Podcast Picks: The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is an art—and podcasts elevate it into a fully immersive experience. Through the power of audio, creators build worlds, spark emotion, and capture attention in ways few mediums can. For advertisers, that means more reach. Podcasts offer the chance to connect with deeply engaged listeners who are leaned in.

More than food

Tune in with Dan Pashman on The Sporkful, where he explores food as a gateway to culture, identity, and connection. Since its launch, the show has earned three James Beard Awards, two Webby Awards, and was even recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best podcasts of all time. This audience is both affluent and educated—70% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and 58% earn $100K+. And they’re highly responsive to ads, 88% researched a product they heard advertised and 79% visited brand websites. With a strong interest in books (82%), wine and spirits (76%), and travel (72%), these listeners are engaged, curious, and ready to discover more than just the next biggest foodie obsession. 

Where curiosity meets action

Step inside Hidden Brain, where Shankar Vedantam has guided listeners through the complexities of human behavior since 2015. The show has an audience that is highly educated (80% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher), financially established (56% have a HHI of $100K+), and the show attracts curious, career-driven listeners with a passion for books (76%) and travel (61%). And they’re not just listening to the content, they’re acting on what they hear—79% purchase products they hear about, while 66% have visited an advertiser's website.

Plus, check out the results Hidden Brain got for a financial services brand.

Storytelling, performed to perfection

Hosted by novelist Meg Wolitzer, Selected Shorts brings fiction to life through captivating performances from voices across film, theatre, and comedy. With a predominantly female audience (68%) and a strong reach across age groups like 25-34 (24%) and 45-54 (23%), the show delivers a unique blend of literary depth and entertainment that resonates across generations.

Suspense you can hear

This show is hosted by a voice true crime and spooky story lovers know well—Keith Morrison pulls listeners into the world of Morrison Mysteries, where every episode unfolds with thrills and unexpected twists. From chilling originals to immersive classics like A Christmas Carol, the show captivates a largely female audience (64%), and draws in listeners aged 45-54 (34%) who are hooked on every turn.

Fandom runs deep

Calling all romantasy lovers—LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City plunges into the fae and magic-wielding world created by Sarah J. Maas, as Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski break down every twist, romance, and theory behind her iconic fantasy series. With a 73% female audience and a community driven by passion, emotions, and little hint of danger, the audience is as devoted to listening as they are to reading their favorite books. In fact, Sarah J. Maas’s novels are so popular, she recently joined Alex Cooper for a thrilling interview on Call Her Daddy—proof of this powerful fandom and an even stronger case for brands to get in front of them now.

From food, to literature, to thrilling stories, the SiriusXM Podcast Network has shows that bring listeners in and keep them coming back for more every week. Be a part of the magic of storytelling—let’s talk.

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