What is a podcast? It is a show you can listen to whenever you want, on your phone, for free. Think of it as a radio show that waits for you instead of the other way around.
That is the short answer. The longer answer is what this guide is for.
A podcast is a series of audio (or sometimes video) episodes that you can subscribe to, download and play on demand. Anyone can make one. You do not need a radio license, a studio or a big company behind you.
Maybe you have nodded along when people say "I heard it on a podcast." Maybe you quietly wondered how it all works. You are in the right place.
I will explain every term the first time it appears. No jargon, no assumptions.
Why I can explain this in plain English
I should tell you where I am coming from.
I am a marketer with 17+ years of experience. I did not start as a "podcaster." At 36, I launched an audio blog before I even knew the word "podcast" existed. I just knew I liked talking and people seemed to like listening.
Since then, I have co-hosted two podcasts with over 550 episodes between them. I have produced around 300 episodes for clients. And I watched my wife's Hindi food podcast cross 3.1 million downloads and reach the Apple Podcasts Top 10.
None of that happened because we were technical geniuses. It happened because we understood a few simple ideas. Those ideas are what you will learn below.
What is a podcast, really?
A podcast is an on-demand audio show made of episodes, delivered to your phone through a free app. You pick a show, press play, and listen while you walk, cook, drive or fold laundry.
Three things make a podcast a podcast:
- It comes in episodes, like a TV series.
- You can subscribe, so new episodes arrive on their own.
- You can listen on demand, whenever you like.
The word itself comes from "iPod" and "broadcast." The iPod is mostly gone. The word stuck anyway.
What is a podcast episode?
An episode is one recording. It might run five minutes or two hours. Most beginner shows land between 10 and 30 minutes.
Each episode usually covers one topic. Think of an episode as a single chapter, and the whole podcast as the book.
What is a podcast host and a podcast listener?
The host is the person who talks. Some shows have one host.
Some have two or more co-hosts. Some bring in a guest each week.
The listener is you. Listening costs nothing on almost every show.
How do podcasts work?
Podcasts work through a small file called an RSS feed that tells apps when a new episode is ready. The app then pulls that episode onto your phone.
That sounds technical. It is not. Here is the flow in five steps:
- The host records an episode.
- The host uploads the audio file to a podcast host (a company that stores the file and builds the RSS feed).
- The RSS feed lists the new episode, with its title, description and audio link.
- Podcast apps check that feed regularly.
- When your app sees a new episode, it shows up in your list.
Let me unpack the two words in the middle.
What is an RSS feed?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a web address that holds a running list of a show's episodes, newest first.
Imagine a mailbox at the end of the show's street. Every time the host publishes, a new letter lands in the box. Your app walks to the mailbox every so often and picks up the new letters.
This is the clever part. The host does not send the episode to you.
Your app collects it. That is why one recording can reach listeners on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and dozens of other apps at the same time.
What is a podcast host?
A podcast host is a service that stores your audio and creates the RSS feed. It is not the same as a website host, and beginners mix these up all the time.
If you are curious which host to pick later, I wrote a plain comparison in the best podcast host for beginners. You do not need to decide anything today.
How do you listen to a podcast?
You listen by opening a podcast app, searching for a show, and pressing play or follow. It takes about 30 seconds the first time.
Here is the simplest way to try it right now:
- Open the app that came with your phone, or install a free one like Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
- Search for a topic you like, such as "cooking," "history" or "money."
- Tap a show.
- Tap the newest episode and press play.
- Tap Follow or Subscribe if you like it.
That is the whole thing. You can also listen on a laptop, a smart speaker or in your car.
Do podcasts cost money?
Almost all podcasts are free to listen to. The creators earn money in other ways, such as sponsors, affiliate links or paid bonus episodes. Some shows sit behind a paid subscription, but they are the exception.
Do podcasts use a lot of data?
A 30-minute episode is usually about 20 to 30 MB. Most apps let you download episodes on Wi-Fi first, so you can listen later without using mobile data.
Podcast vs radio vs YouTube: what is the difference?
A podcast is on demand and subscription based, while radio is live and scheduled, and YouTube is video first. All three can cover the same topics. They just deliver them differently.
Here is a quick side-by-side:
- Podcast: You listen any time. It is mostly audio, with video optional. It is usually free. Anyone can make one. You subscribe through an RSS feed.
- Radio: You listen when it airs. It is live audio. It is free. Only licensed stations broadcast. There is no subscription.
- YouTube: You listen any time. It is video. It is free, with ads. Anyone can make a channel. You subscribe through channels.
Why people pick podcasts over radio
Radio decides when you listen. A podcast lets you choose. You can pause, skip, speed it up and come back tomorrow.
You also get far more niche topics. A radio station needs a huge audience to survive. A podcast about a regional recipe style or a single hobby can thrive with a small, loyal one.
Why people pick podcasts over YouTube
You do not need to look at a screen. Podcasts fit into time when your eyes and hands are busy. That is the big reason people say they listen on walks, commutes and chores.
Many shows now publish on both. A podcast with video is still a podcast as long as it has an RSS feed. Some people use YouTube as one more place to listen, and that is perfectly fine.
What kinds of podcasts exist?
Podcasts come in a few common formats: solo, interview, co-hosted, narrative and educational. Most beginner shows pick one of the first three.
- Solo: one host talks. This is the easiest to start.
- Interview: a host talks with a guest each episode.
- Co-hosted: two or more regular hosts chat.
- Narrative: a produced story, like a documentary.
- Educational: teaches a skill step by step.
The topics are endless. There are shows about cooking, comedy, business, true crime, parenting, fitness, language learning and cricket. If you can talk about it, someone has probably made a podcast about it.
Real example: a food podcast nobody expected to work
My wife's podcast is a regional Hindi food and recipe show. When she started, people told her that recipes belong on YouTube and that a regional language show would stay tiny.
The show crossed 3.1 million downloads and reached the Apple Podcasts Top 10. A download simply means one episode was fetched by a listener's app.
I am telling you this because it answers a common worry. A narrow topic is not a weakness. It is often the reason people find you.
What do you need to make a podcast?
You need three things to make a podcast: something to say, something to record on, and a place to host the file. That is the entire starting list.
Here is the honest minimum:
- A topic. One subject you can talk about for 20 episodes.
- A recorder. Your phone works. I explain how in how to record a podcast on your phone.
- A host. A service that stores your audio and builds your RSS feed.
Later, you might add a better microphone and free editing software like Audacity. The full gear picture is in podcast equipment for beginners. But none of it is required on day one.
Common mistake: thinking you need a studio
I see this one constantly. A beginner reads a gear list, sees a $300 (₹25,000) microphone setup and decides to wait until they can afford it.
They wait six months. Nothing gets recorded.
A phone and a pair of earbuds will do for your first episodes. You can upgrade when the show earns the upgrade.
How does a podcast get into Apple Podcasts and Spotify?
You submit your RSS feed once to each directory, and your host handles the rest. After that, every new episode appears automatically.
A directory is a catalog of shows, like a phone book. Apple Podcasts and Spotify are the two biggest.
Apple's submission tool is Apple Podcasts Connect. Many hosts, such as Acast, also offer one-click submission to major apps.
Think of it as registering your address once. After that, the mail just keeps arriving.
How do podcasts make money?
Podcasts earn through sponsorships, affiliate links, listener support, and selling your own products or services. Most small shows earn nothing at first, and that is normal.
I do not want to oversell this. Plenty of people podcast for fun, for their personal brand or to support a business. Money is one possible result, not the starting point.
In my own case, podcasting grew into real income over many years. I started at 36, burned out and quit at episode 58, then returned at 40 with a better plan.
The lesson for you is simple. Patience and a plan beat speed.
A quick troubleshooting guide for first-time listeners
Here are the problems beginners hit most often, and the fix for each.
- "I cannot find a show." Search by topic, not by the exact title. Try two or three keywords.
- "The episode will not play." Check your internet, or download it on Wi-Fi first.
- "I followed a show but see nothing new." Open the show page. The app may need a manual refresh.
- "There are too many shows." Pick three topics you care about. Try one episode from each.
Your next step if you want to make one
If this guide made you think "I could do that," you are right. You can.
The best first move is small. Do not buy anything.
Do not pick a logo. Just learn the order of the steps.
I built a free 10-day email course that walks you through the basics, one short lesson a day. You can join the free 10-Day Podcasting eCourse here. It is made for absolute beginners.
If you want a longer, step-by-step walkthrough first, read how to start a podcast with no experience.
Five podcast myths that stop beginners
Most of the doubts that stop beginners are myths. Here are the five I hear most often, with the plain truth next to each.
Myth 1: You have to be an expert
You do not. You need to be a few steps ahead of the person you are talking to. A beginner who explains what they just learned is often easier to follow than an expert who forgot what confusion feels like.
Myth 2: Episodes must be an hour long
They do not. Many successful shows run 10 to 20 minutes. Short episodes are easier to record, easier to edit and easier to finish.
Myth 3: You need a famous guest
You do not. Plenty of strong shows are just one person talking about one subject. Guests are a nice extra, not a requirement.
Myth 4: Everyone already has a podcast about your topic
This one worries people the most. But popular topics mean there is demand.
Your voice, your stories and your angle are not copies of anyone else's. My wife's regional recipe show worked because it was specific, not because it was first.
Myth 5: You need a big audience to matter
You do not. A show with a small, loyal audience can still lead to clients, sales and real trust. A single old episode of mine once brought in a paying client months after it went live.
How to find your first podcast to listen to
Before you make a show, listen to a few. It is the fastest way to understand the format.
Try this simple plan:
- Pick three topics you already enjoy.
- Search each topic in your podcast app.
- Play the first five minutes of two shows per topic.
- Notice which voices you enjoy, and why.
- Follow the ones you would happily hear again.
While you listen, keep a small note. Write down what you like, such as a warm tone or a short intro.
Write down what annoys you, such as a long ramble. That list becomes the first draft of your own style.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
In this episode, I answer the question behind every beginner's first search: how do podcasts actually work? I explain, in plain English, how a recording travels from a host's computer to the phone in your pocket. I also explain why one episode can appear in many apps at once.
I also share why I understood none of this when I launched my first audio blog at 36. It did not stop me.
The technical part turns out to be small. It is a podcast host, an RSS feed and an app.
What I cover in this episode
- What a podcast is and how it differs from radio and YouTube
- What an RSS feed is, explained with a mailbox
- The five steps from recording to a listener pressing play
- How a show gets into Apple Podcasts and Spotify with one submission
- Why free apps are enough to start listening
Tools I recommend for your first show
- Buzzsprout for podcast hosting, which creates your RSS feed for you
- Riverside for recording interviews with remote guests
- Descript for recording and editing in one place
If you want the exact order to follow, from idea to a live show, join my 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. Day 6 walks you through submitting your feed to the major apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a podcast in simple words?
A podcast is an audio show you can listen to any time on your phone. It comes in episodes, and you can follow a show so new episodes arrive on their own.
Most are free. There are millions of episodes across almost every topic you can imagine.
What is the meaning of the word podcast?
The word blends "iPod" and "broadcast." It describes audio sent out to many people, but played on a personal device whenever each person chooses. Today you can listen on any phone, not only an iPod.
How do podcasts work for beginners?
A host records an episode and uploads it to a podcast hosting service. That service creates an RSS feed, which is a web address listing every episode. Apps check the feed and show new episodes to listeners who follow the show.
What is the difference between a podcast and radio?
Radio is live and follows a schedule. A podcast is recorded and you play it whenever you want. Radio stations also need licenses, while anyone can publish a podcast with a phone and a hosting account.
Is a podcast the same as a YouTube video?
No. A podcast is built around audio and an RSS feed, so it works in any podcast app.
A YouTube video lives on one platform and is built around visuals. Some creators publish the same conversation in both places.
Are podcasts free?
Most podcasts are free to listen to. Creators earn from sponsors, affiliate links, listener support or their own products. A small number of shows charge a subscription, but free is the norm.
Do I need an app to listen to a podcast?
Mostly yes, though some shows also play on their own websites. Free apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify are the easiest way. Searching for a topic and pressing play takes about 30 seconds.
How long is a typical podcast episode?
Episodes range from five minutes to a few hours. Many beginner shows run 10 to 30 minutes. The best length is whatever your topic needs, not a magic number.
Can I make a podcast on my phone?
Yes. Your phone has a built-in voice recorder, and that is enough for your first episodes.
You then upload the file to a podcast host. Better gear can wait until the show is running.
How many podcasts are there?
There are millions of shows in the major directories, and the number changes constantly. The exact figure matters less than this fact: even a tiny niche has room for one more voice.
Do podcasters make money?
Some do, many do not, and almost nobody does in the first few months. Income usually comes from sponsors, affiliate links, services or products. Treat money as a long-term result, and start for the love of the topic.
So, what is a podcast to you?
Go back to the first line of this guide. A podcast is a show that waits for you.
That is also the best way to think about making one. Your future listener is out there right now, wishing someone would explain your topic in plain English. What would you tell them first?
Resources that I recommend
Here are some of the resources that I recommended in this episode and the ones that I recommend in Podcasting.
- Ubersuggest – The Keyword research tool that I recommend
Below are the tools that I recommend for podcasting:
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting
- Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
- Behringer Audio Interface (budget option) – A lower-cost alternative if you're just starting out and want to keep costs down.
- Riverside – Riverside is my pick for recording interviews, audio or video. It records each person on their own device, so a shaky connection on either end never ends up in the episode.
- Audacity – This is the best and most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
- Samson Q2U – My recommended microphone
- Audio Technica ATR-2110x – My recommended alternative microphone
- TidyCal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
Thank you for joining in
I hope you enjoyed the information that I shared in this episode.
Do subscribe to the show on your favorite podcasting platform in order to stay updated with the latest episodes that I release.
The Podcasting University is available on almost all podcasting platforms. The link to the prominent ones are mentioned below –
Planning to start a podcast?
Then you might want to join my "7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge".
Disclaimer: Some of these links above are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from the links above, I will earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Also, The Podcasting University is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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