CNN’s Anderson Cooper weeps over voicemails, responds to thousands of grief DMs. How loss reshaped his life.
How Does Anderson Cooper Juggle 30,000 Fan Messages?
The CNN anchor’s All There Is podcast lets listeners share grief stories via voicemail—but his Instagram DMs exploded, too.
“I try to read every grief-related message,” he admitted at On Air Fest. Cooper skims up to 30,000 DMs nightly, responding with quick voice notes or texts.
“I don’t want to hurt their feelings,” he said. Some fans even get weekly calls.
Why Did Anderson Sob Over Strangers’ Voicemails?
Cooper’s podcast voicemail inbox hit 6,000 calls across two seasons. “I spent months weeping uncontrollably,” he told Audie Cornish.
The stories—ranging from sudden losses to quiet despair—reshape his own grief journey.
“There’s nothing I’ve not heard,” he said, stunned by the volume of raw humanity.
Can a Podcast Voicemail Actually Heal Grief?
For Cooper, yes. Launched as a space to process his father’s death (and later his mom Gloria Vanderbilt’s), All There Is became a lifeline for strangers.
Listeners’ voicemails pour in daily, with Cooper calling some weekly. “I’m in constant contact with people I’ve never met,” he shared.
What Surprised Cooper About Grief Stories?
The sheer diversity. From quiet regrets to volcanic anger, the podcast uncovered endless shades of loss. “You learn… all the different kinds of grief,” he said.
But the real shock? How strangers’ pain cracked his own stoicism. “I never cried before,” he admitted—until now.
Will Cooper’s Podcast Keep Evolving?
New episodes drop Wednesdays, but the project’s already outgrown audio.
Cooper now blends IG messages, calls, and live talks into a sprawling grief mosaic.
For a journalist used to reporting others’ tales, it’s become startlingly personal: “It’s changed how I see life.”
Quick Facts: Anderson Cooper’s Grief Journey
- Podcast Voicemails: 6,000+ calls across two seasons.
- IG DMs Daily: Scans 30,000 messages; prioritizes grief stories.
- Emotional Impact: “Never cried before”—now weeps regularly.
- Surprising Bond: Calls strangers weekly for support.
- New Episodes: All There Is drops Wednesdays.