What is a podcast?
A podcast is a series of spoken-word audio episodes, published regularly and available on the internet. You can listen on your phone, computer, or in the car — whenever it suits you.
Topics range from news and true crime to comedy, science, business, and storytelling. Most podcasts are free to listen to, and new episodes arrive automatically when you follow a show.
Why is it called a podcast?
The word podcast is a blend of iPod and broadcast. It was coined around 2004 when portable players made it easy to download audio shows and take them anywhere — even though you no longer need an iPod to listen.
How do you listen to a podcast?
You can listen for free on Podventory in your browser — no app install required — or use a dedicated podcast app on your phone. Here is how to get started on Podventory:
Listen in your browser
Podventory works as a free podcast player on the web. Open Discover, pick a show, and press play — no download, no account, and no credit card.
Listen in a podcast app
You can also subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or any app that reads RSS feeds. Podventory is a convenient web option when you want to sample a show before subscribing elsewhere, or when you prefer listening on a laptop or tablet.
- Open Discover to find podcasts and episodes.
- Search for a show or episode title, or browse Top Charts and genres.
- Open an episode page to see details, artwork, and show notes.
- Press play to listen in the built-in player. Add episodes to your queue for uninterrupted listening.
Best podcast apps
Popular options include Apple Podcasts and Spotify on your phone, plus desktop players like iTunes or web apps. Podventory stands out as a free, no-install web player — search the catalog, build a queue, and listen without creating an account.
Podcast vs radio
Radio and podcasts both deliver spoken audio, but they work differently. Radio broadcasts on a fixed schedule — you tune in live or miss the show. Podcasts publish episodes on demand, so you listen when you want, pause, rewind, and binge entire seasons.
Many radio stations now republish shows as podcasts, blurring the line. The key difference for listeners: podcasts are almost always free, available worldwide through RSS, and easy to discover by topic rather than dial frequency.
What does it cost to listen to a podcast?
Most podcasts are free. They are distributed through open RSS feeds — a standard format that lets any app or website subscribe to new episodes. Podventory reads these feeds so you can search and play shows without a subscription.
Some creators offer premium episodes or entire shows behind a paywall or paid subscription. Free episodes from the same feed often remain available; paid content is an extra choice from the publisher, not a requirement to enjoy podcasts in general.
How to create a podcast
Starting a podcast is easier than ever. Here is a practical overview:
- Choose a topic and format — interview, solo, documentary, or news-style — and plan a few episodes ahead.
- Record audio with a microphone and free or paid editing software. Good sound matters more than expensive gear at first.
- Pick a podcast host that stores your files and generates an RSS feed. Popular options include Buzzsprout, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), and Libsyn — compare pricing and features on each site.
- Publish episodes through your host. Each release updates your RSS feed automatically.
- Submit your RSS feed to directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify so listeners can find you in apps and on sites like Podventory.
Podcast hosting platforms
A hosting platform stores your audio files and publishes an RSS feed that podcast apps read. Common choices:
Explore popular genres
Not sure where to start? Browse some of the most popular categories on Podventory: