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As podcasts grow in popularity, there is an increasing interest by consumers in finding and listening to them.  Even people who wouldn’t consider themselves overly technical, or had previously thought things like podcasts and internet radio were for the “computer geek” among us are starting to become regular podcast listeners!

A podcast is a series of audio files that can be listened to online, on your computer, or through a portable audio player- most often in mp3 format.  Podcasts exist on almost every topic imaginable.

How to Find Podcasts

If you’d like to start listening to podcasts, or at least see what all the fuss is about, there are several ways to find podcasts on the topics you’re interested in hearing more about.  One of the most popular search tools for all online media (podcasts, internet radio, artists’ albums, and more) is iTunes.

  • iTunes offers a free software download for Mac and PC, and once you have the software you can use the search tool to locate podcasts on the subject of your choice.  (While you’re there you might want to find internet radio and purchase the latest single from your favorite performing artist, too)
  • Podcast Alley is a portal for podcasts.  You can search by genre or most popular podcast to find what you’re looking for.
  • Your favorite websites often have a link to PODCASTS right on their homepages, including CNN, MSNMONEY, and the New York Times website.  Next time your browsing a site and it interests you, take a look and see if they also offer a podcast

How to Listen to Your Podcasts

Once you find a podcast you want to listen to, there are a couple methods of listening.  Some websites offer the podcasts directly over the internet, and you can listen through your internet browser and computer speaker or headphones.  This is fine if you are listening while you sit at your computer, but can be inconvenient if you are on the go.

Downloading the podcasts is possible through almost every website that offers them, as well as when you search for podcasts using iTunes or Podcast Alley (and similar podcast search portals).  Once downloaded and saved to your computer, you can then transfer to your portable media device/mp3 player and listen wherever it’s convenient- at the gym, in the car, at work, etc.