How To Cite A Podcast In MLA And Chicago Styles (With Examples And Templates)

Need to cite a podcast for an assignment, research paper, blog, or article? The correct format depends on the citation style you’re using: MLA (9th edition) or Chicago.

While each style has its own rules, they all require core information such as the podcast host or creator, episode title, podcast name, publication date, and where the episode can be accessed.

This guide explains how to cite a podcast in all three major citation styles with copy-ready templates, real examples, and platform-specific guidance for Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and podcast websites.

You’ll also learn how to cite podcast transcripts, include timestamps for direct quotes, handle missing publication details, and avoid common citation mistakes.

So, whether you’re citing a single podcast episode or an entire series, you’ll find everything you need to create accurate, properly formatted citations.

Stay tuned.

New Quick Citation Cheatsheet:

Need a citation fast? Use these templates to format podcast citations correctly in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.

Tip: If you are quoting a specific part of a podcast, include the timestamp in your in-text citation whenever your citation style recommends it.

How To Cite A Podcast In 4 Simple Steps?

No matter which citation style you’re using, the process follows the same basic pattern.

1. Identify the creator. This is usually the host, but it may be the producer or organization in some cases.
2. Collect the episode details. Record the episode title, podcast name, publication date, season or episode number (if available), and publisher.
3. Choose the correct citation style. MLA and Chicago have different formatting rules.
4. Include the source. Add the URL if you listened online. If you accessed the podcast through an app like Spotify or Apple Podcasts without a public webpage, mention the platform instead.

Also, following these four steps ensures your citation includes all the information needed for readers to locate the original podcast episode.

What Information Do You Need Before Citing A Podcast?

Before formatting your citation, gather the essential details from the podcast episode page, official website, or listening platform. As a result, having complete information makes it easier to create an accurate citation regardless of the style guide you’re following.

Podcast Citation Checklist:

1. Host or Creator: The primary person or organization responsible for the podcast. In most cases, this is the host.

2. Guest Name (If Relevant): Mention a guest only if their contribution is central to your discussion or required by your citation style.

3. Episode Title: Record the exact title as it appears on the episode page.

4. Podcast Title: Use the official name of the podcast series.

5. Season and Episode Number: Include these if they’re available. They help readers identify the correct episode quickly.

6. Publisher or Production Company: Examples include NPR, Wondery, Spotify Studios, iHeartPodcasts, or Pushkin Industries.

7. Publication Date: Use the full release date whenever possible.

8. URL or Listening Platform: If the podcast has a dedicated webpage, include its URL. If you listened through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, or another app without a public URL, identify the platform instead.

9. Timestamp (For Direct Quotes): When quoting specific dialogue, include the timestamp so readers can locate the exact section.

Where Can You Find This Information?

Most podcast platforms display the information you need on the episode page or show notes. If any details are missing, check the podcast’s official website or RSS feed.

Where To Find Podcast Citation Information?

Sometimes the information required for a citation isn’t displayed in one place. Here’s where to look on different platforms:

Pro Tip: Always use the podcast’s official website as your primary source when available. Third-party platforms occasionally abbreviate titles or omit production details.

How To Cite A Podcast In MLA (9th Edition)?

So, if you’re writing a paper for an English, literature, or humanities course, you’ll most likely use MLA (9th edition). In MLA style, podcasts are typically cited by listing the host as the author, followed by the episode title, podcast title, publisher, publication date, and URL (if available).

Also, if you’re citing an entire podcast series instead of a single episode, the citation format changes slightly by treating the series as the source.

MLA Podcast Citation Template:

Use the following format when citing a single podcast episode:

Host Last Name, First Name, host. “Episode Title.” Podcast Title, Publisher, Day Month Year, URL.

Additionally, if season and episode numbers are available, include them after the podcast title.

MLA Citation Example (Single Episode):

Abumrad, Jad, host. “The Dirty Drug and the Ice Cream Tub.” Radiolab, WNYC Studios, 19 Apr. 2024, https://radiolab.org/podcast/the-dirty-drug-and-the-ice-cream-tub

MLA Citation Example (Spotify):

If you listened through Spotify and there isn’t a publicly accessible webpage, identify the platform instead.

Fridman, Lex, host. “Jeff Bezos: Amazon, Blue Origin, and the Future.” Lex Fridman Podcast. Spotify, 12 Dec. 2023.

MLA Citation Example (Apple Podcasts):

Gladwell, Malcolm, host. “The Big Man Can’t Shoot.” Revisionist History. Apple Podcasts, 28 July 2022.

Citing An Entire Podcast Series In MLA:

When referencing the podcast as a whole rather than a specific episode, omit the episode title.

Gladwell, Malcolm, host. Revisionist History. Pushkin Industries, 2016–present.

MLA In-Text Citation:

When referring to a podcast generally, cite the creator’s last name.

Example

(Gladwell)

If you’re quoting a specific part of the episode, include a timestamp.

Example

(Gladwell 00:18:42–00:19:10)

Although timestamps aren’t mandatory in MLA, including them makes it easier for readers to locate the quoted section.

Common MLA Citation Mistakes

Students often lose marks because of small formatting errors rather than incorrect information. Before submitting your work, check for these common mistakes:

• Listing the podcast title before the episode title.
• Forgetting to italicize the podcast series name.
• Omitting the host designation when appropriate.
• Using an incomplete publication date.
• Adding quotation marks around the podcast title instead of the episode title.
• Forgetting to include the URL when one is available.

When Should You Cite The Host, Guest, Or Organization?

One of the most common questions students have is deciding who should be listed as the author of a podcast citation. In most cases, the host is treated as the creator because they are responsible for presenting and organizing the episode. However, there are exceptions.

Also, when in doubt, consult your required citation style guide and use the creator who is primarily responsible for the content.

How To Cite A Podcast In Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style offers two citation systems:

• Notes and Bibliography, commonly used in history, literature, and the humanities.
• Author–Date, which is more common in the sciences and social sciences.

The information included is largely the same, but the formatting differs depending on which system your instructor or publisher requires.

Notes And Bibliography Style:

Note: Ira Glass, “The Problem We All Live With,” This American Life, audio, July 31, 2015,

Bibliography Entry: Glass, Ira. “The Problem We All Live With.” This American Life. Audio, July 31, 2015.

Author–Date Style:

Glass, Ira. 2015. “The Problem We All Live With.” This American Life. Audio, July 31.

Side-By-Side Comparison Table (MLA vs APA vs Chicago):

Common Chicago Citation Mistakes

Many writers accidentally mix the two Chicago systems. Remember:

• Notes & Bibliography uses footnotes and a bibliography.
• Author–Date uses parenthetical citations.
• Don’t combine both systems in the same paper unless instructed.

Special Cases And Decision Rules (Flowchart + Copy-ready Templates):

Here are a few citation rules for podcast questions that include special cases that are based on major style guides like

When To List The Host vs the Guest vs The Producer?

• If the host originates content → use the host as the author.
• If the guest provides great research or speech → include the guest.
• If the producer or organization is the core unit → use them as the author.

No Date?

• Use no date or site copyright year (MLA/Chicago).

Citing A Segment Or Timestamp

Use a timestamp in parentheses following the citation.

(Smith 00:08:22–00:09:03)

Transcript vs Audio

Refer to the form you heard directly — if you heard it in a transcript format, refer to it as a web page; if you heard it directly, refer to it as an audio file.

Quick Flowchart (Text Version)

1. Listen or read? → Listen = audio citation → Read = transcript citation
2. Is a guest or a host more central? → Host = author → Guest = contributor (if quoted)
3. No date? → Use “n.d.” or “copyright year.”

How To Cite A Podcast On Different Platforms?

The citation style you use stays the same regardless of where you listened to the episode. However, the source information may vary depending on the platform.

Best Practice: If both a podcast website and a streaming platform are available, cite the official website whenever possible. It typically provides more complete publication details and is less likely to change over time.

How To Cite A Podcast Transcript?

Some podcasts publish written transcripts alongside their audio episodes. The source you cite depends on what you actually used.

• If you listened to the episode, cite the audio podcast.
• If you read the transcript, cite it as a webpage or online document according to your required citation style.

If you used both the audio and the transcript, follow your instructor’s guidelines or cite the version that directly informed your quotation.

Special Podcast Citation Scenarios:

Not every podcast fits the standard citation format. Here’s how to handle some common situations.

Multiple Hosts:

List the primary host first. If your citation style allows, include additional hosts as required.

No Publication Date:

• APA: Use n.d. in place of the date.
• MLA and Chicago: Follow your instructor’s guidance or use the publication information that is available.

No Public URL:

If the episode is available only through an app like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, identify the platform instead of inventing a URL.

Subscription-Only Podcasts:

Include the platform name and all available publication details. Also, if readers need a subscription to access the episode, that’s acceptable as long as the citation accurately identifies the source.

Private Or Unpublished Podcasts:

Include as much information as possible, identify the episode as unpublished when appropriate, and follow any institution-specific citation requirements.

Tools And Shortcuts (Evaluation Criteria For Citation Generators)

Hand-citing is such a chore. Some of the good citation tools and what to look out for before using them are as follows:

Evaluation Criteria:

• Official guidance vs accuracy (MLA/APA)
• Supports apps (Spotify, Apple Podcasts)
• Batch export supported
• Periodically updated citation rules

Related Resource: Adobe Podcast: How To Use This AI-Powered Tool For Podcasts?

Expert Tips And Best Practices:

• Verify the original source. Always verify the official name of the episode, release date, and creator.
• Cap twice and italicize twice.
• Quote with audio timestamps.
• Say how you accessed (audio or transcript).
• Don’t overdo it with generators; check manually.

Quick Checklist Before Submission (Copyable):

• Do I title the author or host?
• Do I italicize the title of the podcast?
• Is the release date correct?
• Do I add a URL or “Spotify/Apple app” designation?
• Do I double-check the citation style (MLA or Chicago)?

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