How to Cite a Podcast in APA, MLA, Chicago & Harvard Style

When citing a podcast that features a guest speaker or is structured as an interview or panel discussion, it’s important to appropriately credit both the host and the guest(s). The citation format varies across different styles but generally includes the names of the host and guest, the episode title, the podcast title, the publication date, and the URL.

Example Podcast Episode:

Consider an episode from Fresh Air featuring an interview with Evan Osnos:

• Episode Title: “The Future Of America’s Contest With China”
• Podcast Title: Fresh Air
• Host: Terry Gross
• Guest: Evan Osnos
• Publication Date: January 10, 2020
• URL: https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

APA Style:

In APA style, the host is listed as the author, and the guest can be mentioned in the episode title if relevant.

Reference List Entry:

Gross, T. (Host). (2020, January 10). The future of America’s contest with China [Audio podcast episode]. In Fresh Air. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

In-Text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Gross, 2020)
• Narrative: Gross (2020) discusses America’s evolving relationship with China.

MLA Style:

MLA style emphasizes the speaker or interviewee, listing them as the author, followed by the host’s name and other details.

Works Cited Entry:

Osnos, Evan. “The Future Of America’s Contest With China.” Interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air, NPR, 10 Jan. 2020, https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

In-Text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Osnos)
• Narrative: Osnos discusses America’s evolving relationship with China.

Chicago Style:

Chicago style can be formatted in Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date.

Notes and Bibliography:

Footnote:

1. Evan Osnos, interview by Terry Gross, “The Future Of America’s Contest With China,” Fresh Air, NPR, January 10, 2020, https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

Bibliography:

Osnos, Evan. “The Future Of America’s Contest With China.” Interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air, NPR, January 10, 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

Author-Date:

Reference List Entry:

Osnos, Evan. 2020. “The Future Of America’s Contest With China.” Interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air, NPR, January 10, 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china

In-Text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Osnos 2020)
• Narrative: Osnos (2020) discusses America’s evolving relationship with China.

Harvard Style:

In Harvard style, the interviewee is listed first, followed by the interviewer and other relevant details.

Reference List Entry:

Osnos, E. (2020) ‘The Future Of America’s Contest With China.’ Interviewed by T. Gross on Fresh Air, NPR, 10 January. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/794968793/the-future-of-americas-contest-with-china  (Accessed: 12 February 2025)

In-Text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Osnos, 2020)
• Narrative: Osnos (2020) discusses America’s evolving relationship with China.

Formatting Differences Across Citation Styles:

• APA: Focuses on the host as the author; the guest’s name may appear in the episode title.
• MLA: Emphasizes the guest/interviewee as the author, with the host mentioned as the interviewer.
• Chicago: Offers flexibility; the host or guest can list first, depending on the focus.
• Harvard: Typically lists the interviewee first, followed by the interviewer and other details.