Steven Bartlett's podcast, "Diary Of A CEO," is on the verge of surpassing Joe Rogan's show in global popularity, according to recent data. Between March and June, Bartlett's podcast gained 2.8 million subscribers, bringing his total to 18.5 million, while Rogan's audience of 21 million saw minimal growth.
Bartlett, known for his role on "Dragons' Den," initially focused his podcast on interviews with business leaders. However, the show has evolved to include celebrities, athletes, and political figures, some of whom have courted controversy. His production company has aided his international reach by translating episodes into foreign languages, with Spanish and Russian proving most popular.
Bartlett, who co-founded the social media agency Social Chain in his early twenties, launched "The Diary Of A CEO" in 2017. By 2021, he became the youngest investor on "Dragons' Den."
However, Bartlett's ventures have not been without scrutiny. In August 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority banned two Facebook advertisements featuring Bartlett for omitting material information about his financial ties to the brands Huel and Zoe. Additionally, a BBC investigation in December 2024 found that 15 health-related episodes of his podcast contained an average of 14 unsupported or potentially harmful claims.
More recently, Bartlett faced criticism for failing to challenge a former "Love Island" contestant who attributed falling birth rates to women's financial independence, an exchange that led to accusations of promoting toxic masculinity. Bartlett has also drawn public attention for a personal anecdote about the negative effects of drinking three glasses of wine over three consecutive days.