How-to · Step-by-step
How to cite a podcast
Citing a podcast means recording the host or producer, the episode title, the series title, the date, and where it was published.
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Step by step
How to do it
1.Identify the host or producer
Note the host, presenter or producer credited for the episode. APA places the host in the author position with a bracketed role.
2.Record the episode and series titles
Copy the episode title and the title of the overall series. The episode is the smaller unit inside the series container.
3.Note the episode number and date
Record the episode number if given and the date the episode was released.
4.Note the publisher and URL
Record the network, studio or production company, and the URL where the episode can be heard.
5.Assemble the entry
Arrange the elements per your style, treating the episode title as the source and the series as its container.
APA 7th edition
Format: Host, H. H. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Title of episode (No. X) [Audio podcast episode]. In Series Title. Publisher. URL — Worked example: Smith, J. (Host). (2021, March 14). Citing your sources (No. 12) [Audio podcast episode]. In The Research Hour. Example Media. https://example.com/ep12 In-text: (Smith, 2021).
MLA 9th edition
Format: "Title of Episode." Series Title, season/episode, Publisher, Day Month Year, URL. — Worked example: "Citing Your Sources." The Research Hour, episode 12, Example Media, 14 Mar. 2021, example.com/ep12. In-text: ("Citing Your Sources"). The episode title is in quotation marks and the series title is italicised as the container. You may lead with the host if your focus is on them.
Chicago 17th edition (notes–bibliography)
Bibliography: Smith, Jane, host. "Citing Your Sources." The Research Hour. Produced by Example Media. March 14, 2021. Podcast, MP3 audio, 38:00. https://example.com/ep12. — First footnote: 1. Jane Smith, host, "Citing Your Sources," The Research Hour, produced by Example Media, March 14, 2021, podcast, MP3 audio, 38:00, https://example.com/ep12.
Common questions
FAQ
Do I cite the episode or the whole series?+
Cite the episode when you refer to a specific one, treating the series as its container. Cite the whole series only when you discuss it as a body of work — then the series title takes the title position and you give the date range rather than a single episode date.
Who is the author of a podcast?+
APA uses the host in the author position with a "(Host)" label; if a producer is more relevant, you can use them with the appropriate role. MLA and Chicago can lead with the episode title or the host depending on your focus. Name the network or studio as the publisher.
How do I cite a specific moment in an episode?+
Use a time stamp. APA allows a time stamp in the in-text citation — (Smith, 2021, 14:05) — to point to the exact moment quoted. MLA and Chicago can include the running time in the entry and reference a time stamp in the discussion or note.
Going deeper
