How to Start Listening to Podcasts: Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

If you've heard about podcasts but don't know where to start, this guide covers everything: what podcasts are, how to listen, which app to use, finding great shows, and making the most of your listening time.

What Are Podcasts?

Podcasts are audio shows you can listen to on demand. Think of them like radio shows, but:

• Listen whenever you want – No schedule, no waiting
• Subscribe to specific shows – New episodes download automatically
• Millions of topics – News, comedy, true crime, business, science, sports—everything
• Mostly free – Most podcasts are completely free to listen to

Step 1: Choose a Podcast App

You need an app to listen to podcasts. Here are the easiest options:

For iPhone Users

Apple Podcasts (pre-installed on iPhone)

• Already on your phone—no download needed
• Simple, easy interface
• Completely free
• ✅ Best choice for beginners on iPhone

For Android Users

Spotify (works on any device)

• You probably already have it for music
• Music + podcasts in one app
• Free with ads (or $11/month removes ads)
• ✅ Best choice for beginners on Android

Other Good Options

• Overcast – iOS only, great features (free)
• Pocket Casts – Works everywhere, beautiful design ($4/month)

See our full podcast app comparison →

Step 2: Find Your First Podcast

There are millions of podcasts. Here's how to find ones you'll actually enjoy:

Method 1: Browse by Topic

Open your podcast app and browse categories:

• News – The Daily, Up First, WSJ What's News
• True Crime – Crime Junkie, Serial, Criminal
• Comedy – SmartLess, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
• Business – All-In, Planet Money
• Science – Huberman Lab, Radiolab

Method 2: Start with Popular Shows

Check the podcast charts in your app. Popular shows are popular for a reason—high quality, consistent episodes, great hosts.

Method 3: Search for Specific Interests

Type your interest into the search bar:

• "Technology podcasts"
• "History podcasts"
• "Marketing podcasts"
• "Fitness podcasts"

See our full guide to finding podcasts →

Step 3: Subscribe and Listen

How to Subscribe

1. Find a podcast you like
2. Tap "Subscribe" or "Follow"
3. New episodes will now download automatically

How to Listen

1. Tap an episode to play it
2. Use headphones or play through your phone speaker
3. Pause/resume anytime—your progress is saved
4. Skip forward/back using 15-second buttons (most apps)

Pro Tips for Beginners

• Download episodes on WiFi – Saves mobile data
• Try 1.2x or 1.5x speed – Listen faster without losing comprehension
• Start with shorter episodes – 20-30 minutes to build the habit
• Don't feel obligated to finish – If an episode isn't working, skip it

When to Listen to Podcasts

Podcasts are perfect for:

• Commuting – Turn drive time into learning time
• Working out – Make exercise more enjoyable
• Doing chores – Cooking, cleaning, walking the dog
• Morning routine – Start your day informed
• Before bed – Relaxing content for better sleep

5 Great Podcasts for Beginners

1. The Daily (News - 20-30 min)

The New York Times covers one major story each weekday. Perfect introduction to daily news podcasts.

2. Stuff You Should Know (Education - 30-60 min)

Two guys explain random topics in an entertaining way. Great chemistry, easy listening.

3. SmartLess (Comedy - varies)

Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes interview celebrities. Funny and accessible.

4. Hidden Brain (Psychology - 20-30 min)

Fascinating stories about human behavior. Makes psychology accessible and entertaining.

5. This American Life (Stories - 60 min)

Weekly storytelling show. Different theme each week with multiple stories. Award-winning production.

Common Beginner Questions

Do podcasts cost money?

Most are completely free. Some have premium tiers or exclusive content behind paywalls, but the vast majority are free.

How do I know which episodes to listen to?

Start with the most recent episode, or browse episode descriptions for topics that interest you.

Better yet: Use PodBrief to read AI summaries of episodes before listening—know what you're getting in 2 minutes.

How many podcasts should I subscribe to?

Start with 2-3. You can always add more later. It's better to listen regularly to a few shows than subscribe to 20 and feel overwhelmed.

Do I need to listen to every episode?

Absolutely not. Skip episodes that don't interest you. Mark them as "played" to clear them from your queue.

How PodBrief Helps Beginners

The biggest challenge for new listeners is finding good episodes without wasting time. PodBrief solves this:

• Read AI summaries in 2 minutes – Know what episodes cover before listening
• Browse by topic – Find shows and episodes that match your interests
• Discover the best episodes – Don't start with a mediocre episode
• Save time – Skip episodes that don't interest you

Final Thoughts

Starting with podcasts is simple: download an app, find a show that interests you, and press play. Don't overthink it.

The key is to start small—2-3 shows you'll actually listen to beats subscribing to 20 and never listening. Give it a week, see what sticks, and adjust from there. Your commute, workout, or chore time is about to get a lot more interesting.