You’re not alone.

Finding the most interesting podcasts can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

This guide will help you discover some truly captivating podcasts that are worth your time.

Why Podcasts Are the Best Way to Learn and Be Entertained

Podcasts are more than just background noise.

They can be a source of inspiration, knowledge, and entertainment.

Think about it.

Where else can you learn about the history of ancient Rome while cooking dinner?
Or hear firsthand accounts of true crime stories on your morning commute?

Podcasts allow you to multitask while diving into a world of fascinating stories and insights.
Whether you’re into business, history, comedy, or science, there’s a podcast out there for you.

What Makes a Podcast Interesting?

An interesting podcast grabs your attention from the first minute and keeps you hooked until the end. People have 8 second attention spans, so the most interesting podcasts respect the listener’s time.

It’s all about storytelling, engaging hosts, and unique perspectives.

Let’s break it down:

• Compelling Stories: A good story can make even the driest topics interesting.
• Engaging Hosts: A great host can turn a simple interview into a riveting conversation.
• Unique Perspectives: Podcasts that offer fresh viewpoints on familiar topics stand out. This can be news, cultural discussions, history, or more.
  
  But the most interesting podcasts take an oblique angle on the subject.
  
  They challenge the listener.

The Top 14 Most Interesting Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

This American Life

Hosted by Ira Glass, this podcast explores a wide range of themes and stories that are both captivating and thought-provoking.

Each episode blends investigative journalism, essays, and memoirs that touch on universal human experiences.

Chartable Data: Consistently ranks in the top 10 for news and culture podcasts globally.

Serial

Hosted by Sarah Koenig, this true crime podcast redefined the genre and has kept listeners on the edge of their seats since its debut. Even if you aren’t a True Crime genre fan, this is one of the most interesting podcasts simply because it changed the game.

Each season explores a different real-life case, unraveling the complexities and mysteries involved.

Chartable Data: “Serial” has over 300 million total downloads and remains one of the most talked-about podcasts in the true crime genre.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Radiolab

For those who love science and philosophy, “Radiolab” is a must-listen.

Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser host the show, which makes complex topics accessible and engaging through a mix of storytelling and scientific inquiry.

The recent host change has been met with some mixed feedback. Changing hosts midstream certainly qualifies it to remain one of the most interesting podcasts.

Chartable Data: Regularly features in the top 50 podcasts across various categories.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

The Daily

Stay updated with the most important news of the day with “The Daily.”

This podcast from The New York Times provides deep dives into current events with insightful analysis.

Hosted by Michael Barbaro, it offers a fresh perspective on the biggest stories of our time. And it does it in roughly 20 minutes a day. There’s no better way to get a handle on the day’s going ons.

Chartable Data: As of this writing, The Daily is the third most listened to podcast on Apple Podcasts. That’s impressive.

Listen to on Apple Podcasts.

How I Built This

If you’re into entrepreneurship and innovation, “How I Built This” will inspire you.

Host Guy Raz interviews the founders of some of the world’s most successful companies, delving into their journeys, challenges, and successes. In a capitalist economy, it ticks all the boxes for ranking as one of the most interesting podcasts.

Chartable Data: Frequently ranked in the top 20 for business podcasts, with over 200,000 downloads per episode.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Stuff You Should Know

Curious about how things work?

“Stuff You Should Know” covers everything from the history of sandwich bread to how black holes work.

Hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, it makes learning fun and accessible.

Chartable Data: Has amassed over 1 billion downloads, making it one of the most listened-to podcasts globally.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

The Joe Rogan Experience

Known for its long-form interviews, “The Joe Rogan Experience” covers a wide range of topics with various guests. And yeah, it’s the most popular podcast around, but that’s largely because it’s such an interesting podcast.

Hosted by comedian Joe Rogan, the podcast features deep, often controversial discussions on everything from politics to health and fitness. Some of the best Joe Rogan episodes are those where he gets heated with a guest, or when he covers more lofty topics like science.

This show is interesting. It’s divisive. It’s eclectic. And, most of all, it’s one of the most entertaining podcasts no matter how you lean.

Chartable Data: One of the most downloaded podcasts in the world. It holds the top spot on the Apple Charts.

Listen on Spotify.

TED Radio Hour

Love TED Talks?

“TED Radio Hour” brings those ideas to life in podcast form.

Hosted by Manoush Zomorodi, it features excerpts from TED Talks followed by interviews and deeper dives into the topics. It’s also worth checking out TED Talks Daily. One of the most interesting podcasts on the market.

Chartable Data: Consistently ranks in the top 50 for educational podcasts, with over 1 million downloads per episode.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Crime Junkie

True crime enthusiasts will love “Crime Junkie.”

Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, it’s addictive and well-researched, making it one of the most interesting podcasts in the genre.

Each episode tells a gripping story that will keep you hooked.

Chartable Data: Regularly features in the top 10 true crime podcasts, with episodes often surpassing 500,000 downloads.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

You Must Remember This

This podcast dives into the secret and forgotten history of Hollywood’s first century.

Hosted by Karina Longworth, it’s a fascinating listen for movie buffs and history enthusiasts alike. This one is a little different, but we, as a country, have a wide fascination with Hollywood. Knowing the history is usually worth knowing.

Chartable Data: Frequently ranked in the top 20 for film history podcasts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Freakonomics Radio

If you’re fascinated by the hidden side of everything, “Freakonomics Radio” is for you.

Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, it explores the oddities and unexpected truths of various topics, often challenging conventional wisdom. Challenging assumptions is always a worthy task. This show will give you that mind blowing type of subject matter. What more do you want in your most interesting podcasts?

Chartable Data: Consistently ranked in the top 30 for economics and business podcasts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Hosted by Dax Shepard, “Armchair Expert” dives into honest and deep conversations with celebrities, journalists, and academics.

It’s insightful and often hilarious, offering a raw look into the lives and minds of its guests.

Chartable Data: Often ranks in the top 20 for society and culture podcasts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

The Moth

For fans of storytelling, “The Moth” features people telling true stories from their lives.

It’s raw, real, and incredibly moving, capturing the essence of the human experience.

Chartable Data: One of the top storytelling podcasts, ranking in the top 100 for all podcasts, and number 1 for performing arts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

WTF with Marc Maron

Hosted by comedian Marc Maron, this podcast features in-depth interviews with a wide range of guests, including celebrities, musicians, and fellow comedians.

Known for its candid and often emotional conversations, “WTF with Marc Maron” is a must-listen for anyone interested in the personal stories behind public figures.

Chartable Data: Frequently in the top 50 for comedy podcasts, ranking 26th at the time of this writing.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Qanon Anonymous Podcast

If you’re curious about conspiracy theories and the impact they have on society, “QAnon Anonymous” is a must-listen.

Hosted by Julian Feeld, Travis View, and Jake Rockatansky, this podcast delves into the world of QAnon, exploring its origins, growth, and influence through insightful analysis and thorough research.

Chartable Data: Frequently features in the top 100 for society and culture podcasts, though not always. Fluctuating as high as 200.

It goes to show that not every interesting pod is going to be the most well-ranked. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth listening.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

How to Choose the Right Podcast for You

With so many options, how do you find the most interesting podcasts for your tastes?
Here are some tips:

• Identify Your Interests: Are you into true crime, history, science, or something else?
• Read Reviews: Check out what other listeners are saying.
• Listen to a Few Episodes: Before you commit, try listening to a few episodes. Even listening to the snippets or clips can give you an idea.
• Check Episode Length: Make sure the podcast fits into your schedule.

FAQs About Podcasts

Q: How do I start listening to podcasts?
A: It’s easy!

You can listen to podcasts on various platforms like Spotify (the largest), Apple Podcasts (the OG), and a number of other podcatcher apps.

Just search for the podcast you’re interested in and hit play. Or check out our guide for the best Android podcast apps. Or our guide on listening to podcasts for the first time.

Q: Are podcasts free?
A: Most podcasts are free to listen to.

Some offer premium content for a subscription fee. While most podcasts are supported by ads or sponsorships, some will have a “paywall” or ask for contributions through platforms like Patreon.

Q: Can I download podcasts for offline listening?
A: Yes, most podcast apps allow you to download episodes for offline listening. Some apps add this as a feature in their paid or premium plans. Again, it’s a business, but this is a very convenient feature.

Q: How often are new episodes released?
A: It varies. Some podcasts release new episodes weekly, while others might have different schedules. A quality podcaster will have some regularity to their release schedule.

Why You Should Start Listening to Podcasts Today

Podcasts are a fantastic way to learn new things, stay entertained, and make the most of your time.
Whether you’re driving, exercising, or just relaxing at home, there’s always a podcast to keep you company.

So why wait?

Start exploring the most interesting podcasts today and find your new favorite.

Remember, the world of podcasts is vast and diverse.

There’s something out there for everyone. There are a ton of genres and categories we haven’t covered in this vast, and I do mean vast, podcast landscape.

From true crime to comedy, history to science, the most interesting podcasts are just a click away.
The most interesting podcasts can change the way you see the world.

Be sure to check back often as we often find new gems to add to this list. Join our email list below, or follow us on (ugh…) X. No, it’s still Twitter.

The post The 15 Most Interesting Podcasts: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

But wait, where are the listeners? 

We can’t just expect our listeners to find us without getting out there and pushing the podcast. I produce two podcasts and there is a substantial work we have had to do to get the word out about our shows. The most vital – and most obvious – thing a podcaster can do is have a strong web presence. Through websites, social media handles, newsletters, and blogs, you can reach listeners who would have never found you otherwise. But how do you know what’s right for your podcast? Here’s a breakdown of tips that can help you grow your podcast exponentially. 

Don’t Be Scared

Even if you believe you aren’t a tech wiz, you can master the art of social media. You just have to remember that if social media is a game and the goal  is to win, this means gaining a following. This guide can help you gain the tools you need to thrive in the digital age, without sacrificing your artistic voice or talent.

One more note: this guide contains tips and ideas for quite a number of platforms. We do not expect you to be on every social media platform. So try not to feel overwhelmed when reading through.

Engaging Your Audience

The goal of this guide and using social media in general is to build followers for your podcast brand and engage them. The more people you engage, the more people listen to your show.

However, people are busy and there is a lot of content in the world. To engage followers, you have to put out content that is captivating, funny, raw, etc. Some of the best ways to engage followers are to ask questions. This gives your followers something to interact with and shows that you care about their voice in the community – whatever platform that may be.

80/20 Rule

Using social media is great for getting the word out about your podcast. But if all you’re doing is posting your show link again and again, nothing is going to happen. That’s not how you get listeners and that’s not how you should be using social media to engage with the podcast world.

Through interactions on social media, you can get to know your fans on a deeper level than through redundant marketing. And that level of personal connection is something no paid promotion can buy you. It’s an emotional connection. Use social media to communicate with your listeners — your community. Respond to their tweets and their emails. Ask for their opinions. That close tie will make them your fiercest advocates.

Basically, use the 80/20 rule. 80% of the content you put out on your platforms should be about the community or other things going on in the world, and 20% of the content should be directly related to you. For example, for my literary podcast – the Dead Rabbits Podcast – we regularly post about other presses, the lit community and ask our fans what they’re reading –  while posting about our own activities only once in a while. This rule will help you keep your community at the center of your online presence.

Your Podcast Brand

Branding is one of those buzz-words that can turn off creatives, but essentially, your brand is your promise to the listener. It’s the words, images, and emotional resonance that people associate with r your name or your podcast.

Brand is the public’s perception of you. It’s your personality, every word you write, the fonts and colors you use, the way you make people feel when they listen to your show or visit your website. Many people wrongly equate brand merely to logos or website colors and although these are brand elements, a brand is much more than just these graphic aspects and symbols. Basically, a brand is how other people describe  you when you’re not in the room.

Serious podcasters who want to succeed should include branding in their early planning. A strong brand helps a podcast in the same way it helps a company. It gives you name recognition and helps you sell your product—your podcast.

Website

It is crucial to your podcast brand that you have a website that is visually stunning, interactive, and engaging. If you already have one, great! If you need to update it, then do it. And if you don’t have a website at all, there are many, many templates out there that make creating one easy. The Dead Rabbits Podcast is hosted on Squarespace – more specifically, under a tab on our general Dead Rabbits press site – but Wix, Webpress, and even WordPress have easy to navigate platforms. To be clear, I’m suggesting strongly that you don’t just use your podcast hosting platform – like Podbean or Buzzsprout – as your website. Most listeners don’t listen on those platforms, they listen on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher… the list is long. While the platform you host your podcast on is good for many reasons, it won’t showcase your brand like a personal website will. 

Blogging

Engaging blog posts are a great way to connect with fans and give listeners another reason to visit your site. Writing a blog is your chance to connect with your audience on a deeper level, beyond the word- and attention-span-limits set by traditional social media. Use your blog as a platform to share what’s happening in your show and to give insights into your creative process, your personal rituals, and what inspires you. This is the type of content fans expect to find on podcast sites and the reason they visit.

As with a podcast episode, there is no set rule on the length of a blog post, but on average posts range from 350 to 1,500 words. Look for blogs that already have the readers you’re trying to attract, since those blogs have succeeded at what you’re trying to do. And also look for other bloggers who are at the same point in their growth as you are – like those within the Discover Pods community! These peers will grow along with you, creating a great marketing network.

Newsletters

Just like blog posts, newsletters are a great way to connect with fans and give listeners another reason to visit your site and your episodes. Writing a monthly newsletter brings your work directly into your readers’ inboxes.

There are many free platforms that are great for sending out newsletters, like MailChimp and TinyLetter. Play around and find one that fits your needs. Start by subscribing your friends and family to your newsletter, then put a button on your website where new readers can subscribe to it.

And don’t just make the newsletter all about you. Similar to the 80/20 rule surrounding social media posts, if you want more and more people to read your work, you’ll need to give as much as you take. Start by drawing attention to other people in the podcast community – like other podcasts and hosts you admire.

Need ideas? Check out Dead Rabbits monthly newsletter. You can subscribe to it on our website: deadrabbitsbooks.com

Visuals

Be sure to include striking visuals on your social platforms and website, which will draw significantly more people to your content. Even taking pictures of what you’re recording – guests in front of microphones, field work, books related to the topics you’re discussing – and posting them to your social handles will prompt more people to engage with you. Just don’t forget to use strategic hashtags (see hashtags below).

Facebook

We love to hate it, but Facebook is an excellent platform through which to gain followers. If you don’t have a personal page already, get one. Even if you don’t post often, you can still connect with old friends, family, and acquaintances who will listen to your episodes as they come out.

Any time you go to an event, especially a podcast related one, remember the people you met and friend them on Facebook the next day. Facebook has the largest audience of any social media site. That’s a lot of potential listeners, but also a lot of noise that potential listeners need to drown out in order to find you. Try joining different Facebook Groups to help gain friends and fans (keep reading).

Facebook Groups

If you do have Facebook, you might consider starting a group and joining a few others. Other groups to join, in addition to making your own are:

• #PodernFamily
• Podcast Brunch Club
• Podcast Growth Mastermind
• Podcasts We Listen To
• Podcasts NYC
• She Podcasts
• Bloggers Supporting Each Other
• Grow Your Blog
• Podcast Community
• Podcasters’ Hangout

Being a part of these communities can help you make connections and find followers for your work.

Twitter

Twitter is a great platform for podcasters to find a wide audience. It’s important to post regularly on Twitter, at intervals throughout the day. Links to blog posts, inspirational quotes, and short audio clips with images make great posts. Random thoughts and questions can sometimes perform well on Twitter, but keep them related to your podcast (in terms of topics and interest, not just stuff from your actual podcast), if that’s what your account is supposed to be about.

Use hashtags. 1 to 3 per post is the general recommendation. Don’t miss out by omitting tags altogether, as they help significantly with reach. While using the podcast hashtags, like #podcast #podcasts and #podernfamily, can help connect you with other podcasters, it won’t exactly help you find listeners who are interested in the subject matter your show tackles. Use hashtags related to your podcast’s theme. For instance, for Dead Rabbits (again, a literary podcast), we use #writingcommunity, #writercommunity, #writetip, #whyIwrite, #amwriting, and #writerslife often to get in touch with our audience. For my other podcast, the feminist podcast Rosé All Day Anyways, we use hashtags like #womensupportingwomen, #wine, #girlpower, and the occasional #bachelornation hashtag when we’re watching…

Instagram

Instagram is perfect for catching your listeners’ attention and gaining followers, especially if you take great photos. It has one of the highest engagement rates out there and with hashtags like #podernfamily, it’s easy to find like-minded people.

For instagram, follow people you know and people who follow you. Don’t follow random people on Instagram expecting them to follow you back. Like Twitter, use hashtags to reach a wider audience. See the hashtag page below for more great content to follow and post to.

Reddit

Reddit has a reputation for housing trolls, but don’t dismiss it outright! There are tons of great communities where you can connect with other writers, get feedback, and get more followers of your work. If you’re on Reddit, engage as you would in any community. Don’t spam a thread with your content. That’s a quick way to lose Karma. Be an active community member and remember to take as much as you give. Here are some great subreddits to try:

• r/podcast
• r/podcasting
• r/podcasts
• r/podcastsharing

Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to get more readers and followers on several platforms. Here are some hashtags to explore on different platforms:

• #podernfamily
• #podcast
• #podcasts
• #podcastlove
• #writingcommunity
• #amwriting
• #writerslife
• #MondayMotivation
• #TransformationTuesday
• #Humpday
• #WisdomWednesday
• #WomenCrushWednesday
• #ThrowbackThursday
• #FollowFriday
• #FeatureFriday
• #podcastersofinstagram
• #podcastlife
• #podcasthost
• #podcastaddict

Deciding What’s Right For You

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after all that. But really, this guide is just an introduction and to help you navigate the world of promotion and engagement. It’s best to focus your time on one or two platforms. The more thinly you spread yourself, the less time you have to spend on each platform, and the harder it is to increase your following.It doesn’t happen all by itself. You’ve got to go put the work in, and it takes time. But if you stick with it, regularly post, update, and engage, you’ll find your following.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before choosing your platforms and trying to figure out the best means of promotion to fit your needs. Think about what you want to project into the world. This will help you figure out what content to put out.

1. Who are your listeners? Who is your ideal listener?
2. What do people immediately think of when they think of your podcast? This can be a word, an image, etc.
3. How do you want others to see you? What do you want people to think when they hear your show name?
4. What is your unique selling point? Do you know why people listen to your show? Is it the quality of the writing, your guests, your witty banter? What are your unique strengths?
5. How much time do you have to put into social media? If you don’t have much time, concentrate on one platform to grow your following. 

Tips + Tricks

Finally, here are some tips and tricks to help you in your journey: 

• Don’t just tell the audience you have a new episode, tell them why they should listen. Podcasts aren’t free, it’s an investment of time
• Why should someone take the time & effort to listen to your podcast? This is the question that you need to answer with every tweet, Facebook post, and Instagram image/video that you post. Did you cover a specific topic they may be interested in? Did you bring on a guest that they would be interested in hearing? Each episode that you release should have at least a few “selling points”. Write these selling points down and weave them into the copy of each social media post.
• Be consistent. Don’t just post on a whim or it will be very difficult to reach and engage with a consistent audience.
• Unfortunately, Social Media now moves at such a frantic pace that it’s impossible to keep up. Did you know that, on average, only about 6% of your followers will see a social post on Twitter or Facebook? So make sure to post regularly and more than once about your latest episode.
• Try turning audio clips into short videos to post on your social media handles. You can post those as teasers for your later
• Create Partnerships: One of the best ways to gain exposure and get your content in front of new audiences is by partnering up with other podcasts. The important thing is to make sure that the relationships are mutually beneficial, and that you have something to offer in the partnership as well. Getting featured on other podcasts can be a great way to grow your own audience, even if it is just with a few people at a time. Podcast NY is a great place to start finding other people to work with!
• Build Community: As you grow your audience, at the end of the day you want to be surrounded by a community who supports you rather than a crowd of on-lookers. An engaged community that helps each other will provide a place where others can come for industry-specific help and support when they need it. On top of that, engage with others in your industry to create a strong network for your audience to draw from.
• More Is Better: Sometimes we get caught up in thinking about how often times “less is more”. However, when it comes to social media platforms it is always best to do more! The key is to always show up and be present. Keep your account current to let your followers know that you are working hard to be engaged, and you want to provide them with the best value for filling up their feeds!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to the Internet for Podcasters appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

What I wish someone had said to me lo so many years ago when I started listening to podcasts is that a lot* of podcast listening is app based. (*There are podcast websites and web-based podcast players; it is possible to listen to a show on your laptop or desktop, and we’ll get there, but as this is a guide for beginners, we’re going to go step by step through the various methods.) Once you know that there are such things as podcast listening apps, the whole world of podcasts will make more sense and will open up to you rather quickly.

And you’ll be joining the majority who are listening to podcasts, for good reason.

The number of listeners in the United States alone is expected to top 100 million, a third of the country, by next year. It’s time to board the train.

How to listen to podcasts on an iPhone

If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or an iPad, you already have a built-in podcast listening app. The app icon is purple and simply says, “Podcasts.” Apple recently spun-off Apple Podcasts from iTunes and have spent considerable resources revamping their app to me more user-friendly with more features.

How to listen to podcasts on an Android phone

If you have an Android phone, you most likely already have an app that can be used to listen to a podcast such as Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, or iHeartRadio. Newer devices might even have Google Podcasts, another built-in app.

Some platforms offer their own listening apps—such as public radio (either at the national level or your local station could have an app.) Some podcast networks (yes! those exist!) will have their own apps, and major or international media companies can offer listening apps.

If you don’t have any of these apps, it’s time to turn to the app store of your device and download an app (usually free.) Sometimes podcast listening apps are called “pod catchers.”

If you search for a podcast app, you’ll see names like Podcast Republic, Overcast, Podcast Addict, and Stitcher to name a few. Each podcast app has pluses and minuses; features and settings. Some of the basic functions are going to be the same across each app, so (in this podcast listener’s opinion) it’s more important to pick one, download it, and get listening to podcasts than sussing out all the pros and cons of each app.

There are even podcast apps that will pay you bitcoin to listen through their app. Fountain.fm is one such app that we’ve been enjoying lately. Maybe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s not the point.

You can always try a new app if you don’t like your first choice.

How to find podcasts

Once you have located your built-in or already-have-it or newly downloaded app, open that baby up and start exploring. Most apps will have a selection of suggested podcasts to listen to, and this where you will often see some of the podcasts you have heard of.

Many apps have multiple selections of suggested podcasts, whether called featured, popular, trending, or new and noteworthy. You can often look by categories of topics, but keep in mind that there are plenty of podcasts on a variety of topics that do not fit neatly into a set of predetermined category lists.

With hundreds of thousands of podcasts available there are high-quality shows of all sizes on an endless array of subjects.  

You can use the search function within your podcast app to look for titles of shows or names of show hosts. Sometimes the search function from within a podcast app isn’t the greatest (more on that in a moment) but you’ll be able to see lots of shows from these searches.

You can also use our podcast reviews to find new podcasts that won’t show up in your algorithm. For instance, this post on what meditation podcasts you can listen to may not show up if you’re looking for fiction.

How to download or stream podcasts

Now the fun can really begin! Once you have found either a show, or host, or topic you are interested in, you can start listening. Listening can happen two ways: download or streaming. When you download the show to your device, you will be able to listen to the entire show without interruption whether you have wi-fi or cellular service or not.

A typical scenario could be you download a podcast episode to your phone; start listening while in your kitchen getting some coffee; then take your podcast with you and listen as you go on a walk. Most podcast apps have settings where you can set if the episode deletes off your phone once it plays through or if you delete the episode manually.

Streaming a podcast episode in the podcast app (generally) relies on a wi-fi or cellular connection. If you start streaming an episode in the above scenario, the moment your walk takes you out of range of service, the episode will stop.

The data question: if upon reading the above you immediately felt a pang in your phone’s data limit, this is a common concern (and is in fact a reason some folks don’t pursue listening to podcasts.) Data usage does not have to be a problem.

Most podcast apps can be adjusted in settings to only download podcast episodes via wi-fi making the data usage a non-issue.

Most podcasts also have websites for their shows, and usually, you can listen to the show directly from those sites. Typically, the website will have a podcast player embedded into the site (or embedded into a post for a particular episode.) While the appearance of the podcast players can vary from site to site, typically there will be a play button (triangle or similar) and you will recognize most features of the podcast player interface.

One of the advantages of podcasts having websites is that you can use regular ol’ web search to find new shows. As noted above, podcast apps do have built-in search functions but they can vary in effectiveness. It is pretty common to use regular web search to explore new topics or find shows.

Try searching “[topic] podcast” for one of your areas of interest and see what is available. If you have a favorite personality or author or creator, searching their name plus podcast will bring you to their show (if they have one) or will also bring up podcast appearances where they were the guest.

Do you have a smart speaker? If you have an Alexa enabled device or Google Home, you can ask those devices to play a podcast for you. Of course, you need to know the name of the show you are calling up; it’s not conducive for searching for new shows, but if there is a show you have heard of and you own one of these devices, try asking for the show to be played.

Note, you may have to do some further asking to get a particular episode or seasonal episodes in order.

Hopefully by this point, you are seeing some of the potential and breadth of what is available in the podcast world. Now let’s turn to some of the conveniences and ways listeners can participate.

How to subscribe to podcasts

Subscribe is a word you will inevitably hear once you start listening to podcasts. One of the advantages of subscribing to podcast is that any new episode of the show that is released will automatically download to your device in your podcast app.

That means that you seamlessly receive new content minutes after it is published by the podcast creator. Of course, it’s not required to subscribe to a podcast to listen to the show, but if it’s a program you regularly enjoy, subscribing eliminates the step of manual download. Also, peeking “behind the curtain,” podcast creators want people to subscribe to a show because subscribers can help boost a show’s rankings and popularity.

To subscribe, look for the subscribe button—usually available in a show description area. You can always unsubscribe from a show if it turns out to be not your thing.

Some people associate the word “subscribe” with a paid service. For podcasts, the overwhelming majority of shows are free to listen to—subscribing refers to the automatic download of new content as described above. There are some paid podcasts—but those shows are outside of the scope of this guide and can be considered more advanced podcast listening.

Even though podcast creators want you to subscribe, remember podcasts are on demand audio. You can listen to shows sporadically, or listen to one episode of one show because someone you like was a guest, or listen to one episode of a show because a particular subject is covered.

A couple of pro tips in this area: seasonal podcasts have risen in popularity in the last few years, and seasonal shows often need to be consumed sequentially (where every episode is like a chapter that builds on the previous chapter.) If you are listening to a seasonal podcast that is episodic, listen in episode order. If you are listening to an ongoing show (a show that runs weekly or multiple times a week or daily) listen to the most recent episode first and then explore the older episodes.

The reason to do this is that the most recent episode will contain any timely announcements from the show that you as a new fan might want to know.  

As you begin listening to podcasts, you will find some shows lend themselves to “binge listening” and some you will want to space out your listening. If you hear a show that strikes a particular chord with you, consider sharing the show on social media—podcast listeners are thought to be an engaged audience and it is helpful, especially for independent podcast creators, for listeners to spread the word.

The moment of truth is here. Find the app (or the site), browse, download, listen, subscribe, spread the word. The community of happy podcast listeners welcomes you. Hopefully this guide will set you on your way and soon— like the caring person who sent you this post—you’ll be saying, “I was listening to a podcast and…” or “I heard on this podcast that…” just like the rest of us.

The post How to Listen to Podcasts (a guide for absolute beginners) appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.