Ever stared at your screen thinking… are podcasts italicized or do I have to put them in quotes?
You’re not the only one.
If you’re writing a book, article, blog post, or anything that references a podcast, the formatting matters. Get it wrong, and it can make your work look sloppy or less credible. Especially if you’re sending it out to clients, readers, or publishers.
And here’s the tricky bit. The rules change depending on the style guide. APA does one thing. MLA does another. Some use italics. Some use quotes. Some use both.
It’s frustrating when all you want is a straight answer.
That’s why I put this together. To give you the clear rules, real examples, and a quick way to know exactly how to cite a podcast the right way, every time.
You’ll learn when to italicize, when to use quotes, and how to avoid the common mistakes most people make.
After this, you won’t have to second-guess yourself ever again.
Let’s get into it.
Are Podcasts Italicized or Quoted?
In most cases, the original title of the podcast episode should be italicized in your podcast reference list. They’re treated the same way like books, movies, or TV shows.
That said, not all style guides agree when it comes to citing podcasts. Chicago style, for example, sometimes uses quotation marks for titles.
Bottom line: there’s no single rule or one right style when citing podcast episodes. It depends on which style guide you’re following (e.g., APA, MLA format, Chicago, Harvard).
Each one has its own way of formatting the title of a podcast, whether you need the day month year for video podcasts, and an entire podcast series.
Do podcasts get italicized?
Yes, podcasts do get italicized. Here’s the real reason behind it:
- It signals you’re naming a distinct source. Italics show this is a specific title your reader can find and reference.
- It helps separate titles from surrounding text. When you’re juggling article titles, book names, podcast shows, and specific episode names all in one place, italics keep things organized.
- Citation rules exist to keep things clear and consistent. Different sources need distinct treatment so readers and publishers know exactly what you’re referring to. Italics help with that clarity.
- It’s about making your work easy to follow. Formatting isn’t just about rules. It helps guide your reader quickly to the source without confusion.
- Ignoring formatting throws off your credibility. A poorly formatted citation can make your whole work look rushed or sloppy (and nobody wants that).
Italics are your shorthand to say, “This is a title. Here’s the source.” It’s practical, clear, and keeps your writing professional.
Are names of podcasts italicized?
Yes. Style guides like APA and MLA agree that the name of the podcast should be italicized. But it’s not just about following rules. Italics signal to your reader that you’re referencing the full podcast series, not just a single episode.
This distinction matters when you’re listing sources, crediting interviews, or linking out to guest appearances whether the show lives on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or elsewhere.
Italicizing the show title makes it easier for your audience (or editor) to scan and recognize what’s being cited.
Use italics consistently when you mention the podcast title in:
- Bibliographies or works cited lists
- In-article references
- Speaker bios
- Podcast pitches or guest appearance write-ups
Are podcast episodes italicized?
No, podcast episodes are not italicized. Episodes follow different rules depending on the style:
- MLA: Episode titles go in quotation marks with title case.
- APA: Episode titles are plain text in sentence case, no quotes or italics.
- Chicago: Episode titles are in quotation marks with title case.
- Harvard: Episode titles are in quotation marks with title case.
This distinction, when you cite a podcast episode, helps separate the overall podcast series title (which is italicized) from individual episodes, which use different formatting depending on style.
Are podcasts in quotes?
Not the full podcast, no.
Only MLA puts episode titles in quotes. The podcast series name is never quoted in either MLA or APA.
Quick breakdown:
- Podcast title: Italicized (not quoted)
- Episode title: Quoted in MLA, plain text in APA
Do you italicize podcast titles?
Yes, podcast titles are italicized. That’s the baseline rule no matter which citation style you use.
The difference comes down to how you treat the episode titles and other details:
- MLA, Chicago, and Harvard put episode titles in quotation marks.
- APA writes episode titles in plain text without quotes.
Keep podcast titles italicized every time. The rest depends on the citation style you follow and how you’re planning to repurpose your podcast content.
Are Podcasts Italicized MLA?
MLA (Modern Language Association) is often used in humanities. In MLA, the show name gets italicized. The episode title? That goes in quotation marks. That’s the basic split. One’s the series, one’s the specific story.
Example MLA citation:
- Podcast title: Sell On Social (italicized)
- Episode title: “How to book more podcast appearances and build authority” (in quotation marks, title case)
- Example citation: “How to Book More Podcast Appearances and Build Authority.” Sell On Social, hosted by Louise McDonnell, 2 March 2024. https://sellonsocial.media/how-to-book-more-podcast-appearances-and-build-authority/
How to cite a podcast in MLA (Checklist)
When citing a podcast using the MLA style, use this format:
☐ Name(s) of the host(s) and contributor(s)
☐ Title of the episode
☐ Title of the series
☐ Publishing date or span of years the podcast aired
☐ Publishing platform
☐ URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
If something’s missing:
- No host listed? Use the guest or production company.
- Can’t find the date? Use the year the podcast aired.
- Still airing? Write the start year followed by a dash (e.g., 2021-).
- No episode title? Just cite the podcast series instead.
- No URL? MLA prefers including it, but you can leave it off if required.
For in-text citations, use: (“Episode Title”).
Are Podcasts Italicized APA?
APA plays it differently. The podcast name gets italicized, but the episode title keeps it simple: no quotes, no italics, and sentence case only. The date goes in parentheses, and square brackets are used to label the content type.
Example APA citation:
- Podcast title: Biz Book Broadcast (italicized)
- Episode title: 600 million listeners are waiting (plain text, sentence case)
- Example citation: Scully, L. (2024, June 1). 600 million listeners are waiting [Audio podcast episode]. In Biz Book Broadcast. https://pod.co/biz-book-broadcast/600-million-listeners-are-waiting-podcast-guesting-with-liam-austin
How to cite a podcast in APA (Checklist)
To get your APA-style citation right, check off each item:
☐ Host’s name (Last, First Initial.)
☐ Date (Year, Month Day)
☐ Episode title in sentence case
☐ [Audio podcast episode] in square brackets
☐ Podcast name in italics
☐ URL
Stuck on missing information but still want to promote your podcast on social media with proper citation? Here’s how to handle it:
- No host listed? Use the executive producer and note their role.
- Still airing? Add the start year and write “present” (2021-present).
- Short-run show? Use one year only (2019).
- No URL? Skip it.
- No episode number? Leave it out.
And if you need to cite in-text:
- For an episode: (Smith, 2023, 15:08)
- For a full show: (Smith, 2023–present)
How to Cite a Podcast: Short Summary
If you just want the quick version on how to cite a podcast, here’s the bottom line:
- Podcast titles get italicized.
- Episode titles go in quotes (MLA) or plain text (APA).
- APA and MLA have different rules, especially around punctuation and formatting.
- Always include: Host’s name, episode title, podcast title, date, and link.
- Use the right format depending on what you’re citing (e.g., the full series or just a single episode).
How to title a podcast: When to use italics or quotes
Here’s a quick guide with real examples of different types of podcasts that show exactly how to format podcast titles and video podcast episode titles in MLA and APA styles.
MLA style
- Podcast title: Always italicized
- Episode title: In quotation marks, with title case
Example:
- Podcast title: Smooth Business Growth (italicized)
- Episode title: “How to get booked on podcasts with Liam Austin” (in quotes, title case)
- Citation: “How to Get Booked on Podcasts with Liam Austin.” Smooth Business Growth, hosted by Lyndsay Phillips, April 10, 2024. https://www.smoothbusinessgrowth.com/how-to-be-a-podcast-guest/
APA style
- Podcast title: Italicized
- Episode title: Plain text, sentence case (no quotes)
Example:
- Podcast title: Biz Book Broadcast (italicized)
- Episode title: 600 million listeners are waiting (plain text, sentence case)
- Citation: Scully, L. (2024, June 1). 600 million listeners are waiting [Audio podcast episode]. In Biz Book Broadcast. https://pod.co/biz-book-broadcast/600-million-listeners-are-waiting-podcast-guesting-with-liam-austin
Chicago style
- Podcast title: Italicized
- Episode title: According to the Chicago Manual of Style, it should be in quotation marks, with title case
Example:
- Podcast title: The Lead Generation Podcast (italicized)
- Episode title: “Liam Austin” (in quotes, title case)
- Citation: “Bob Sparkins.” The Lead Generation Podcast. April 10, 2024. Podcast. https://www.leadpages.com/blog/liam-austin-podcast-predictable-income
Harvard style
- Podcast title: Italicized
- Episode title: In quotation marks, with title case
Example:
- Podcast title: Mindful Millionaire (italicized)
- Episode title: “Successful Growth with Liam Austin” (in quotes, title case)
- Citation: Peterson, L. (2024) “Successful Growth with Liam Austin,” Mindful Millionaire. May 5. Available at: https://mindfulmillionaire.libsyn.com/successful-growth-with-liam-austin [Accessed September 9, 2023]
5 Common podcast italization mistakes to avoid
Making these mistakes can hurt your credibility fast. Here’s what to double-check:
- Mixing up italics and quotation marks: Especially when switching between MLA and APA.
- Using the wrong format: APA and MLA each have their own rules.
- Incorrect capitalization: Title case vs sentence case depends on the style.
- Missing key details: Like the host’s name, date, or link.
- Inconsistent formatting: Your citations should follow the same structure start to finish.
Stick to your style guide, double-check the rules, and you’ll be golden. That’s podcasting 101.
5 Tools for easier podcast citation formatting
You don’t need to memorize every rule. These tools can help you get it right and make your podcast content strategy much easier:
- Scribbr: A solid citation generator for APA, MLA, Chicago, and more.
- Citation Machine: Quick tool for building citations across styles.
- Zotero: Helps you organize research and cite sources fast.
- Purdue OWL: A reliable guide for APA and MLA citation rules.
- Australian Government Style Manual: Handy if you’re following Australian formatting.
Use these if you’re publishing blog posts, guest content with good podcast topics, academic work, your podcast business plan, or anything that needs to look clean and professional.
Write It Right
So, are podcasts italicized? Yes, the show title always gets italics. Episode titles? That depends on the style guide you’re following.
MLA wants quotes. APA keeps it plain. Chicago and Harvard? They’ve got their own preferences too.
Point is, if you’re citing a podcast, the details matter. It’s not just about following rules. It’s about showing professionalism. Whether you’re writing a blog post, guest article, book, or pitch, sloppy formatting can leave a bad impression.
Clean citations show you’ve done the work and you know your stuff.
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