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82 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 8 PODCAST BASICS What's a Podcast? The best way to describe a podcast is to consider it an audio blog—similar to a radio broadcast—that is free from government regulation (although copyright laws apply) and not bound by Federal Communication Commission regulations. Originally developed in 2004 by former MTV video jockey Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer, podcasting has remained primarily an amateur endeavor. Although there are currently over 550,000 podcasts (per Apple at Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2018), most podcasters continue to broadcast from home studios. Since podcasters do not rely on ratings (unlike radio broadcasters), podcast subject matter runs the gamut from the silliest to most serious topics. Many podcasts, though, are used for informational and educational purposes and typically cater to niche groups of listeners. By podcasting consistently on a particular topic, podcasters are able to increase their credibility and build an audience of loyal listeners. Podcasts are generally spread over a series of episodes, which can be downloaded from the internet and played on various devices. The simplest method for listening is on your computer, where you can play the podcast directly through the podcast's website. Just navigate to the podcast page on the site, find the play button, and listen. The downside? You're stuck in front of your computer screen. To mobilize your listening, you can use a smartphone, MP3 player, or smart speaker. Pick a Podcatcher Listening on your mobile device is the most convenient way to follow your favorite podcasts while on the go. There are several podcasting apps, or podcatchers, that make it easy to subscribe. If you're using an Apple mobile device (phone, pad, or pod), Apple Podcasts or iTunes is most likely already installed. On Android devices, Google Play Music is the installed player. In either case, you are not stuck with the podcatcher already installed on your device. If you want to make a change, just search "podcast apps" in your browser to find dozens of podcatchers, such as Stitcher, Castbox, and Spotify, among others. Once you choose your podcatcher, you're ready to find a plethora of podcasts that will pique your interest. Find a Podcast Most people discover podcasts through word of mouth—via a friend, magazine, online article, or possibly a YouTube video. You might also learn about a podcast because a specific person, whose work you enjoy, announces they have an ongoing podcast or are starting one. Another way to find interesting podcasts is through your podcatcher. Every podcast app has a selection of recommendations for you to browse, or you can search podcasts by topic or title. Some apps offer better recommendations than others, but you should be able to find several podcasts that interest you. If you'd like a more comprehensive way to locate shows, Listen Notes (www.listennotes.com) is a search engine (think Google, Bing, or Yahoo! search) specifically for podcasts. Using the Listen Notes search engine, you can pinpoint podcasts by title, or you can fine tune your search for podcasts that contain certain people, places, or topics. If you don't have a particular podcast in mind, Listen Notes also offers recommendations, such as Podcast Interviews, Hot Podcasts, Best Podcasts, and more. There's also Listen Later, which allows you to add episodes to your add-to-playlist button for future listening (similar to YouTube's Watch Later list). Listen Notes has cataloged over 500,000 podcasts and 30 million episodes. Transform Your Ride Since you probably listen to the radio in your car anyway, why not make your drive more entertaining or informative? Listening to podcasts while commuting has become quite popular, and it's simple to do. Using your phone and the Bluetooth connection in your car, you can hear your favorite podcasts wirelessly through your car speakers using the same technology that connects your phone to your car for hands-free calls. If your car is not equipped with Bluetooth, you can plug your phone into the USB port, use an auxiliary cable, or buy an FM Bluetooth adapter for less than $20.