Anderson Cooper Expands Storytelling Through CNN Podcast, “The Whole Story”

Anderson Cooper, known for his nightly news show on CNN, has been delving into long-form storytelling with his podcast, “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.” The podcast, a collection of immersive, single-subject episodes, stems from CNN’s Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning longform storytelling team. Cooper has described the process as a significant learning experience, differing substantially from his usual interview style.

A Shift in Storytelling Approach

Cooper explained that long-form storytelling requires a different approach to interviewing and research. “There’s ton I’ve learned, you know, it’s a whole different style of interviewing people,” he stated. He emphasized the extensive research, time commitment and production values involved in creating these in-depth narratives, noting that these elements contribute to a different style of writing as well. “It’s helped me in all the interviews I’ve done,” Cooper added, suggesting the skills honed through podcasting have positively impacted his other journalistic endeavors.

Recent Episodes Showcase Diverse Topics

“The Whole Story” has covered a range of compelling subjects. Recent episodes include:

• Inside the Raid: Venezuela’s Future (Jan 12, 2026): David Culver reports from the border of Venezuela, examining the raid that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the country’s history with the U.S., the raid’s motivations, the legal case against Maduro, and potential future outcomes. Listen to the episode
• Justice Defenders: Change Inside Prison (Dec 8, 2025): Anderson Cooper travels to Kenya to investigate the work of Justice Defenders, a non-profit focused on rehabilitating incarcerated individuals in Africa’s overcrowded prisons, and explores the potential for replicating their model within the American justice system. Listen to the episode
• MisinfoNation: White Genocide: Donie O’Sullivan investigates the origins and spread of the narrative of alleged “White genocide” in South Africa.

Where to Listen

“The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper” is available on multiple platforms, including:

• CNN
• Amazon
• Apple Podcasts
• Audacy
• iHeart Radio
• Pandora
• Spotify

As Cooper continues to explore this new avenue of storytelling, audiences can expect character-driven narratives, special interviews, profiles, and investigative reporting from CNN’s anchors and correspondents.