Alex Cooper’s Unwell Media has been valued at $500 million following its first outside investment, from Patrick Whitesell’s WTSL. The deal gives the podcast and media company additional funding, industry connections and strategic support as it pursues further growth, including potential acquisitions and investments.

Cooper co-founded Unwell with Matt Kaplan in 2023, building on her profile as host of Call Her Daddy. Unwell says it has nearly 100 million social-media followers and a network of more than 12 podcasts, with an audience that is 89% female and largely aged 18 to 35; it also partnered with SiriusXM last year and is expanding its YouTube video output. Financial terms were not disclosed.