Steven Bartlett’s journey from startup founder to one of the world’s highest earning podcasters has reached another milestone, with the British entrepreneur securing the third spot on Forbes’ inaugural list of the world’s highest-paid podcasters after an exceptional year of growth for his hit show, The Diary of a CEO.
According to Forbes, Bartlett earned an estimated $45 million from his podcast business over the past year, placing him behind only Joe Rogan, who topped the rankings with an estimated $82 million, and Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), which generated an estimated $70 million. The rankings are based on pretax podcast-specific earnings between June 2025 and June 2026.
The achievement marks another major chapter in Bartlett’s career. A former member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list, the 33year old entrepreneur has transformed The Diary of a CEO from a podcast recorded at his kitchen table into one of the world’s most influential interview platforms. The show, launched nine years ago, now features conversations with globally recognized entrepreneurs, business leaders, athletes, scientists, and cultural figures, attracting millions of listeners across audio and video platforms.
Forbes reported that the podcast recorded its highest ever revenue quarter during the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the rapid expansion of Bartlett’s media business. The publication noted that the success of the show extends well beyond traditional podcast advertising, with revenue generated through sponsorships, platform partnerships, live events, books, investments, and other commercial ventures built around the Diary of a CEO brand.
Bartlett has steadily evolved from a tech entrepreneur into a media executive with a diversified portfolio. Through his company, Steven.com, he oversees businesses spanning podcast production, publishing, investment activities, and creator focused ventures. Forbes estimates the broader business has grown into a holding company valued at approximately $425 million, reflecting how successful creators are increasingly building long term media enterprises rather than relying solely on content production.
His rise also mirrors the rapid growth of the global podcast industry, where audiences continue to migrate toward long-form conversations and creator led media. The latest Forbes rankings highlight how podcasts have become highly profitable intellectual properties, generating substantial income through exclusive licensing agreements, premium advertising, subscriptions, and multimedia distribution deals.
The broader list illustrates the growing financial power of podcasting. Joe Rogan maintained the top position with an estimated $82 million in earnings, followed by TBPN at $70 million. Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO ranked third with $45 million, ahead of Ashley Flowers’ Crime Junkie ($42 million) and SmartLess, hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, which earned an estimated $37 million.
Bartlett’s latest accomplishment reinforces his standing as one of the most influential voices in business media. It also reflects a broader shift in the creator economy, where independent media personalities are increasingly competing with traditional broadcasters by building global audiences and scalable businesses around their content. As podcasting continues to evolve into a multibillion dollar industry, The Diary of a CEO stands as one of its most commercially successful success stories.
