Podcasts Explained: How to Find and Start Listening for Free

A podcast is like a radio show you can listen to any time, on any topic you can imagine. There are podcasts about true crime, history, comedy, gardening, cooking, sports, health, personal finance, religion, current events — almost anything you are interested in. And unlike radio, you choose when and where to listen, and you can pause, rewind, or skip ahead any time you want.

Listening to podcasts is free. The vast majority of podcasts cost nothing — the creators make their money through advertising, donations, or sponsors. You do not need a subscription to get started. You do need a smartphone or computer and either Wi-Fi or a cellular data connection.

Podcasts are stored and played through apps called podcast players. Some popular ones include Apple Podcasts (built into iPhones for free), Spotify (free with occasional ads), and Pocket Casts (a paid app many frequent listeners prefer). If you have an iPhone, Apple Podcasts is already installed and free — you do not need to download anything.

Podcasts typically come in episodes, like chapters of a show. A new episode might come out once a week, daily, or sporadically. When you find a show you like, you can subscribe to it — which means new episodes automatically appear so you never miss one.

People listen to podcasts while doing other things: walking, driving, cooking, doing housework, or relaxing in a chair. The audio comes through your phone's speaker or headphones. Many people find podcasts a great way to learn, stay entertained, and keep their mind engaged during otherwise quiet time.