Podcasting has long been a space for deep dives, niche communities, and cult-like fandoms and now, as female listenership continues to rise, more women are stepping into the spotlight and actively shaping the conversation. They’re building platforms that are intimate, unfiltered, and deeply resonant with audiences seeking real connection.
Women are actively showing up as listeners in record numbers. According to Edison Research, 45% of U.S. women 18 and older are now monthly podcast listeners, a 15% increase from the year before. Even more notably, 67% of those women say they’re tuning in more than they were a year ago, proving this isn’t a passing trend, it’s a shift in how women connect with content.
The Women Breaking Barriers and Building Empires
With more women listening, more women are also leading. The podcast space is being powered by a new generation of creators who are expanding what influence looks like. They’re building media empires, challenging old norms, and using audio to own their stories on their terms.
Alexandra Cooper turned Call Her Daddy into one of the most influential shows in the world. What started as a podcast about dating and relationships has evolved into a defining voice in culture. Her record-breaking deal with SiriusXM marked a pivotal moment for women in audio and helped set a new standard for what female creators can demand and deliver. Stephanie Soo took true crime in a fresh direction with Rotten Mango, blending chilling stories with sharp commentary and immersive storytelling. Her signature approach has earned her a YouTube Innovator Award and a loyal audience that’s 78% female (Edison Podcast Metrics Show Ranker, Q3 2024). Yara Shahidi is bringing light to the space with The Optimist Project. Her podcast centers on hope, purpose, and the future, creating a platform where inspiration meets action. These creators are building more than podcasts.
Unfiltered and Unapologetically Hers
Women are seeking more than surface-level content and they’re looking for hosts who are honest, vulnerable, and willing to say what others won’t. That’s why unfiltered conversations are resonating so deeply.
According to the Edison Research Women’s Audio Report (Q4 2024):
- 71% of female listeners say they want podcasts that include honest conversations they can’t find elsewhere
- 73% value the transparency and authenticity of their favorite hosts
- Two in three say they prefer listening to podcasts with uncensored dialogue
This shift is creating space for new kinds of conversations and new kinds of connection. Podcasts like Pretty Lonesome with Madeline Argy and It’s Me, Tinx feel like personal voice notes from a friend. They’re messy and real in a way that reflects how women actually live, think, and feel.
Audio Bonds That Go Beyond The Mic
For women, podcasting is emotional and more than just a media habit. Audio offers a rare sense of closeness that keeps listeners coming back, episode after episode.
According to Podsurvey Q2 2024 and SiriusXM Media Culture Trends Report 2024:
- 43% of women say the podcasts they listen to reflect their identity
- 1 in 3 say their favorite podcast host feels like a friend
- 35% say podcasts help them connect with a community of like-minded people
- 42% say audio helps them feel more connected to people like them and their culture
Gone are the days of passive listening, women are now active participants in the worlds their favorite creators build. The Call Her Daddy “Daddy Gang” is a perfect example of this. What started as a loyal listener base is now a full-blown fandom, extending across social, merch, and live events.
To sum it all up, as women continue to drive listenership and redefine what it means to create and connect, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a rise in numbers, it’s a reshaping of the medium itself. From the hosts behind the mic to the listeners who show up week after week, women are fueling this new era of podcasting.
Author
Brianna Oates,
Sales Marketing Manager, Audiences,
SiriusXM Media