Have you ever wished you could listen to a radio show about your favorite hobbies, or hear a compelling story from a journalist, all on your own schedule? Welcome to the wonderful world of podcasts!
Think of a podcast as an on-demand audio show. They can be about anything you can imagine—from history and true crime to gardening and comedy. And the best part? You can listen to them whenever you want, wherever you are. Today, we’ll show you how to find and listen to these amazing shows using your smartphone. 🎙️📱
What is a Podcast App? 🤔
A podcast app is like a library for all the podcasts in the world. It helps you search for shows you might like and keeps track of new episodes for you. Most smartphones come with one already installed!
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iPhone users have the Apple Podcasts app (a purple icon with a white circle and two white arcs).
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Android users have a few options, with Spotify and Google Podcasts being very popular. (Google Podcasts, however, is being replaced by YouTube Music, so Spotify is an excellent and popular choice!).
These apps are your keys to a world of endless listening!
🔍 How to Find a Podcast You’ll Love
Finding a podcast is as easy as searching for anything else on your phone.
1. Open the App: Tap on your podcast app’s icon.
2. Look for the “Search” button:
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In Apple Podcasts, it’s a magnifying glass (🔍) at the bottom right of the screen.
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In Spotify, it’s also a magnifying glass (🔍) at the bottom.
3. Type what you’re interested in:
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You can search for a topic like “gardening,” “history,” or “cooking.”
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You can search for a famous person or show you’ve heard about, like “NPR News Now” or “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!”
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The app will show you a list of shows that match your search.
4. Explore: Tap on a show’s name to see a description and a list of its episodes. You can often read reviews from other listeners to see if it’s a good fit for you.
▶️ How to Listen & “Follow” a Show
Once you find a show you like, it’s easy to start listening and keep up with new episodes.
To listen to an episode:
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Simply tap on the episode title you want to hear.
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The audio will start playing! You can pause (⏸️) or fast-forward (⏩) and rewind (⏪) just like with any music or video player.
To “Follow” or “Subscribe” to a show:
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If you find a show you love, you’ll want to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to it. This doesn’t cost money!
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Look for a button that says “Follow” or “Subscribe” on the main page of the show.
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When you tap this button, the app will automatically add new episodes to your library as soon as they are released. No more having to search for them every week!
A Note about Listening: You can listen to podcasts while you are doing other things, like cleaning the house, gardening, or going for a walk! Just put your headphones in or listen through your phone’s speaker.
📚 Other Great Podcast Apps
While your phone’s default apps are a great place to start, you might find other apps that you prefer. They are all free to download!
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Spotify: This popular music app is also a fantastic podcast player. You can find almost every podcast here, and it’s free with occasional ads.
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Pocket Casts: A very user-friendly app available for both iPhone and Android.
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Overcast (iPhone only): A simple and popular app with helpful features for skipping silent parts of the show.
Common Tips & What to Remember:
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Wi-Fi is Your Friend: To avoid using up your phone’s data, it’s best to download a podcast episode while you are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi. Many apps have an option to “download” an episode to listen to later.
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Listen Offline: Once an episode is downloaded, you don’t need an internet connection to listen. This is perfect for long car rides or when you’re in a place with bad service.
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Start with the Basics: Don’t feel overwhelmed! Just start by searching for a topic you’re passionate about and listening to a few episodes.
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Ask a Friend: Ask your friends and family what podcasts they listen to. It’s a great way to discover new shows and find something you might enjoy.
Podcasts are a wonderful way to learn, be entertained, and pass the time. It’s like having a fascinating conversation or a fun radio show in your pocket, whenever you want it!
If you run into any snags, remember that our Sharks are always here to help you navigate it!