Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode: daddy's home | alex cooper
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Avery Woods
Guest: Alex Cooper
Episode Overview
In this engaging and candid conversation, Avery Woods sits down with podcast powerhouse and Unwell founder, Alex Cooper. Over laughs and wine, the two discuss the grind behind building successful podcasts, the reality of running a creator-led company, the complexities of womanhood in the public eye, and the intimate highs and lows of life as female entrepreneurs and creators. The episode is an authentic behind-the-scenes look at podcasting, business ownership, creative control, criticism, and personal boundaries—with plenty of memorable moments and practical wisdom for fellow creators and fans alike.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origin of Their Friendship & Professional Relationship
- Instant Connection: Avery and Alex reminisce about their first meeting—an alcohol-fueled, unfiltered bonding night in Philly—and how they immediately became “real” with each other.
- “I feel like when we met, we immediately clicked... we were talking like we were friends for years.” – Alex Cooper [01:54]
2. Building the Unwell Community & Company Culture
- Protecting Creators’ Independence: Avery shares why she chose to sign with Unwell after many offers; Alex emphasizes the creator-run, “all ships rise” mentality.
- “Unwell was the only company that didn’t do that. I think that’s the difference when you’re being run by someone who comes from where I’m at right now as a female podcast host.” – Avery Woods [05:10]
- “We want to work with you because we believe in you… all ships rise mentality.” – Alex Cooper [06:44]
- Support over Competition: Both discuss the absence of “mean girl energy” among Unwell talent and the real support they extend each other.
- “There’s no competition. There’s no mean girl vibes or energy. Like, everyone just encourages each other…” – Avery Woods [09:03]
3. The Hidden Labor of Content Creation
- Long-Form vs. Short-Form: Alex reveals why she seeks out creators who excel at long-form content and the endurance it takes to produce it.
- “Anyone can do short form…Doing a podcast…You have to have an authentic voice, but you also have to have the work ethic.” – Alex Cooper [13:38]
- Hands-On Approach: Avery and Alex both recount how deeply they are involved in every facet of their shows, from editing to social media.
- “That’s what I do when my kids are in bed…People don’t see that side of it.” – Avery Woods [16:40]
- “I was up at 3am with my editor…as a creator I recognize people probably think someone else edited these things…It was all me and my small little team and we did it together.” – Alex Cooper [19:32]
4. Growth, Recognition, and Navigating Hate
- On Receiving Flowers and Evolution: Alex reflects on being Golden Globe-nominated and her journey from being known as just a “sex podcast girl” to running a business empire.
- “I think everyone hates to see a woman evolve and change… I’m so proud that I have grown to the point where…I’m a businesswoman.” – Alex Cooper [25:45]
- Criticism and Public Perception: The two discuss how internet criticism impacts women in particular, and why both have pulled back on sharing every aspect of their personal lives online.
- “I think for a while…I felt like I needed to say that [I did it all myself]…But now…I look at myself as a brand that we’re all collectively building together.” – Alex Cooper [21:23]
- “They want it to a point for you…but if you’re not doing it exactly on their terms, they don’t like that.” – Alex Cooper [43:07]
5. Behind the Scenes: Unwell Live & Risky Moments
- Pulling Off Big Events: Alex discusses the stakes and stress of producing Unwell’s Vegas event—juggling celebrity guests, sponsors, live production, and unexpected challenges like rainstorms—with vivid (and hilarious) detail.
- “To put ourselves on the line…there’s nothing like live and having the amount of people at this company get together…” – Alex Cooper [30:04]
- Being with the Audience: Alex makes a point of engaging with fans up close, even in the rain, to ensure a memorable experience.
- “I was like, we gotta just keep going…So I go down into the mosh pit…I would do it over and over because they paid to be here.” – Alex Cooper [33:36]
6. On Female Criticism and the Creator Double Standard
- Mothers Under Scrutiny: Avery and Alex lament the impossible standards and constant judgment mothers—especially online creators—endure.
- “The way that other women judge mothers…I’m like, oh my God.” – Alex Cooper [53:43]
- “My husband uploads the same type of vlogs…‘You’re the best dad.’ It’s so misogynistic.” – Avery Woods [54:45]
7. Maintaining Boundaries & Future Plans
- Motherhood and Privacy: Alex shares her strict boundaries on sharing her future children online, planning to maintain their privacy while still talking openly about her journey as a mom.
- “I don’t know if I will even let people know their name or the sex.” – Alex Cooper [50:47]
- Work-Life Balance and Help: She and Matt plan to seek help (nannies, etc.) when the time comes, and Alex is clear about wanting to keep her creative work alive after becoming a mother.
- “I would not be the best mother and the best version of myself if I stopped working.” – Alex Cooper [47:18]
8. Rapid Fire, Not-So-Rapid Fire: Business & Personal
Favorite/Notable Topics:
- Primary Income: Call Her Daddy brand integrations and video monetization.
- “Ever since we’ve been able to do video podcasting…It’s changed my life.” – Alex Cooper [56:44]
- Most Hurtful Rumor: Narrative that Alex “screws over” other women in business, mainly due to a public co-host fallout.
- “It’s very frustrating because…that’s just not the truth, though.” – Alex Cooper [57:49]
- Top Interviews of the Year: Ellen Pompeo, Mariska Hargitay, Shonda Rhimes, (plus Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham).
- “Ellen Pompeo…Meredith Gray walking into my studio.” – Alex Cooper [62:18]
- Behind-the-Scenes Kindness: Avery praises Alex on her respectful and collaborative leadership style.
- “You are so kind, so respectful. You handle your shit but in a kind way…” – Avery Woods [64:17]
9. Product Launch: Unwell Energy
- Unwell Energy Launch: Alex shares her hands-on process with Unwell’s new line of energy drinks, her insistence on healthy, sucralose-free recipes, and the thrill of being able to offer something she's proud of—now available at Target.
- “I've been working on it for a year…we actually give a fuck about what we’re putting in our body.” – Alex Cooper [69:22]
- Taste Testing: The duo taste-test flavors live, highlighting cherry lime (the "Jolly Rancher" debate).
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
-
On Real Friendship & Creative Collaboration
“By our first hangout in Philly we were like... can we actually talk the real shit?”
– Alex Cooper [01:54] -
On Choosing Unwell
“Unwell was the only company that didn’t do that... someone who comes from where I’m at...”
– Avery Woods [05:10] -
On Female Creator Solidarity
“There’s no competition. There’s no mean girl vibes or energy. Like, everyone just encourages each other.”
– Avery Woods [09:03] -
On Longevity vs. Virality
“Anyone can do short form… Someone who is able to establish an audience and maintain an audience…in long form, it’s very far and few between.”
– Alex Cooper [13:38] -
On the Work Behind Success
“No one cares about your brand and your name and your livelihood like you do.”
– Avery Woods [20:36] -
Feeling Like a Brand, Not a Victim
“It doesn’t really matter if people misunderstand me...I’m running a company.”
– Alex Cooper [24:07] -
On Public Criticism & Growth
“People hate to see a woman…evolve and change. I’m so proud that I have grown...”
– Alex Cooper [25:45] -
On Live Events & Risk
“I get nervous with live, but it’s one of the most rewarding… There is nothing like it.”
– Alex Cooper [30:04] -
On Boundaries as a Parent-Creator
“I don’t know if I will even let people know their name or the sex.”
– Alex Cooper [50:47] -
On Industry Misogyny & Mom-Shaming
“My husband uploads the same type of vlogs—‘You’re the best dad.’...It’s so misogynistic.”
– Avery Woods [54:45]
Standout Segments & Timestamps
- Instant friendship and first meeting in Philly
[01:54–03:34] - Choosing Unwell & the importance of creative control
[04:11–06:44] - Supportive community in the creator economy
[08:49–10:26] - Behind-the-scenes workload & sacrifices
[16:40–19:45] - Proudest moment with Unwell: launching the creative agency
[24:07–26:24] - Handling hate and evolving as a woman in media
[37:23–41:09] - Vegas Live Event—Risk, chaos, and dancing in the rain
[30:04–34:32] - Motherhood, privacy, and online boundaries
[47:01–53:14] - Rapid fire (finances, rumors, dream guests, top interviews, product launch)
[56:08–73:27]
Final Thoughts
The episode is a forthright, empowering look at women at the helm of their own brands and lives, navigating an often unforgiving and highly visible digital world. Alex Cooper and Avery Woods lay bare the emotional realities, hard work, and business savvy that create real success behind the scenes, promoting authenticity, mutual support, and boundary-setting as essential components of longevity and happiness in the industry.
Cheers to building, protecting, and celebrating creative work and each other.
Listen for:
- Advice for aspiring creators
- Raw talk about industry misogyny and mother-shaming
- Transparent discussion of business, money, and product-building
- Genuine support and encouragement for women navigating life, work, and the internet