How to Cite a Podcast in APA, MLA, Chicago & Harvard Style

Citing a podcast correctly in the correct format can be confusing. Learn how to cite a podcast correctly using the APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard format.

TL;DR

You need to cite a podcast if you’re directly quoting, using ideas, or paraphrasing what was said in the show.
In most major style guides, podcast titles are italicized.
How you cite a podcast depends on which referencing style you are using.
All the different styles require the following information: host’s name, date of publication, name of podcast/episode, URL.

When do you need to cite a podcast/podcast episode?

Just like with any other medium, if you’re quoting a podcast host verbatim, drawing on ideas mentioned in a podcast, or you’re summarizing a podcast’s overarching theory or thoughts, then you need to credit them. This is critical to protect yourself from accusations of plagiarism.

How do you cite a podcast in an essay?

This depends on the referencing style that you are using. If you are unsure, ensure to check with your institution’s referencing guidelines since they may stipulate a specific style that they prefer. If not, it’s up to you, although some styles may be more appropriate to your area.

Pay particular attention to italicization, full stops, parentheses, and quotation marks. All of these things, while minor details are critical to correct citation.

You'll need all or some of the following information:

The host/narrator's first and last name
The title of the podcast episode (if you're referring to a particular one)
The name of the podcast series
The date of publication
The episode number and series number
The URL that you accessed the podcast through

How do you cite a podcast in APA?

To cite a specific podcast episode using APA style 7th edition referencing, the citation would look like this:

Last Name, Initials. (Role). (Year, Month, Day). Episode Title (Ep no.) [Audio Podcast Episode]. In The Podcast’s Name. Production Company. Retrieved from URL.

Worked example for a podcast episode: Reference: Barbaro, M. (Host). (2021, December 8). Why Ukraine Matters to Vladimir Putin [Audio Podcast]. In The Daily. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/podcasts/the-daily/putin-russian-military-ukraine.html.

How do you cite a whole podcast series in APA?

Host’s Last Name, Initials. (Host). (Year range). Podcast name [Audio Podcast]. Production Company. URL.

Worked example for a podcast series: Barbaro, M. (Host). (2017 - Present). The Daily [Audio Podcast]. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily.

How do you cite a podcast in MLA 8?

A podcast citation in MLA style 8th edition for a specific episode looks like this:

Reference or Bibliography using MLA: Last Name, First Name, Role. “Episode Title.” Podcast Name, season number, episode number, Publisher/where you listened to the episode, Day Month Year (of publication), URL.

Worked Example: Barbaro, Michael, host. “Why Ukraine Matters to Vladimir Putin.” The Daily, The New York Times, 8 December 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/podcasts/the-daily/putin-russian-military-ukraine.html.

How to cite a podcast from an app using MLA?

If you listened to the podcast using an app like Apple Music or Spotify, you could include these as follows: Last name, First name, Role. “Episode Title.” Podcast Name, App Name app, episode number, Publisher. Day Month Year.

Worked example:
Barbaro, Michael, host. “Why Ukraine Matters to Vladimir Putin.” The Daily, Spotify app, New York Times. 8 December 2021.

How to cite a podcast in Harvard style

Here’s how to cite a specific episode using Harvard style:

Last name, Initials. (Year of Publication) “Episode Title,” Name of Podcast, Host Site/Organization/Publisher. Month day. Available at URL/App [Accessed Date].

Worked Example: Barbaro, M. (2021) “Why Ukraine Matters to Vladimir Putin,” The Daily, The New York Times. December 8. Available at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/podcasts/the-daily/putin-russian-military-ukraine.html [Accessed December 10, 2021].

How to cite a podcast in Chicago style

If you want to cite a podcast using Chicago style, here’s how:

Footnotes Citation: First Name Last Name, “Episode Name,” Year, in Podcast Title, published/written/directed by, podcast, audio format, running time, URL.

Worked example: Michael Barbaro, “Why Ukraine Matters to Vladimir Putin,” 2021, in The Daily, Produced by Erikc Kupke, Rachelle Bonja, and Luke Vander Ploeg, podcast, mp3, 28:35, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/podcasts/the-daily/putin-russian-military-ukraine.html.

FAQs about Podcast Citation

How do you reference a guest on a podcast?

It’s easy. Rather than putting the host’s name, write the guest’s name instead. If the referencing style asks for the person’s role, write ‘guest.’

Do you put podcast names in quotes?

This depends on the referencing style that you’re using. See above for more information and guidance.