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. You can see an example of the podcast made by EssayPro experts on 'The Power of Storytelling'

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.

For a more clear illustration, here is an example from our online essay writer:

How to Cite a Personal Interview in MLA

When citing a personal interview in MLA format, you need to provide enough information for your readers to locate the interview themselves. This includes details such as the name of the interviewer, the name of the interviewee, the date of the interview, and the medium through which the interview was conducted.

For example, if you conducted a personal interview with a professor named Dr. Smith on March 10, 2024, your citation might look like this:

Example: Smith, John. Personal interview. 10 March 2024.

In this citation, "John Smith" is labeled as the interviewee, and the date of the interview is provided. The medium "Personal interview" indicates the format through which the interview was conducted.

How to Cite a Song in MLA 

When citing a song in MLA format, you need to include specific details to help your readers locate the song. This includes the name of the artist or band, the title of the song, the album's name (if applicable), the name of the recording label, the year the song was released, and the medium through which you accessed the song.

For example, if you're citing the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, your citation might look like this:

Example:

Queen. "Bohemian Rhapsody." A Night at the Opera, EMI Records, 1975, CD.

In this citation, "Queen" is the name of the band, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the title of the song, "A Night at the Opera" is the name of the album, "EMI Records" is the recording label, "1975" is the release year, and "CD" indicates the medium through which the song was accessed.

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:

Example:

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

1. MLA Style:

Podcast episode title: 'The Power of Mindfulness'

Podcast title: The Mindful Journey

Host(s): Jane Doe and John Smith

Publisher: Meditation Matters

Date published: June 15, 2023

URL: https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25

MLA citation:

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

2. APA Style:

Podcast episode title: The Power of Mindfulness

Podcast title: The Mindful Journey

Host(s): Doe, J., & Smith, J.

Publisher: Meditation Matters

Date published: 2023, June 15

URL: https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25

APA citation:

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

3. Chicago Style:

Podcast episode title: 'The Power of Mindfulness'

Podcast title: The Mindful Journey

Host(s): Jane Doe and John Smith

Publisher: Meditation Matters

Date published: June 15, 2023

URL: https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25

Chicago citation:

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

4. Harvard Style:

Podcast episode title: The Power of Mindfulness

Podcast title: The Mindful Journey

Host(s): Doe, J., & Smith, J.

Publisher: Meditation Matters

Date published: 2023

URL: https://www.example.com/podcast/the-mindful-journey/episode-25

Harvard citation:

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

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How to Cite a Video Podcast

When citing a video podcast, you want to make sure you give credit to the creators while helping your readers find the exact episode you're referencing. Video podcasts often include both audio and visual content, so you need to provide enough information for someone to locate the specific episode you're mentioning.

For example, if you were citing an episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, which is commonly available on YouTube, your citation might look like this:

Rogan, Joe. "Episode #1554 - Elon Musk." Joe Rogan Experience, YouTube, 7 May 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycPr5-27vSI.

In this example, "Joe Rogan Experience" is the name of the podcast, "Episode #1554 - Elon Musk" is the title of the specific episode, and the YouTube link provides direct access to the episode.

How to Cite a Podcast from an App

When citing a podcast from an app, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher, you need to consider how your readers can access the content you're referencing. Podcast apps usually offer a wide range of shows and episodes, so it's essential to specify the exact podcast and episode you're citing.

For instance, if you were citing an episode of the "The Daily" podcast, which is available on multiple platforms including Spotify, your citation might look like this:

"The Daily." Hosted by Michael Barbaro, The New York Times, Spotify, 20 April 2024, open.spotify.com/show/2KGL8ySgf7Ij7Stf8ukb3H.

In this example, "The Daily" is the name of the podcast, the host's name is included, and the Spotify link directs readers to the podcast's page on the platform. The publication date helps specify the episode being referenced.

How to Label the Author of a Podcast

When labeling the author of a podcast, it's important to identify who is responsible for creating or hosting the content. In many cases, podcasts have one or more hosts who lead the discussions or interviews, while others may have a team of contributors or a single individual behind the scenes.

For example, in the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show," Tim Ferriss is the primary host and creator. Therefore, when citing an episode from this podcast, you would label Tim Ferriss as the author.

Example:

Ferriss, Tim. "The Tim Ferriss Show - Episode #505: Brené Brown on Vulnerability, FFTs, and How to Be a Revolutionary Parent." The Tim Ferriss Show, 14 December 2023, tim.blog/podcast/.

In this citation, Tim Ferriss is labeled as the author of "The Tim Ferriss Show," as he is the primary host and creator of the podcast.

How to Cite Songs in Physical Formats

When citing songs in physical formats like CDs, vinyl records, or cassette tapes, you need to provide additional details about the format to help your readers locate the song. This includes specifying the format of the physical medium, such as CD, vinyl, or cassette, as well as any relevant information about the album or recording.

For example, if you're citing a song from a vinyl record, your citation might look like this:

Example:

Adele. "Rolling in the Deep." 21, XL Recordings, 2011, vinyl.

In this citation, "Adele" is the artist, "Rolling in the Deep" is the song title, "21" is the album name, "XL Recordings" is the recording label, "2011" is the release year, and "vinyl" indicates the physical format of the record.

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!

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