X-Files: Upgrades, Improvements, and Staying True to CommonX
Graphic announcing upgrades and improvements at the CommonX Podcast while staying true to its blue-collar roots and open conversations
As CommonX has grown, so has the community around it—listeners, guests, artists, thinkers, and everyday people who care about honest conversation. With that growth come a few behind-the-scenes improvements. We want to take a moment to explain what’s changing, what isn’t, and most importantly, what CommonX will always be.
Growth brings structure—not control
CommonX started the way a lot of blue-collar projects do: two people, a microphone, and a willingness to have real conversations without polish or pretense.
As the show has grown, the volume of messages, guest inquiries, and coordination has grown with it. Adding a bit of structure helps us stay organized, responsive, and respectful of everyone’s time—especially our guests and our audience.
That’s where support roles come in.
What hasn’t changed
Let’s be clear about this, because it matters.
The conversations are still unscripted
Topics are still driven by curiosity, not approval
No one is filtering viewpoints
No one is censoring discussions
No one is “cleaning up” the show
What happens in the studio is exactly what it has always been: open, honest, sometimes messy, and always human.
Ian and Jared are still the hosts. They still shape the conversations. They still read messages, engage with listeners, and care deeply about the people who show up for this show week after week.
What has improved
Support and coordination don’t exist to lock things down—they exist to keep things running smoothly.
Having help with scheduling and communication allows the hosts to focus on what matters most:
showing up prepared
being present with guests
and keeping the conversations real
It also helps prevent burnout, which is one of the fastest ways authenticity disappears from creative work.
A blue-collar show at heart
CommonX has never been about polish, spin, or gatekeeping. It’s a blue-collar podcast in the truest sense—built on showing up, doing the work, and respecting people.
That includes:
fans who send thoughtful messages
listeners who disagree respectfully
guests who trust us with their stories
Growth doesn’t mean selling out.
Growth doesn’t mean distancing ourselves.
Growth doesn’t mean changing who we are.
It means protecting the conditions that allow CommonX to stay honest and accessible as it continues to grow.
Still the same CommonX
We’re grateful for the trust our audience places in us, and we don’t take that lightly. These upgrades aren’t about control—they’re about care. Not about restriction—but sustainability. Not about locking things down—but keeping the doors open the right way.
Still curious.
Still human.
Still blue collar.
— Jared & Ian CommonX Podcast
