Residents, the end of an era is officially here. After nearly a decade of keeping it real on the mic, the hosts of The Receipts Podcast have announced they are stepping down.

Audrey Indome and Tolly Shoneye revealed the emotional news, explaining that although the podcast has become one of the most influential platforms for Black women in the UK, they feel the time has come to evolve and make room for new voices.

Launched back in 2016, The Receipts Podcast quickly became a cultural staple, giving Black women a space to talk openly about relationships, friendships, career struggles and everyday life with the kind of honesty that listeners rarely heard elsewhere.

Over the years, the pair recorded almost 300 episodes and built a huge fan base along the way. The show even expanded with a BBC spin off and made history as the first podcast hosted by Black and Brown women to reach number one on the Apple Podcasts chart.

Their success didn’t stop there either. In 2019, they secured an exclusive deal with Spotify, cementing their place as one of the biggest podcast brands in the UK.

But despite the success, both hosts say stepping away now feels like the right move. Tolly admitted the decision has been incredibly emotional. “I’ve never cried so much in my life. It’s the most difficult decision ever,” she said.

Audrey explained that part of the reason for stepping back is the need to keep evolving.

“I can get comfortable and I could probably do this for 20 or 30 more years without evolving,” she said. “That’s why the relationship between me and Tolly works because she’s a visionary and I need someone to kick me into action.”

Before anyone panics though, this is not a full goodbye. The podcast itself is not ending. Instead, Audrey and Tolly will be moving behind the scenes while a new generation takes over hosting duties.

And they are not just quietly handing the show over either. The pair are planning what they describe as a “Pod Idol” style search to find the next voices of the podcast. “We don’t want copies of us,” Tolly explained. “We want new voices, new perspectives and new ideas.”

The process will include open applications, workshops and training sessions so that even those who are not selected still leave with valuable experience.

Tolly said creating opportunities is a big part of what they want their legacy to be.

Of course, their journey has not been without drama along the way. In 2023, former co host Milena Sanchez left the podcast after what was described as years of tension behind the scenes. Both Audrey and Tolly admitted the situation caught them off guard, especially because it happened during a particularly stressful time when Audrey was heavily pregnant and their deal with Spotify was uncertain. “It wasn’t about the leaving, it was about the way it was done,” Audrey said, calling the situation an “unnecessary stain” on the podcast’s legacy. Milena later explained that stepping away was necessary for her mental health.

Despite the challenges, the two hosts say the experience ultimately strengthened their partnership.

Now, nearly ten years after what Audrey once thought was just a “side hustle,” the podcast has left a lasting mark on British podcasting culture. And while they may be stepping away from the microphones, Audrey and Tolly are making sure the platform they built continues to grow long after them.

Residents, the real question now is simple. Who should take over The Receipts mic next? 👀🎙️

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