They’re back. Honestly, if you told a teenage fan in 2014 that Dan Howell and Phil Lester would be sitting in a dimly lit studio in their thirties, dissecting the psychological toll of internet fame over a high-quality microphone, they probably would’ve fainted. But here we are. The Dan and Phil podcast, officially titled Let's Do This!, isn't just another cash-grab from aging influencers trying to stay relevant in a TikTok world. It’s something weirder, more honest, and surprisingly essential for anyone who grew up on the "British YouTuber" wave.
It feels different.
Most creator podcasts are basically just two guys in a room talking about their gym routines or "hustle culture." You know the vibe. It’s exhausting. But Dan and Phil have always had this specific, chaotic energy that oscillates between deep, existential dread and arguing about the specific mechanics of a fictional wizarding world. The podcast captures that perfectly. It’s not just about what they’re doing; it’s about how they’ve survived an industry that has chewed up and spat out almost everyone else from their era.
The weird transition from "The Radio 1 Show" to Let's Do This!
Let's be real: Dan and Phil are veterans. They’ve done the traditional media thing. Back in 2013, they had a show on BBC Radio 1. It was structured. It had producers. It had "Request Cinema" and specific segments that felt very... BBC. While that was a massive milestone, the Dan and Phil podcast we have now feels like the unfiltered version of those early dreams.
There’s no "corporate" voice in their ear telling them to keep it PG-13 or to make sure they mention a trending pop star. Instead, we get stories about Dan’s absolute refusal to function like a normal human being and Phil’s terrifyingly wholesome approach to chaos. It’s a dynamic that has shifted from "presenter-mode" to "survivor-mode."
They’ve spent over a decade in the spotlight. That’s a long time. In internet years, that’s basically several centuries. Most people who were popular in 2012 are now selling crypto or have disappeared into the shadows of mid-level real estate. Yet, the interest in their specific brand of banter hasn't dipped. If anything, the podcast format has proven that their audience didn't just want the "cat whiskers" and the slapstick; they wanted the companionship.
Why the "Terrible" segments are actually the best part
One of the funniest things about the show is how much they lean into the "failures" of the format. They’ll spend ten minutes talking about a segment that didn't work, which, in turn, becomes the actual content. It’s meta.
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- There are the "cringe" stories that make you want to crawl into a hole.
- There are the deep dives into their actual lives—the stuff that stayed off-camera for years.
- There’s the constant, underlying tension of Dan’s dry, cynical humor meeting Phil’s unstoppable optimism.
Understanding the "Phan" legacy in a podcasting world
You can’t talk about the Dan and Phil podcast without addressing the elephant in the room: the fanbase. For years, the internet was obsessed with their relationship. It was intense. It was, at times, probably a bit much for two people just trying to make videos in a flat in London.
What’s fascinating about the podcast is how they handle this now. There’s a level of comfort and openness that didn't exist five years ago. They aren't walking on eggshells anymore. Dan’s "Basically I’m Gay" video in 2019 changed everything, and you can hear that weight lifted in every episode. The humor is sharper because it’s more authentic. They can joke about their shared history without it feeling like they’re guarding a massive secret. It’s refreshing.
I think that’s why it works. It’s not trying to be "viral." It’s trying to be a conversation.
Sometimes they talk about nothing. Literally nothing. They can spend twenty minutes discussing the merits of a specific type of snack or a disastrous trip to a grocery store. To a casual listener, it might seem pointless. But to someone who has followed them for a decade? It’s like catching up with old friends who finally stopped pretending to be perfect.
The production value vs. the messiness
Technically, the podcast is well-produced. The lighting is moody, the audio is crisp, and they’ve clearly invested in making it look like a "professional" production. But the content is intentionally messy. It’s a deliberate choice.
In an era of hyper-polished Instagram reels and scripted TikToks, there’s a massive craving for long-form, unscripted rambling. We want to see the pauses. We want to hear the stupid jokes that don’t quite land. The Dan and Phil podcast leans into the awkwardness that made them famous in the first place, but with the added perspective of two men who have seen the dark side of the internet and come out the other side relatively sane.
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Is it just for old fans?
This is a valid question. If you’ve never seen a Dan and Phil video, will you "get" it?
Probably. But it hits differently if you remember the "Gamingmas" era. The podcast acts as a bridge. It connects the 2010-era YouTube culture—which was all about personality and community—with the 2024-era podcasting culture, which is about intimacy and long-form storytelling.
It’s actually a great case study in brand evolution. They haven't pivoted to something they aren't. They haven't started a "tech review" show or a "true crime" podcast just because those are trending. They stayed in their lane: being Dan and Phil. That sounds simple, but it’s actually the hardest thing to do in a digital economy that constantly demands you change to fit the algorithm.
What the podcast tells us about the future of creators
The success of Let's Do This! proves that "parasocial relationships"—a term that gets thrown around a lot—can actually mature into something healthy. It’s not about obsession anymore; it’s about loyalty. The audience has grown up with them. The people who were fourteen and watching them on their laptops in their bedrooms are now twenty-four, probably working a desk job, and listening to the Dan and Phil podcast on their commute.
It’s a shared history.
When Dan talks about his mental health struggles or the pressure of being a "pioneer" of the creator economy, it resonates with a generation that is also dealing with burnout and the complexities of existing online. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a mirror.
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The specific vibe of "Let's Do This!"
If I had to describe the show to someone who has been living under a rock, I’d say it’s like a chaotic late-night talk show hosted by two people who are secretly convinced the world is ending but want to have a nice time anyway.
- They tackle "advice" in the most unhelpful (but hilarious) way possible.
- They recount travel disasters that make you glad you stayed home.
- They occasionally drop profound insights about the nature of fame that leave you staring at the wall for a minute.
There’s a specific episode where they talk about their "hiatus" and the return to the internet. It’s a must-watch (or must-listen). It strips away the memes and the jokes for a second to show the human cost of being "on" for so many years. That’s the kind of depth you don't get in a 60-second clip.
How to actually engage with the show
If you’re looking to dive in, don’t feel like you need to watch every single YouTube video they’ve ever made. You don't need a PhD in 2012 Tumblr lore. Just start with the most recent episodes.
The Dan and Phil podcast is available on all the usual suspects: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and, of course, YouTube. The video version is generally preferred by the "hardcore" fans because so much of their humor is visual—the raised eyebrows, the "staring into the camera like I’m on The Office" looks, and the general body language of two people who have spent half their lives in front of a lens.
Actionable Next Steps for Listeners
- Start with the "We're Back" style episodes: If you want to understand the current lore, listen to the episodes where they discuss their return to touring and the evolution of their content. It sets the stage for the inside jokes.
- Check out the YouTube version first: Even if you’re a "podcast-on-the-go" person, the visual cues between Dan and Phil are half the fun. Watch one episode to get the "vibe," then switch to audio for your commute.
- Pay attention to the "Advice" segments: While they claim to be bad at it, their perspective on navigating the internet and protecting your peace is actually pretty solid, given they’ve survived the industry for 15+ years.
- Don't skip the "boring" bits: The magic of this podcast is in the tangents. When they go off-script about a weird dream or a specific type of cheese, that’s usually where the best comedy happens.
The reality is that Dan and Phil have managed to do what very few influencers have: they grew up without losing their soul. The podcast isn't just a new project; it’s the final form of their career. It’s honest, it’s ridiculous, and it’s exactly what the internet needs right now. Honestly, just go listen to it. You’ll probably feel a lot better about your own "messy" life after hearing about theirs.