Best podcasts on SiriusXM you should be listening to in 2026

SiriusXM is no longer just satellite radio for your car — it is now the number-one podcast network in the United States, according to Edison Research's Q3 2025 rankings. With over 2,500 shows and 70 million monthly podcast listeners under its umbrella, the best podcasts on SiriusXM span every genre from comedy and true crime to news, culture, and personal development. But with a catalog that massive, finding the shows actually worth your time can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

This guide breaks down the standout SiriusXM podcasts across every major category, explains whether the Podcasts+ subscription is worth it, and shows you how AI-powered podcast apps like TrimPod can help you discover even more great shows — whether they are on SiriusXM or not.

Why SiriusXM became a podcast powerhouse

SiriusXM's rise in podcasting didn't happen by accident. After acquiring Stitcher in 2020 and the Earwolf podcast network, the company consolidated some of the most recognizable names in audio under one roof. By late 2025, SiriusXM Podcasts was named the number-one channel on Apple Podcasts, and the SiriusXM Podcast Network overtook Spotify for the top spot among U.S. podcast networks based on weekly reach.

The network now includes 15 premium podcast sub-networks and partnerships with major content providers including ESPN, NPR, HBO, and Marvel Entertainment. SiriusXM also produces a growing slate of original and exclusive shows that you cannot find anywhere else.

For listeners, this means access to a deep library that blends mainstream favorites with exclusive content. Here are the best podcasts on SiriusXM you should be listening to right now.

Best comedy podcasts on SiriusXM

Comedy is where SiriusXM's podcast catalog truly shines. Several of the platform's biggest shows sit in this category, and they consistently rank among the most-listened-to podcasts in the world.

SmartLess

Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett

SmartLess is one of the most popular podcasts in any category. In each episode, one host surprises the other two with a mystery guest, leading to genuinely improvised and hilarious conversations. The show earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Podcast in 2026 and regularly features A-list guests from entertainment, politics, sports, and beyond. If you listen to only one SiriusXM podcast, this is the one.

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Host: Conan O'Brien

After 25 years behind the late-night desk, Conan O'Brien transitioned into podcasting and never looked back. The show won two Ambies awards in 2026 — Best Comedy Podcast and Best Ad Read — and has amassed over 680 episodes. Conan's self-deprecating humor and genuine curiosity make every interview feel like eavesdropping on two friends catching up. The show is part of Team Coco and Earwolf, both under SiriusXM's umbrella.

Comedy Bang! Bang!

Host: Scott Aukerman

A long-running favorite in the improv comedy world, Comedy Bang! Bang! features comedians and actors in character-driven improvisational conversations. It is unpredictable, absurd, and deeply funny — a must for anyone who loves sketch and improv comedy.

Best true crime and storytelling podcasts on SiriusXM

True crime remains one of the most popular podcast genres worldwide, and SiriusXM has several standout options.

Morbid

Hosts: Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley

Morbid blends true crime case breakdowns with a conversational, darkly humorous tone that has earned it a massive following. The show covers everything from serial killers and unsolved mysteries to paranormal events. With a devoted fanbase, Morbid regularly sells out live shows — including a scheduled performance at Radio City Music Hall in 2026.

Last Podcast on the Left

Hosts: Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski

This show dives deep into the darker side of history, covering true crime, cults, conspiracy theories, and the occult with exhaustive research and irreverent humor. Last Podcast on the Left is a SiriusXM exclusive and one of the platform's most distinctive offerings. If you want thorough case coverage that does not take itself too seriously, this is your show.

Scam Goddess

Host: Laci Mosley

Part comedy, part true crime, Scam Goddess covers the world's most outrageous cons, frauds, and scams. Host Laci Mosley brings infectious energy and sharp commentary to every episode, making it one of the most entertaining and binge-worthy shows on the platform.

Best news and talk podcasts on SiriusXM

For listeners who want to stay informed while commuting, working out, or doing chores, SiriusXM offers strong options in the news and talk category.

The Megyn Kelly Show

Host: Megyn Kelly

One of the most-listened-to talk podcasts on the platform, The Megyn Kelly Show covers politics, culture, and current events with long-form interviews and commentary. Love her or not, Kelly's show consistently drives conversation and ranks among the top news podcasts in the U.S.

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Host: Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast is the number-one education and self-improvement podcast worldwide. Robbins delivers research-backed strategies for motivation, productivity, confidence, and mental health — all in a direct, highly actionable style. The show was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Podcast alongside SmartLess, which speaks to its crossover appeal beyond the self-help audience.

Call Her Daddy

Host: Alex Cooper

What started as a provocative relationship and dating podcast has evolved into one of the biggest interview shows in the industry. Alex Cooper now sits down with celebrities, athletes, and newsmakers for candid, long-form conversations. Also a 2026 Golden Globe Best Podcast nominee, Call Her Daddy is a SiriusXM flagship.

Best educational and culture podcasts on SiriusXM

If you listen to podcasts to learn something new, SiriusXM's catalog includes some of the most acclaimed educational shows in podcasting.

99% Invisible

Host: Roman Mars

99% Invisible explores the unnoticed design and architecture that shapes our everyday world. From the design of hospital gowns to the history of revolving doors, each episode reveals the thought and intention behind things most people overlook. It is consistently ranked among the best podcasts ever made and is essential listening for anyone curious about how the world works.

Freakonomics Radio

Host: Stephen Dubner

Based on the bestselling book, Freakonomics Radio applies economic thinking to unexpected topics — from why people cheat to how to fix American healthcare. The show has been running for over a decade and remains one of the smartest, most engaging interview and storytelling podcasts available. It is part of the SiriusXM Podcasts+ lineup.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Host: Dax Shepard

Another Golden Globe Best Podcast nominee, Armchair Expert features deep, vulnerable, and often funny conversations with celebrities, scientists, and experts. Dax Shepard's interview style is uniquely personal — he shares his own struggles and experiences alongside his guests, creating a level of intimacy rare in interview podcasts.

SiriusXM originals and exclusives you cannot find anywhere else

One of the strongest reasons to explore SiriusXM's podcast offerings is the growing slate of original and exclusive content.

• The Morgan Stewart Show — A brand-new podcast debut from the fashion and entertainment personality, exclusively on SiriusXM.

• Casuals with Katie Nolan — A sports podcast designed for the casual fan who wants to talk sports without feeling like an outsider. Katie Nolan's humor and accessibility make this a standout.

• Marvel's Declassified and Marvel/Method — Exclusive audio series from Marvel Entertainment, featuring acclaimed rapper Method Man and deep dives into the Marvel universe.

• Last Update on the Left — A companion to Last Podcast on the Left, available exclusively to SiriusXM subscribers.

• Cuomo Mornings — Chris Cuomo's exclusive live show on the POTUS Politics channel, featuring prominent political guests.

These exclusives give SiriusXM subscribers content they genuinely cannot get on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other platform — making the subscription more valuable than many listeners realize.

Is SiriusXM Podcasts+ worth it?

SiriusXM offers a podcast-only subscription tier called Podcasts+, priced at $5.99 per month or $44.99 per year. It includes over 60 shows with these perks:

• 7-day early access to new episodes on select shows

• Exclusive bonus content not available on the free feed

• Ad-free new episodes across all included shows

Podcasts+ is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and other major apps — you do not need to use the SiriusXM app.

Is it worth it? If you regularly listen to three or more of the shows listed above — especially SmartLess, Conan O'Brien, 99% Invisible, or Freakonomics — the ad-free experience and early access alone justify the cost. For casual listeners who follow one or two SiriusXM shows, the free versions are perfectly fine.

If you already have a full SiriusXM subscription with streaming, you get access to all these podcasts in the SiriusXM app at no extra charge. Podcasts+ is specifically designed for people who want podcast-only access on third-party apps.

What SiriusXM podcasts are missing — and how to fix it

SiriusXM's podcast catalog is impressive, but it has a real limitation: discovery is largely manual. The SiriusXM app organizes podcasts by genre and editorial picks, but it does not offer personalized recommendations based on your actual listening behavior. If you have already heard the big-name shows, finding your next favorite podcast on SiriusXM requires browsing, reading descriptions, and trial-and-error listening.

This is a common problem across most podcast platforms. According to Edison Research's Infinite Dial 2025 report, the average weekly podcast listener in the U.S. now listens to eight shows per week — but most people discover new podcasts through word-of-mouth or social media, not through the apps themselves.

AI-powered podcast discovery tools solve this problem. Instead of relying on static genre categories or editorial picks, they analyze your listening patterns, preferences, and interests to surface shows and episodes you would never find on your own.

How to discover the best podcasts beyond SiriusXM's catalog

SiriusXM's 2,500-plus shows represent a fraction of the estimated 4 million podcasts available globally. Even if you love the SiriusXM lineup, the chances are high that some of your next favorite shows live outside the network.

This is exactly where TrimPod, an AI-powered podcast app that recommends and summarizes podcasts, fills the gap that platforms like SiriusXM leave open. TrimPod analyzes thousands of podcasts across every genre and every platform — not just one network's catalog — and surfaces the shows and episodes most relevant to your personal taste.

AI-generated podcast summaries save time

One of the biggest barriers to trying new podcasts is the time commitment. A typical podcast episode runs 45 to 90 minutes, and you do not know if it is worth your time until you are already invested. TrimPod solves this with AI-generated episode summaries that deliver key takeaways, highlights, and timestamps in minutes. You can quickly scan a summary to decide whether to listen to the full episode — or get the essential insights without listening at all.

Smart recommendations that improve over time

Unlike SiriusXM's static editorial curation, TrimPod's recommendations get smarter the more you listen. The AI learns your preferences across genres, topics, hosts, and conversation styles to deliver increasingly personalized suggestions. Whether you are into true crime deep dives, tech news, comedy interviews, or niche history shows, TrimPod connects the dots across the entire podcast ecosystem.

Personalized playlists and smart queues

TrimPod also lets you set your mood, available time, or learning goals and builds a listening session around those parameters. Heading into a 20-minute commute? TrimPod queues up the right mix. Want to deep-dive into a specific topic across multiple shows? TrimPod creates a topic-based collection that pulls from every relevant podcast, not just the ones in a single network's catalog.

For SiriusXM listeners who already love the shows listed in this guide, TrimPod is the natural next step — it helps you discover equally great content that lives outside SiriusXM's walls, all personalized to your unique taste.

Start listening smarter

The best podcasts on SiriusXM in 2026 span comedy heavyweights like SmartLess and Conan O'Brien, true crime staples like Morbid and Last Podcast on the Left, acclaimed educational shows like 99% Invisible and Freakonomics, and a growing slate of exclusives you cannot hear anywhere else. Whether you go all-in with a full SiriusXM subscription or pick up the Podcasts+ tier for ad-free listening, the catalog is genuinely strong.

But great podcasting does not stop at one network's catalog. If you are ready to move beyond manual browsing and discover podcasts tailored specifically to you — across every platform, every genre, and every niche — TrimPod's AI-powered recommendations surface exactly what you will love, in seconds. Give it a try and let the algorithm do the scrolling for you.