Gianmarco Soresi’s The Downside Podcast Joins Headgum: Format, Guests & Future

Comedy thrives on contradiction—and so does The Downside. The podcast, hosted by stand-up comic Gianmarco Soresi and actor-comedian Russell Daniels, was built on bemoaning the world’s ironies. On June 24, 2025, the pair announced they’re joining Headgum, a major podcast network home to celebrated shows like Newcomers, Doughboys, and Dead Eyes.

It’s a move that positions The Downside for major growth—but without losing its acerbic soul.

Gianmarco Soresi and Russell Daniels behind mics during a recording of The Downside, now on the Headgum network

Table of Contents

🎧 What The Downside Is Really About

At its core, The Downside is a show where guests come to complain—and listeners leave laughing. Soresi calls himself a “lifelong cynic,” and the show’s strength lies in its refusal to sugarcoat the awkward, absurd, and frustrating aspects of life.

📌 Key Segments:

“This Has Gotta Stop” – A fan-favorite feature where guests pick one thing in society that drives them mad.
“Count Your Blessing” – The palate cleanser; after the griping, each person shares something they’re grateful for.

🎙️ Format:

Weekly episodes (approx. 60–75 minutes)
Recorded live or virtually, with minimal editing for authenticity
Starts with the hosts airing personal grievances before bringing in their guest

👥 Meet the Hosts

Gianmarco Soresi

Comedy Resume:
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2022)
- Netflix’s Verified Stand-Up (2023)
- Amazon special Shelf Life (2020)
Style: Fast-talking, observational, political, self-deprecating
Quote: “I’m so jazzed to bring our listeners the one thing they’ve always complained our podcast is missing: ad reads!”

Russell Daniels

Background: Actor and improv veteran
Role: Soresi’s foil—dry, grounded, and hilariously understated
Quote: “I’m excited to be joining the Headgum family… even if my name’s still not in the title.”

🎙️ About Headgum: A Home for Comedic Excellence

Founded in 2015, Headgum is a podcasting network that elevates comedy creators through professional production, distribution, and marketing.

🔑 Headgum Shows:

Doughboys (Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger)
Newcomers (Lauren Lapkus & Nicole Byer)
Dead Eyes (Connor Ratliff)
Senses Working Overtime (David Cross)

Why This Move Matters:

Broader Reach: Headgum offers strong listenership in NYC and LA.
Improved Monetization: Ad integration and brand partnerships.
Creative Autonomy: Hosts maintain content control—a key point for Soresi.

🎭 Anatomy of the Format: The Podcast Playbook

🎙️ Structure:

0–10 min: Host banter about the week’s annoyances
10–40 min: Guest discussion on life’s low points
40–55 min: “This Has Gotta Stop” segment
55–65 min: “Count Your Blessing” wrap-up

💡 Why It Works:

Honesty: Encourages vulnerability without pretense
Humor: Balances darkness with levity
Relatability: Appeals to millennials/gen Z coping with burnout

🔁 Must-Listen Episodes: Where to Start

🎙️ Episode #275 – We Don’t Pull Out with Felipe Esparza

Topics: Birth control myths, stolen identity, and government tracking
Notable Quote: “I sold my mom’s birth control pills at school.”

🎙️ Episode #261 – The Positive Edge with Ilana Glazer

Topics: AIM-era drama, weed stigma, forced hugs
Notable Quote: “Positivity is sometimes a form of erasure.”

🎙️ Episode #258 – Evacuation Zone with Sam Morrison

Topics: Diabetes care, theater camp, LA wildfire scare
Fun Fact: Guest had to evacuate mid-recording!

🎙️ Episode #135 – Googled Symptoms with Chris Gethard

Topics: Parenting, panic attacks, NASA gigs
Gethard Quote: “If you’re Googling symptoms, you already know you’re dying.”

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Listener Reaction

🌐 Fan Feedback (from Reddit & Apple Podcasts):

“It’s like therapy, but you laugh instead of cry.”
“I love how they never fake being ‘happy to be here.’”
“Headgum better not change a thing!”

📊 Audience Demographics (est.):

Ages: 25–44
Gender: Mixed
Geos: Primarily U.S., with strong New York and California audiences

🌍 Podcasting in 2025: The Industry Context

📈 Podcast Trends:

Growth: Global podcasting revenue is projected to hit $4.5B by 2026
Audience Loyalty: Episodic shows like The Downside retain high repeat listeners
Ad Insertion: Dynamic ad tech means even back-catalog episodes can monetize

🧩 The Move to Networks:

For creators, joining a network like Headgum:

Reduces hosting/tech burden
Increases ad opportunities
Enables cross-promotion

💼 For Indie Creators: A Case Study

The Downside’s trajectory offers lessons for indie podcasters:

Start niche: The show didn’t chase virality, just truth and humor.
Build slow: It scaled organically, then leveraged that into a network deal.
Retain control: Despite the move, creative direction remains with Soresi & Daniels.

🔮 What’s Next for The Downside?

📆 Expected Changes:

More guests from Headgum’s network
Live tapings at NY & LA venues
Video clips & short-form distribution via YouTube & TikTok

🚫 What Won’t Change:

The title (sorry Russell!)
The tone (still deeply, hilariously cynical)
The love for guests with odd and dark life stories

🧾 Conclusion

From basement recordings to network-backed studio sessions, The Downside is proof that leaning into life’s mess can be a winning formula. With Headgum’s backing, Gianmarco Soresi and Russell Daniels are poised to take their signature brand of misery mainstream—with better microphones and sponsors.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or a new recruit, now’s the best time to tune in, complain, laugh, and maybe even count a few blessings along the way.

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