This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
How to get started with podcasts
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Podcasts are a leading format of audio media that have garnered the attention of listeners throughout the U.S., with approximately 60 million U.S. homes considered fans and 21.9 million people tuning in to their favorite shows every week.
Podcasts are audio files, published online for streaming and download, in an episodic format. It’s no wonder iTunes’ podcasts topped 50 billion downloads last April; with users being able to listen in their car, while they exercise and everywhere they go, on their smart phones, tablets and laptops.
Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, read on for an explanation of podcasts — including where to access them and how to find a favorite — and you’ll be listening in no time.
Who, what, where
The most common places to stream or download podcasts are Spotify, for Android users, or Apple Music, for Apple users. Both listening platforms are also accessible on laptop and desktop computers as well as smart TVs.
The most popular podcast categories include music, movie & TV, comedy and tech-related. According to Spotify, the top podcast topics include daily news, celebrity talk shows and murder mysteries. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. With a catalog of more than 18.5 million episodes, there’s something for everyone.
Adam J. Brown, MD, the host of Healio’s own Rheuminations podcast recounted his first experience with podcasts and why he started tuning in.
“I started listening to podcasts as a way to make running less boring. I couldn’t see how people could run and listen to music, it drove me nuts and I usually stopped out of boredom,” Brown said. “My brother, who is also a history buff, showed me how podcasts work and pointed me in the direction of some history podcasts. Once I realized what podcasts are and the variety of subjects available, I was hooked. You can type in a topic that you might be interested in hearing about and see an array of options for different podcasts that explore the topic. Then you listen.”
With the use of smart phones to listen to podcasts on the steady rise, here are a few tips on how to find specific podcasts and topics of interest on both Apple Music and Spotify mobile.
HOW-TO (iPhone)
❶
First Step 
To access podcasts on your iPhone, open the “Podcasts” app.
➋ second Step
Tap the browse button to explore options in categories such as “featured” and “top charts.” Apple features around 500,00 active podcasts in more than 100 languages.
➌ THIRD Step
If you’re looking for a particular podcast, use the search bar to type in the name. If you don’t have a specific podcast in mind but have a genre of interest, use keywords to narrow down your search until you find one you like.
Select the show’s icon in the search results.
➍ Fourth Step
On the podcast’s homepage you can view the most current and all previous episodes.
If you like what you hear, subscribe.
HOW-TO (Android)
➊ First Step 
To access podcasts on your android device, open the Google Podcasts app.
➋ second Step
If you’re looking for a particular podcast, use the search bar to type in the name. If you don’t have a specific podcast in mind but have a genre of interest, use keywords to narrow down your search until you find one you like.
➌ THIRD Step
Select the show’s icon in the search results.
➍ Fourth Step
On the podcast’s homepage you can view the most current and all previous episodes.
➎ Fifth Step
If you like what you hear, subscribe.
