The first episode of the show, which was at the time titled The Adam Carolla Podcast, was released on Feb. 23, 2009—just days after his terrestrial radio program on KLSX ended.

Listener call-in was gradually added to the show and Carolla began using language that FCC restrictions prohibit on terrestrial radio.

Included among these were producer Angie Fitzsimmons, co-hosts Teresa Strasser and Bryan Bishop, and announcer Mike Dawson.

With Strasser's occasional absence, Carolla began returning to the podcast's original host-and-guest-only interview style, beginning with episodes featuring Morgan Spurlock and David Cross.

In early 2011, Alison Rosen formally replaced Strasser as co-host and took over responsibility of the news desk.

[7] Rosen was replaced by terrestrial radio personality Gina Grad, whom Carolla considers a good sidekick and not necessarily a separate comedic voice.

"[9] As of 2018, each show is split into two parts in an effort to increase downloads and ad revenue, which has been unpopular with listeners.

Comedians Larry Miller, Jo Koy (whom Carolla jokingly calls "Joy"), David Alan Grier, Dana Gould, and Greg Fitzsimmons are often recurring guests with their own characters and improvised comedy situations that are often featured.

[10] Examples include David Alan Grier singing as Teddy Pendergrass and Larry Miller's hypothetical road trip.

Gould and Carolla often go back to similar comedic subjects such as impersonating Huell Howser clips from his show on PBS.

Occasionally Dave Dameshek will come in and do sports news, often ending in some rant or riff between him and Carolla.

Sometimes this segment will be a more formal interview and other times it will be one of the recurring guests or comedians improvising or conversing with Carolla.

Guests vary from actors, comedians, athletes and occasionally politicians who will then sit in and "crack wise" with Carolla to Gina Grad's news, ending out the show.

[15] Nevertheless, Edison Research found that The Adam Carolla Show was the world's 49th-most-listened-to podcast in 2020, and Rogan's the 1st-most-listened.

"[19] Filipino leaders, including the office of President Gloria Arroyo, responded to the incident.