Question 1

How do I cite a podcast episode in MLA format?

Accepted Answer

List the host with 'host' after their name, the episode title in quotation marks, the podcast name in italics, season and episode numbers if available, the publisher, the date, and the URL.

Question 2

Who is the author of a podcast in MLA: the host or the guest?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your focus. If you are citing the podcast itself, the host is the author. If you are citing something a specific guest said, list the guest as the author and the host as a contributor with 'hosted by.'

Question 3

How do I cite a podcast from Spotify in MLA?

Accepted Answer

Use the same format as any podcast. The URL should be the Spotify link to the specific episode. The platform name (Spotify) is not needed separately since the URL makes it clear.

Question 4

Do I need season and episode numbers for MLA podcast citations?

Accepted Answer

Include them if the podcast uses a season/episode structure. Many podcasts only number episodes without seasons. Use whatever numbering the podcast provides.

Question 5

How do I cite an entire podcast series, not a specific episode?

Accepted Answer

List the host, the podcast name in italics (as the title, not the container), the publisher, the date range, and the URL. Example: Glass, Ira, host. This American Life. WBEZ Chicago, 1995–present, www.thisamericanlife.org.

Question 6

How do I include a timestamp for a podcast in MLA?

Accepted Answer

Add the timestamp in the in-text citation like a page number: (Glass 12:30). Use MM:SS or HH:MM:SS format.

Question 7

What if the podcast publisher is the same as the podcast name?

Accepted Answer

Omit the publisher to avoid repetition. For example, if the podcast is called 'Radiolab' and is published by Radiolab, just list the podcast name once.

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