Overview of The Latest with Lauren LaRosa
In this episode, Lauren LaRosa breaks down Forbes’ latest list of the highest-paid podcasters and uses it as a bigger conversation about where media is headed. Her central point: podcasting is no longer a niche side project — it’s a major entertainment business with huge money, strong audience loyalty, and serious ownership opportunities for creators. She also reflects on how the format is blurring the lines between radio, TV, streaming, and social media.
Forbes’ Highest-Paid Podcasters: Who Made the List
Lauren walks through several of the biggest names on Forbes’ ranking and highlights the business behind each one:
- Joe Rogan is still at the top of the list.
- Jay Shetty is presented as a major success story: after being told podcasting was “too late” when he launched in 2019, he built a global audience and reportedly landed a major new deal involving Spotify and Netflix, worth an estimated $100 million over three years.
- Steve Bartlett / Diary of a CEO is another standout, with Lauren noting the show’s biggest revenue quarter yet and the scale of Bartlett’s overall business profile.
- Ashley Flowers / Crime Junkie is included as one of the top earners.
- Mel Robbins is highlighted as a powerful example of how strong the motivational/self-help lane can be when the host has credibility and audience trust.
- Jason and Travis Kelce / New Heights are on the list, showing how sports personalities can turn a podcast into a major media property.
- Alex Cooper / Call Her Daddy remains one of the most valuable podcast brands.
- Charlamagne tha God / The Breakfast Club lands at #10, underscoring how radio-originated shows have evolved into multi-platform podcast brands.
- Joe Budden is also on the list and is described as building a highly successful independent podcast business.
- Other names mentioned include Dax Shepard, Tucker Carlson, Scott Galloway, and Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo.
The Big Business of Podcasting
Lauren emphasizes that the list is impressive not just because of the money, but because of what it says about the podcast economy:
Ownership matters
She points out that unlike film or TV, podcasters often keep a meaningful share of their intellectual property. Platforms and networks may pay to distribute a show, but creators can still retain ownership and build long-term value.
Multi-platform distribution is the new normal
The biggest podcasts are no longer “just podcasts.” They often exist across:
- audio
- video
- streaming platforms
- social media clips
- live events
- brand partnerships
That’s part of why these shows become so powerful: they create a feedback loop where one clip can spark conversation everywhere.
Consistency builds loyal audiences
Lauren stresses that podcasting rewards consistency and trust. The audience relationship is personal, and successful hosts tend to have a clear voice, repeatable format, and strong point of view.
Charlamagne, The Breakfast Club, and the Media Expansion Strategy
A major focus of the episode is Charlamagne tha God and how he has expanded his media footprint:
- He reportedly renewed a deal with iHeartMedia worth up to $200 million over five years.
- That agreement covers his radio and podcast work and supports The Black Effect Podcast Network, which he owns 51% of in a joint venture with iHeart.
- Lauren notes that he wants to turn Black Effect into the “BET for podcasting.”
- He has launched 60+ shows through the network.
- The Breakfast Club is now being positioned as a podcast and also has a presence on Netflix.
- Charlamagne’s Brilliant Idiots with Andrew Schulz is also part of his broader podcast ecosystem.
She also uses a viral Breakfast Club clip about hygiene to show how one conversation can travel across radio, podcasts, social media, and web coverage all at once.
Lauren’s Takeaways and Personal Reflection
Lauren ends by connecting Forbes’ list to her own goals in media:
- She says the list is motivating because it shows that podcasting is now a serious business with real infrastructure.
- She acknowledges that she needs to diversify the business around her own podcast and think beyond the core audio product.
- She reflects on wanting to land more exclusives and build a stronger voice in the news/podcast space.
- She also notes the lack of Black women on the list, which reinforces her desire to keep building and expanding her own lane.
Main Takeaways
- Podcasting is now a major media business, not a side hustle.
- The biggest winners are building audiences, IP, and ownership, not just downloads.
- Video, streaming, and social clips have made podcasts far more influential.
- Charlemagne, Joe Budden, Jay Shetty, and others show how creators can turn a podcast into a broader media company.
- Lauren sees this as proof that the future of media belongs to creators who combine voice, consistency, audience trust, and smart business strategy.