Gen Z Turns To Podcasts For Joy, Connection, And Mental Clarity.

A new national study from Edison Research and SiriusXM Media shows that podcasting has become a mainstream media behavior among Gen Z, a cohort deeply embedded in audio culture. The Gen Z Audio Report reveals that 63% of Americans aged 13-24 — an estimated 35 million individuals — have listened to or watched a podcast in the past month.

Podcast consumption among Gen Z is driven by a search for humor, connection and identity. Comedy leads the list of favorite genres, followed by music, entertainment and true crime. But preferences diverge by age: younger Gen Z (13-17) gravitates toward music and sports, while older Gen Z (18-24) leans more heavily into true crime and comedy.

“Podcasts are not a niche Gen Z behavior — they’re a mainstream media for this audience,” Edison Research Manager Salma Aly said Wednesday during a presentation of the findings. The study is based on a national online survey of 2,010 individuals ages 13-24 with additional data pulled from Edison’s Infinite Dial and Share of Ear research.

Edison says the top 10 most-listened-to shows by Gen Z weekly podcast listeners include Rotten Mango, Crime Junkie and Call Her Daddy. “Voices like [Stephanie] Soo are building deep, meaningful connections across every media platform and app,” said Aly, referencing the Rotten Mango host.

Discovery habits also reflect generational differences: older Gen Z finds podcasts primarily via YouTube and social media, while younger teens still rely more on personal networks. “Finding podcasts is a mix of scrolls and searching for this generation. If you want your podcast to find Gen Z, optimize for visibility on YouTube and socials,” Aly emphasized.

But Gen Z’s love of audio goes beyond podcasts. They spend an average of four hours and 10 minutes each day with audio, with music streaming accounting for 42% of that time, followed by YouTube at 20%, AM/FM radio (including streaming) at 16%, podcasts at 8%, and 14% with other sources like audiobooks.

Broadcast radio remains a relevant part of Gen Z’s media diet. According to the report, 48% of Gen Z have listened to AM/FM radio or SiriusXM in the past week. This share reflects the medium’s ongoing cultural presence and its integration into a broader cross-platform audio strategy. “What this tells us is that a cross-platform audio strategy can absolutely work for this generation,” Aly said.

More than just entertainment, audio serves Gen Z as a tool for emotional well-being and personal growth. “Audio isn’t just what we listen to — it’s how we make sense of who we are and escape the chaos of daily life,” said Aly.

According to the survey:

• 85% of Gen Z listen to music to boost their mood

• 22% listen to podcasts to enhance their mood

• 63% say audio has helped them cope during difficult times

• 61% say it has helped with their mental health

Audio also fulfills a social function. The study finds 41% say audio has provided companionship, and 38% feel it gives them a sense of community. Aly underscored this emotional power: “Audio lifts, grounds and empowers,” she said.

Music remains central to Gen Z’s identity. Hip-Hop/rap, pop and R&B top the list of genres listened to, with music helping 60% of respondents connect with their emotions and 54% expressing their individuality.

The study also highlights SoundCloud as a key platform for Gen Z discovery and engagement: 52% of its users are Gen Z, and the cohort drives the majority of track uploads and plays on the platform.

Social media dominates as a discovery channel. Thirty percent of Gen Z say they find new music most often through social platforms, followed by recommendations from friends and family (19%) and curated stations from audio services (18%). “Music is social currency,” Aly said.

What Matters To Gen Z

The report paints a portrait of a generation that is highly connected, emotionally aware and skeptical of inauthenticity — especially from brands. Among Gen Z podcast listeners:

• 43% say they’ve discovered new brands through podcasts

• 41% pay attention to brands that collaborate with their favorite shows or hosts

• 36% are more likely to buy products promoted by a host they like

This age group prefers honest and transparent advertising. “Skip that and you risk being labeled cringe,” Aly warned. In fact, 42% of Gen Z say they are much more likely to pay attention to an ad if it is honest and transparent, 49% if it includes music they like, and 49% if it makes them laugh.

Despite global uncertainty and personal pressures, Gen Z remains optimistic. Seventy-nine percent report a positive outlook on the future, and 75% say they are actively working on personal growth.

“Meet Gen Z in their headphones — whether it’s streaming music or podcasts,” Aly said. “That’s where we are.”

Download the Gen Z Audio Report HERE.