“Hard Launch,” a new podcast from old creators, has almost reached the half-year anniversary since its creation back in October 2025. Despite the new content, these creators have been on YouTube as a duo for 16 years, under the channel known as DanAndPhil.
Dan Howell and Phil Lester first started their “Hard Launch” podcast after they announced their relationship, which had been widely speculated about within their fanbase since their first video together. They said this new era with the podcast—along with a rebrand of the channel—would be a time for more transparency and authenticity.
The Dan and Phil audience had been asking for a podcast for a very long time because of the entertaining banter the two had in their gaming channel videos. The dynamic between the two YouTubers became what they were known for, even winning multiple awards as a duo instead of as separate individuals. They do, however, have separate channels on which they release their own YouTube videos.
With the idea of a podcast rising, the next thing they needed was a title and a set design. Both of these items came in a quite unexpected way compared to most influencer creations—through a dream.
“Phil had a dream that we were doing a podcast, and there was a big sign behind us saying, ‘hard launch,’ and the chairs were see-through,” said Dan on the first episode of the podcast, quickly responded by Phil saying, “And look what happened! It’s come to life.”
“Come to life” was increasingly accurate, as the first episode received over 1.4 million views on their YouTube page. Their podcast now includes segments like viewer-submitted anecdotes, a random-topic generator in the form of a large gumball machine-like contraption named “Richard” and random fun facts Phil has come across in a segment called “Here’s the Thing”—whether these facts are accurate or not.
With these segments, they are able to connect with their viewers, continue the well-liked banter between the two of them and keep conversations going that may not be able to be brought up in gaming-focused main channel videos.
In this new era of transparency—from the chairs to the people themselves—Dan and Phil continue to provide fun and endearing content to fans, whether they have followed along for 16 years or a mere day. To anyone who is looking for background noise, some lightheartedness or a bit of conversation to listen to on the drive home, the Hard Launch podcast may be for you!
