The latest couples therapy? A joint podcast! Three high-profile pairs reveal what it’s really like to broadcast their most intimate thoughts

• Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams agree their podcast made them better at communicating 
• READ MORE:  Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch introduce new pet dog on calamity-filled podcast episode: ‘This is not happening!’

With more than 23 million of us and counting listening to podcasts regularly, the audio revolution is well and truly here. It feels like every man and his dog has one.

Or, perhaps more accurately, every man and his wife, as couple podcasts dominate the charts, with everyone from Joanna Lumley to Davina McCall hosting their own. 

Recently former footballer Peter Crouch and his model wife Abbey Clancy discussed their super successful, banter-heavy podcast, The Therapy Crouch, in the pages of this newspaper.

But they’re far from the only couple airing marital grievances over the airways to an audience of thousands on a regular basis. 

We ask three other prominent couples what podcasting together has taught them about life, love and working together without pulling their hair out . . .

Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams agree that sharing a podcast has made them better at communicating with each other 

Spencer & Vogue

Entrepreneur and former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, 35, and presenter Vogue Williams, 38, have three children, Theodore, five, Gigi, three, and Otto, one.

Vogue says: We used to do a reality show together, Spencer, Vogue and Baby Too, but it didn’t suit our lifestyle any more. We missed working with each other so much we decided to do the podcast!

It has been so positive for us because we enjoy that uninterrupted time talking to each other, with no kids running in. We’re sitting there having a conversation about things we like talking about, for an hour and a half each week. It’s brilliant.

It’s great couples therapy. I’d suggest couples do it every week, even if it’s never broadcast.

Despite working with my husband, I think it’s important to keep stuff for yourself too: make sure that you have your own group of friends that you see on your own. Don’t make everything about the relationship. 

When you’ve got kids it becomes even more difficult to do things on your own. But don’t forget about your friends, because it’s important to get out and let off a little bit of steam.

Spencer says: It felt like everyone else had a podcast and it seemed fun, so we thought, why not have a go and see if we would be any good? It has certainly made us argue more, but we will selflessly do anything to entertain the nation.

The Spencer & Vogue podcast replaced the couple’s reality show, Spencer, Vogue and Baby Too

It’s made us better at communicating. We may air our grievances on a public platform but at least they get put to bed. 

That would be my advice to any couple: communicate clearly and get things out in the open (although, not necessarily to release a podcast about it).

Compromise is key when it comes to relationships. Working together has made me love Vogue more every day. It’s also taught me that I’m not always right.

• Listen to Spencer & Vogue on Global Player and other platforms. Spencer And Vogue LIVE! UK tour starts February 14, 2024 in Ipswich. For tickets, visit cuffeandtaylor.com

Never Have I Ever

Every week comedian and presenter Joel Dommett, 38, and model Hannah Cooper, 32, try something they’ve never done before together, such as existing without a phone, plane-spotting and, most recently, having a baby!

Hannah says: We met six years ago when I slid into Joel’s messages on Instagram (which he loves people knowing) after one too many drinks! I sent a heart-eyed cat emoji to a photo of him holding a puppy. The rest is history.

So, my first recommendation is to never be afraid to make the first move. Communication is key.

It sounds basic but I mean really getting everything off your chest when something even slightly bothers you. Being honest can be hard but it’s much healthier than letting it fester.

The podcast has taught us to try to make more time for each other and be more open to what the other person is into. 

Hannah Cooper’s advice is to make sure you get everything off your chest of something bothers you even a little bit 

I’ve been forced to sit through his action films and sporting events that I really couldn’t care about, but it has made me understand, and love, him more.

Joel says: My best advice for couples is, if possible, have separate bathrooms. It has completely changed our relationship.

Not only does it keep the allure of a relationship — nobody wants to shower while their partner is on the loo — it also means we never fight over who spends more time getting ready in the bathroom (it’s her).

Feedback’s always interesting, too. I once mentioned I hated Hannah leaving stuff on the stairs to make me take it up.

Doing their podcast together has shown Joel that he’s with the right person 

We put it on Instagram and it got 200,000 likes. It felt like the entire world joined in.

I love how Hannah has opened herself up and really gone for it with this. A while ago, she did stand-up comedy and was terrified but still did it . . . and she was funny! I was petrified and proud all at once. 

Doing all this together has, at the end of the day, showed me that I’m with the right person.

• Never Have I Ever is available on Global Player as well as other platforms.

The Wittering Whitehalls

Michael, 83, and Hilary Whitehall, 62 — comedian Jack Whitehall’s parents — answer questions on everything from staycations and family squabbles to birthdays and, er, tortillas.

Hilary says: Michael and I have been bickering for decades. You name it, we’ve argued about it. In this disposable era, we’ve spent 37 years together and covered a lot of ground.

The podcast has taught me so much about our relationship, namely that we probably should never have got married because we are very different people. 

I love sport, parties, going out, and dogs. Michael, however, is moderately interested in sport, hates parties, loves staying at home and barely tolerates our dog!

Yet we have learnt to rub along together, graciously agree to disagree and, crucially, he still makes me roar with laughter. 

Michael Whitehall advises getting to grips with the no-go areas and updating the list regularly if you want to have a long and successful working marriage 

It’s all about patience, tolerance and compromise. For instance, not watching the news in the same room. Oh, and going to parties on my own! We pick our battles, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Michael says: It has taken this podcast for me to learn that Hilary is always right, even when she’s not. Except she always is. Although I’m technically the star of the show, that title has been snatched from me by Mrs Whitehall.

Hillary Whitehall says ‘patience, tolerance and compromise’ are key 

For a long and successful working marriage, it’s best to get to grips with the no-go areas and update the list regularly. And if, like me, you marry someone with as strong opinions as you, it’s an on-going job.

Our most testing time came when Mrs Whitehall recalled how she nearly killed me by putting nail polish remover in a mouthwash bottle but omitted to tell me.

That was not only nearly the end of our podcast and marriage but nearly the end of me!

• The Wittering Whitehalls is available on Global Player and other platforms.

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