How to Cite a Podcast: The Ultimate Guide

Did you know that the term 'podcast' is a portmanteau of 'iPod' and 'broadcast'? It was coined in 2004 by journalist Ben Hammersley in an article for The Guardian. Despite its name's origin, you don't need an iPod to listen to podcasts; they can be accessed and enjoyed on various platforms, from smartphones and tablets to computers and smart speakers. This thriving medium offers a treasure trove of information and entertainment, covering virtually every topic imaginable. As the popularity of podcasts continues to soar, it's essential to understand how to properly cite them, ensuring that their creators receive the recognition they deserve while strengthening the credibility and reliability of your own work. 

How to Cite a Podcast: Short Summary

In this ultimate guide, we will delve into the art of citing a podcast, providing you with all the tools you need to navigate this fascinating world of auditory content and scholarly citation. We will explore different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago, and provide clear guidelines on how to format a citation accordingly.

What Is a Podcast: Understanding the Concept

Podcasts have transformed the way we consume audio content, offering a unique and versatile medium for information, entertainment, and storytelling. In essence, a podcast is a digital audio series that can be downloaded or streamed from the internet. It allows individuals or organizations to create and share episodic content on a wide range of topics, from news and education to comedy and true crime.

Unlike traditional radio broadcasts, podcasts offer listeners the flexibility to choose what they want to hear when they want to hear it. They can be accessed through dedicated podcasting platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts, or directly through websites and apps. With just a few clicks, listeners can subscribe to their favorite shows and receive automatic updates whenever new episodes are released.

With their immersive and on-demand nature, podcasts have gained immense popularity, providing a platform for diverse voices, fostering community engagement, and fostering intellectual exploration. They offer a convenient and personalized way to stay informed, entertained, or inspired, whether you're commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing at home. From thought-provoking interviews and educational podcasts to captivating storytelling and lively debates, there is a podcast out there for every interest and taste.

Citation Formats: A Brief Overview

Alright, let's take a moment to understand why learning how to cite a podcast is so important in the first place! Citation formats may sound a bit dull, but trust us; they serve a crucial purpose.

Think of citation formats as the rules of the citation game. They ensure that you give proper credit where it's due and prevent any accidental plagiarism. Each format has its own set of guidelines for different types of sources, like books, journals, and websites. They tell you exactly what information to include in your citation and how to arrange it. When it comes to podcasts, the most common citation formats are MLA and APA. They've got you covered when you want to give props to those awesome podcast audio gems you've been listening to.

So, if you're asking, 'how to cite a podcast MLA' or 'how to cite a podcast APA,' don't worry; our write my paper experts are here to provide guidance and support as you navigate the citation process. So, grab your pen and paper (or keyboard and screen), and let's get started on creating an outstanding paper together!

How to Cite a Podcast MLA

When it comes to citing a podcast MLA style, there are a few key elements you need to include in your citation. First up is the podcast title. It's the star of the show and should be italicized to stand out. Next, if the episode has a specific title, make sure to include it in quotation marks. Think of it as the episode's catchy subtitle.

Now, let's not forget about the hosts, the fabulous individuals behind the microphone. Include their names after the episode title, separated by a comma. Also, remember to list them with their last name followed by their first name.

Publication date is also essential in podcast citation. Include the day, month (abbreviated), and year in that order. But what if the podcast doesn't have an episode title or publication date, you ask? Well, fret not, my friend! We'll tackle those tricky scenarios as well.

Lastly, provide the URL or the website where you accessed the podcast. This allows your readers to embark on their own auditory adventure and listen to the podcast you're referencing. For a more clear illustration, here is an example from our online essay writer:

Podcast Title: The Curious Explorer Episode

Title: 'Unraveling Ancient Mysteries'

Hosts: Smith, Emily and Johnson, David Publication

Date: 15 Feb. 2023

URL: www.examplepodcast.com/episode123

MLA Citation:

Smith, Emily, and David Johnson. 'Unraveling Ancient Mysteries.' The Curious Explorer, 15 Feb. 2023, www.examplepodcast.com/episode123.

How to Cite a Podcast APA

Citing a podcast APA style follows a specific format. Let's go through the steps to create an APA citation for a podcast:

1. Start with the podcast host(s): Begin your citation by listing the last name and initials of the host or hosts. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
2. Provide the publication date: Include the year, month, and day of the podcast episode's publication or release. If the exact date is unknown, use the year alone.
3. Specify the episode title: Enclose the title of the episode in sentence case. This means capitalizing only the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns. Italicize the episode title.
4. Include the podcast title: Write the name of the podcast in sentence case. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns. Italicize the podcast title.
5. Mention the podcast platform: State the name of the podcast platform or app in italics. This is where the podcast can be accessed or downloaded.
6. Provide the URL or DOI: Conclude the citation by including the URL or Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the specific episode. If a DOI is available, use that instead of the URL.

Example:

Podcast Title: The Curious Explorer Episode

Title: Unraveling Ancient Mysteries

Hosts: Smith, E., & Johnson, D.

Publication Date: 2023, February 15

Podcast Platform: Apple Podcasts

URL: www.examplepodcast.com/episode123

APA Citation:

Smith, E., & Johnson, D. (2023, February 15). Unraveling Ancient Mysteries [Audio podcast episode]. The Curious Explorer. Apple Podcasts. Retrieved from www.examplepodcast.com/episode123.

If you were wondering about the difference between MLA and APA style when citing a podcast, here's a detailed breakdown:

Citing a Podcast in Harvard Style

When curious how to cite a podcast in Harvard style, follow the following format:

Host(s) Last Name(s), Initial(s). (Year). Episode title [Audio podcast episode]. Podcast title. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

For example, let's say we want to cite a podcast episode titled 'Unraveling Ancient Mysteries' from the podcast 'The Curious Explorer,' hosted by Emily Smith and David Johnson, published in 2023, and accessed on July 1, 2023, from www.examplepodcast.com/episode123. The citation would look like this:

Smith, E. and Johnson, D. (2023). Unraveling Ancient Mysteries [Audio podcast episode]. The Curious Explorer. Available at: www.examplepodcast.com/episode123 (Accessed: 1 July 2023).

In this example, the last names and initials of the hosts are listed, followed by the publication year in parentheses. The episode title is enclosed in square brackets, indicating it is an audio podcast episode. The podcast title is in italics. The URL is provided after 'Available at:,' and the date of access is mentioned after 'Accessed:' in the format of Day Month Year.

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Citing a Podcast in Chicago Style

To cite a podcast in Chicago style, follow the guidelines below:

In-Text Citation:

For an in-text citation, include the speaker's last name, the episode title or a brief description, and the timestamp (if applicable).

Example 1:

According to John Doe, in the podcast episode 'The Future of Technology' (12:30),...

Example 2:

In a recent episode of the podcast 'Science Explorers,' the host discusses the importance of climate change awareness (Smith).

Bibliography Entry:

For the bibliography entry, include the following information:

Podcast Episode:

Last Name, First Name. 'Episode Title.' Podcast Title, episode number (if available), running time (if available), Month, Day, Year, URL, or DOI (if applicable).

Example:

Smith, Jane. 'The Art of Storytelling.' The Creative Mind Podcast, episode 45, 35:20, May 5, 2023, https://www.example.com/podcast/the-creative-mind-ep45.

Podcast Series (General Citation):

Last Name, First Name. 'Episode Title.' Podcast Title, Month, Day, Year, URL, or DOI (if applicable).

Example:

Doe, John. 'The Future of Technology.' Technology Talks, June 15, 2023, https://www.example.com/podcast/technology-talks.

Note: If an individual episode has a separate title, include it in quotation marks. If the podcast series has a distinct title, italicize it. Ensure that the URLs or DOIs provided are active and accessible.

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Podcast Citation Examples in Different Styles

Here are 4 distinct examples for citing in each style

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FAQ

What is the Best Format for Citing a Podcast?

The best format for citing a podcast depends on the specific citation style required by the institution, publisher, or instructor. Common citation styles include MLA, APA, Chicago, and Harvard. When citing a podcast, it's essential to include information such as the episode title, podcast title, host(s), publisher, date published, and the URL or a stable link to the podcast episode. Using the appropriate MLA citation example or any other style ensures proper attribution and allows readers or listeners to locate the original source easily.

How to Include a Timestamp?

1. MLA Style: In MLA style, timestamps are typically not included in citations. Instead, you can provide a description or a brief summary of the relevant portion of the podcast within the citation.
2. APA Style: In APA style, timestamps can be included within the in-text citation. Use the format 'hh:mm:ss' to indicate the specific time in the podcast episode where the information or quote you are referencing occurs. Example: (Doe & Smith, 2023, 23:45)
3. Chicago Style: In Chicago style, you can include timestamps within the citation, specifically in the notes or the bibliography section. Use the format 'hh:mm:ss' to indicate the specific time in the podcast episode where the information or quote is found. Example: 'The Power of Mindfulness.' The Mindful Journey, hosted by Jane Doe and John Smith, Meditation Matters, June 15, 2023, 23:45, https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25.
4. Harvard Style: In Harvard style, timestamps can be included within the citation, usually within parentheses after the relevant information. Example: (Doe & Smith 2023, 23:45)

How Do You Reference a Guest on a Podcast?

When unsure how to reference a podcast with a guest on it, you can follow these guidelines depending on the citation style:

1. MLA Style: In MLA style, you can include the guest's name as an additional contributor in the citation.

Example: Doe, Jane, and John Smith. 'The Power of Mindfulness.' The Mindful Journey, hosted by Jane Doe and John Smith, featuring guest speaker Emma Johnson, Meditation Matters, 15 June 2023, https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25.

2. APA Style: In APA style, you can include the guest's name as an additional contributor in the citation.

Example: Doe, J., & Smith, J. (Hosts). (2023, June 15). The Power of Mindfulness [Audio podcast episode]. In The Mindful Journey. Meditation Matters. Featuring guest speaker E. Johnson. Retrieved from https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25

3. Chicago Style: In Chicago style, you can mention the guest's name in the citation, typically within the episode title or description.

Example: 'The Power of Mindfulness.' The Mindful Journey. Hosted by Jane Doe and John Smith. Featuring guest speaker Emma Johnson. Meditation Matters, June 15, 2023. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25.

4. Harvard Style: In Harvard style, you can include the guest's name as part of the citation, usually in parentheses after the relevant information.

Example: Doe, J. and Smith, J. (2023). The Power of Mindfulness. [Podcast] The Mindful Journey. Meditation Matters. Featuring guest speaker Emma Johnson. Available at: https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25 [Accessed 3 July 2023].

Wrapping Up

In a nutshell, citing a podcast is a crucial part of giving credit where it's due and helping others find the valuable information you've used. Don't worry; it's not as intimidating as it might seem! Just follow the step-by-step guide we've laid out, and you'll be well on your way to creating accurate and friendly citations.

Remember to include key details like the episode title, podcast name, hosts, publication date, and even timestamps or guest speakers if necessary. By following these simple guidelines, you'll be able to show your appreciation for the podcast creators while maintaining a friendly and approachable tone in your citations!