Podcast Introduction – how to get the most out of a podcast

June 3, 2024

With podcasts covering every genre, so here’s what to look for in a podcast.

Podcasts today are much more professionally produced than they used to be. You can find a podcast on virtually any subject, and it can be helpful to have a few rules when deciding what to listen to.

Some observations:

• The voice is critical, if you don’t like it then it’s hard to become engaged.

• Often there are two presenters which can work as it breaks up just listening to one voice but sometimes they get pre-occupied with their relationship “Aren’t we smart” or “Aren’t we funny” and that becomes annoying. 

• True Crime is one of the most popular genres but can be frustrating when there is no resolution. The podcast is often used to appeal for additional evidence.

• A podcast should engage you relatively quickly and, if not, move on.

A good podcast can be as engrossing as any form of entertainment.

Currently the Top 4 apps and websites for podcasts are:

1. Spotify – free to use if you don’t mind ads.
2. BBC Sounds – free
3. YouTube – free if you don’t mind ads.
4. Apple Podcasts

Others podcast Apps to consider

Audible – Part of the Amazon stable with some free content, £7.99 a month for audible books and podcasts. Best for audio books and access to reviews from critics and readers         

Pocket Casts – £1.49 subscription, a podcast player that brings podcasts from multiple sources and has useful functions such as selection filters, sleep timer, changing the speed, creating podcast queues. You still pay the subscriptions.

Wondery – Three months free if you are an Amazon Prime member then $4.99 a month or $34.99 a year. You can create a library from a very good selection of podcasts.

A lot of podcasts are widely available, so check whether it’s available on your subscription before signing up for another.

A good source for discovering the best products by category is https://www.bestpodcasts.co.uk/

Read our review of the best BBC Sounds podcasts