The Teen Commandments Podcast Partners with Audio Always for Major Expansion
The popular parenting podcast The Teen Commandments, hosted by broadcaster Sara Cox and writer Clare Hamilton, is entering an ambitious new phase as it partners with leading podcast production company Audio Always. What began as a low-budget, passion-fuelled project recorded in a garden shed has now evolved into a million-download success story — and one of the most talked-about podcasts for parents navigating the realities of teenage life.
The new partnership signals not just a change in production, but a strategic expansion aimed at reaching new audiences while preserving the authenticity that made the podcast resonate so deeply with listeners.
When The Teen Commandments launched last year, it was never intended to become a chart-topping hit. Recorded independently — quite literally from Sara Cox’s shed — the podcast was born out of friendship, shared frustration, and a need for honesty about parenting teenagers.
Yet within just one week of launch, the podcast shot to number one on Apple Podcasts, outperforming professionally produced shows with far larger budgets. Word-of-mouth sharing among parents propelled its rapid growth, and the podcast has now surpassed one million downloads across platforms.
Apple Podcasts later named The Teen Commandments among its Best Podcasts of the Year, cementing its place as a standout voice in the parenting and lifestyle category.
What Makes The Teen Commandments Different
Unlike traditional parenting podcasts that lean heavily on expert advice or step-by-step guidance, The Teen Commandments describes itself as a “parenting panic room.”
Instead of offering polished solutions, the show thrives on:
Honest conversations
Emotional confessions
Shared confusion
Relatable humour
The reassurance that no one has it all figured out
Between them, Cox and Hamilton are raising five teenagers, placing them squarely in what they refer to as the “teenage trenches.” Their lived experience — rather than theory — is what has struck a powerful chord with listeners.
Who Are the Hosts Behind the Mic?
Sara Cox
A household name in British broadcasting, Sara Cox is best known for her work across radio and television, including long-standing roles on BBC Radio. Despite her media experience, Cox has been refreshingly candid about the chaos and uncertainty of parenting teens.
Clare Hamilton
Clare Hamilton, Cox’s best friend of more than 30 years, brings a grounded, witty counterbalance to the show. Her writing background and shared parenting experiences give the podcast its conversational, confessional tone.
Together, their dynamic feels more like two friends talking on a sofa than a traditional podcast studio — a quality listeners repeatedly cite as the show’s biggest strength.
Why Audio Always — and Why Now?
As The Teen Commandments continued to grow organically, it became clear that professional support could help take the podcast to the next level without diluting its core identity.
The partnership with Audio Always has been carefully structured to do exactly that.
Key Goals of the Move
Reach new listeners without alienating existing fans
Improve audio and video production quality
Expand the podcast’s digital and social media footprint
Develop sustainable commercial opportunities
Preserve the warmth and intimacy of the original format
Audio Always is known for producing successful, personality-led podcasts, making it a natural fit for the next chapter of The Teen Commandments.
A New Studio — With a Familiar Feel
Although production will now move from shed to studio, the hosts have been clear that the soul of the podcast will remain unchanged.
The new recording space has been designed to:
Retain elements of Sara Cox’s original shed setup
Preserve the relaxed, homely atmosphere
Avoid over-polished or overly scripted production
This balance ensures long-time listeners will still recognise the podcast they love — just with enhanced production values and improved consistency.
Where and How to Listen
Episodes of The Teen Commandments will continue to be available across all major platforms, including:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
YouTube (video episodes)
The addition of video versions reflects changing audience habits and allows listeners to engage with the hosts in a more visual, shareable format.
Expanding the Digital Community
A major part of the Audio Always partnership involves building a stronger online presence for the podcast.
New Social Media Strategy
Audio Always will manage official:
Instagram
TikTok
These accounts will operate under the handle @teencommandments, offering:
Short-form video clips
Relatable parenting moments
Behind-the-scenes content
Community-driven discussions
The goal is to transform the podcast from a listening experience into a multi-platform parenting community.
Commercial Growth and Advertising Opportunities
The partnership also includes a commercial development strategy, with Audio Always working alongside Acast to support advertising and sponsorship growth.
This move allows:
Ethical brand partnerships aligned with the audience
Revenue generation to support long-term sustainability
Investment into higher-quality content and production
Crucially, both hosts have emphasised that monetisation will not compromise the podcast’s honesty or independence.
Hosts Reflect on the Journey So Far
Sara Cox and Clare Hamilton have described the podcast’s success as something they never anticipated.
What began as an excuse to spend more time together has grown into a platform that resonates with parents worldwide. The move from shed to studio, they say, represents growth — not a departure from what made the podcast special.
“It’s the same podcast at heart,” they noted, “just with better sound and a little less wind noise.”
Audio Always on Supporting the Next Chapter
Stuart Morgan, founder and managing director of Audio Always, praised the podcast’s emotional honesty and connection with listeners.
He highlighted:
The warmth of the hosts
The authenticity of their storytelling
The strength of the existing community
Morgan said Audio Always is excited to support the podcast’s next phase by enhancing audio, video, and social content, while helping to grow a wider, engaged audience around the brand.
Why The Teen Commandments Matters Right Now
In an era of curated parenting advice and unrealistic expectations, The Teen Commandments offers something refreshingly real.
It speaks to:
Parents feeling overwhelmed
Families navigating teenage mental health
Communication breakdowns at home
The emotional toll of adolescence — on parents and teens alike
Its success reflects a growing appetite for honest, non-judgmental conversations about modern parenting.
What’s Next for The Teen Commandments?
With professional production support now in place, listeners can expect:
More consistent releases
Improved audio and video quality
Expanded digital engagement
Potential live events and special episodes
Continued authenticity and humour
The podcast’s evolution appears set to strengthen — rather than soften — its original appeal.
Conclusion
The partnership between The Teen Commandments and Audio Always marks a significant milestone in the podcast’s journey. From a shed-recorded experiment to an award-recognised, million-download phenomenon, the show’s rise underscores the power of authenticity in modern media.
As it enters this new chapter, one thing remains clear: the heart of The Teen Commandments — candid conversation, shared vulnerability, and laughter in the chaos — is here to stay.
