In 2022, podcasts are making a comeback. Not that they were ever fully dead, but lately, podcasts are not just something your mom sends you and you pretend you listened to; podcasts are becoming a staple of Gen Z cultural life. They’re easy to tune into while you do laundry, go for a walk, or unwind after a long day at work.
The statistics are astounding; there are 383.7 million podcast listeners globally, and it is predicted that by the end of 2022, there will be around 424 million podcast listeners around the world. Given that 71 percent of podcast listeners are Gen Z/millenials, it’s safe to say that we’re the podcast generation — and I’m not mad about it.
Ready to listen? Here’s a round up of the best podcasts for Gen Z.
1. Office Ladies
We all (well, most of us) grew up watching The Office, and it was an important part of middle school and high school. Michael Scott is simply an icon. In late 2019, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (Pam and Angela) created their own podcast for their fans. In this podcast, they rewatch the show and talk about its critical moments together. Rainn Wilson (Dwight), Mindy Kaling (Kelly), and others have made guest appearances on this podcast, and collectively, it blends nostalgia for the show with these new emerging voices.
2. Morbid
Morbid has something for everyone — whether you’re interested in comedy, or there for the gruesome details of murder and crime. Morbid, A True Crime Podcast is hosted by a hairstylist and an autopsy technician, — Ash Kelly and Alaina Urquhart — as they dive into spooky history, creepy murders, and unsolved crimes. Kelly and Alaina (who are related) have a strong dynamic, infusing the podcast with BFF vibes and banter that keeps listeners engaged.
3. Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain is a podcast that combines science and storytelling to better understand the psychology of relationships, human patterns, and meditation, amongst other critical topics. The goal of Hidden Brain is to help people better understand the world and themselves in a meaningful way. Hosted by Shankar Vendantam, an American journalist, the podcast explores everything from unconscious bias to stage fright to emotional currency.
4. The GenTwenty Podcast
This podcast is meant for everyone in their twentysomethings, with a special emphasis on advice for adulting — imposter syndrome, career advice, friendships, and more. Hosted by two Gen Z writers and innovators, Nicole Booz and Marina Crouse, the podcast is designed to give more context to your early 20s, including brain development, life changes, wellness, and self investment. The blend between research and personal experience has been lauded by listeners who feel that Nicole and Marina accurately capture this confusing and unique time in our lives.
5. Modern Love
According to its host, The New York Times, Modern Love is “a weekly column, a book, a podcast and a television show about relationships, feelings, betrayals and revelations.” The podcast itself, hosted by Anna Martin, takes a deep dive into the complexities of love and relationships and how it manifests itself in the everyday lives of ordinary people. The podcast is known for exploring the many manifestations of love, romance, and sex, among other relevant topics, and is highly recommended amongst its fanbase (which includes a lot of young people).