Ten years is a long time to show up, speak up and build something from nothing. Audrey Indome and Tolly Shoneye did exactly that with The Receipts Podcast, a show they launched in 2016 as a dedicated space for Black women to speak openly about love, life and everything in between. Now, after nearly 300 episodes, the two founders are stepping down as hosts.
The decision, by their own account, was not an easy one. It was emotional, deeply personal and a long time in the making. Both women describe it as one of the hardest calls they have ever had to make, but also one of the most necessary.
Why they’re leaving
For Audrey, the reason is rooted in growth. Staying comfortable felt like a risk greater than walking away. She acknowledges that she could easily continue hosting for decades without pushing herself further, and that staying stagnant was simply not an option she was willing to accept.
Tolly brings the vision, Audrey brings the energy, and together they built something that neither expected to last this long. When the podcast first launched, Audrey saw it as a side project, never imagining it would become a full career. Yet here they are, a decade later, stepping away on their own terms.
The Receipts Podcast is not going anywhere
Stepping down does not mean shutting down. The show will continue, just with new voices leading it. Audrey and Tolly are moving behind the scenes, where they plan to mentor, shape and guide the next chapter of the podcast they created.
To find those new voices, the pair are launching an open search described as a talent competition format. The process will include applications, workshops and hands-on training, designed so that even those who are not selected walk away with something valuable.
The goal is not to find replicas of themselves. They are looking for fresh perspectives, different storytelling styles and voices that reflect the full range of the audience the show has built. People who may not have traditional media backgrounds, people who might feel they are not the typical podcast host, are exactly the kind of talent they want to find and nurture.
A legacy beyond the mic
Neither woman was handed an opportunity when they started out. They built the show without a roadmap, without industry support and without a safety net. That experience now drives their commitment to doing things differently for whoever comes next.
The podcast also made history along the way. A BBC spinoff they launched became the first show hosted by Black and Brown women to reach the number one spot on the Apple Podcasts chart. A major exclusive deal with Spotify followed in 2019, cementing their place as pioneers in British audio.
The harder parts they carried
Success brought visibility, and visibility brought scrutiny. Managing public attention became a skill both women had to develop over time. Protecting their mental space, drawing lines around social media and being selective about what they shared publicly were all part of navigating life in the spotlight.
The journey was not without its fractures either. In 2023 a former co-host departed the show under difficult circumstances, a moment that shook both women but ultimately drew them closer together. Tolly kept things running while Audrey was navigating new motherhood. The episode, though painful, reinforced what the partnership is built on.
As they prepare to hand over the mic, both are clear that the work is not done. It is simply changing shape. The Receipts Podcast started as a space for Black women to be heard. That mission, they say, is nowhere near finished.
