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As they approached the anniversary of their podcast, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey found themselves wrapping up the rewatch of Season 8 of “The Workplace,” the second-to-last season of this beloved series, for their popular podcast “Workplace Girls.” Having portrayed Pam Beesly (Fischer) and Angela Martin (Kinsey) since the Emmy-winning NBC comedy debuted in 2005, the dynamic duo meticulously dissects each episode, minute by minute, in their signature podcast format. When they launched the podcast in October 2019, the daunting task of covering all 201 episodes felt like an overwhelming challenge. In a candid conversation at their Hollywood recording studio, Kinsey expressed her confidence: “I knew we’d begin it and see it through.” Fischer, however, had her doubts: “I didn’t think we’d finish.”

“Workplace Girls” stands out as one of the pioneering rewatch podcasts, a format that has since gained immense popularity across the podcasting landscape. From its inception, the show has captivated audiences, securing a spot at No. 34 on Edison Research’s latest report of the Top 50 podcasts in the United States. Kinsey and Fischer, who have been best friends since their early days on the series, were determined to continue evolving beyond their initial rewatch format. With their SiriusXM contract nearing its end, they embarked on a journey to explore new possibilities for their podcasting venture.

A year ago marked a significant turning point for Fischer, who received troubling news after an inconclusive mammogram. Following an ultrasound and biopsy, she faced a breast cancer diagnosis in December. In a heartfelt tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fischer shared her story on Instagram, revealing this deeply personal struggle to a wider audience, something that only a select group of people had known until then. This announcement not only highlighted her bravery but also underscored the importance of awareness and support in the fight against breast cancer.

In light of Fischer’s diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan—which included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—the “Workplace Girls” team faced a crucial decision. Should they temporarily halt the show until her treatment concluded? Kinsey, trusting her friend completely, deferred to Fischer’s judgment. “From the very beginning of our friendship, she’s the kind of person who makes you want to be your best self,” Kinsey shares. Fischer had already decided that, with the unwavering support of her husband, Lee Kirk, their two children, and close friends, she was committed to continuing the “Workplace Girls” podcast. After all, it is a project that was born out of love and friendship.

“All the things I needed to endure this time were just waiting for me to realize them,” Fischer shares emotionally, marking a poignant moment in our conversation. “One of those people was Angela, and another was the podcast. I already had the job that would help me get through this challenging period of my life.” This heartfelt sentiment highlights the power of friendship and passion as vital support systems during difficult times.

Throughout the journey of “Workplace Girls,” Kinsey and Fischer have had the pleasure of interviewing many cast members from “The Workplace,” as well as a variety of writers, directors, and crew who contributed to the show. Their episode recaps are not only thorough but also entertaining, delving into every detail while occasionally veering into fascinating tangents, such as the history of blood transfusions and the peculiar subject of deer penis wine. This particular topic was sparked by a memorable line from Rainn Wilson’s character, Dwight, in a Season 6 episode: “Fish sticks aren’t an aphrodisiac. You’re thinking of deer penis.” Their upbeat and cheerful tone has also allowed them to tackle sensitive topics, including episodes that haven’t aged well and delivering compelling discussions on issues like maternity leave, as they reflected on Fischer’s experience of having to return to work just five weeks after a C-section, highlighting the lack of paid maternity leave for actors. During the pandemic’s stay-at-home days, they provided comfort to listeners, reminiscent of “The Workplace” itself, which saw a significant resurgence in popularity, with Nielsen reporting a staggering 57 billion minutes of “The Workplace” streamed on Netflix in 2020, making it the platform’s most-watched series that year.

The creation of “Workplace Girls” was driven by a desire to be present for their school-age children. Kinsey was often away from home for work, as most of her opportunities were out of town. “If it was in L.A., I was not getting it,” she recalls, highlighting the challenges of balancing work and family. She was in Orlando when Fischer first proposed the idea of starting a podcast. Fischer, on the other hand, was fortunate to have a rare job in Los Angeles but was working tirelessly, clocking in “70 hours a week” and putting her children to bed via FaceTime. What initially started as an experiment to see if they could be “the architects of their own time” has blossomed into a wildly successful podcast. “Workplace Girls” has achieved over 400 million downloads, and boasts more than 1 million followers on Spotify. Additionally, they published a book in 2022 titled “The Workplace BFFs: Tales From ‘The Workplace’ From Two Best Friends Who Were There,” further solidifying their connection with fans.

The impressive numbers certainly capture their attention; at launch, Fischer noted, “it was like, 10 times more popular than they had projected.” However, beyond the statistics, both Kinsey and Fischer feel a profound sense of responsibility to honor the legacy of “The Workplace.” Kinsey expressed her commitment, stating, “I want to do right by the legacy of the show. It means so much to so many people.” She realized the podcast had gained traction when fans began enthusiastically shouting “Lady!” at her in public, a catchphrase that she and Fischer often use, in lieu of the more iconic phrase “Save Bandit!” from a Season 5 episode where Dwight accidentally starts a fire, prompting Angela to throw her cat into a ceiling hole in an attempt to rescue him.

In August, “Workplace Girls” transitioned from SiriusXM to Audacy. Although they are wary of criticizing their former network, they expressed their discontent when SiriusXM unexpectedly laid off their longtime sound engineer, Sam Kieffer, without consulting them. Kinsey reminisced about their early days with the podcasting company Earwolf, describing it as a “small little group within the vast entertainment industry,” and they were eager to find a similar atmosphere again. During their search for a new home, Fischer and Kinsey met with Jenna Weiss-Berman, the podcast lead at Audacy, who impressed them with her vision and her genuine enthusiasm, leading them to trust their instincts. Once settled at Audacy, they promptly brought Kieffer back onto the team, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining the podcast’s quality.

Weiss-Berman offered “Workplace Girls” a substantial guarantee on ad sales, though she opted not to disclose the exact figure. She also provided the “white-glove-y” support they were looking for, which proved invaluable. Upon reviewing their listener statistics, she was thoroughly impressed. Despite a general decline in podcast audiences due to changes in Apple’s iOS, “Workplace Girls” has experienced growth, with listeners consistently tuning into every episode, often in quick succession, as Weiss-Berman noted. The podcast also boasts an impressive 1.1 million followers on Instagram, where the engagement levels are described as “crazy.” Every day, Fischer and Kinsey receive heartfelt messages from fans expressing their appreciation. A notable surprise for them came from a group of 300 members from their Facebook group, which has over 72,000 members—a welcoming and positive corner of the internet. This group organized a rendition of the song “All the Faces,” which “The Workplace” co-star Creed Bratton performed during the show’s finale, as a heartfelt tribute.

“They can discuss anything, and they can maintain the audience that they have,” Weiss-Berman adds. “People are there to hear them just chat, because they’re funny and incredible, and they have a true best-friend dynamic that’s really entertaining.”

Looking ahead, the trajectory of “Workplace Girls,” which was announced during an episode in early October, is set to expand significantly. In what they are dubbing “Workplace Girls 6.0,” Fischer and Kinsey will continue their comprehensive explorations of “The Workplace.” Their initial “6.0” episode, which aired last week, featured an interview with Allison Jones, the casting director responsible for assembling the show’s iconic ensemble. They are also planning a special visit to “The Workplace” creator Greg Daniels’ new project, unofficially titled “The Paper,” which is expected to premiere on Peacock next year. In addition to thematic episodes, they will delve into character studies, starting with an in-depth analysis of Michael Scott, portrayed by Steve Carell. “I’ve been trying to figure out Michael Scott’s origin story,” Fischer reveals. “And I’m pretty sure the writers from ‘The Workplace’ are tired of hearing from me. But I can’t give up.”

They will also be reintroducing “Workplace Girls” from the very beginning, enhancing each episode with new insights and content. This encore presentation is titled “Second Drink,” a playful nod to a memorable moment from the Season 2 premiere when a tipsy Pam enthusiastically declares “second drink!” while sipping melted ice from a frozen drink. Initially, Fischer and Kinsey contemplated restarting the rewatch, but upon revisiting their previous episodes, Fischer realized, “Girl, we didn’t miss that much.”

Earlier this year, Fischer made an appearance in the “Mean Girls” musical film but has since taken a break from acting. “I believe it will ultimately make me a better actress to have taken this hiatus,” she shares. Now cancer-free, she envisions moving to New York with her husband once their children are grown, allowing her to pursue theater. Kinsey, on the other hand, remains open to acting opportunities that allow her to balance family commitments, having recently filmed a Hallmark Christmas movie over the summer, much to her mother’s delight.

Since their journey began in 2019, they have significantly evolved as podcasters. The idea originated when Oliver Hudson, Fischer’s co-star from the short-lived ABC sitcom “Splitting Up Together,” suggested she might enjoy hosting a podcast, noting, “You love sweatpants, and you love being at home.”

Fischer and Kinsey take immense pride in their accomplishments. “We move slowly because we’re also parents, and we have other commitments,” Fischer explains. “But I’m just so incredibly, deeply proud of what we’ve created together.” This sentiment reflects their dedication to providing meaningful content while balancing their personal lives.

Their journey is a testament to how far they’ve come since they first bonded 20 years ago during the filming of “The Workplace.” One memorable night after a long day of shooting, Kinsey and Fischer locked hands in silence as they performed the opening credits of “Laverne & Shirley,” sensing someone behind them. Looking back, they saw Steve Carell, the show’s star, who simply smiled and said, “No matter what happens with the show, this is what you guys will take from it.” This poignant moment captures the essence of their friendship and the lasting impact of their time on “The Workplace.”