by CC Pearce

Created on: January 03, 2010   Last Updated: January 15, 2010

Quality podcasts are easy to find now and you can start subscribing to daily, weekly, or monthly podcasts in just a few easy steps.

Here's how to get started:

1) Go to apple.com and download the latest version of iTunes.

When you click on the "downloads" tab from apple.com, iTunes should be one of the easiest things to find on the page. While there are other places to get podcasts, iTunes is far and away the easiest way to manage your podcasts.  Apple has the largest marketplace for browsing podcasts, and iTunes will automatically download the latest episodes of your subscribed podcasts for you.

2) Install it.

Whether you're on Mac or Windows, iTunes works wonderfully.

3) Create an apple account.

Your account will be an email address with a password. Most podcasts are free, but there are some that have subscription fees.  You will need to add a credit card or other payment method if you want to subscribe to c ertain podcasts.

4) Search for the podcast you are interested in.

There is a search bar in the upper right corner of iTunes that you can use to search for the name of a specific podcast or a subject that you're interested in.  You can also browse by popular podcasts or subject if you click on the "Podcasts" tab at the top of the iTunes window.  Keep in mind that some podcasts include video as well!

5) When you find one you like, click "subscribe" and if it asks you if you're sure, click "yes."

Some great podcasts to get started are This American Life and The Moth Podcast if you like stories about people.  These podcasts update weekly and you will automatically download the most recent podcast by default when you're on iTunes.

6) Sync it!

If you have an iPod or iPhone, plug it in and select the podcasts you want to sync.  Then you can take your podcasts on to the gym!

7) Participate!

Be sure to leave comments or rate people's podcasts.  Contribute monetarily to some of the smaller podcasts that may depend on donations.  Call in to the shows if they record them at a designated times.  The best way to enjoy a podcast is to be a part of it!

Podcasts can range in length from less than a minute to a couple hours.  They can be completely independently made or well-produced with a dedicated staff.  Content ranges from finance to independent film to nonsense to technology to almost anything you can think of!

If there isn't a podcast on the subject that you're interested in, remember you can easily make your own!

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