The podcast landscape is heating up with the arrival of High Steaks, a new offering from Gen Z publisher Centennial World, promising a deep dive into the captivating world of celebrity feuds.
This 12-episode series, hosted by Sydney-based journalists Laura Masia and Madison Bogisch, positions itself as a prime destination for audiences hungry for tales of “famous feuds, frenemies, and falling outs” that have shaped contemporary culture.
Bogisch says the podcast taps into the universal fascination with famous fallouts, calling the feuds “messy and often relatable” because, at the end of the day, “celebrities are just like us.” Masia, an entertainment reporter, jokingly refers to herself as a “professional gossip” and is thrilled to channel her passion for industry tidbits, rumours, and petty squabbles into a podcast that resonates with fellow pop culture enthusiasts.
High Steaks hosts Laura Masia and Madison Bogisch
Capitalising on cultural currency
High Steaks is hoping to tap into the undeniable allure of celebrity conflict, a perennial driver of audience engagement. From the digital trenches of podcasting it-girl drama to the spectacle of billionaire rivalries, the series offers a diverse menu of content designed to capture attention.
This focus on high-profile disputes presents a unique opportunity for advertisers to align their brands with culturally relevant conversations, leveraging the inherent intrigue of these stories to connect with engaged listeners.
Centennial World’s network play
The launch of High Steaks marks the official debut of the Centennial World Podcast Network, expanding the publisher’s existing audio offerings, which include infinite scroll, mini scroll, and mini tech scroll. This strategic move consolidates Centennial World’s audio content under a unified brand, creating a more cohesive and attractive platform for advertisers. By offering a diverse range of podcasts, the network provides advertisers with access to a wider audience and greater flexibility in targeting specific demographics and interests.
Centennial World Founder Lauren Meisner said: “We’re thrilled to welcome High Steaks into the Centennial World fold. Last year we saw 450% audience growth across our existing podcasts, so the timing felt right to expand the business and launch our network.
“As a chatty show between two pop culture-obsessed friends, High Steaks will complement our existing video essays and internet culture news podcasts while feeding into Gen Z’s penchant for nostalgia.”