What is a Podcast?
A podcast is a series of on-demand digital audio files, similar to talk radio. It’s like radio on the Internet, but you can choose your listening content. Unlike radio where you listen when the station decides to air a show, you can also listen to podcasts on your own schedule.
The beauty of a podcast is that you can listen to it anytime, anywhere. Listen in your car, at work, at home, working out, or anywhere you have access to headphones or speakers. And when you find a podcast you really like, you can automatically receive each new episode by simply subscribing on the podcast website or a podcast platform, such as Apple Podcast or Google Podcast. Not to mention, podcasts are free. Yes, I said free.
How to Listen
There are 2 ways to listen to a podcast:
- You can download an episode to your device or iCloud, so you can listen at any time without WiFi connection.
- Or you can stream content, which means you are listening directly from a podcast platform or website. WiFi or data connection is required to stream content.
Where You Can Find Podcast Platforms
There are 3 different places to locate podcasts and listen to them.
- Your smartphone, such as iPhone or Android
- Your computer or tablet
- Your SmartHome device such as Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, or Google Home
How to Listen to a Podcast on Your iPhone, iPod, or iPad
Simply go to the Apple Podcasts app. On newer iPhones the app is already installed on your phone. For older iPhone users, download the Apple Podcasts app to your phone from the App Store. Once you are in the app, type in the title of the podcast in the search bar directory and click on the “Subscribe” icon. You can also browse categories that suit your interests, such as History, Sports, Comedy, or Health & Fitness. The process is identical on iPod Touch and iPad.
How to Listen to a Podcast on Your Android Smartphone or Tablet
Download the Google Podcasts app onto your phone from the Google Play store. Once you are in the Google Podcasts app, you can search, subscribe, and start listening. The process is identical on any Android tablet.
How to Listen to a Podcast on Your Computer
If you want to listen to a podcast on your computer, it’s even easier. Go to the podcast website, such as www.anewgoldenage.com, and click on the podcast page or podcast icon of your choice and voíla! It will send you directly to the podcast. It’s that easy.
If you have a Mac computer, you can also search for podcasts in the iTunes app. In the top left corner of the screen (under the “Pause/Play”, “Rewind”, and “Fast Forward” icons) is a drop down menu where you can click on “Podcasts”. Toggle between the “Library”, “Unplayed”, and “Store” icons at the top of the screen for the same experience as the iPhone app. You can browse categories and subscribe to your favorite podcasts the same way that you can on the iPhone app.
How To Listen to a Podcast on a Smart Speaker
Any Bluetooth speaker will allow you to play your favorite podcast in your home. Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod are the most popular devices currently on the market. Depending on the device you own, you may prefer certain platforms. For instance, the Amazon Echo ties in nicely with Apple Podcast, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify.
Say to your Echo, “Alexa, play ‘A New Golden Age’ on TuneIn” or “Alexa, play ‘A New Golden Age’ on Spotify”, and the Echo will automatically play the latest episode.
So what are you waiting for? It’s super simple, and I promise you it will open up a whole new world for you!
