In a milestone year that reflected both growth and deepened impact, the Startup Junkies Podcast closed out 2025 with a record number of downloads, surpassing 130,700 unique downloads on the year, its highest annual total to date in a near-decade of publishing.

The new high-water mark arrives just four years after the show’s celebrated 100,000 lifetime downloads milestone in 2021. More than just a numerical achievement, the 2025 tally highlights the growing demand for founder-led stories, industry insights, and conversations rooted in the heartland of American entrepreneurship.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being on the mic each week is seeing how listeners connect with these conversations just as much as we do. I genuinely enjoy every guest we have on, hearing their stories, their challenges, and their wins. It’s been incredible to see that same energy reflected back from our audience,” said Daniel Koonce, Startup Junkie events and partnerships director and a staple podcast co-host in 2025.

This year’s momentum was powered by a slate of compelling episodes and a new approach to partnerships. Leading the charts was Episode 421, featuring Leo Orpin of Black Apple Hard Cider, celebrating a decade of business. The episode garnered 16,700 downloads and coincided with the podcast’s first-ever official sponsorship, a month-long collaboration with Black Apple that opened the door to future partner-driven storytelling.

Listeners also tuned in to a conversation with returning guest Andrew Gibbs-Dabney of LIVSN Designs, whose mission to create sustainable, versatile outdoor apparel struck a chord with the show’s audience, drawing nearly 14,000 downloads.

A feature in the new Fuel podcast series spotlighted Amit Hasak, founder of cold-chain AI startup Transship, a member of the 2025 Fuel Accelerator AI/ML cohort. His episode logged 12,500 downloads and helped engage Fuel’s founder network to Startup Junkies’ growing base of tech-forward listeners.

Episodes featuring Arkansas real estate leader Marshall Saviers (12,300 downloads), the founders of adwinesor (11,200 downloads), and the team behind Peanut Pupper (10,500 downloads) rounded out the top five most downloaded episodes this year, underscoring the show’s commitment to a diverse range of entrepreneurial voices, from commercial real estate to wine culture to pet wellness.

The vast majority of downloads came from listeners in the U.S., with California, Texas, Florida, and New York following Arkansas in the top five states. Outside the U.S., international growth surged as well, with top listens from Brazil, Germany, Spain, and a tie between India and the United Kingdom rounding out the global top five.

Growth extended beyond audio platforms. The podcast’s YouTube channel saw more than 55,000 views in 2025, a humble increase of nearly 10 percent over the prior year. The show gained 800 new YouTube subscribers, marking a 730 percent annual increase and signaling demand for its expanded video presence.

This visual growth has been fueled by a production partnership with Go Rogue Studios in Bentonville. Their expert team has helped elevate the look, feel, and polish of every episode, giving the Startup Junkies Podcast a multi-platform edge and professional production quality that supports its expanding ambitions.

“We’re excited to keep the momentum going into 2026,” said Caleb Talley, Executive Director of Startup Junkie Foundation and podcast co-host. “These milestones might seem modest relative to the world of podcasting, but for us, they’re meaningful signals that there are those who find value in these conversations and resonate with these impactful stories. Our hope is to turn this year’s success into more opportunities to grow the show, bring in inspiring new voices, and build partnerships that help us keep raising the bar.”

Looking ahead, the Startup Junkie team plans to double down on quality and content in 2026. They will continue to upgrade audio and video production, invite new and returning guests to share their journeys, and deepen ties with regional partners and sponsors. New podcast series, live recordings, and behind-the-scenes content are on the horizon, all rooted in the show’s core mission to spotlight founders, creators, and community builders doing the real work of entrepreneurship.