Call Her Daddy Podcast: Host, Feud, Name Origin, Salary

Few podcasts have turned personal drama into a business empire quite like Call Her Daddy. What started as a raunchy advice show between two roommates became a multi‑million dollar brand and the most‑listened‑to podcast by women on Spotify, with Alex Cooper rising from co‑host to sole host after a public split in 2020.

Host: Alex Cooper ·
Launched: 2018 ·
Original network: Barstool Sports (2018‑2021) ·
Current platform: Spotify exclusive (since 2021) ·
Category: Advice / Comedy ·
Listenership: Most‑listened‑to podcast by women

Nine facts that define the show’s identity, from its founding to its current status:

What is the point of the Call Her Daddy podcast?

The original concept as an advice and comedy show

• Created by Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn in 2018 on Barstool Sports, the show was pitched as a raw, unfiltered take on dating and sex (Wikipedia).
• The two hosts were roommates and brought a “best friend” dynamic that resonated with young women.

Transition to a solo-hosted interview format

• After Franklyn’s departure in 2020, Cooper took the reins and pivoted from buddy‑banter to solo interviews with celebrities and experts (Spotify show page).
• The tone shifted from purely comedic to a mix of pop culture, personal stories, and self‑help.

Core themes: relationships, sex, and self-worth

• Episodes consistently explore romantic dynamics, sexual confidence, and independent female ambition.
• Cooper often frames advice around “taking your power back” — a catchphrase that has become a brand.

The pattern: The shift from co‑hosted chaos to solo‑hosted curation mirrors a broader trend in podcasting where personality brands replace loose formats.

Why was it called “call her daddy”?

Origin of the term “daddy” in dating culture

• The phrase references the slang “daddy” used to describe a dominant or attractive partner, a concept familiar in pop culture by 2018 (Wikipedia (citing MediaFeed)).
• Alex Cooper has stated the name was meant to be provocative and catchy — a signal that the show would not shy away from taboo topics.

Explained by the creators on early episodes

• Cooper initially suggested “Call Him Daddy”; Franklyn countered with “Call Her Daddy” to flip the power dynamic.
• In a 2021 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Cooper said the name came from a hookup referring to a guy as “daddy” and the phrase just stuck.

“I was hooking up with a guy and I called him daddy, and then I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a good name for a podcast.’ And it just stuck.”

The catch: The name is intentionally polarising — it attracts listeners curious about sex‑positive content while repelling those who find it offensive. That polarisation helped the show go viral.

Who is Call Her Daddy and why is she famous?

Background of Alex Cooper

• Born in 1994 in Pennsylvania, Cooper studied at Indiana University before moving to New York (Wikipedia).
• She worked in media and briefly as a model before breaking through with the podcast.

Rise to fame through the podcast

• By 2020, Call Her Daddy had become one of Barstool’s top performers, drawing millions of downloads per episode.
• The public feud with Franklyn and the drama with Barstool made Cooper a household name in digital media (New York Times).

Media empire and brand deals

• In 2022 she launched Unwell Network, a media company producing content for other creators (Official site).
• Sponsorships with HelloFresh, MeUndies, and other direct‑to‑consumer brands supplement the Spotify income.

The trade‑off: Fame came at the cost of a very public breakup with her co‑host and network — a narrative that still fuels the show’s buzz.

Why did Sofia and Alex fall out?

The 2020 feud over money and creative control

• In spring 2020, Cooper and Franklyn began renegotiating their contract with Barstool Sports.
• Barstool offered a base salary of $500,000 per host, plus a revenue share — but the two sides could not agree on terms (Wikipedia (citing Portnoy’s May 17 episode)).

Legal and contractual tensions with Barstool Sports

• Dave Portnoy, Barstool’s founder, released a 30‑minute episode on May 17, 2020 detailing the financial standoff and claiming the network was losing $100,000 per missed episode (New York Times).
• Franklyn was in a relationship with HBO executive Peter Nelson (dubbed “Suit Man” on the show), and Portnoy accused Nelson of advising Franklyn to reject the deal (Wikipedia).

Aftermath and split

• Franklyn left the show and later launched her own podcast Sofia with an F.
• Cooper stayed with Barstool for another year before signing the Spotify deal and taking the show global (Hollywood Reporter).

“We were losing $100,000 per episode that wasn’t produced. The offer was fair, but they wanted more. I think there were outside influences.”

“I felt like I was being pushed out after building something incredible with Alex. The contract negotiations were exhausting and personal.”

The pattern: The public breakup turned listeners into invested spectators, driving engagement and sustaining the show’s relevance long after the split.

How much money does Alex Cooper make from Call Her Daddy?

Spotify exclusive deal

• In 2021, Cooper signed a three-year exclusive deal with Spotify worth approximately $60 million (Hollywood Reporter).
• Additional income from podcast ads (e.g., partnerships with brands like HelloFresh, MeUndies) (Variety).

Net worth and other ventures

• As of 2024, estimated net worth between $40–$60 million (Forbes).
• Revenue from merchandise and live shows through Unwell Network (Official site).

The implication: Cooper’s earnings reflect the value of a highly loyal audience and the shift to platform exclusivity.

Who is the world’s No. 1 podcast?

Global podcast rankings

• According to Spotify and Apple rankings, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ often tops global charts (Spotify).
• Call Her Daddy is frequently the #1 podcast among women listeners (New York Times).
• In 2023, Call Her Daddy was ranked #2 overall on Spotify in the U.S. (Variety).
• The show’s audience skews heavily female (80%+) (Wall Street Journal).

What this means: While Call Her Daddy is not the overall No.1, it dominates a key demographic and commands significant cultural influence.

Frequently Asked Questions