Who is the author of a podcast — the host or the guest?

The host (with a (Host) label in APA). A guest is mentioned in your text, not in the author position. The producer/network is the publisher.

How do I cite one episode versus the whole show?

Cite the episode (episode title as the piece, show as the series) unless you're discussing the entire series, in which case cite the show with a date range.

How do I quote something said in a podcast?

Use a timestamp in place of a page number: (Host, Year, 12:30).

Do I include the episode number?

In APA, yes when the show numbers its episodes — (No. 142) after the title. MLA includes season/episode if applicable.

How to Cite a Podcast

Updated July 2026

A podcast citation names the host as author (with a role label in APA), the episode as the piece, and the show as the series it belongs to. One episode and a whole series are cited slightly differently.

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The format (single episode)

APA: Host, H. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. X) [Audio podcast episode]. In Show Name. Producer. URL MLA: Host Last, First, host. “Episode Title.” Show Name, season/episode, Producer, Day Mon. Year, URL.

Podcast episode — APA 7

Vedantam, S. (2023, November 6). Why we sleep. Hidden Brain. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/why-we-sleep

In-text(Vedantam, 2023)

Episode vs. whole series

One episode (the common case): the episode title is the piece, the show is the series. The whole series: cite the show itself with the host as author and a date range — Vedantam, S. (Host). (2015–present). Hidden Brain [Audio podcast]. NPR. Cite the episode unless you're genuinely discussing the show as a whole.

Roles and quotes

APA labels the role: (Host), or (Executive Producer) when relevant.
Add the episode number in APA — (No. 142) — when the show uses them.
Quote a moment with a timestamp: (Vedantam, 2023, 12:30).
The producer/network (NPR, Spotify Studios) is the publisher.

In-text citations

APA: (Vedantam, 2023). MLA: (Vedantam). For a quote, add the timestamp in APA. Name the host and show in your prose for readability.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the author of a podcast — the host or the guest?: The host (with a (Host) label in APA). A guest is mentioned in your text, not in the author position. The producer/network is the publisher.
How do I cite one episode versus the whole show?: Cite the episode (episode title as the piece, show as the series) unless you're discussing the entire series, in which case cite the show with a date range.
How do I quote something said in a podcast?: Use a timestamp in place of a page number: (Host, Year, 12:30).
Do I include the episode number?: In APA, yes when the show numbers its episodes — (No. 142) after the title. MLA includes season/episode if applicable.

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