What are podcasts?
Podcasts are audio files you can listen to from a website, or download to your smartphone, laptop, computer, and listen to whenever you like. Podcasts are spoken word, audio episodes, focused on a particular topic or theme. Some podcasts are often compared to listening to an audiobook.
Podcasts are arranged in one or more episodes. Many podcasts feature stand-alone episodes. Other podcasts feature episodes that continue a story. For podcasts that release many episodes, they may be organized by season, or year they were released.
How often are podcasts updated, and do I have to listen to episodes in order?
Individual podcast episodes may be released daily, weekly, monthly, or just once.
Depending on the podcast, it may not be necessary to listen to each episode in order. Many podcasts features stand-alone episodes. Other podcasts feature episodes that continue a story.
What makes listening to podcasts fun?
There are new podcasts coming out each day as well podcasts that have been around a while, and just as many podcasts that are no longer being updated but are available to listen to. Podcasts offer a complete rainbow of listening options. Listen for entertainment, education, escape, relaxation, make your commute go faster, and/or stay up-to-date with current news and trends.
You can listen to podcasts directly from the individual podcast website, and download and listen to one episode at a time. You can also use a podcast app to listen to an individual podcast or use the app to subscribe to the podcast and have episodes automatically delivered to your device to listen to at another time.
There are a number of podcast listening apps available. All have many of the same features but some have more. Some podcast apps are free to use but offer extra features that cost money. And there are other podcasts apps out there that cost either a flat fee, or based on a yearly subscription price. Podcasts apps may also allow you to listen to music, like Spotify, or they may be just for listening to podcasts, like Apple's Podcast app. In any case there are lots of features to consider. .
The links below will take you to articles that go more in-depth about podcasts apps and all they can do for you.
Broadcasters, Newspapers, Magazines, Media &Sport Channels, Celebrities, Nonprofit organizations, & Podcast Producers
There are an incredible amount of people out there producing podcasts. Here are links to the podcast pages for just a few of them! If you like a podcast, check out who produces it because chances are good they have other podcasts you would be interested in.
National Public Radio - and remember, most states have their own public radio station many of who produce content they make available via podcasts. Here are a couple of examples: Alaska Public Radio, New York Public Radio, and Minnesota Public Radio.
BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation
Once you start listening to podcasts it is easy to get hooked! So how can you find new podcasts to listen to? Sometimes it is as easy as asking a friend, or checking out a podcast column in a newspaper or magazine. You can also do a search using your favorite search engine. Here are a few examples of searches you could do: "top podcasts for 2020," or "best comedy podcasts," or "most listened to podcasts. There are also charting services for podcasts to let you know what is popular. Many of these services also feature subject guides to find podcasts on a particular topic. Last but least there are two podcast groups included that also offer a great way to learn about new podcasts and connect with others who listen.