Steven Bartlett’s podcast, *Diary Of A CEO*, is approaching a milestone as it nears the top spot globally, potentially surpassing the popular show hosted by American comedian Joe Rogan. Between March and June, Bartlett's podcast gained 2.8 million new subscribers, bringing the total to 18.5 million, while Rogan’s audience increased only marginally, from approximately 21 million.

Launched in 2017, *Diary Of A CEO* initially focused on interviews with business leaders but has since expanded to include conversations with celebrities, athletes, and a variety of political figures. The show’s growing international appeal has been aided by Bartlett’s production company developing a tool that automatically translates episodes into multiple foreign languages, with Spanish and Russian among the most accessed.

Bartlett, who co-founded the social media agency Social Chain in his early twenties, became the youngest investor on the BBC’s *Dragons’ Den* in 2021. His public profile has risen sharply, though not without controversy.

In August 2024, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned two Facebook advertisements featuring Bartlett endorsing the meal-replacement brand Huel and the health-testing company Zoe. The ASA found that the ads failed to disclose Bartlett’s financial ties to the companies, describing the omission as “material information.”

Further scrutiny came in December 2024 when a BBC investigation reviewed 15 health-related episodes of *Diary Of A CEO*, identifying an average of 14 claims per episode that were either potentially harmful or lacked scientific support. These findings have raised concerns about the accuracy and safety of some content shared on the podcast.

Bartlett has also faced criticism related to his interview approach. He was accused of promoting toxic masculinity after not challenging Chris Williamson, a former *Love Island* contestant, who attributed declining birth rates to women’s increasing financial independence. Bartlett, who is teetotal, has himself occasionally drawn public attention, most recently after stating that consuming three glasses of wine ruined the following three days for him, a comment that attracted some ridicule online.

Despite these controversies, *Diary Of A CEO* continues to rapidly expand its audience, reflecting Bartlett’s growing influence in the podcasting landscape and his ability to engage listeners across different demographics and languages.