The Greatest Pop Stars podcast turned its attention to country music's crossover appeal after host Andrew Unterberger and Billboard contributor Natalie Weiner attended back-to-back sold-out arena shows by Megan Moroney and Ella Langley in Texas. Moroney headlined the American Airlines Center in Dallas on 14 August, while Langley topped the bill at Fort Worth's Dickies Arena the following night, with both artists having shared a notable chart moment earlier in 2026. The episode explores their contrasting paths towards mainstream pop stardom despite their shared country roots.

The discussion weighs whether Moroney, who draws comparisons to Taylor Swift in songwriting and stage presentation, is the more natural crossover candidate despite lacking a pop smash hit, while Langley — who does have pop hits — notably avoided showcasing them live. The pair also debate whether Langley shares Moroney's ambition for global pop stardom, and single out fellow performer Kaitlin Butts as a standout of the weekend, questioning what it means for country music if she doesn't achieve similar stardom. The episode is available on Apple Music and Spotify, with weekly instalments released every Thursday.