When incorporating podcast citations into your work, particularly in APA style, it’s essential to provide clear, concise references that allow readers to locate the source material. APA style, as outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.), offers guidelines for citing various types of sources, including podcasts. Here’s how to cite a podcast in APA style, both in-text and in the reference list:
In-Text Citation
For in-text citations of podcasts, you typically include the host’s last name (if given), the year of the podcast episode’s release, and the timestamp if you’re quoting or paraphrasing a specific part of the episode. The general format is:
(Last Name, Year, Timestamp)
If the host’s name is not provided, you might use the name of the podcast instead:
(Podcast Name, Year, Timestamp)
Examples: - (Smith, 2022, 12:34) - (The Daily, 2021, 23:45)
If you’re referencing the podcast as a whole rather than a specific episode, you would not include a timestamp:
(Last Name, Year) or (Podcast Name, Year)
Reference List Entry
For the reference list, APA provides a specific format for podcasts, which can vary slightly depending on whether you’re citing a podcast episode or the entire series. Here are the formats:
Podcast Episode:
Host’s Last Name, First Initial (Host). (Year, Month Day of Release). Episode title [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Title. Podcast Company. https://URL
Example: Smith, J. (Host). (2022, February 15). The Future of AI [Audio podcast episode]. In Tech Today. TechToday Productions. https://www.techtoday.com/podcast/episode15
Entire Podcast Series:
If you’re citing the podcast series as a whole (which is less common), you would use:
Host’s Last Name, First Initial (Host). (Year). Podcast Title [Audio podcast]. Podcast Company. https://URL
Example: Smith, J. (Host). (2022). Tech Today [Audio podcast]. TechToday Productions. https://www.techtoday.com/podcast
Important Notes:
- Retrieval Date: For APA citations, you typically include a retrieval date for online sources that might change or become outdated. However, for podcasts, which are more static once published, this is less common. If you do need to include a retrieval date (e.g., for a transcript that could be updated), it would follow the URL, preceded by “Retrieved from” and the date in the format “Month Day, Year.”
- No DOI: Since podcasts usually don’t have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), you won’t include one in the citation.
- Variations: Depending on the specifics of your source (e.g., if there are multiple hosts, if it’s a video podcast, etc.), you might need to adjust the citation format accordingly.
Remember, the key to accurate citation is to provide enough information for the reader to find the source. Always consult the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual or APA’s official website for the most current guidelines.
