Podcast & Chill: Why Gen Z Is Ditching Music for Spoken Word Audio

How Podcasts Became Gen Z's Favorite Background Noise

Remember when music was the go-to for every mood—hyped-up playlists for the gym, sad songs for the late-night overthinking, and bangers for the pre-game? Yeah, well, something’s changed. Podcasts have officially taken over, and Gen Z is leading the charge.

We’re not just casually listening either. 58% of Gen Z’s spoken-word audio time is now spent on podcasts—a massive jump from just 28% in 2018. And with 24 million Gen Zers tuning in monthly, it's clear that podcasts aren’t just a trend—they're a whole lifestyle.

So, what’s behind the shift? Why are we swapping beats for banter, lyrics for long-form convos? Let’s get into it.

Podcasts Hit Different: Why We're Hooked

Back in the day, throwing on a playlist was the default. Now, we’re more likely to press play on a true crime mystery, a pop culture recap, or a deep-dive into conspiracy theories. But why?

🔥 Real Stories, Real Talk – Music is great, but sometimes you want something real. 94% of Gen Z listeners say they love hearing real-life stories in podcasts. Whether it’s someone spilling their craziest life experience or breaking down what’s happening in the world, there’s something about podcasts that hits way deeper.

🎤 Banter Over Beats – Music is a vibe, but nothing beats a good back-and-forth convo. 92% of Gen Z listeners say they love podcasts with casual, engaging discussions. It’s like eavesdropping on the most interesting people, minus the awkwardness of being caught.

📺 TikTok & YouTube Made Us Do It – We’re not just finding new music through TikTok anymore—80% of Gen Z discovers new podcasts through TikTok, while 84% use YouTube. Those short, viral clips of podcast moments? Yeah, they’re working. 73% of Gen Z listeners say they’ve checked out a full podcast after watching a clip on social media.

🛑 Less Skip, More Stick – Let’s be real: we skip through half our playlists. But with podcasts? We actually stay locked in. 78% of Gen Z listeners say they binge-listen to podcasts, sometimes for hours at a time. That’s commitment.

Binge Culture: The Netflix Effect, But Make It Audio

We’re used to binging everything—TV shows, TikTok videos, entire Spotify Wrapped playlists in one sitting. Podcasts fit perfectly into that "just one more episode" mindset.

• Gen Z listeners who started young (under 11) now spend an average of 10.6 hours a week on podcasts.
• Even the average Gen Z listener still clocks in at 7.7 hours per week.
• We’re not just casually listening—we’re treating podcasts like full-on content marathons.

It’s giving "let me finish this 3-hour true crime episode before bed" energy.

The New Background Noise: When & How Gen Z Listens

Podcasts aren’t just something we listen to when we’re bored. They’ve become the ultimate multitasking soundtrack for our lives.

💼 At Work & School: Whether it's a part-time job grind or zoning out during assignments, podcasts make everything less painful.

🚶‍♂️ Commuting or Walking: Music is great, but something about a podcast makes even the most boring walk feel productive.

🏋️‍♂️ At the Gym: Believe it or not, some of us are swapping hype playlists for motivational podcasts (or true crime, because nothing fuels cardio like an intense murder mystery).

🛏️ Falling Asleep: Forget white noise machines—some of us are now dozing off to deep-dive history podcasts or ASMR-style storytelling.

20 Podcasts Gen Z Is Loving in 2025 🎧🔥

With Gen Z’s podcast obsession at an all-time high, finding the right show to binge is essential. Whether you're into self-improvement, pop culture tea, deep convos, or just need something to vibe with during your commute, there's a podcast for every mood. Here are 20 podcasts that Gen Z is loving right now:

🗣️ Real Talk & Self-Growth

1. Black Women Amplified – Coach Monica Wisdom spotlights visionary leaders and entrepreneurs, uplifting Black voices.
2. Almost Adulting with Violet Benson – The self-love podcast that gets you—covering everything from dating struggles to mental health.
3. Business Big Sister Life Advice for Gen Z – Career tips, confidence boosters, and straight-up life advice from Kelly Roach & Amy Klein.
4. The Undecided Gen Z – Ally keeps it 100, navigating the highs and lows of adulting in a chaotic world.
5. A Touch of Gen Z – Light, fun, and full of candid convos with interesting guests.

🏀 Sports & Business Hustle

6. Gen Z Hoops – John Hartofilis breaks down basketball, coaching, and the business side of sports.
7. The Gen Z Marketer – A deep dive into branding, e-commerce, and social media marketing for the digital generation.
8. Working with Gen Z – Need to decode Gen Z in the workplace? This podcast has all the insights.
9. Save That for the Pod – A fun mix of millennial and Gen Z perspectives on sports, culture, and life.
10. Native Digital + Native Analog – Hannah Grady Williams chats with CEOs about the future of leadership in a Gen Z-driven world.

📰 Politics & Social Issues

11. Gen Z’s Guide to Politics – No fluff, just real talk on political events and why they matter.
12. Next Generation Politics Podcast – Gen Z-led convos about democracy, activism, and civic engagement.
13. Gen Z Voice – Tackling social justice issues, with a focus on reproductive rights and equality.
14. #GenZ – Interviews and discussions on what’s shaping our generation.
15. Ask Gen Z – A podcast by Adolescent Content that dives deep into Gen Z insights and trends.

🎤 Pop Culture, Entertainment & Just for Fun

16. Tea With Gen Z – Spilling the hottest takes on everything from TikTok drama to real-life dilemmas.
17. Keeping Up With Gen Z – Teens talking about what’s trending, what’s important, and everything in between.
18. Gen Z Explains – A hilarious show where a Gen Zer breaks things down to two Gen Xers (because sometimes, they just don’t get it).
19. Basically Gen Z – Breaking down internet culture, social media trends, and the wild Gen Z lexicon.
20. Gen Z Today with Jordan Whitmer – A faith-based podcast exploring how to live and lead as a young Christian.

These podcasts prove that Gen Z is here for raw convos, deep dives, and unapologetic realness. Whether you're looking for laughs, motivation, or a new obsession, there’s something on this list for you.

Music vs. Podcasts: Do We Have to Choose?

Gen Z isn’t just listening—we’re reshaping how audio fits into our daily lives. Podcasts have evolved from niche content to a full-blown movement, giving us the deep convos, relatable voices, and binge-worthy content we crave. Whether we’re multitasking, unwinding, or just looking for something new, podcasts are proving to be the ultimate background noise and main event.

But hey, music isn’t going anywhere. It’s just learning to coexist with long-form storytelling, unfiltered discussions, and viral soundbites that keep us hooked. With more Gen Z creators entering the podcast space, the future of audio is looking more diverse, engaging, and real than ever.

So, whether you’re here for the tea, the motivation, or the murder mysteries that make your walks way more intense—there’s a podcast waiting for you.

Stay tuned for more insights on how Gen Z is shaping the future of entertainment, only on Woke Waves Magazine.

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