Harris is one of the few, if not the only, politicians to appear for an interview with Cooper, who has avoided politics — and politicians — throughout her podcast’s meteoric rise.
“As you guys know, I do not usually discuss politics or have politicians on this show, because I want ‘Call Her Daddy’ to be a place that everyone feels comfortable tuning in everyone feels comfortable tuning in,” Cooper said during the episode’s introduction.
Even so, Cooper said she ultimately chose to invite the Democratic presidential nominee, along with former President Trump, given the focus on women’s rights in this election.
Cooper reportedly turned down interviews with Harris or President Biden earlier this year.
But after much deliberation, the 30-year-old host said she “couldn’t see a world in which one of the main conversations in this election is women and I’m not a part of it.”
“I am so aware I have a very mixed audience when it comes to politics, so please hear me when I say my goal today is not to change your political affiliation,” she added. “What I’m hoping is that you’re able to listen to a conversation that isn’t too different than the ones that we’re having here every week.”
The 45-minute episode, released Sunday night, largely focused on reproductive and women’s rights — issues Cooper has increasingly discussed following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
When asked by Cooper why she chose to come on “Call Her Daddy for a long-form interview, Harris said, “I think especially now, this is a moment in the country and in life where people really want to know they’re seen and heard, and, and that they’re part of a community, that they’re not out there alone.”
“Call Her Daddy” is the top listened-to podcast among women, according to Spotify, which struck an exclusive deal worth more than $60 million with Cooper in 2021. It’s the second-most-listened-to podcast overall behind Joe Rogan’s “The Joe Rogan Experience” last year and boasts “millions” of “Gen-Z and millennial listeners.”
Political and media experts said Harris stands to benefit from an interview in front of Cooper’s audience, which is largely made up of two critical voting groups — women and young constituents.
Read more of what they had to say at digital-staging.thehill.com.
