Last month, Seven Letter Insight’s Tracker, a survey designed to help decision-makers and leaders stay up-to-date with voter sentiment, was fielded from August 14-23, 2026, among 1300 representatively sampled American voters and opinion elites. Our latest results reveal just how much podcasts have become a regular part of the information landscape:

• Half of voters (52%) listen to podcasts at least weekly. Among opinion elites, that jumps to 80%… and they’re twice as likely as voters overall to listen daily (21% vs. 47% daily listeners).
• Learning is the common thread. A plurality of listeners (36%) say they tune in to learn something new. Voters also prioritize entertainment (28%, compared to 15% of opinion elite listeners), while opinion elites are especially motivated to stay informed about current events.
• Above all, the topic matters most for engagement. When asked what matters most in choosing a podcast, 51% pointed to the topic, far ahead of the host(s) (17%), the storytelling/production quality (11%), or guests (7%).
• Most listen to podcasts at home (56%) as a way to relax and wind down, though opinion elites are more likely to incorporate podcasts into their day while on the go or multitasking, like working or exercising.
• Listeners are looking for knowledge and new perspectives. After an episode, nearly half (46%) hope to have learned something new, followed by 32% who want a new perspective.

The takeaway for communicators: If you want to reach influential audiences, it’s not enough to simply be on a podcast. To reach listeners where they are, the key is to have something meaningful and original to say.

Draw them in with a compelling topic to open the door, engage them with useful insights, and offer a genuinely new perspective to make the conversation stick.

Seven Letter Insight’s Tracker delivers a cadence of data on the issues that matter most to you and your audience, equipping you with original insights for effective executive visibility or thought leadership. By keeping connected to the pulse of American voters and key influencers – month after month – we provide in real time the data, insights, and clarity you need to act… and to engage your audiences.