“Now is the right time for me,” explains Guido Maria Kretschmer (60). The openly gay fashion designer, TV star, and author is launching his first solo podcast, “feinstoff.” Beginning September 25, fans can look forward to “lots of Guido” and “a lot of private moments,” Kretschmer promises. Each Thursday there will be a new episode—everywhere podcasts are available.
Recorded in his own home. “I’ve set up a small studio where I also greet guests,” the designer explains. “Some guests even stayed the night after recording.” Whether his husband, Frank, will join as a guest and what the podcast means for his other projects like “Shopping Queen” are what he discusses in the interview.
Lieber Guido, you’ve been a guest on many podcasts already—what prompted you to launch your own?
I think being a podcast guest and being the one hosting a podcast are two very different things. For me, it’s a huge pleasure because it’s part of my life. I’ve always enjoyed hosting people—over decades I’ve invited countless guests, and nowadays in my shows it’s thousands. I figured it would be wonderful to find a medium focused entirely on listening—a place where conversations really happen and where one guest gets more time. I meet so many fascinating people—some well known, others just ordinary folks from the street—and I’ve often wished to give them a little space and to trace their thoughts in a different way. This idea has been with me for a long time. I received many offers for podcasts, but I declined them because I felt I needed to be truly ready. And now, the timing is right for me.
What should fans expect from your podcast?
A lot of Guido, and a lot of private moments. Conversations take place in my own four walls, where things can get quite personal. We’ll tackle topics that move me and that might not have a place elsewhere. In addition to guest episodes where I meet intriguing people and engage with them, there are also solo episodes. Those were very important to me because I want to tell and reflect freely on life’s moments, the things that have happened to me, and what occupies my mind. The special thing is that I have my editor with me, sitting across from me and asking questions from the community. That makes it interactive, and the solo episodes will reveal a different side of who I am. I believe this mix is what gives “feinstoff” its distinctive appeal.
Do you have time for all this beyond your other commitments?
That’s a very valid question. (laughs) I’ve thought about how to weave this into my life without adding a burden. I’ve found a nice system: I produce from home and have set up a small studio where I also welcome guests. It preserves a great deal of privacy, which was important to me. So far it’s working well, and I’m glad I could carve out the time—even if that meant postponing some other things.
What does your husband think about you entering the world of podcasting?
Frank is supportive. He loves me enough to understand what brings me joy, and he’s happy that more people will come to our home. Some guests even stayed over after recording, and he cooked for them. Frank is very sociable and still loves listening to me—surprisingly, after 40 years. He especially loves the solo episodes, which has thrilled me.
Will he ever be heard on the show?
That would indeed be a major moment. I asked him, and my team was eager for it too, but he said no at first because he thinks he should reserve a little corner that belongs only to him. Maybe someday it will happen. In any case, I’ve planned to feature my sister and other close people who should be part of it. But so far he hasn’t shown interest. He’s stubborn, and he’s Dutch—don’t underestimate that. (laughs)
Which guest would you especially love to have on your mic?
I can’t really name a top list. I’m excited by interesting conversational partners, and the good thing is that many people I hoped to have have already agreed. I’d love, perhaps, an unexpected guest—someone who normally doesn’t talk about certain topics. My dream guest would actually be Rita Süssmuth. I admire her greatly; I once shared a wonderful evening with her and thought how amazing it would be if she shared her thoughts again. She’s modern, sharp, emancipated, and full of life experience—a woman I greatly admire.
Are there topics you haven’t publicly covered much yet that the podcast will give room to?
Absolutely. There will be very private moments, especially since many friends will be joining. I can also address more topics that don’t fit as easily into my other formats—such as politics and the broad world of art, which I’m deeply passionate about. The podcast will likely feature more of that.
What does the podcast mean for your TV projects like “Shopping Queen” or “Deko Queen”?
Not much, really. They can coexist nicely. Television is visual; podcasts are auditory and thus a bit more intimate. Both are entertainment, but they operate in different ways. In the end, it’s always Guido.
For many, “Shopping Queen” is part of a daily ritual. Do fans need to worry you might lose interest after all these years?
No, “Shopping Queen” is a vital part of my life. I understand the regularity, and I’m almost amazed I’ve been doing it for so many years and still enjoy it. Perhaps that’s because every day brings new people who shape my day. Just like the podcast, it’s about encounters. I believe fans will enjoy both.
You celebrated your 60th birthday in May—does this milestone influence your decision to start something new like the podcast?
No, not at all. I’ve never based anything in my life on numbers. But there’s truth to the idea that when you’re late in your fifties moving into your sixties, your perspective changes. You view friendships, relationships, and your own future differently. It’s more meaningful than the number sixty itself. The podcast expresses that mindset: I want to do things that bring me joy and avoid those I don’t pursue with full passion. I have no problem with turning sixty. Growing older means consciously experiencing life’s stages—the youth, the now, and not getting stuck in the past.
