The USA Leaders,
May 22, 2025
Entrepreneur and media mogul Steven Bartlett has once again taken the global stage by storm. His widely popular podcast, The Diary of a CEO, was recently awarded Best International Podcast at the 2025 iHeart/Audible Podcast Awards in Texas, marking a significant milestone in his rapid rise from dropout to global business influencer.
But the celebration comes with complications.
A recent BBC investigation (December 2024) raised concerns over episodes of The Diary of a CEO, suggesting that some interviews with health and wellness entrepreneurs promoted unverified medical claims. Critics argued that these episodes blurred the line between personal opinion and scientific fact.
In response, Bartlett’s media agency Flight Studio defended the platform, stating it champions free and balanced conversation and that every guest is “extensively vetted.” Bartlett himself remained unapologetic, saying, “The goal was never to give one-sided views but to challenge mainstream narratives.”
Podcasting with Power
Bartlett’s podcast, launched in 2020, now attracts over 4 million downloads a month, placing it among the world’s most listened-to business podcasts. Recent episodes have featured global names like Gary Vaynerchuk, Wim Hof, and Niall Horan — a testament to its wide appeal.
In early 2025, Steven Bartlett made another bold move by buying out his co-founder Oliver Yonchev’s stake in Flight Story Group, giving him majority ownership. The acquisition signals Bartlett’s ambition to grow beyond podcasting into a full-fledged media and tech empire.
“Steven Bartlett is building more than a podcast — he’s crafting a media brand that influences millions globally,” said Hannah Clarke, analyst at MediaBench UK.
Trouble with the Regulators
Controversy didn’t stop at podcasting. In March 2025, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned a social media ad promoting gut-health supplement “Daily30,” made by ZOE, a company in which Bartlett is a key investor. The ASA deemed the ad misleading.
In a fiery LinkedIn response, Bartlett criticized the ASA’s decision, accusing it of lacking scientific nuance and prioritizing publicity over facts. “This is a great example of misaligned priorities in public health,” he wrote.
From Boardrooms to Social Causes
Bartlett’s influence also stretches into philanthropy. In February 2025, he joined Prince William in Aberdeen as part of the Homewards campaign to combat homelessness. His involvement has been widely applauded for blending entrepreneurship with social impact.
Key Facts:
- Youngest-ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den at age 28
- Co-founded Social Chain, taking it public in his 20s
- Estimated net worth: £68 million (2025)
- Podcast: Over 4M monthly downloads, global reach
Why It Matters:
Steven Bartlett represents a new breed of entrepreneur — digitally native, media-savvy, and unafraid to challenge norms. While controversies follow him, so do millions of listeners and investors. As he consolidates his media empire and ventures into global influence, the world watches: Can Bartlett maintain authenticity while scaling influence?
