A podcast is an audio program. Hosts talk. Guests share stories or ideas. You download or stream it on your phone or laptop. It’s an electronic source, so it belongs in your Harvard Referencing Style workflow like any other online content.
Some shows publish a video version. Many call that a vodcast. Treat both as audio/video sources. Use the right label in your citation.
Core Harvard Formats
In-text citation
(Host/Creator Surname Year)
If the episode has a clear corporate author, use that name.
Reference list entry — podcast
Host/Creator Surname, Initial(s). (Year). *Episode title*. [podcast] Podcast Title. Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mon. Year].
Reference list entry — vodcast
Host/Creator Surname, Initial(s). (Year). *Episode title*. [vodcast] Channel/Series Title. Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mon. Year].
These Harvard citation examples keep the label in square brackets: [podcast] or [vodcast].
Looking for dissertation help?
Research Prospect to the rescue then!
We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with dissertations across a variety of disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!
Worked Examples
General discussion episode
- In-text: (Baggini 2014)
- Reference list: Baggini, D. (2014). Understanding Sacred Texts. [podcast] Authority and Belief. Available at: http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/understanding/ [Accessed 11 Aug. 2014].
Business topic, video format
- In-text: (Bragg 2014)
- Reference list: Bragg, S. (2014). Inventory Variances. [vodcast] Accounting Best Practices. Available at: http://traffic.libsyn.com/stevebragg/Episode186L.mp3 [Accessed 8 Mar. 2015].
Episode with number and producer credit
- In-text: (Tennant 2020)
- Reference list: Tennant, D. (2020). Neil Gaiman (Ep. 2). [podcast] David Tennant Does a Podcast With…. Somethin’ Else. Available at: https://example.com/episode [Accessed 12 Feb. 2020].
Corporate author
- In-text: (BBC 2023)
- Reference list: BBC (2023). Climate Q&A with Researchers. [podcast] Science Hour. Available at: https://example.com/bbc [Accessed 3 May 2023].
Panel episode with multiple hosts
- In-text: (Lopez, Shah & Green 2022)
- Reference list: Lopez, A., Shah, M. & Green, R. (2022). Peer Review Myths. [podcast] Grad Methods Weekly. Available at: https://example.com/grad [Accessed 14 Nov. 2022].
Timestamps for Quotes
Quoting a specific moment? Add the time in the in-text citation only.
“Writers need steady practice” (Tennant 2020, 00:36:39).
The reference list entry stays the same.
What to Capture (Table)
| Element | Podcast | Vodcast |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Host/creator or corporate author | Host/creator or channel |
| Year | Year of release | Year of release |
| Title | Episode title in italics | Episode title in italics |
| Label | [podcast] | [vodcast] |
| Series | Podcast title | Channel/series title |
| Extra | Producer if listed | Producer if listed |
| URL + Accessed | Required | Required |
This keeps your reference list clean and scannable.
Style Notes for Dissertations and Reports
- Use the show’s official metadata. Avoid nicknames.
- Match in-text citation names to the reference list exactly.
- If an episode lists both a host and a credited “author,” cite the credited author.
- Keep episode numbers when visible. They help readers trace audio in your research paper or appendices.
- Good citation practice supports plagiarism checks and audit trails in the Methodology section.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Harvard style for podcast citation:
Speaker(s) Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of episode (No. if applicable) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Title. Production Company. URL
Yes. Podcasts are online electronic sources. Add [Accessed Day Mon. Year].
Yes, if it’s the same episode. Prefer the canonical episode page. Add the time stamp in the in-text citation for quotes.
List both in the reference list. Use all surnames in the first in-text citation; use the first surname + “et al.” after that if your departmental guide allows.
Cite the series page. Add the year you accessed it. Make clear in your text that you consulted the series rather than a single episode.
Often in the Literature Review for context or in Methodology if it informed design choices. Place long transcripts in appendices if your supervisor approves.
