An Open Letter to Steven Bartlett About Mental Health and Algorithms

Dear Steven Bartlett ,

Remember when The Diary Of A CEO was actually about CEOs? I used to tune in back then. The startup stories.

The business insights.

The real talk about building companies.

But somewhere along the way, like a startup pivoting for growth, you found a more lucrative market: people’s vulnerabilities.

I dropped off as a regular listener, but the algorithm never forgot me. Every few months, a clip would surface on my feed. Each time, the content had drifted further from business wisdom into something more… marketable. Mental health. Wellness. Life advice. The classic creator-to-guru pipeline, optimized for maximum engagement.

Let’s talk about responsibility, influence, and the difference between growth and good. But first, let’s talk about algorithms.

You’ve built something incredible. From marketing whiz kid to Dragon’s Den’s youngest dragon to Europe’s podcast king — that’s a hell of a decade.

The ultimate growth hack. But here’s the thing: with 8 million YouTube subscribers and Europe’s #1 podcast, you’re not just a content creator anymore.

You’re an institution. And you know exactly how the machine works.

I see the optimization at play. The thumbnails getting more dramatic. The titles more provocative. The guests more controversial. The algorithm loves it. But institutions, as you know better than most, come with responsibilities.

Look, I need to acknowledge something important: when done right, these conversations can be transformative. I've seen Dr. Alok Kanojia a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and gaming addiction specialist, break down complex mental health concepts on your show with the precision of a surgeon and the relatability of a friend.

That episode wasn't just content – it was education wrapped in empathy.

And when Trevor Noah opened up about his depression? That hit different.

No pseudo-science, no quick fixes, just raw honesty about the struggle and the slow, unglamorous work of healing.

The algorithm actually did something beautiful there – it took vulnerability and turned it into connection. These moments show what's possible when you leverage your platform thoughtfully.

This is exactly why your current trajectory frustrates me so much.

You've proven you can do this right.

You've shown that nuanced, evidence-based mental health discussions can captivate audiences without compromising truth.

These episodes are the gold standard – they train the recommendation engine to recognize quality over controversy. They prove that responsibility and reach aren't mutually exclusive.

But here’s what keeps me up at night: Your recent pivot into health content isn’t just a content strategy — it’s a also a public health issue filtered through an engagement optimization lens.

BBC checked 15 episodes and found an average of 14 harmful claims per episode. That’s not a rounding error. That’s not even a bug. That’s a feature of the system you’ve built.

Quick story: Last week, I watched a clip where you let a guest ramble about how gluten causes autism. Zero pushback. Just nodded along like they were sharing a recipe for banana bread. The algorithm served me three more videos just like it.

Now imagine someone claiming depression is just a mindset thing, or trauma can be cured with a green smoothie and positive thinking. The recommendation engine loves it. The humans watching? Not so much.

See where I’m going with this?

You’re following the Joe Rogan playbook — controversial guests, minimal pushback, maximum engagement. It’s a fantastic business model. The numbers prove it. The metrics love it. But here’s the brutal truth: in mental health, bad information isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous. And your AI-powered distribution system is making sure that danger goes viral.

Some math for you:

• Average viewer watches 47 minutes (your own stats)
• Algorithm serves 3 more mental health videos after (I tracked it)
• Each video gets progressively more extreme (that’s how the system works)
• Viewers go down these rabbit holes late at night (check your analytics)

You’re not building a podcast anymore. You’re building a mental health crisis pipeline, optimized for maximum vulnerability

The Studio @ FLIGHTSTORY , says you're offering "freedom of expression" to "distinguished" guests. Cool. But let's get real – a blue checkmark and a million followers don't make you an expert, they just mean you won the algorithm lottery. You know this. You've built companies – you can spot the difference between clout and competence.

You know what’s wild? The same business instincts that made you successful could actually solve this problem. The same understanding of systems that built your empire could fix this.

Think about it:

1. Due Diligence: You wouldn’t invest in a startup without checking the financials. Why platform mental health “experts” without checking their credentials? Why let the algorithm promote their worst takes?

2. Market Opportunity: There’s a massive gap between academic mental health research and public understanding. That’s your sweet spot. And guess what? Quality can go viral too.

3. Competitive Advantage: Instead of being Joe Rogan 2.0, be the guy who makes mental health science accessible AND accurate. Nobody’s doing that at scale. The algorithm needs better training data.

Here’s what I’m NOT saying: Don’t talk about mental health. Don’t be controversial. Don’t push boundaries. Don’t play the algorithm game.

Here’s what I am saying: Apply the same critical thinking to mental health that you’d apply to a million-pound investment. Use your understanding of digital systems for good.

The cruel irony?

Your current approach is amazing for short-term metrics but terrible for long-term brand value. Every unchallenged conspiracy theory, every pseudoscientific claim about mental health, chips away at your credibility.

You’re trading trust for clicks. Teaching the algorithm bad habits.

Want to be truly disruptive? Have real experts break down complex mental health concepts in your signature style. Make evidence-based psychology as engaging as your business content. That’s not just good ethics — it’s good business. And here’s the kicker: Quality content can game the algorithm too.

You’ve got something rare: mainstream credibility and cultural influence. Use it to elevate the mental health conversation, not confuse it. Train the recommendation engines with better data.

Right now, you’re at a crossroads. One path leads to being another engagement-chasing podcast bro, letting AI amplify the worst takes for clicks.

The other? Being the guy who transformed how we talk about mental health in the digital age. Who taught the algorithms to promote truth over trash.

Your move, Stephen.

Life’s too short for bullshit, but too long to ignore the consequences of spreading it through optimization engines.

Matteo

P.S. Remember when you said on Dragons’ Den that the best entrepreneurs solve real problems? Mental health misinformation is a real problem. And its algorithmic amplification is making it worse. Solving that could be your best investment yet.