Podcast Empire Faces Turmoil Amidst Staff Discord

Alex Cooper's podcast company, Trending, is reportedly experiencing internal turmoil, according to sources familiar with its operations. The business is grappling with significant employee turnover, internal staff discord, and challenges with its slate of shows.

Reports indicate that Matt Kaplan, Cooper's husband and co-CEO, has developed a reputation for frequently yelling at staff members. This has allegedly led to crew members threatening to walk off jobs and filing formal complaints. Despite Cooper describing a "positive and safe" environment, the reported behavior from Kaplan has caused distress.

The company, which houses Cooper's lifestyle podcasts under the Unwell Network and Kaplan's production company ACE Entertainment, has seen several high-level executives depart in the past year. Furthermore, its attempts to launch new hit programming beyond Cooper's flagship "Call Her Daddy" have faced setbacks, including the cancellation of three original programs on a SiriusXM-branded station.

Adding to the internal strife, Cooper recently publicly feuded with influencer Alix Earle over social media posts. While Trending continues to release various media projects, including TV shows and films, and Cooper's live tours gain traction, the company has recently shifted focus to acquiring existing shows rather than developing new ones.

In an effort to stabilize operations, Trending announced new executive leadership last week, including Joanne Bradford as president and Ellen Rocamora as executive producer. These new team members are tasked with assisting Cooper as the company navigates its business expansion and internal challenges.