How to Cite Podcasts (General) in Chicago 17 Format

Podcasts have become a significant source for academic research, journalism, and cultural commentary. Because podcasts combine elements of broadcast media, interviews, and serial publishing, citing them in Chicago 17th Edition style requires attention to several unique details—host names, episode titles, series titles, timestamps, and access URLs. The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) treats podcasts similarly to other multimedia sources but with specific conventions that differ from radio broadcasts, audiobooks, or streaming video. This guide covers the standard notes-bibliography system for citing podcasts of all types.

For a broader overview of the style, see our Chicago 17th Edition guide. For related audio formats such as radio episodes or audio interviews, consult our podcast source type guide.

Understanding the Core Format

Chicago 17 classifies podcasts as a form of multimedia content. In the notes-bibliography system, a podcast citation includes the following elements in order:

1. Creator name — Typically the host. If citing a specific guest's contribution, the guest may be listed first with the host noted after the podcast name.
2. Role descriptor — "host," "producer," "narrator," etc., placed after the name.
3. "Episode title" — In quotation marks, headline-style capitalization.
4. Podcast name — In italics, as it functions like a periodical title.
5. Medium descriptor — "Podcast audio" or "podcast video" to clarify format.
6. Date — The air or publication date in Month Day, Year format.
7. Duration — Optional but recommended when citing a specific timestamp.
8. URL or access information — A direct link to the episode.

When an episode has a season and episode number, include it after the episode title: "Episode Title," season 2, episode 14.

Where to Find Citation Information on Podcasts (General)

Gathering accurate metadata for podcast citations can be less straightforward than for books or journal articles. Here is where to look:

• Podcast app or platform page: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts display the episode title, series name, host name, publication date, and episode description. The episode description often names guests and provides links.
• Show's official website: Many podcasts maintain a website with full episode archives, show notes, and transcripts. These are the most reliable source for episode numbers, guest names, and direct URLs.
• RSS feed: The podcast's RSS feed (viewable in a browser or feed reader) contains structured metadata including exact publication dates and episode numbering.
• Episode audio itself: The introduction typically identifies the host, guest, episode number, and series name. Use this to verify names and spellings.
• Hosting platform dashboards: If the show page does not list an episode number, platforms like Podbean, Libsyn, or Anchor often assign sequential numbers automatically.

Tip: When no episode number is formally assigned, omit it rather than guessing. The date and title are sufficient to identify the episode.

Detailed Examples

Example 1: Standard Podcast Episode with One Host

A typical episode where the host is the primary creator.

Example 2: Episode Featuring a Guest Interview

When the guest's contribution is the focus of your citation, list the guest first and note the host with "hosted by" after the podcast name.

Example 3: Episode with Season and Episode Numbers

Some podcasts, especially narrative or investigative series, use formal season and episode numbering.

Example 4: Podcast Episode with Multiple Hosts

When two or more hosts share equal responsibility, list all hosts. For three or more, use the first host followed by "et al." in footnotes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Primary Creator

Determine whether you are citing the host's work or a guest's contribution. If the episode is a standard host-driven discussion, list the host. If you are engaging specifically with a guest's ideas, list the guest first followed by "interview by [Host Name]."

Step 2: Add the Role Descriptor

After the creator's name, include a lowercase role label: "host," "producer," "narrator," or "interview by [Name]." This clarifies the person's relationship to the podcast. In bibliography entries, this follows the inverted name.

Step 3: Write the Episode Title

Place the episode title in quotation marks. Use headline-style capitalization as specified by Chicago: capitalize the first and last words and all major words. Do not capitalize articles, prepositions (under four letters), or coordinating conjunctions unless they begin the title.

Step 4: Italicize the Podcast Name

The podcast series name functions like a periodical and should be italicized. Reproduce the official name exactly, including any stylistic choices such as all-lowercase branding—but apply headline capitalization per Chicago rules.

Step 5: Include Season and Episode Numbers (If Available)

If the podcast uses formal numbering, add "season X, episode Y" after the podcast name. Use lowercase. If only an episode number exists without seasons, write "episode 47" alone.

Step 6: Specify the Medium

Write "podcast audio" for audio-only podcasts or "podcast video" for video podcasts. This distinguishes the format from radio broadcasts and other audio media.

Step 7: Provide the Date

Use the full date in Month Day, Year format (e.g., "March 15, 2024"). Use the original air date or publication date, not the date you accessed it.

Step 8: Add the URL

Provide a stable, direct URL to the episode. Prefer the podcast's official website over platform-specific links (e.g., Spotify or Apple Podcasts), as those may change. If only a platform link is available, use it. Do not add a period after a URL that ends the citation.

Step 9: Include Timestamps for Specific References

When referencing a specific passage, add the timestamp in the footnote after the URL: "at 14:30." This is not typically included in the bibliography entry.

Common Mistakes When Citing Podcasts

1. Confusing the Host with the Guest

If you are citing ideas expressed by a guest, the guest—not the host—should appear first in the citation. Listing only the host misattributes the intellectual contribution. Use "interview by [Host]" to clarify the relationship.

2. Omitting the Medium Descriptor

Unlike books or journal articles, podcasts require a format indicator. Without "podcast audio" or "podcast video," a reader cannot distinguish the source from a radio broadcast, lecture recording, or audiobook. Always include it.

3. Using Platform-Specific URLs That Break

Spotify and Apple Podcasts URLs are tied to platform accounts and sometimes change. When possible, use the podcast's own website URL. If no website exists, a platform link is acceptable but less stable.

4. Forgetting to Italicize the Podcast Name

The podcast name is a serial publication title and must be italicized. The episode title goes in quotation marks. Reversing this—italicizing the episode and quoting the series—is a frequent error.

5. Incorrect Capitalization of Episode Titles

Chicago requires headline-style capitalization for titles in notes and bibliography. Many podcast platforms display episode titles in sentence case or all caps. Always convert to proper headline-style capitalization regardless of how the source displays it.

6. Adding "Accessed" Dates Unnecessarily

Chicago 17 does not require access dates for most online sources, including podcasts. Only include an access date if the content is especially time-sensitive or likely to change (which is rare for published podcast episodes).

Special Cases

Podcast Series as a Whole (Not a Specific Episode)

If you are referencing an entire podcast series rather than one episode, omit the episode title and treat the series name as the main title:

Note: when citing a whole series rather than a dated episode, an access date is appropriate because there is no single publication date.

Podcast with a Producing Organization

If a podcast is produced by a notable organization (e.g., a news network or university), include the organization after the medium descriptor:

Podcast Episode with a Transcript

If you consulted a written transcript rather than (or in addition to) the audio, note this:

Notes vs. Bibliography Differences

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I cite the host or the guest of a podcast episode?

It depends on whose ideas you are engaging with. If you are citing the host's commentary or the show's editorial perspective, list the host as the primary creator. If you are citing a guest's argument or expertise, list the guest first with "interview by [Host Name]" to credit both parties. In most academic contexts, the person whose ideas you are analyzing should appear first.

How do I handle a podcast that has no episode titles?

Some podcasts, particularly informal or conversational shows, do not title individual episodes. In this case, provide a descriptive label in place of a title, without quotation marks: "episode posted March 15, 2024" or "episode 47." This follows Chicago's convention for untitled works. Include enough detail (date, episode number) for the reader to locate the specific episode.

Should I include the podcast platform (Spotify, Apple Podcasts) in my citation?

Generally, no. Chicago does not require naming the platform where you accessed the podcast. Simply provide the URL. However, if the podcast is exclusive to a particular platform and cannot be accessed elsewhere, you may note this: "available on Spotify." The producing organization (e.g., NPR, Slate, WNYC Studios) is more relevant and should be included when applicable.

How do I cite a specific timestamp in a podcast episode?

Add the timestamp at the end of the footnote, before or after the URL: "at 22:15" or "at 1:04:30." This is analogous to citing a page number in a book. The timestamp should not appear in the bibliography entry, which references the episode as a whole. Use the format hours:minutes:seconds for episodes longer than one hour, and minutes:seconds for shorter episodes.

For more on Chicago 17 formatting across all source types, visit our complete Chicago 17th Edition guide. For specific audio source formatting including radio broadcasts and audiobooks, see our podcast source type guide.