Alex Cooper

Alex Cooper – Life, Career, and Influence

Discover the rise of Alex Cooper (born August 21, 1994)—the American podcaster and media entrepreneur behind Call Her Daddy, her media empire, and her evolving influence in podcasting and culture.

Introduction

Alexandra “Alex” Cooper (born August 21, 1994) is an American podcaster, media personality, and entrepreneur. She is best known as the creator and host of the podcast Call Her Daddy, which became a cultural phenomenon and a major digital media brand. Over time, she has transformed from a candid commentator on relationships to a powerful interview host, media founder, and creative force in modern podcasting.

Her journey—from basement podcast beginnings to securing major deals, founding a podcast network, and expanding into wellness products—demonstrates the evolving landscape of creator-driven media.

Early Life and Family

Alex Cooper was born in Newtown, Pennsylvania on August 21, 1994.

Her father, Bryan Cooper, worked as a television sports producer, with a long tenure in sports broadcasting. Laurie Cooper, is a psychologist.

Growing up, Alex’s family environment blended media and psychology—backgrounds that arguably shaped her comfort with public engagement and her acuity with interpersonal topics.

Education & Early Steps

During her school years, Alex attended The Pennington School in New Jersey, where she was active in athletics (notably soccer) and academics.

She enrolled at Boston University in 2013, studying film and television, while also playing on the university’s Division I women’s soccer team.

After graduation, she moved to New York City and initially worked in advertising sales before pivoting toward podcasting.

Career & Breakthrough

Launching Call Her Daddy

In 2018, Alex Cooper and her then-roommate Sofia Franklyn launched the podcast Call Her Daddy, originally distributed via Barstool Sports.

The early episodes were known for unfiltered content and bold tone, especially in how Alex spoke openly about dating, boundaries, and intimate life.

Spotify Deal & Solo Era

In 2021, Alex signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Spotify reported to be worth $60 million. Call Her Daddy, separating from her co-host arrangement and transforming the format from duo banter to a guest-driven interview format.

Her series began to host high-profile guests—ranging from celebrities to public figures—and the tone shifted to more in-depth conversations beyond her personal life.

Building a Media Empire: Unwell Network & Beyond

As her influence grew, Alex expanded her platform:

• She launched The Unwell Network, a podcast network for creators, signing names like Alix Earle and Madeline Argy.

• In 2024, she negotiated a new distribution and advertising deal—reportedly $125 million with SiriusXM—to transition Call Her Daddy and her network away from Spotify.

• More recently, Alex ventured into consumer products with Unwell Hydration, a wellness beverage brand aimed at the women’s market.

These moves reflect her ambition to turn a podcast into a diversified media and lifestyle business.

Documentary & New Chapters

In 2025, Alex announced a docuseries, Call Her Alex, aimed at revealing deeper personal and professional moments—sharing challenges, behind-the-scenes decisions, and her evolution as a public figure.

The documentary addresses topics she had rarely discussed publicly before—her growth, vulnerabilities, and the complexities of creator life.

Personality, Style & Public Image

Alex is known for her directness, candor, and relatability—traits that initially drew listeners to Call Her Daddy. As she matured in her career, her interviewing style matured as well: she balances authenticity with curiosity, asking revealing questions while making guests comfortable.

She has spoken about her mental health, creative pressures, and the costs of public life—reflecting the duality of vulnerability and branding that many digital creators navigate.

Her brand identity leans into the name “Unwell”, suggesting an embrace of imperfection and recovery, rather than polished perfection.

Achievements & Recognition

• Call Her Daddy became one of Spotify’s top podcasts globally during her tenure.

• Time Magazine named her “arguably the most successful woman in podcasting” after the Spotify deal.

• Rolling Stone dubbed her “the new generation’s Barbara Walters” for her ability to land high-profile interview clients.

• In 2023, she was named to Time’s TIME100 Next list.

• Her business acumen has been validated by large media contracts and brand growth.

Lessons from Alex Cooper’s Journey

1. Start small, scale smart
   Alex began with raw conversations in a small format. Over time, she refined her content, expanded her reach, and built infrastructure around it.

2. Own your narrative
   Transitioning Call Her Daddy to a guest-driven interview format helped her reshape how the audience sees her—as a serious host, not just a personality.

3. Diversify beyond content
   Her move into network building and product lines (hydration) shows that content creators can—and arguably should—expand into multiple revenue and brand verticals.

4. Vulnerability matters
   By being open about challenges, she deepens listener connection and humanizes the role of influencer among fans who seek authenticity.

5. Evolution is continuous
   Her pivot from intimate chat podcast to interviewing and media entrepreneurship demonstrates that staying static is risky in a fast-evolving digital industry.

Conclusion

Alex Cooper’s trajectory is emblematic of the modern media creator era: from humble beginnings to commanding multi-million-dollar deals, from personal storytelling to platform-building, from podcaster to media mogul. She bridges raw authenticity with strategic growth, offering a new template for how creators can scale both voice and business.