Podcasts have become a staple in the way people consume entertainment, and where people want to be entertained, famous people will find a way to do it. We’ve seen an increase over the years in celebrity- and athlete-hosted podcasts which are continuing to draw massive audiences.
Whether it’s deep conversations, sports breakdowns, or behind-the-scenes stories, these podcasts give listeners a direct line to the personalities they admire most. But with so many options, which ones are Americans most interested in?
The team at RSS.com decided to try and find out. We analyzed Google Trends data from the past 12 months to determine the top-trending celebrity- and athlete-hosted podcasts in every U.S. state. The results highlight regional differences in podcast popularity, showing where certain shows are making the biggest impact.
The Top-Trending Celebrity-Hosted Podcast in Every U.S. State
Celebrity-hosted podcasts have become a go-to source of entertainment, giving listeners an intimate look into the lives, thoughts, and conversations of their favorite stars. Whether it’s comedians riffing with guests, actors diving into nostalgia, or hosts tackling real-life issues, these podcasts continue to dominate streaming platforms.
To find out which celebrity-hosted podcasts are resonating most with audiences across the country, we analyzed Google Trends data from the past 12 months to determine the top-trending podcast in every state.
While podcast preferences vary by region, a few shows stood out as national favorites, piquing the interest of residents in multiple states.
- SmartLess
- The top-trending celebrity-hosted podcast in eight states, particularly in the Midwest and West. Hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, SmartLess blends humor and engaging interviews with well-known figures.
- Top-trending in: Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
2. Red Table Talk
- Another eight-state favorite, Red Table Talk, hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, brings deep, personal conversations to audiences, resonating strongly in the South.
- Top-trending in: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
3. Office Ladies
- Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey’s rewatch podcast of The Office is a must-listen for fans, making it the top-trending show in eight more states, particularly in the West.
- Top-trending in: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah.
4. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
- Conan O’Brien’s signature wit and insightful interviews landed his podcast at the top in five states, with no clear regional trend but strong showings on both coasts.
- Top-trending in: California, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
5. Armchair Expert
- Dax Shepard’s podcast blends humor and thoughtful conversations, making it a favorite across five more states. While there’s no clear regional connection, it seems to be a favorite in nearly every corner of the country.
- Top-trending in: Alaska, Mississippi, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
From deep conversations led by our favorite actors to nostalgic rewatches for superfans and comedic interviews that give insight into the lives of our favorite celebrities, these podcasts showcase the range of content that captivates listeners across the country.
Next, we’ll look at the athlete-hosted podcasts that are making waves in each state.
The Top-Trending Athlete-Hosted Podcast in Every U.S. State
Famous athletes are no strangers to the podcasting world, using the platform to share behind-the-scenes stories, break down games, and connect with fans in a way that traditional media often can’t. From former players to current stars, athlete-hosted podcasts offer a unique perspective on sports and culture.
To see which ones are trending the most, we analyzed Google Trends data from the past 12 months to determine the top-trending athlete-hosted podcast in every state.
Some athlete-hosted podcasts stood out as favorites across multiple states, with strong connections to regional fanbases.
- Club Shay Shay
- The top-trending athlete-hosted podcast in 14 states. Hosted by former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, the show features candid conversations with athletes, entertainers, and cultural icons. Sharpe played high school and college football in Georgia, potentially explaining his podcast’s popularity in the South.
- Top-trending in: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
2. Spittin’ Chiclets
- A must-listen for hockey fans, this podcast from former NHL players Paul Bissonnette (Biz) and Ryan Whitney, along with Brian McGonagle (RA) was the most searched in 10 states. Its overwhelming popularity in the Northeast isn’t much of a surprise considering the region’s strong connection to professional hockey.
- Top-trending in: Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
3. New Heights
- Hosted by NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, New Heights is a podcast that dives into football, life, and everything in between. It was the most searched in seven states, but particularly in the Midwest. The regional connection isn’t too surprising as Travis is a star for the Kansas City Chiefs, who have fans all over the middle of the country.
- Top-trending in: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
4. All the Smoke
- Hosted by former NBA stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, this podcast covers sports, culture, and unfiltered conversations with high-profile guests. It topped the search charts in six states, several of which are known for their historic basketball connections.
- Top-trending in: California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina.
Athlete-hosted podcasts bring fans closer to the action, offering insight and entertainment well after the final whistle blows.
Closing Thoughts
Podcast popularity isn’t just about name recognition—it’s also about connection. The data shows that regional trends play a big role in which podcasts resonate most with audiences, whether led by a celebrity we already know or a host that we’ll get to know the more we listen.
For podcasters, this is a valuable insight. Understanding where your audience is and what they connect with can help expand your reach and grow your show. If you’re looking to tap into new markets or tailor content for specific audiences, regional trends offer a strategic way to build engagement.
If you’re thinking about starting your own podcast or finding ways to grow your audience, now’s the time to take action. Learn how to start your podcast or explore tools to help you reach more listeners with our podcast hosting features.
Methodology
To determine the top-trending celebrity- and athlete-hosted podcasts across the U.S., we created a list of 50 popular podcasts hosted by either celebrities or athletes. The pods we included came from several lists of popular podcasts and those that are trending on popular platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
We analyzed the regional interest of each podcast using Google Trends search interest over the past 12 months. We compared the search interest for each podcast head-to-head to find the top-trending ones in every state.
