6 Black-Hosted Podcasts That Are Influencing Culture Today

The voices and ideas of Black creatives fuel Black culture, pushing the community forward. When it comes to audio, Black-hosted podcasts are beyond influential—they’re key to starting social media trends, unpacking current events, and removing stigmas. Black-hosted podcasts are not only important to their listeners, but to the culture. We found that 91% of our Black listeners say that they’re proud of their culture, and they are 44% more likely to say they express their cultural pride and identity through the podcast content they consume.  

Over 20 podcasts in the SiriusXM Podcast Network are hosted by iconic voices within the Black community, with many sparking cultural conversations across the country. The Shake Up trend in our latest Podcast Trends Report, underlines how important it is for brands to keep up with the changing podcast landscape and invest in diverse podcasters. And because we don’t need a reason to celebrate Black podcasts, we’re shining a spotlight on our library of Black-hosted shows. How many of these have you added to your queue? 

Black Listeners Culturally Connect via Audio 

What better way to hear about cultural events than via audio? From getting insight on issues that hit home to staying updated on pop culture and news, six in 10 Black listeners say podcasts that explore topics directly impacting their community connect them to their culture.

Scam Goddess 

Scam Goddess, hosted by Laci Mosley, isn’t just a source of entertainment but a show that covers personal and relatable topics, making it one of the top overall podcasts for Black listeners. For the Black community, one of their top priorities is securing their finances and avoiding frauds or scams. Every week, Mosley and industry-leading comedians break down historic scams along with the latest stories of fraud and racketeering. Listeners receive a rundown of scams and financial fraud cases from a comedic lens, while gaining awareness of how to avoid scams in their own lives.

Mosley delivers true crime in a lighthearted way, while exploring one of the biggest sources of mistrust in the Black community. This show is the perfect fit for advertisers looking to connect with educated, Black Gen Zers and millennials. 

The Read 

The Read is another high-performing show in our network, but it’s co-hosts Crissle and Kid Fury’s impact on the Black community that’s particularly special. With 52% of Black listeners saying that podcasts about current events affecting their cultural community connects them to their culture, The Read is the place to be for the pop culture news and unique perspectives. From Beyoncé, to mental health, to reality TV, to politics, Crissle and Kid Fury share current events with their unfiltered takes and lingo, allowing listeners to relate to the many realities and stories from around the world. 

The Read’s connection to fans isn’t limited to the 65-minute weekly episodes. With a collective Instagram following of 451K, including the show’s and co-hosts’ accounts, the duo has leaned into their growing community IRL by hosting an in-person taping for the last two years—with the help of SiriusXM Media and sponsoring brands. 

Celebrating the Diversity in Blackness

Blackness is diverse, as reflected through geography, sexuality, culture, religion, and more. So it’s no surprise that 69% of Black adults 18 and up seek out diverse opinions and perspectives in audio content.

Trials to Triumphs 

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins’ Trials to Triumphs podcast perfectly captures the many facets of Blackness, as she hosts conversations with prominent figures in Black culture to explore their personal and professional struggles and triumphs—inspiring listeners to persevere. Brands can create ads that resonate by celebrating the many facets of Black life, just as Trials to Triumphs does. 

In Your Dreams 

Another podcast bringing a fresh perspective to the table is In Your Dreams, hosted by actor, writer, and podcast host Owen Thiele. Thiele, who identifies as Black and queer, explores the unique nuances of his identity, shedding light on yet another dimension of Blackness. Through engaging and hilarious interviews with some of the biggest Gen Z names in pop culture, from Emma Chamberlain to Rachel Sennott, he offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the intersection of culture and identity.

As part of the Unwell Network, In Your Dreams allows brands to tap into the #1 network with women, with a powerful combined social reach of 37M. 

Finding Authenticity and Trust in Black Voices 

A podcast can have a top-notch theme, guests, and interviews, but if you’re not a fan of the host—you’re probably not tuning in. In fact, 62% of our Black listeners say the host plays a huge role in the podcasts they consume. For many, listening to a podcast with a Black host they connect with can feel like speaking with a friend or family member. And we have just the shows to fulfill this need. 

Gettin’ Grown 

On Gettin’ Grown, co-hosts Keia and Jade dig deep in discussing growing pains and adulting. As friends, aunties, and professionals, they get vulnerable about maintaining friendships, mixing business with pleasure, navigating political times, and more. Black female listeners in particular connect to the transparency and openness of Keia and Jade as they discuss personal topics that aren’t shared openly in the Black community—seeing themselves in these hosts.

Advertisers can expand their reach by investing in creators like Keia and Jade, especially as 59% of Black listeners say podcasts with hosts from their cultural background connect them to their culture.

Super Soul 

Gettin’ Grown is one of the many podcasts that cultivate trust among Black communities. Oprah Winfrey’s podcast Super Soul provides listeners with an intimate conversation with someone they see as a role model. Known for her wisdom and relatability, Winfrey is a media figure whose claim to fame was her authenticity and natural ability to connect with others. She’s made an impact around the world, but especially in the Black community. From numerous industry accolades to yearly tributes during Black History Month, the community acknowledges her role in inspiring the community to succeed.

Super Soul isn’t a lecture about life lessons but a safe space for conversations with thought leaders. Through this show, brands can reach listeners that want to awaken their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them. 

Resonate with Black Voices with SiriusXM Media 

The content, representation, and hosts that podcast listeners know and love all live in the SiriusXM Podcast Network. These podcasts are just a glimpse of what our network has to offer. Remember, by investing in diverse voices, you’re reaching the 63% of Black podcast listeners who think it’s important that the podcasts they consume include Black stories and perspectives.

If you’re looking to strengthen your multicultural marketing, our Black Voices Curated Collection is the ultimate package of Black-hosted podcast content, empowering advertisers to support these diverse perspectives and many more. 

Not sure where to get started? The Multicultural Advertising Playbook is your jumping-off point to creating campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.

Ready to uplift Black voices, today and every day? Let’s chat.