In 1964, McLuhan proposed that the medium used for content is far more important than the content it self, and sends its own messages to audiences. He argued that the chosen media has power to influence interpersonal relationships and audience actions. Although, technologies have changed since McLuhan’s time we can still apply it to modern media – podcasts.
The Call Her Daddy Podcast was co-created by Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn in 2018, and proved successful due to the exploration of taboo topics like sex and mental health. The podcast became highly popular with young women due to being raw and unfiltered. In 2020, Alex Cooper became the sole host, but the essence of the show remained the same. Today it is one of Spotify’s most streamed podcasts, and attracts many high-profile names to appear in guest episodes where they engage with these explicit topics. Previous appearances include Hailey Bieber and ZAYN (Murray, 2024).
Due to the linear nature of podcasts, it is safe to assume that McLuhan would categorise it as a hot media. Hot media absorbs one sense, in this case, hearing. However, Call Her Daddy is a video podcast, which allows the listener to consume it in the format of their choice. Either through just the audio, or watch the video accompanying it. That would classify this podcast as a cold media, which absorbs multiple senses of the human psyche.
Aside from exploring sexuality and relationships, Cooper’s choice of hosting the show as a podcast media carries additional messages to her audiences. All of the episodes range thirty to an hour in length, this allows for in depth explorations of topics that can be quite complex, translating to the audience that the creator has allocated plenty of time towards research and accumulation of information for them.
Like wise, we also have to consider the time of the listener. They might have other responsibilities that does not allow them to be fully immersed into the show. Podcasts can be consumed passively, whilst participating in other tasks, like doing the dishes or working out, and can perfectly fit into anyone’s lifestyle. They can be paused and resumed whenever the listener wishes to, and played at their preferred speed, allowing the audience to remain in control of their experience (Saltzman, 2019). This highlights that the creator aims to make a show that is accessible for everyone, and leaves it up to the audience how they want to engage with it.
Podcasting carries an intimate feeling with it. The host is able to connect with the listener verbally through storytelling, in an informal tone. This conversation like space helps build a bond between Cooper and her audiences, which is partially what helped foster her ‘daddy gang’ community that resembles more of a sisterhood. As we can see, the podcast medium is ideal for Alex Copper’s brand to portray herself as a caring, accommodating and engaging host to her listeners, and grow her success even further.
References
McLuhan, M. (1964). ‘The Medium is the Message’ in Understanding media: The extensions of man. New York: McGraw Hill.
Murray, C. (2024) Alex Cooper’s ’call her daddy’-spotify’s 2nd-biggest podcast-bought by siriusxm in reported $100 million deal, Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/08/20/alex-coopers-call-her-daddy-spotifys-2nd-biggest-podcast-bought-by-siriusxm/ (Accessed: 04 November 2024).
Salzman, M. (2019) Podcasts are the medium, what’s the message?, Medium. Available at: https://mariansalzman.medium.com/podcasts-are-the-medium-whats-the-message-99e7c642faa (Accessed: 04 November 2024).
