HBO

Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson had already cultivated a devoted local following in Brooklyn with their stand-up show when they launched 2 Dope Queens in spring 2016. But the popular podcast—with its frank, humorous takes on gender, race and other topics, combined with the warm reception the pair offer guests—swiftly expanded their fan base beyond the borough as it shot to the top of the charts. “People respond to the casual vibe Jess and I have,” says Robinson, 34.

What’s more, it eventually led to a deal with HBO for a season of 2 Dope Queens televised specials, which aired earlier this year. Season 2 is planned for early 2019. The pair is also working on a formidable list of ongoing projects: books, movies, new show development, charity work—and sharing their good fortune.

“We tell stories and we mess around and we say what we want to say, but we want to push forward our own personal experiences,” says Williams, 29. “We want to give that opportunity to other people who are not at the forefront of the media: more women, more people of color and other people who are LGBTQ who are all incredibly talented. We want to make sure we’re seen and as we continue to be seen, we’re lifting up others as well.”

Robinson agrees. “There’s so much of, ‘We can’t give you an opportunity because you don’t have the experience,’” she says. “So it’s like, ‘Let’s create our own experience.’ For me, I’m just going to build my own damn table. And I want to have my friends around it.” —Sara Ivry