On The White Lotus Podcast, hosts Josh Bearman and Jia Tolentino offered fans access to creator Mike White and the acclaimed cast members, unpacking character arcs, moral dilemmas, and the show’s sharp commentary on privilege and desire. We wanted listeners to use this podcast as a way to understand the plot, the characters' psyches, and how the show relates to the real world. The White Lotus captivated pop culture while it aired, and this podcast was another outlet for fans to enjoy the content and get to know the actors in a deeper way. The podcast grappled with the same questions asked by viewers as it related to relationship dynamics, morality, and more. By releasing lookback episodes before the new season, we reminded listeners of previous plot points and characters and created excitement for the new season. Then, the companion episodes kept listeners engaged during the show’s run and gave the audience an additional medium to consume The White Lotus content.
The White Lotus Podcast was split between lookback episodes unpacking Season One and Season Two of the show, then moving into companion mode when Season 3 aired on HBO Max. The hosts spoke with cast members like Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood, Carrie Coon, and others, along with show creator Mike White, as they unpacked the show and its characters. As White Lotus conquered the cultural zeitgeist, listeners quickly turned to the official podcast for more in-depth coverage. Josh and Gia's access to the cast and crew gave fans a deeper understanding of the show and answered questions viewers wished they could ask themselves – and the ones they didn’t know they had. Each podcast episode was released right after the show aired on HBO Max, so fans could immediately come to the podcast to learn more about the episode they just watched on TV.
The podcast saw immense success across a variety of platforms. The show consistently charted on Apple and Spotify’s Top US Charts and TV & Film Charts. It was also featured on Apple, Spotify and Amazon Music’s homepage and garnered press hits across several major outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, Today, and more. Most importantly, the podcast enhanced the relationship viewers had with the show - keeping them engaged long after the credits rolled.
