SmartLess

SmartLess is hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, and was launched in July 2020 with a distinctive mystery guest format. Each episode features one host surprising the other two with a guest they have not been told about in advance, creating spontaneous conversations that feel more like friends talking than formal interviews. The show quickly became one of the most popular podcasts in the world, ranking as Apple's 5th most popular podcast in 2024. In 2024, SiriusXM acquired the show for approximately 100 million dollars, reflecting its massive audience and cultural impact. Guests have included everyone from fellow actors and comedians to athletes, musicians, politicians, and cultural figures, offering a wide-ranging exploration of success and creativity across disciplines.

The three hosts' chemistry and genuine friendship create a conversational dynamic that puts guests at ease and encourages candid, entertaining discussions. The mystery format means that two of the hosts are learning about the guest alongside the audience, which generates authentic reactions and questions rather than rehearsed interview segments. Episodes typically run 45 to 60 minutes and blend humor with substantive conversation, as the hosts' collective experience in the entertainment industry enables them to ask informed questions while maintaining a light, accessible tone. The show's production values are high, reflecting the hosts' professional standards and the resources invested in it by major media companies.

Ideal for actors who want entertaining, insightful conversations about creativity, career, and success without the density or seriousness of purely educational podcasts. The show is particularly valuable for understanding how successful performers think about their work, navigate industry relationships, and maintain sustainable careers while staying grounded and connected to their values. Aspiring actors can learn from the diverse paths to success described by guests while enjoying the hosts' wit and the spontaneity of the mystery format. The podcast also offers perspective on fame, public life, and the personal challenges that accompany professional success, topics that are often discussed with unusual honesty in the comfortable atmosphere the hosts create.

Free on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, despite the show's massive commercial success and acquisition by SiriusXM. The podcast remains freely accessible, ensuring that its popularity and value are not limited to paying subscribers.

Highly recommended for actors who want an entertaining way to learn from successful people across industries while being reminded that even the most accomplished professionals remain curious, humble, and committed to growth. The hosts' own success and industry experience mean they can relate to guests as peers, drawing out insights that might not emerge in interviews with journalists or fans. What sets SmartLess apart from countless other celebrity interview podcasts is the genuine friendship among the hosts and their comfort with being vulnerable, silly, and real rather than maintaining carefully managed public personas. For actors who feel isolated or discouraged in their careers, listening to highly successful performers discuss their own doubts, failures, and challenges can be deeply encouraging and humanizing. The show's popularity and cultural reach also make it a useful touchstone for understanding current conversations in entertainment and popular culture, helping actors stay connected to the broader cultural landscape their work inhabits.

SmartLess is completely free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Despite SiriusXM's acquisition of the show for approximately 100 million dollars, the podcast has remained freely available rather than moving behind a paywall, reflecting a business model that prioritizes reach and audience engagement over direct subscription revenue. The show's free accessibility means actors at any career stage or income level can access conversations with some of the world's most successful and interesting people without financial barrier. The production quality rivals that of expensive subscription content, with professional editing, sound design, and guest booking that reflects the show's significant resources and the hosts' industry relationships. For actors seeking high-quality entertainment and inspiration without cost, SmartLess delivers exceptional value — the collective experience and network of three highly successful actors opens doors to guests and conversations that would be difficult for most podcasters to access.

Actors who want an entertaining, inspiring podcast that occasionally provides career and craft insights without demanding the focused attention of more educational content should add SmartLess to their rotation. The show is particularly valuable for actors who need a morale boost or who want to be reminded that successful people are still learning, growing, and dealing with challenges — the hosts' honesty about their own experiences can be deeply encouraging during difficult career periods. If you are looking for structured professional development or specific acting technique guidance, this podcast should supplement rather than replace more instructionally focused resources. The show's broad guest roster means most listeners will find some episodes more relevant than others — prioritize episodes featuring actors, directors, writers, and other entertainment professionals whose experiences align most closely with your own career interests. Pair SmartLess with business-focused and technique-focused podcasts to ensure comprehensive professional development that balances entertainment with education.

When listening to episodes featuring actors, pay attention to how guests describe their career paths, the decisions they made at pivotal moments, and the personal qualities they credit for their success — these discussions often contain nuggets of wisdom that you can apply to your own career even if the circumstances differ significantly from yours. Notice how the hosts interact with guests, asking questions with genuine curiosity and creating space for authentic conversation — these are skills that serve actors well in professional networking and relationship-building situations. Use the podcast as a reminder that even the most successful actors and creatives continue to experience doubt, rejection, and challenges, which can help normalize your own struggles and reduce the isolation that many actors feel. Share episodes you find particularly meaningful or entertaining with fellow actors to create conversation and community around the topics discussed, as talking about what you learn often deepens its impact. Let the podcast serve as a source of entertainment and inspiration during commutes, workouts, or downtime, providing a balance to the more intensive work of technique practice, audition preparation, and career strategy.