I wrote an article regarding Podcasts back in 2006. At that time, I received many questions for details. I hope that you are enjoying some podcasts by now. For those of you that have not tried them yet here is a refresher or for those that have asked about it again, here we go.
A podcast is like a radio show, but instead of being broadcast live over the airwaves, it is pre-recorded and distributed over the internet. You may be able to listen to podcasts on your computer, smartphone, or any device that can play audio files. There are also Video Podcasts available, but this will only deal with the Audio version. You can watch all the video you need at YouTube.com.
Podcasters (the people who create podcasts) record audio episodes on a particular topic or theme. These episodes are then uploaded to the internet as digital audio files. You can “subscribe” to a podcast using a podcast app, and new episodes will automatically download to your device as they become available. One most apps you can tell them to only download a specific number at most or only download them manually when you see one you would like to listen to.
Some of the best things about podcasts are that you can listen to them when and where you choose. I usually listen in the car on a drive but anywhere you have your phone and some time it is possible to listen. It is like having your own radio station that plays whatever you are in the mood to listen to. Is it popular, yes? One informational site says there are over 500 million listeners worldwide with over three million podcasters with more than 190 million episodes. Most podcasts last between 20 and 40 minutes.
Here are the basic steps for getting to set up and play podcasts.
Get a podcast app, most smartphones come with a pre-installed podcast app, like “Apple Podcasts for iOS.” The default, free “Google Podcasts for Android” has recently been discontinued. If you are interest check here, killedbygoogle.com, to see many apps Google has done away with. I have switched to AntennaPod, which you can find in the Google App Store on your phone. It is a good app and totally free. There are many more popular apps like Spotify (the most popular but not my favorite), Stitcher, or Overcast; however, you may have to pay fees for extra features.
Search for podcasts you may enjoy. Open your podcast app and use the search function to find podcasts on topics that interest you. You can search by keyword, title, podcaster, or browse categories like comedy, news, sports, religion, TV shows, movies and many more. Now you find one you are interested in, you subscribe to it by clicking that button. This means that new episodes will automatically download to your app when new ones are posted.
Now the easiest part, just listen. Simply tap on an episode to start listening. Most podcast apps allow you to adjust playback speed, skip forward or backward, and create playlists. You may add or delete individual episodes or unsubscribe from the “show” you were listening to whenever you would like.
As you listen to more podcasts, some apps will start recommending similar shows based on your interests. You can also find new podcasts by looking for more on the app. I have used PodSearch, podsearch.com/categories, to find new podcasts before. I mostly use the AntennaPod app on my phone to find them. You can get more details about it here, AntennaPod.or. But if you want it on your phone go to the Google App Store on your Android phone and get it there.
One of the great things about podcasts is that there is something for everyone, regardless where your interest lies.
These are like having a portable radio station that plays content tailored specifically to your interests. Believe it or not, even though I am a senior, I listen to them while I write, just like listening to music in the college era. Right now, I am listening to one of my favorites, “The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe,” which usually runs an hour or so. Yes, the “Dirty Jobs” guy is very interesting, funny, and intelligent.
Another thing that I like about them is that the large majority of them are free. But note that some podcasts offer premium content or ad-free versions for a subscription fee. Have fun!
