TL;DR
If you’ve heard your teenager mention the "Daddy Gang" or seen a blonde woman interviewing a-list celebrities on your Spotify feed, you’ve met Alex Cooper. Call Her Daddy is arguably the most influential podcast for Gen Z women. It started as a raunchy, "no-filter" sex and dating show, but has evolved into a massive media empire focused on mental health, female empowerment, and high-profile interviews.
The Verdict: It’s strictly 17+ for its back catalog, but for older teens, it can actually spark some surprisingly healthy conversations about boundaries and self-worth—if you can get past the "Father Cooper" branding.
Quick Links for Context:
If we were sitting at a coffee shop, I’d tell you that Call Her Daddy is the modern-day Sex and the City, but on a heavy dose of TikTok energy and professional-grade therapy.
Launched in 2018 under the Barstool Sports umbrella, the show was originally hosted by Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn. They were two best friends in NYC talking—very graphically—about their sex lives, "the gluck gluck 9000" (don't ask, or actually, ask our chatbot here
), and how to "manipulate" men in the dating game. It was messy, it was loud, and it was a massive hit.
Fast forward through a very public "divorce" between the hosts (the "Daddy War"), a $60 million Spotify deal, and a more recent $125 million move to SiriusXM. Today, Alex Cooper is the "Father" of the Daddy Gang, and the show has shifted. While the sex talk is still there, the focus is now on "unwell" culture—a brand that embraces being a mess while trying to find mental wellness. She’s interviewed everyone from Jane Fonda and Post Malone to Vice President Kamala Harris.
It’s easy to look at the title and roll your eyes, but there’s a reason Alex Cooper has a chokehold on the 18-24 demographic (and a growing number of 16-year-olds).
- The "Big Sister" Energy: Alex speaks to her audience like they’re in on a secret. She’s vulnerable about her own anxieties, her past toxic relationships, and her body image issues. In a world of curated Instagram feeds, her brand of "vulnerable but successful" is catnip for Gen Z.
- The Access: If a celebrity is going through a breakup or a scandal, they go on Call Her Daddy. It’s become the "safe space" for stars to tell their side of the story, which makes it essential listening for anyone following pop culture.
- De-stigmatization: The show talks about therapy, antidepressants, and sexual health with zero shame. For a generation that prioritizes mental health, this feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the "just be happy" advice of previous eras.
Let’s be real: the early episodes of Call Her Daddy are rough. If your 15-year-old is digging back into the 2018-2019 archives, they are hearing explicit descriptions of sexual acts, questionable advice on how to treat partners, and a lot of "party girl" glorification.
However, the 2024-2026 era of the show is much more "prestige talk show." Alex has matured, and the content has matured with her. She often brings on experts to talk about reproductive rights, female pleasure, and career building.
The Problematic Bits:
- The "Hustle" and Wealth: Alex is a multi-millionaire. The lifestyle she portrays—private jets, high-end fashion, constant travel—is the "aspirational" bait that can make some teens feel like their normal lives are inadequate.
- Language: The F-bombs are constant. It’s not a "listen in the car with the kids" kind of show.
- Body Image: While she talks about recovery and health, the show still operates within the "skinny, blonde, beautiful" influencer industrial complex.
Screenwise data shows that while the target demo is college-aged, about 15% of high school juniors and seniors are regular listeners.
Ages 13-15: Hard No.
The themes are too adult, and the nuances of the "dating advice" are easily lost on younger teens who don't have the life experience to realize Alex is often performing a persona. If they want celebrity tea, suggest the Daily Pop on E! or Teen Vogue.
Ages 16-17: Parental Discretion (The "Talk About It" Zone).
If your teen is listening, don't freak out. They’re likely listening for the celebrity interviews. This is a great time to talk about how to navigate social media influencers and the difference between "entertainment" and "life advice."
Ages 18+: They’re Adults.
At this point, Call Her Daddy is just part of the cultural zeitgeist. It’s the podcast equivalent of Cosmopolitan magazine.
If you hear these terms, here’s the translation so you don't look clueless:
- "The Daddy Gang": The community of listeners.
- "Father Cooper": Alex’s nickname for herself.
- "Unwell": The name of her production company and a catch-all term for feeling messy, anxious, or hungover.
- "The Divorce": Refers to the split between Alex and her former co-host Sofia.
If you find Call Her Daddy on your teen's Spotify Recently Played list, try these openers:
- "I saw Alex Cooper interviewed the Vice President (or Miley Cyrus, etc.). What did you think of that episode? Did she ask the questions you actually wanted to hear?"
- "She talks a lot about 'unwell' culture. Do you think that makes people feel better about their mental health, or does it just make it a trend?"
- "Some of her early dating advice is pretty wild. Do you think people actually treat each other like that, or is she just playing it up for the mic?"
Ask our chatbot for more conversation starters about influencer culture
Alex Cooper isn't going anywhere. She’s essentially the Oprah of Gen Z, but with more curse words and a better tan. While the "Daddy" branding is cringey for parents, the show itself has become a legitimate pillar of modern media.
If your teen is an older high schooler, Call Her Daddy is less of a "danger" and more of a "cultural touchstone." It's a loud, messy, often insightful look at what it means to be a young woman in 2026. Just maybe keep the younger siblings away from the 2018 archives.
- Check the settings: Ensure your teen's Spotify or Apple Podcasts has "Explicit Content" toggles set if you aren't ready for them to hear the raunchier stuff.
- Listen to one episode: Pick a recent interview with a celebrity you actually like (the Jane Fonda one is surprisingly great). It’ll give you a better sense of who Alex is today versus the headlines from five years ago.
- Read our guide on how to talk to teens about sex to stay ahead of the "dating advice" they might be hearing online.
Ask Screenwise: Is Call Her Daddy appropriate for my 16-year-old?