How to Cite a Podcast in MLA Format

How to Cite a Podcast in MLA Format

This guide explains how to cite a podcast in MLA format (MLA 9) and who uses this style. Students, researchers, and writers in the humanities commonly use MLA to credit sources and avoid plagiarism. If you need a quick citation, use Rephrasely's free citation generator at https://rephrasely.com/citation.

Introduction — What this format is and who uses it

MLA (Modern Language Association) style provides a consistent system for documenting sources. It emphasizes authorial attribution and concise entries in a "Works Cited" list. Humanities instructors, literature scholars, and many undergraduate programs require MLA formatting.

This article focuses on how to cite a podcast MLA-style, and also covers general MLA rules, common source types, in-text citations, and frequent mistakes to avoid.

General Rules — Key formatting rules

• Use MLA 9th edition guidelines for punctuation, italics, and order of elements.

• Place the author's or host's name first, followed by the title of the episode in quotation marks, the title of the podcast in italics, other contributors if relevant, the publisher, date, and a URL if available.

• Works Cited entries are double-spaced with a hanging indent; however, single-spaced examples appear below for readability.

• Do not include an access date unless the source lacks a publication date or the instructor requests it.

How to Cite by Source Type

Below are step-by-step templates and examples for common sources, including detailed podcast entries. Use the code examples exactly for your Works Cited.

1. Podcast episode (most common)

Template: Host(s). "Episode Title." Podcast Title, season #, episode #, Producer or Publisher (if different), Day Month Year, URL.

Example:

If there is no host, begin with the episode title. If season or episode numbers aren't available, omit them but keep the rest of the elements.

2. Entire podcast series

Template: Podcast Title. Created by Creator Name(s), Publisher, Year(s).

Example:

3. Interview (published online or in a podcast)

Template: Interviewee Last Name, First Name. Interview by Interviewer First Name Last Name, Podcast Title, season #, episode #, Publisher, Day Month Year, URL.

Example:

4. Book

Template: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:

5. Journal article

Template: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx–xx.

Example:

6. Website

Template: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Page." Website Name, Publisher (if different), Day Month Year, URL.

Example:

In-Text Citations — Rules and examples

MLA in-text citations use the author or speaker's last name and a page number if available. For audio sources like podcasts, include the speaker's last name or a shortened title if no author exists.

• Basic author citation: (Rogan)

• Shortened title if no author: ("Climate Change and Tech")

• When referencing a specific moment in an audio recording, include a timestamp: (Rogan 00:45:20).

Examples in sentences:

Or for a timestamped quote:

Reference List — Formatting rules and example

MLA calls the reference list "Works Cited." Place it at the end of your paper with the title Works Cited centered. Use a hanging indent for each entry and list items alphabetically by author or title if no author is given.

Key formatting points:

• Entries are double-spaced (shown single-spaced here for clarity).

• Authors' names are inverted: Last name, First name.

• Italicize titles of larger works (podcast title, book title, journal name).

• Use quotation marks for smaller works (podcast episode title, article title).

Works Cited example including a podcast:

For multiple types in one Works Cited, ensure consistent punctuation and ordering for each entry. If you prefer automated formatting, try Rephrasely's citation generator at https://rephrasely.com/citation.

Common Mistakes — 3–4 errors to avoid

• Confusing host and author: For podcasts, list the host(s) as the author when they function as primary contributors. If a different person created the content, clarify roles (e.g., "host," "created by").

• Omitting the podcast title: Students sometimes cite only the episode title. Always include the podcast title in italics to show the container.

• Wrong punctuation and order: MLA has specific punctuation between elements (commas, periods). Follow the templates above or use a citation tool to be safe.

• Including an access date unnecessarily: MLA doesn't require access dates for most online sources. Only include them when no publication date is available or if your instructor asks.

Actionable Tips

• Collect metadata when you listen: host name(s), episode title, podcast title, season/episode numbers, publisher, release date, and URL.

• Use timestamps for precise quotes: note start and end times while listening to make in-text citations exact.

• For bulk work, use Rephrasely’s citation generator to export MLA-formatted entries, then check for special cases like multiple hosts or missing publishers.

If you're polishing a paper, Rephrasely also offers tools to help: the plagiarism checker (/plagiarism-checker) to confirm originality, the AI writer (/composer) to draft or restructure text, and the AI detector (/ai-detector) if you need to verify content provenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format a podcast episode with multiple hosts in MLA?

List the hosts in the order presented, using "and" before the final name, and add "hosts" after the names. Example: Rivera, Alex, and Sam Ortiz, hosts. "Episode Title." Podcast Title, ...

Do I need to include an access date for a podcast URL?

No—MLA does not require an access date if a publication date is provided. Include an access date only when there's no listed publication date or your instructor specifically asks for it.

Can I cite a podcast segment or timestamp as a standalone citation?

Yes. Cite the episode as usual in the Works Cited and add a timestamp in the in-text citation for the specific segment: (Host Last Name 00:10:15-00:12:00). This points readers to the exact portion you referenced.