Women Tune Into Manosphere Podcasts
Source: wsj.com
TL;DR
- Women Fans Grow: Manosphere podcasts hosted by Theo Von and Joe Rogan draw significant female listeners despite male-focused marketing.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- Audience Shares: Women comprise 28% of Von's listeners and 22% of Rogan's, per Edison Research data.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- Ad Market Potential: Female fans offer untapped revenue as women drive most household spending amid podcasts' ad reliance.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
The story at a glance
Wall Street Journal reporter Will Groff examines how "manosphere" podcasts, led by hosts like Theo Von and Joe Rogan, attract a notable female audience through crass humor mixed with vulnerability on topics like politics and health. Fan Allie D’Acunto, a 34-year-old from Central Florida, praises Von's relatability. The piece highlights this as a business opportunity given women's spending influence; it appeared online April 1, 2026, and in print April 4.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Key points
- Theo Von, a Nashville comedian, hosts "This Past Weekend" with therapy-like interviews on addiction (Donald Trump), trauma (Sean Strickland), and mental health (Post Malone).[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- The manosphere is a new-media space of bro-friendly shows covering politics, foreign policy, health, philosophy, music, religion, and comedy.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- Women form 28% of Von's audience and 22% of Rogan's, according to Edison Research.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- Podcasts depend more on ads, making female listeners valuable since they influence bulk household spending.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
- Fans seek a politically flexible, sometimes vulgar view of current events.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Details and context
Allie D’Acunto enjoys Von's mix of laughs and honesty about personal struggles, calling him "so relatable."[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a) Von earns comparison to Barbara Walters for his empathetic style in the male-dominated space.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
These shows gained influence recently, with some credit for swaying young men's votes to Trump in 2024.[[2]](https://www.facebook.com/WSJ/posts/in-the-manosphere-a-new-media-universe-where-bro-friendly-hosts-like-theo-von-an/1318542426799018)
Women fans like the unfiltered take on complicated times, positioning them as an overlooked ad demographic.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Key quotes
“He’s not afraid to get vulnerable. He speaks very honestly about his life and struggles and issues with addiction,” said Allie D’Acunto.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
“He’s just so relatable,” D’Acunto said of Theo Von.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Why it matters
Manosphere podcasts expand beyond male fans, revealing shared appeal in raw discussions of modern life. For podcasters and advertisers, female listeners mean bigger revenue from household buying power. Watch if more data confirms growth or if political shifts alter audience draws.
FAQ
Q: What draws women to Theo Von's podcast?
A: Allie D’Acunto cites his humor that brings tears of laughter, vulnerability on addiction and struggles, and overall relatability. His interviews blend crass jokes with serious talks on trauma and mental health.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Q: How large is the female audience for these manosphere shows?
A: Edison Research data shows women at 28% of Theo Von's listeners and 22% of Joe Rogan's. This makes them a key untapped group despite male marketing focus.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Q: Why value women listeners for podcast business?
A: Podcasts run on ad revenue, and women influence most household spending. Fans seek the shows' adaptable, vulgar lens on politics and life.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
Q: What topics do manosphere podcasts cover?
A: Hosts discuss politics, foreign policy, health, philosophy, music, religion, and comedy in a bro-friendly style.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)
[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/manosphere-women-audience-0acb911a)