How to Listen to a Podcast
We appreciate that some people have never actually listened to a podcast, so we thought we’d write a quick how-to guide to help you through the relatively simple process.
Equipment
All you need is a phone and some headphones. Most people enjoy podcasting as a supplementary activity while doing something else; for example, while walking, gardening, cleaning, or cooking. While driving is also a good time to listen, but you’ll need to route the audio through your car, or bring a Bluetooth speaker with you. I like to listen to podcasts on my walk home after doing the school run.
Places to listen
On a website
Many podcasts have their own websites, with the audio embedded directly. You can access all of our episodes here. Like us, many podcasts will also give you links to access the podcast on other platforms. A Platform is simply a fancy name for where you can listen to podcasts, like Apple, Google, Amazon Music, Samsung, or Spotify. But you would need to have these apps on your phone in order to listen. More on this later. If you listen directly through the website, you do not need additional apps.
On an iPhone
iPhones come pre-loaded with the Apple Podcasts app, so it really couldn’t be simpler.
1. Search for ‘Podcasts’ and the app should come up.
2. Tap on the magnifying glass symbol in the bottom right corner. If you are looking for our podcast, then type ‘Two Lit Chicks’ into the search field. Otherwise, there are loads of categories that you can peruse underneath the search bar.
3. Tap on the icon of your chosen podcast.
4. All the episodes of that podcast will be listed underneath the main header on the podcast homepage. Just choose one and hit play. Easy peasy!
5. If you want to listen to the episode in a place where reception is poor, then download the podcast prior to travel by hitting the arrow at the top of the episode listing.
6. If you enjoy a podcast, make sure you never miss an episode by following the show. To do this, tap the three dots at the top right corner of the homepage and click ‘Follow Show’. Then go into settings underneath and check that you have ‘Automatically Download’ switched to ON.
7. And if you really, really like the show, scroll down on the podcast homepage to the Ratings & Reviews section, give 5*, and say a little something nice. It’s one way you can say thanks to the people who made the free show for you to enjoy.
8. More info about how to listen to podcasts on Apple devices here.
On an Android phone
1. Download the Google Podcasts app from your app store.
2. Once it’s installed, tap on the magnifying glass symbol. If you are looking for our podcast, then type ‘Two Lit Chicks’ into the search field. Otherwise, there are loads of categories that you can peruse underneath the search bar.
3. Tap on the icon of your chosen podcast.
4. All the episodes of that podcast will be listed underneath the main header on the podcast homepage. Just choose one and hit play. Easy peasy!
5. If you want to listen to the episode in a place where reception is poor, then download the podcast prior to travel by hitting the arrow at the top of the episode listing.
6. If you enjoy a podcast, make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing to the show. To do this, tap the Subscribe button on the podcast homepage. Then go into settings by hitting the three dots at the top right of the page and check that you have ‘Automatically Download’ switched to ON.
7. If you enjoy a show, make sure to leave a review and share it with your friends. It’s nice to give some love back, especially as the content is free.
Other Platforms
You can also listen to podcasts on Amazon Music and Spotify. There are also other podcast apps out there like TuneIn Radio, Podcast Addict, iHeartRadio, TuneIn & Alexa, Deezer and Podchaser. But for most users, the above Apple and Android methods will be sufficient.
Podcasts that we enjoy
Here are a few that we like to listen to when we aren’t researching for our our podcast:
Shoot Edit Chat Repeat (photography business podcast)
The Happiness Lab
Dolly Parton’s America
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
Between Lewis & Lovecraft
The Rest is History
Answer Me This!
David Tennant Does a Podcast
Good luck! If you think this article would be helpful to someone you know, share it with our social media links. Also, make sure to subscribe to our show and leave us a little review if you enjoyed it.
And finally, sign up for my newsletter, so I can let you know when new episodes are live.
Happy podcasting!