How to Listen, Subscribe and Share Podcasts
It’s easy (and free!) to listen, share and subscribe to podcasts
Follow these simple steps on a smartphone, iPad or tablet, and computer
Written by: Adrienne Cossom, Host and Producer of the podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems.
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio program that is typically focused on one theme and has a number of episodes with topics related to that theme. A podcast is like a radio talk show, except that you can listen whenever you want and to more than one episode at a time.
For many people, what they love most about podcasts is their mobility - you can listen wherever you want. If you have a smartphone you can listen with headphones on a walk or while driving in your car. If you have speakers, you can play them out loud in your home.
You can find, listen and subscribe to podcasts in directories (podcast apps) that are like an online public library. Common podcast apps are Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. If you “follow” or subscribe to a podcast, each time a new episode is released it will automatically appear in your podcast app.
Best of all, listening to a podcast is typically free. Some podcasts and podcast apps have a “premium” version that requires a subscription, but there are lots of free options.
Sound easy? Great! Read on and learn how to listen.
How Do I Listen to a Podcast?
Even if you are not comfortable with technology, here’s how you can easily listen to a podcast on your smartphone, computer and in your car.
Listen on Your Phone:
If you have a smartphone then you are ready to listen to a podcast. IPhones comes with a podcast app already built in - Apple Podcasts - and Android devices have their own app called Google Podcasts . Just look around the apps on your phone for Apple or Google Podcasts. If you don’t see it, search for the app. Once you’ve located the icon, open it up by tapping on it. You can then browse through the collection of podcasts by topic or title and start listening.
There are many other free podcast directories (apps). Other options are Stitcher, TuneIn, Pocket Casts and Overcast. Each has different features and can be downloaded to your phone.
Want to try listening now to my podcast: Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems? Click on the red “Listen Now” button below and it will take you directly to Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. Just click play on an episode that interests you.
Listen on Your IPad or Tablet:
Just like with phones, ipads come with the Apple Podcast app built in and Andoid tablets can download Google Podcasts. Search for the app and then tap on it to start using it. If you will be out of range of wifi and still want to listen, download the episode to your device. Here’s how:
while connected to wifi, find a podcast
under Episodes, select the episode you would like to download and tap on the three-dot (…) menu button
tap download
once the download is complete, a downward arrow will appear under the episode title.
Listen on Your Computer:
It’s easy to listen to podcasts on your desk top computer or laptop, as long as it has a working speaker or can connect to headphones or earbuds.
You can listen from your computer in two ways:
search in your browser for a podcast directory, e.g. Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify. Then explore podcasts by topic or title.
search in your browser for the name of specific podcast, e.g. Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems. Your search will generate the show page in many podcast directories, but if you scroll down you will likely see that the podcast also has a website (most do). You can listen to episodes directly from a podcast website -just click on the play button.
Want to listen now to my podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems directly from its website? Click on the red “Listen Now” button below and pick an episode that interests you. Then click on the red “Read More” link and the green play button to start listening.
Listen in Your Car:
This is the most common way of listening to podcasts. What a perfect way to fill your time as you drive! Most new cars have the option of connecting your phone through Bluetooth for handsfree calls. Just connect your phone in this way and play the podcast from your phone’s podcast app. It will play through the car speakers and you’re all set!
If you vehicle isn’t able to connect to your phone through Bluetooth, you have two options:
find the “aux in” or “line in” port in your car and connect your phone to this with the proper cable.
purchase a radio device that broadcasts output from your phone on a particular frequency. Tune in to this frequency on your radio and play your favourite podcast from your phone through the radio in your car.
Listen From a Smart Speaker:
If you purchased a Smart Speaker (or perhaps 2 or 3!) then you have an easy way to play podcasts in your home or workspace. Google made Google Home and Amazon released the Echo. Both connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth. The Echo makes this even easier since it ties in to two podcast apps - TuneIn Radio and Spotify. So, all you have to say is, “Alexa, play Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems on Spotify” and away you go!
How Do I Subscribe to or Follow a Podcast?
Subscribing or, as it is more recently called, “following” a podcast means that when a new episode is released it will automatically appear on your podcast app. You may also get notified with a pop up message on your phone.
You can subscribe or follow for free. Some podcast apps are now offering an additional paid subscription option that gives you access to additional content for a show.
To subscribe/follow from a podcast app on your phone:
find a podcast that you would like to follow and tap on the artwork or title. Then, look for the three dot (…) menu button near the name of the podcast. From the drop-down menu, select “subscribe” or “follow”.
To subscribe/follow from a podcast directory on your computer:
Not all podcast directories allow you to subscribe from their websites. Google Podcasts is one that does - click “subscribe” on the podcast page.
How Do I Share a Podcast or Episode?
If you find a podcast or episode that you would love to share with someone else, you can easily do so.
After finding a podcast that you would like to share, look for the three dot (…) menu button near the title and graphic for the podcast. If you only want to share a particular episode, look for the three dots near the title and desription of that particular episode. To share the link to a podcast or just a particular episode, from the drop down menu, select “Share” and then choose how to share it, e.g. through text, email or from social media, e.g. Facebook, Instagram or Twitter OR by copying the link.
Enjoy exploring and listening to all the great podcasts out there. If you have any further questions or comments, don’t hesitate to reach out.