Steven Bartlett's 'Diary of a CEO' parts ways with its inner circle.

      Steven Bartlett has established one of the largest podcasts globally based on the belief that the right individuals, diligently supervised, drive success. However, four key team members have recently departed. According to Business Insider, the host of “The Diary of a CEO” has seen the exit of four essential staff in just five months.

      These departures are significant. One of those who left is Jack Sylvester, who refers to himself as a co-founder of the show and helped grow its YouTube channel to over 18 million subscribers. Joining him in leaving are executive producer Jem Erith, trailers director Anthony Smith, and Grace Miller, who held the title of “head of failure and experimentation.”

      Former coworkers spoke highly of them. One person described Sylvester and Erith as part of the “inner circle” responsible for the “heavy lifting” of the podcast, while another noted that they were instrumental in ensuring the podcast's bi-weekly delivery.

      A positive perspective and a broader context

      There has been a supportive tone surrounding the departures. Bartlett’s company, FlightStory, mentioned that these exits were planned over nearly a year and that the individuals left amicably. Each of the four posted heartfelt farewells; Sylvester expressed his gratitude, stating, “I owe Steve more than I could ever put into words,” while acknowledging uncertainty about his next steps.

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      Bartlett reciprocated the kind words, acknowledging the profound impact the four had on the podcast. Sylvester informed Business Insider that he was considering his options after the podcast transitioned from its initial growth stage. Employee turnover is common in rapidly expanding startups, and Bartlett's former company, Social Chain, saw many founders leave.

      The empire expands westward

      The timing of these departures is significant. The nine-year-old podcast is making a major push into the US market just as its longtime team diminishes. Bartlett has relocated to Los Angeles and established a studio there. He is nearing Joe Rogan in YouTube subscribers and often surpasses him in views.

      Around the podcast, he is constructing a media company. FlightStory has approximately 150 employees and generated about $47 million last year, recently securing an eight-figure funding round. The company now manages a speakers division and a distribution unit for other creators, while also looking into a paid membership option to capitalize on its dedicated fanbase.

      Bartlett also considers himself an operational expert, known for his meticulous attention to detail, even monitoring carbon monoxide levels in the studio. He evaluates potential hires with a “Culture Test” designed to assess their responses to workplace scenarios. The sudden loss of four individuals who excelled in that test raises questions about the leadership brand.

      The aspect overlooked in the farewell posts

      However, there is a more complex side to the DOAC narrative. An investigation by BBC World Service revealed issues, indicating that many health-related episodes of the show contained claims that contradicted scientific evidence. The probe assessed 23 health-focused episodes, identifying an average of 14 potentially harmful claims in most of them.

      Since then, Bartlett has added fact-checking labels to select YouTube episodes where guests present controversial assertions. This tension is noteworthy. He has shifted focus from interviewing CEOs to highlighting wellness and self-help figures, a format that garners both significant viewership and criticism.

      Despite these challenges, growth remains unabated. Like the broader creator economy, DOAC is a brand propelled by an individual, scaling rapidly despite the surrounding team.

      The departures pose a genuine question: can a show characterized by its core group maintain its momentum after their departure? Similar to many past media empires, DOAC must now demonstrate that its brand can withstand the test of time.