House of R Night at Camden Yards! What did that mean to you?

It was totally bonkers and surreal—the kind of thing where, until people were sitting in the seats, I thought it was maybe an elaborate prank. The Orioles are a huge part of my life and always have been. It was truly a delight to come home and do a live pod at Camden and then throw the first pitch—and the people who bought tickets to the live show all watched the game together, so we got to basically do a watch-along with our listeners and viewers during the game. It’s a very special and meaningful thing to confront in real life what the shows mean to people, and this was a particularly special manifestation of that.

How was the first pitch itself?

It was wonderful as an experience. I have some notes for myself on the actual pitch.

Mallory on the field with ‘House of R’ cohost Joanna Robinson and the Oriole Bird.

Let’s talk about fandom. Is there an early memory or moment where you felt the fan thing switch on?

In a way that feels very appropriate given how I’ve chosen to spend my time, it really was a combo of sports and pop culture. My parents got divorced when I was really young, and when I would go to my dad’s every other weekend, we would watch [University of Maryland] Terps games, we would watch Orioles games. And he’s a huge fantasy literature fan, so he had put this little bookshelf in my room with some George R. R. Martin, Dune, but he never was, like, “Read these.” He just left them there, allowing me to discover them on my own when I was ready. In fifth grade, the first book that I read when I had kind of more confidence as a reader was The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings was really the first fictional universe that I fell deep deep deep into.

The first one that I found on my own was Harry Potter. Back in the AIM days, I was putting up away messages, like, “If you don’t know what a Horcrux is, we can’t talk right now.” And then the last movie that I saw in college, like the week I graduated, was Iron Man, so I associate the MCU with moving to New York City and becoming an adult. I started reading A Song of Ice and Fire when I was a young whippersnapper working at Sports Illustrated, living in the Big Apple, trying to find my way. I read it together with a friend of mine who was working at Golf Magazine, and we would meet for lunch and talk about it.

An in-person podcast! What do you think it is about podcasts as a medium that makes them so effective for fan-driven work? Obviously we have TV recaps and movie reviews, but there’s something different that seems to happen in the podcast form.

It’s a couple things. Podcasting is a very intimate medium. We’re in the video era now, but if you think about the audio roots of podcasting, when you put your headphones on, you have someone’s voice in your head. They become a part of the rhythm of your day. We talk a lot at The Ringer about, “Come for the topic, stay for the hosts.” People have to care about both things, ultimately, and if and when they do, then podcasts afford a depth of connection that is distinct.

We always talk about our shows being “expert but approachable.” You want the conversation to be the best version of the thing—if people give us their time, we don’t want to squander it. But it also has to be a good hang, and a lot of that is the rhythm and rapport and chemistry between the hosts, which you can’t fake. That allows people to form a connection, too, because then they’re like, “I’m hanging out with my friends.” That’s the great trick of podcasting: “I’m hanging out with my friends.”

You talked about how important expertise is, and you’re infamous, I’d say, for the amount of prep you do for podcasts. Tell me about your process.

In some ways it’s more intense than ever, which, as I get older, I just honestly can’t stay up this late or wake up this early. But I don’t want to ever go into one of these runs feeling like I got this, because then maybe I won’t. It does vary property to property, but the prep is: I want to be able to watch the episode multiple times. I want to read, if I can, source text. I try to spend as much time with the actual thing we’re covering—the movie, the show, whatever the case may be—and if there’s a source text, to really dive in and to learn about the mythology and the lore, but I don’t only want to focus on the mythology and the lore. Because we talk about character arcs and narrative structure and the quality of the writing and the world-building, too.

A packed house for the live taping of ‘House of R.’

At the O’s game, you got to hang out with all these fans and members of your community. What do they mean to the work you guys are doing?

I mean, it’s the best! It’s the best, it really is. Anybody who works on the internet in any capacity knows that sometimes it’s gnarly out there. I am a woman in sports media! And no stranger to how dark the feedback and reception on the internet can be. So I have felt astonished now twice in my career by the relationship that people have formed to a thing that my cohosts and I have made together. The Binge Mode fans were just unbelievable, and the House of R fans are at a god-tier level of love and enthusiasm for the thing we make. It’s unbelievable to us. I went to journalism school, I was editing football columns for years. I never thought I would be doing this professionally. The ability to spend time thinking about things that I actually care about is not something I take lightly, and to see other people respond to that is the gift of a lifetime.

The other thing that’s great about seeing people in real life is getting to see the listeners engage with each other. We met people who are huge House of R fans, but they had met in the Binge Mode days, and they had formed a trivia group because of Binge Mode. We’ve had a couple of House of R people reach out and invite us to their weddings. There are all of these different layers to the community around the shows that we make, and it’s been so cool to see the way that people discover the thing and then discover other people who love the thing, and then the depth of the bond just grows from there.

Last question: What’s the last thing that you were surprised to find yourself becoming a fan of?

To go back a few years, F1. Like a lot of American sports fans, during COVID, I caught up on every Drive to Survive season that had aired to that point. It was really the height of Danny Ricciardo-mania, and he had gone to McLaren at that point. We knew we wanted to pick an English team, and it felt like there was a little bit of an Orioles comp there with where they were at the time. So we became McLaren fans, and we started watching F1 in real time, waking up to watch the Grands Prix. And now, a few years in, we watch qualifying. We watch practice! Lando Norris is a very, very important figure in our lives. We’re coming off a couple Constructors’ Championships, and Lando won the Drivers’ title last year, so that was rewarding. Will the Orioles reward me similarly? I can’t say.

Keep an eye out for Mallory across the Ringer’s network of podcasts, and check out the latest episode of House of R on Spotify now.

All photos: Brian O’Doherty.

The Hosts of ‘Mordlust’ Are Making a Different Kind of True-Crime Podcast

July 29, 2026

Since starting Mordlust in 2018, Paulina Krasa and Laura Wohlers have turned an after-hours project into one of the most popular German-language podcasts to date. The show has surpassed 400 million plays across 243 episodes, ranking as the No. 1 true crime podcast in Germany and Europe and the 17th most-streamed podcast on Spotify worldwide.

To celebrate the podcast’s eighth anniversary, Paulina and Laura are joining Spotify’s Legends Club, a series that brings together creators of German-language podcasts with more than 100 million plays with some of their biggest fans. Dedicated Berlin-based Mordlust listeners were invited to an intimate live recording at Funkhaus Berlin, the iconic venue and culture center. The video episode drops today, on Spotify.

Ahead of the event, For the Record spoke with Paulina and Laura about their journey from passion project to podcast powerhouse, their approach to true crime, and what it means to share this milestone with listeners who have been there since the start.

What is it about Mordlust that you think has driven such a strong connection with listeners?

We often hear from listeners that they feel as though they are sitting at the table with two friends, listening to a compelling story and talking openly about the emotions and questions it raises. We’ve never been afraid to share our own thoughts, reactions, and doubts, and we think that makes the conversations feel authentic and relatable. By openly talking through our emotions and thought processes, we often give voice to questions and feelings that many listeners are having themselves, creating a real sense of connection and community.

Looking back, when did you realize Mordlust was no longer a side project but the main event?

We started Mordlust as a passion project alongside our full-time jobs, so we would research, write, and record episodes in the evenings and on weekends. At the time, it never crossed our minds that it could one day become our full-time career or that we would build a company with our own team.

The moment it truly stopped feeling like a side project was when we decided to leave our permanent jobs in television. Taking that leap was exciting and terrifying, but it was also when we realized that Mordlust had grown into something much bigger than we had ever imagined.

From the start, Mordlust has aimed to take a victim-centered approach to true crime that is fair to the people at the center of these cases. Why was that editorial philosophy important to you?

From the beginning, we were especially interested in the victims and the people whose lives had been affected by these crimes. We often felt that many true crime formats, whether podcasts or television, focused primarily on the perpetrators, especially serial killers, while the victims were reduced to a footnote. Behind every case are victims, families, and friends whose lives have been changed forever.

Our goal is never to sensationalize their experiences. We also always kept in mind that those affected by a case might one day hear our episode, and if that happens, we want them to feel that their story had been treated with respect and care. We often speak with victims, families, and others directly affected before we tell their stories, and sometimes include their voices in our episodes, because no one can describe what they experienced more honestly or more powerfully than they can.

Spotify and Netflix Partner With Jay Shetty to Bring ‘On Purpose’ to Video Across Both Platforms

May 27, 2026

A close-up shot of Jay Shetty looking at the camera

On Purpose is one of the most popular podcasts in the world, known for conversations with influential voices across culture, wellness, and personal growth. Now, Spotify, Netflix, and host Jay Shetty are teaming up to bring the show to video across both platforms beginning July 13.

“On Purpose has built one of the most engaged podcast audiences in the world, and we’re excited to expand our partnership with Netflix and Jay by bringing video episodes to Spotify,” said Roman Wasenmüller, VP, Global Head of Podcasts, Spotify. “Spotify is already where millions of fans come to listen to the show, and this next chapter builds on that momentum by giving audiences an even more immersive way to experience it. This partnership also reflects our continued investment in video and our commitment to helping creators grow global franchises on Spotify.”

The partnership reflects growing demand for video podcast experiences and Spotify’s continued focus on helping creators deepen connections with their fans.

“Jay Shetty has an extraordinary ability to spark deep, meaningful connections that resonate with millions,” said Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy. “By joining forces with Spotify, we’re giving On Purpose an expansive new canvas, bringing these visually captivating interviews to our members’ screens.”

Spotify will now also serve as the global sales representative for the show and offer fans the flexibility to seamlessly watch or listen within a single app.

Ahead of the launch, For the Record caught up with Jay to talk about the evolution of On Purpose and what audiences can expect from this next chapter.

You called this a “historic moment” for podcasting. How do you think Spotify has helped push the medium forward and open up new possibilities for creators?

Spotify has played a pivotal role in transforming podcasting from an audio format into a global medium for storytelling and conversation. They’ve invested in creators, discovery, video, and global reach in a way that’s expanded what’s possible for podcasts. It’s created more opportunities for creators to build meaningful communities and connect with audiences in deeper, more personal ways.

**What excites you most about bringing On Purpose video episodes to Spotify fans around the world?**

What excites me most is creating a more immersive experience for our audience on the platform. So much of human connection happens through expression, energy, and emotion, and video allows us to bring people even closer into those conversations. We’ve always wanted On Purpose to feel like you’re sitting in the room with us, and this is another step toward that.

You’ve interviewed so many incredible people over the years—anyone you’re hoping to speak to next?

I’m always interested in speaking to people who are shaping culture in meaningful ways, whether through entertainment, science, sports, wellness, or business. I’d say Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Rihanna are at the top of my list. What draws me most to conversations is creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing stories they have never opened up about before, in a way that feels authentic to who they are. Through those conversations, both the guests and the audience can feel seen, heard, and understood.

What podcasts are you listening to right now?

I’m listening to The Rest Is History hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. I’ve always been fascinated by historical figures and the moments that shape how we think and live. Recently, I really enjoyed their episode on the mystery of the Mona Lisa and the unexpected story behind how it became the most famous painting in the world.

If you had to predict your Spotify Wrapped for 2026, who would be your top artist, top podcast, and top audiobook?

My top artist would be Justin Bieber—I am such a Belieber. My top podcast would be The Rest Is History. And my top audiobook would be The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts, or really anything by him.

Listen to audio episodes of On Purpose with Jay Shetty on Spotify now. Video episodes begin dropping July 13 and will also be available to Netflix subscribers worldwide.

Spotify Brings Fashion and Podcasting Together With Mina Le and Mia Calabrese

May 4, 2026

Last week, guests gathered in New York City for On Air, In Style: An Evening with Spotify—a night of conversation, culture, and connection celebrating the intersection of fashion and podcasting. On Spotify, that intersection is thriving. Fashion podcast audiences grew 23% year‑over‑year in 2025, while streams jumped 68%, and searches for “fashion week” were up 93%.

Hosted by fashion and culture creator Mina Le, the event centered on a fireside chat between Mina and breakout pop-culture star Mia Calabrese. Together, they explored fashion inspirations and traced Mia’s style evolution, while offering a candid look at how personal perspective shapes creative expression.

Mina also revealed that this summer, she’ll be bringing video episodes to her podcast, High Brow.

Prompted Playlist Levels Up to Include Podcasts, Helping You Explore More Interests and Curiosities

April 7, 2026

Starting today, Prompted Playlist is expanding beyond music to now include podcasts. Launched earlier this year in beta, this feature lets you steer the algorithm by creating playlists based on your listening history and real-time signals on Spotify, including trends and charts, so the playlist reflects both your tastes and what’s happening in the world around you.

Rolling out in English to Premium users in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden, Prompted Playlist (beta) can now help listeners discover new shows, go deep on a specific topic, or build a curated lineup to match their mood.

“Podcast fans are always looking for their next great listen,” said Lizzy Hale, Spotify’s Global Head of Podcast Editorial. “Prompted Playlist makes discovery feel effortless and personal. For creators, it unlocks powerful new opportunities for discovery, bringing both back catalog and new episodes to audiences who are actively signaling what they want to hear.”

You can edit your prompt or start over at any time. You can also set your playlist to update daily or weekly so it always feels fresh. Episodes and chapters in the playlist include a short note about why it landed in your mix, helping you understand the connection.

More than 34 million podcasts are discovered for the first time every week on Spotify. Now that Prompted Playlist includes podcasts, we’re making it easier to find episodes that match your unique mood, interests, and curiosities.

Start exploring podcasts with Prompted Playlist

You may see Prompted Playlists on your Home screen created by Spotify’s culture experts. They’ve designed a mix of prompts that generate podcast lineups you can easily customize.

You can also tap “Create” and select Prompted Playlist to get started. Not sure where to begin? Check out some of our suggestions below.

To explore big ideas in science and innovation

Prompt: Build me a podcast playlist all about science and innovation. Include big discoveries, weird breakthroughs, and things I had no idea I needed to know about.

To catch up on the latest pop culture

Prompt: Create a podcast playlist with the biggest entertainment news from the past few days. Include all things music, film, fashion, and major cultural moments.

To get lost in a true crime mystery

Prompt: Make a playlist of true crime investigations you think I’d be interested in. Add highly rated series with lots of twists and turns.

As we continue to expand Prompted Playlist in this beta phase, some aspects of the experience may evolve. Usage limits are in place, and these may also change as we test and learn from listener feedback. Any scheduled updates to your Prompted Playlists will also be subject to these usage limits.

From Audio to IRL: How ‘Let’s Get Haunted’ Is Building Community With Spotify RADAR

April 6, 2026

As podcasting continues to evolve, growth increasingly means building beyond audio. Creators are expanding into video, merch, and live events, finding new ways to deepen listener relationships and bring audiences together. One clear example is the paranormal-comedy podcast Let’s Get Haunted.

Hosted by best friends Alyssa Terry and Natalia Strawn, the show has built a devoted fanbase—affectionately known as the “Haunties”—around a shared love of the spooky and the absurd. Last year, the podcast joined Spotify’s 2025 RADAR creators class, our global program designed to help emerging creators reach new audiences.

That support helped pave the way for a new milestone: the show’s first-ever live taping, recently recorded in front of about 120 fans at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles. The episode is now streaming on Spotify, offering a snapshot of the community they’ve built.

To mark the occasion, For the Record caught up with Nat and Aly for a joint Q&A about the show’s evolution, their live debut, and what’s next.

For anyone hearing about Let’s Get Haunted for the first time, how would you describe the show?

It started as a tongue-in-cheek response to the horrors of everyday life. We take turns deep diving into paranormal topics—ghost encounters, alien abductions, cursed objects—with the assumption that each story is true. Our goal is to give the audience a chance to suspend their disbelief and tap into a sense of childlike wonder.

We also have a broad definition of “haunted.” Did you get three flat tires in a month, hunt down the person who stole your credit card instead of calling your bank like a normal person, or rescue a possum on the side of the highway and crowdfund its femur surgery? Congrats, you’re haunted! (These are all things that have really happened to us.) We try to match the chaos of the hauntings in our personal lives with the tales we select for the storytelling portion of the show.

How has the podcast changed since you first launched it? And how have your listeners helped shape where it’s gone?

Our podcast has always been very community-based. We use listener surveys to get feedback at the end of every season, then have a meeting where we go over that feedback and figure out which suggestions are feasible for us to incorporate.

When we first started the pod, we were living on opposite ends of Los Angeles and would scramble to find places to record that were roughly in the middle. We’ve recorded in bathrooms, cars, empty office buildings, and anywhere we could find.

In 2023, thanks to the generosity of our audience, we were finally able to sublease an office space. Having a stable place to record was a total game changer: It allowed us to increase the number of episodes we were putting out, create vlogs, produce and store merch, and organize fan meet-ups. We literally would not exist without the support of our listeners.

Your first live taping was a big milestone. What did that moment feel like for you?

It was absolutely surreal! We were so nervous going into it, but as soon as we parked at the venue we immediately ran into two Haunties who had arrived three hours early to be first in line. Knowing we were walking into something brand new with the support of the people who’ve been with us since the beginning made us feel so much more at ease.

K-Pop Artist ENHYPEN Host ‘The Blood Diary,’ a New Video Podcast Series From HYBE

April 5, 2026

Like the immortal lives of vampires, some stories never really end. That’s the vibe K-Pop boyband ENHYPEN brings to The Blood Diary, a new video podcast series that explores mysterious events from around the globe, where members of the group take turns blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Throughout each episode, members of ENHYPEN take turns recounting stories while attempting to uncover the hidden “liar.” Fans (aka ENGENE) are encouraged to follow along, piecing together clues and deciding for themselves which story isn’t what it seems.

Created by HYBE MEDIA STUDIO and brought to fans in partnership with Spotify, The Blood Diary is the first from STAN:A, a new video podcast show that brings fans closer to artists they love through candid conversations and original storytelling.

The first episode of The Blood Diary is out now on Spotify, and new episodes will drop biweekly every Friday at 8PM KST.

To step further inside the mystery, For the Record spoke with the first hosts of The Blood Diary—ENHYPEN’s JUNGWON, JAY, JAKE, and SUNOO—about what it was like to work on the series, the stories they chose to tell, and what fans can expect as the series pulls them into its thrall.

The Blood Diary features you all as immortal vampires sharing mysterious records on the night of a full moon. What was it like stepping into these roles?

JUNGWON: It was cool and fun how each member came ready with a story and shared it. When I was telling my story, I got so immersed that it became a little scary. I hope this vibe comes across well to ENGENE and that they really enjoy it.

JAY: It was a new concept that we had never tried before, but I found myself completely immersed in the story, maybe thanks to the atmosphere on set. Telling a story as a vampire was already fun, but the best part was watching the members suspect each other and trying to find the Blood Liar.

JAKE: I was so happy that we were able to show a new side of ourselves to ENGENE. This vampire concept is something only ENHYPEN can pull off, don’t you think? Combining a concept that only we can handle with storytelling is really going to make for an even more fun video podcast.

SUNOO: Telling stories as a vampire was fun, but it was even more exciting to watch and listen to the other members share theirs. I actually think I got more nervous listening to the other members’ stories than when I was telling my own. I found myself completely absorbed the whole time.

The tagline of the show is “The Mystery Records of Immortal Vampires.” Without giving too much away, what kind of “bizarre events” can fans expect to hear about in your diaries?

JAY: Stories from the past that feel even more fantastical than fantasy, and strange incidents hidden behind everyday life. We’ll be sharing scary stories that are even harder to believe because they actually happened in real life.

A highlight of each episode is the “Blood Liar” game, where one member weaves fiction into their story to deceive the others. Before you went into production, did you already have suspicions on who the best “Blood Liar” would be?

JUNGWON: JAY is pretty good at lying. So if he’s the “Blood Liar,” I think he’ll be very good at deceiving the rest of the members.

JAY: When it comes to “liar,” you’ve got to think of JAKE! He once made plans to meet me, but then totally flaked. That’s when I realized that he really is a liar.

JAKE: We’d never done a concept that involved deceiving each other before, so it was hard to predict. But somehow… I thought that JAY might be the best “Blood Liar.”

SUNOO: Before the shoot, I was trying to guess who it might be… and I had a feeling it would probably be JAY!

Every day on Spotify, we see how audio has the power to move and resonate with people in a deeply personal way. How did the specific sound design and atmosphere of The Blood Diary help you get into character and bring these mysteries to life?

SUNOO: Watching the final edit of the video podcast with all the sound effects, I was completely drawn in by how realistic it felt. Thanks to the sound design, I think ENGENE will experience thrills and feel curious in ways they normally wouldn’t while watching the podcast. I highly recommend that everyone fully dive into The Blood Diary.

**What are your biggest hopes for The Blood Diary?**

JUNGWON: Until now, we’ve mostly appeared on lighthearted, fun variety shows, but with The Blood Diary, we’re looking forward to showing a heavier, more serious side of ENHYPEN that fans haven’t seen before.

Anything else to add about the making of the podcast or reflections you have now that the first episode is out?

JAKE: I filmed a lot with JAY, and I got a huge kick out of seeing him get scared while listening to the stories. It was also really fun preparing a new story for each episode and sharing it directly with the members. I’m also really looking forward to all the different stories the other members will bring in future episodes. I hope ENGENE enjoys it as much as we did.

JAY: Spotify is an essential part of my daily life, so I’m thrilled to be a host for this video podcast! The Blood Diary covers a variety of real-life incidents, so I think viewers will get to experience a more authentic thrill. It’s definitely worth looking forward to.

JUNGWON: I use Spotify all the time, so I’m really happy to be a host for a Spotify video podcast. I hope ENGENE will see many different sides of us through The Blood Diary. Please look forward to it.

SUNOO: When I was filming the episode where I was the “Blood Liar,” I had to deceive the other members, constantly insisting, “It’s true! I’m not lying!” which was really tough. But as I watched the others gradually fall for my story, I started to enjoy it. I’m not sure when the episode where I play the “Blood Liar” will be released, but I hope you all look forward to it!

Check out the first episode of The Blood Diary on Spotify now.

‘The Big Picture’ Co-Host Sean Fennessey on Spielberg and the Art of the Interview

March 24, 2026

Few filmmakers have shaped popular cinema as profoundly as Steven Spielberg. So when Sean Fennessey, co-host of The Big Picture from Spotify’s The Ringer, sat down with the director at SXSW earlier this month, it made for a conversation movie fans won’t want to miss.

Now streaming on Spotify, the interview spans from his filmmaking process to his career and the communal experience of going to the theater. But what does it take to prepare for a conversation with a figure like Spielberg? For the Record caught up with Sean to hear about his research process, his interviewing philosophy, and what helps a conversation feel both thoughtful and natural.

After having a little time to reflect, what has stayed with you most since your sit-down with Spielberg?

Well, aside from his confession that he believes we are not alone on this planet, I was struck by Spielberg’s balance between certitude and vulnerability. More than six decades into his legendary career, he’s as comfortable talking about being completely out of his depth while making Jaws as he is holding court on the communal nature of moviegoing.

It’s rare that such a godfather figure—someone who really knows everything about his field—retains that sensitivity, playfulness, and lack of cynicism. It was inspiring to find that he’s still the same guy who was excitedly putting his dreams on the big screen in the ’70s.

You’ve interviewed many filmmakers over the years. Do you prepare differently depending on who you’re speaking to, or is there a core approach you always come back to?

I always rewatch the work. Always. For directors whose films I already know well, I go hunting for themes and look for ways those ideas connect to their personal history. I’m an inveterate researcher, and I like to start with interview compendiums and contemporaneous magazine profiles. For this sit-down, I read a great collection of Spielberg interviews from The University of Mississippi Press. Spielberg is arguably the most famous film director in world history, so there’s no shortage of material, but he doesn’t often do State-of-the-Union-style conversations. That meant there was still a lot of ground we could cover together.

For other filmmakers, I look to biographies, criticism that connects their filmographies, and especially, director commentaries on physical media, where you can find subjects in a surprisingly revealing state talking about how and why they made certain creative and practical decisions.

Spotify Debuts Legends Club for Popular German-Language Podcasts With ‘Kaulitz Hills’

March 13, 2026

The new Spotify Legends Club has opened its doors. Its members: select German-speaking podcasts that have surpassed 100 million streams. This club is introducing a new live-event format where hit podcasts record a video episode in front of an audience of dedicated fans. The first show celebrating this achievement is Kaulitz Hills – Senf aus Hollywood.

The special episode of Kaulitz Hills was recently recorded at Berlin’s legendary restaurant Borchardt, a long-standing gathering place for celebrities, politicians, and socialites. The video episode will drop exclusively on Spotify on March 18.

The idea behind Spotify Legends Club is simple: spotlight shows from the German-speaking world that have left a lasting mark on the podcast landscape, and create opportunities to forge an even closer connection between creators and their most dedicated fans.

Kaulitz Hills was a fitting choice to inaugurate the Legends Club live series. Twin brothers Bill and Tom Kaulitz, who host the show, are Germans who live in Los Angeles. Each week in their music studio in the Hollywood Hills, they hit record, have a few drinks, and discuss their personal lives, pop culture, and current affairs.

Golden Week Nominees Night Celebrates a Podcasting Milestone

January 9, 2026

This year, podcasts are making their Golden Globes debut with a new category honoring the medium’s leading shows and creators. To mark the occasion, Spotify and The Hollywood Reporter hosted Golden Week Nominees Night in West Hollywood on Thursday, bringing together award nominees and industry leaders for an evening celebrating podcasting’s arrival on one of entertainment’s biggest stages.

The spotlight was on the inaugural Best Podcast nominees: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler (from Spotify’s The Ringer), The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess, and Up First from NPR. Together, they represent some of the most influential voices shaping the podcast landscape today.

More than just a party, Nominees Night reflected Spotify’s commitment to championing audio and video storytellers and creating spaces where their voices, creativity, and achievements can shine.

“This has been a huge year for podcasts, and we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the creators and nominees who made it so special,” said Roman Wasenmüller, VP, Global Head of Podcasts, Spotify. “Partnering with The Hollywood Reporter to bring everyone together ahead of the Golden Globes felt like the perfect way to kick off awards season and recognize how far podcasting has come.”

Attendees also enjoyed live performances from artists including Chaka Khan, John Legend, and Miles Caton, and DJ sets from Mark Ronson and DJ Kiss.

Spotify and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ Partner on the First-Ever Podcaster Roundtable

November 20, 2025

For the first time, Spotify has teamed up with The Hollywood Reporter to cohost a dedicated Podcaster Roundtable to spotlight top contenders for the newly introduced Best Podcast category at the Golden Globes.

This collaboration marks a new chapter for both brands and for podcasting’s place in culture. The full video conversation is now streaming on Spotify, marking the debut of a THR roundtable on our platform.

The roundtable features a notable roster of podcasting voices: Keith Morrison, Mel Robbins, Ben Shapiro, Ashley Flowers, Dax Shepard, and Jon Favreau. Together, they reflect on the state of podcasting today, from creative freedom and authenticity to how the format is expanding into new visual frontiers.

“If you feel cringey doing it, you’re probably doing it right,” said Mel Robbins, capturing podcasting’s spirit of authenticity. Dax Shepard agreed: “Those ‘cringe’ moments are what keep the format human and relatable.”

Panelists explored how video is reshaping the industry, with Robbins noting the different approaches across channels, including the Spotify Partner Program for video creators. For her, that evolution represents both a creative challenge and an opportunity: “It’s a ton of work but also fun to figure out.”

Ashley Flowers, meanwhile, is embracing a multi-format future. “We’ve got the vodcast,” she said, “but we’re also working on a pilot episode of what would be like a more traditional TV show… It’s going to become increasingly normal to see it on platforms.”

While the early days of podcasting were all about DIY experimentation, the group agreed the medium has evolved into a thriving, professionalized industry that rewards craft over clicks.

“Each of my episodes represents about 100 hours of work,” Robbins shared. “For me, it’s about impact, not virality.”

Watch the full THR Podcaster Roundtable and other roundtables, streaming now on Spotify and THR.com.