Jon Stojan
As the auditory storytellers of the digital age, podcasts have provided a unique platform where a myriad of topics can be explored. They are conduits of knowledge, opinion, and discourse, with the ability to shape modern culture in unconventional ways.
In this exciting digital micro-universe, one podcast in particular stands out for its bold approach: Susie Stellar’s and Sidney Summers’ Online Forever. The title leans into the permanency of the internet, and the hosts showcase an effortless improvisational style. A space where voices are as diverse as the subjects they explore, Online Forever has been a collection of daring and introspective discussions, delving deep into themes that many would deem ‘taboo.’
Through their candid dialogue, Stellar and Summers have peeled back the layers of the adult entertainment world in their first season, discussing not just the surface-level glamor but also the deep and sometimes controversial aspects that define it.
“From the outset, we wanted to create a space where the untold sides of the adult industry could be brought to light,” Stellar reflects. “We aimed to be open and unfiltered–especially during the first season, we wanted to explore more genuinely what it means and how it feels to find success with your nudes available all over the internet.”
Without a doubt, as seen during the first season, Stellar and Summers were shameless and proud of their mission. Unafraid to expose themselves to their ever-growing audience, the two plunged into the industry’s most secretive aspects, bringing the stories of some of its most popular figures such as Dredd and Kira Noir closer to all those who tuned in.
With the second season, the aim was to go further than that. While interviewing some of the adult entertainment industry’s most famous names (such as Lena Paul, who announced her pregnancy during her interview, and Violet Myers, who debunked rumors), the hosts gave stars an opportunity to share their truths beyond their personas. Stellar and Summers also used their platform to call out dangerous people in the industry and have helped many avoid negative experiences at work. In addition to adult performers the women had comedians, TikTok stars, and psychics in their second season.
“Since the first season, Sidney and I have grown a lot. We wanted to shed more light on the less glamorous aspects of what it means to be an adult entertainment star. A lot of people already have certain preconceived notions, but we wanted to challenge and expand those perspectives,” Stellar explains.
She adds that while the first season was more spontaneous, with both Stellar and Summers jumping right into personal subjects, the second one aimed to take things somewhat slower. Having (re)considered their impact on viewers and their own place in the industry, the duo decided to discuss themes that many might not dare to talk about, including the dark sides of what it means to be an adult entertainer of the modern and increasingly digitalized era.
And now that Online Forever is gearing up for its third season, Stellar and Summers are about to chart a brand-new course, pivoting further away from adult entertainment to embrace a spectrum of captivating and unexpected themes. Summers reveals that she and Stellar are ready to discuss more their own niche interests and share their excitement about fascinating yet often eerie topics, such as the occult, the paranormal, and the myriad of bizarre phenomena that the internet has to offer.
The duo’s decision to transition the focus of their podcast certainly marks a tremendous shift from their previous seasons. Reflecting on this change, Summers states, “We finally felt we were ready to dive into areas that have always fascinated us and bring our audience along on a journey into the unknown. We want to push boundaries further, spark discussions, and bring in guests with unique and intriguing insights.”
This new direction underscores Stellar and Summer’s dedication to creating content that not only entertains but also informs and provokes thought. That’s why there’s no doubt that the third season of Online Forever will entertain and delight – perhaps even spook – the duo’s listeners, inviting them into the ‘lesser known.’
Or, as Stellar puts it, “The goal is to traverse the allure of the world’s mysteries wrapped in a bow of absurd humor, providing an exhilarating experience for us, our guests, and our listeners”.