Once happily divorced and co-parenting partners, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are now at the center of a surprising new feud — this time not over family matters but their booming podcast empires.
From Amicable Coparents to Rival Podcast Powerhouses
After a highly publicized split from Poehler in 2016, Arnett and Poehler had settled into what many reporters described as a “good place” in recent years.
They continued to co-parent their two sons — even openly discussing parenting topics together on Arnett’s successful SmartLess podcast.
But sources now say tension has flared as both have built major presences in the podcast world:
Amy Poehler, famed for her laugh-filled career from Saturday Night Live to Parks and Recreation, launched her own Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast in March 2025. It combines celebrity interviews with candid conversation and has quickly earned a strong fanbase and industry buzz.
Will Arnett, 55, continues to co-host the hugely popular SmartLess podcast alongside Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes — a top-rated show with millions of listeners.
The overlapping success of these shows — and the pool of A-list guests they attract — appears to be the sticking point.
‘Custody of Friends’ Becomes a Punchline
According to one insider quoted in Radar Online, the exes’ friendship circles have suddenly become a kind of social turf war.
Big names in Hollywood reportedly feel pressure to “pick sides” when it comes to appearing on either Poehler’s or Arnett’s shows.
“Even though it’s been years since Amy and Will ended their marriage, … their Hollywood pals get caught in the crossfire,” the source said, citing stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, and Aubrey Plaza as part of that shared network.
“If you’re a celebrity who knows any of these people personally, you are compelled to pick sides if you’re going to guest on either of those shows,” the insider added.
That, they claim, has made promotion cycles for upcoming film and TV projects awkward for some friends of both Poehler and Arnett.
Is the ‘Feud’ Real?
It’s important to note that neither Poehler nor Arnett has publicly confirmed a personal beef.
In fact, in other interviews, Arnett has described his relationship with Poehler as unusually close and supportive for exes, saying they talk often and share life and career advice.
Still, the gossip angle — playing up a rivalry over friendship allegiances and podcast clout — has become a talking point in celebrity news outlets.
Whether it reflects real animosity or just media hype around two major entertainers running vibrant media properties is another question.
Podcasts as the New Celebrity Battleground
Their seeming competition underscores how podcasts have become a serious part of Hollywood influence and branding.
With prestigious awards and industry recognition now highlighting top audio shows — including nominations for Grammy-style podcast honors — the stakes are higher than ever for stars looking to dominate the medium.
For Poehler and Arnett, it seems the next chapter in both their professional and personal storylines may play out through the guests they book, the topics they explore, and the conversations they spark — on Good Hang and SmartLess alike.
