How to Listen and Subscribe to a Podcast

Since launching This Mom Loves: The Podcast, I’ve received many questions about how to listen to a podcast, and how to subscribe to a podcast, so I decided to gather some instructions together all in one place!

Before I get to that, an even more important question that I’ve also been asked: What is a podcast? My simplest answer: it’s like a radio show, but not on the radio. There are hosts who record episodes and then share them in a variety of places for people to listen to at will – kind of like Netflix, where you can choose what you want, and bingewatch – or in this case bingelisten to – your favourites! (There are also fiction shows, which range from one-narrator-audiobook-style to full on, multiple actors and sound effects programs.)

Here’s how you can get started listening to a podcast:

Listen to a podcast through a browser

You don’t actually need any special app to listen to most podcasts, including This Mom Loves! Just go to the website for the podcast on desktop or a mobile device, (mine is here), choose an episode, and you will see a player somewhere in the post.

Click play, and you’re all set! You can also see underneath my player there are links to listen/subscribe in a number of different places – if one of those sounds familiar to you (“Hey! I’ve got Spotify!), you can click on that link to find This Mom Loves there instead.

You can also listen to podcasts through iTunes on desktop.

Listen to a podcast through an app

Apple Podcasts

If you have an iPhone or iPad, this is probably the route you want to take. First, make sure you have the free Podcasts app, which looks like this.

Open it, log in to your Apple account if necessary, and search for the name of the podcast you want to listen to:

You can then play individual episodes, or click the three dots for more options, such as “subscribe” (which will ensure that all new episodes are sent to your library, and you won’t have to go searching for them).

While you’re here, would you mind quickly clicking on a rating (from one to five stars) – it’s really helpful! If you have an extra minute, leaving a review would also be greatly appreciated!

Spotify

If your smartphone is not an iPhone, Spotify might be the best app for you (this is the one I use on my Samsung Galaxy S9). Download the free app, and note that the free membership is all you need to listen to any podcasts.

Search for the podcast you want and listen to episodes as you wish. Click the heart if you want to subscribe and ensure new episodes are added to your library.

Other

You can also use the Stitcher app, which is similar to Spotify, or listen/subscribe through Google Podcasts, Android, or TuneIn – just say “Alexa, play This Mom Loves”!

I hope that helps you get started listening to podcasts! Please feel free to ask if you have any questions at all! You can find my recommendations for some other great podcasts here if you’re interested!