In the world of content creation and digital media, podcasts have become increasingly popular. These audio files offer an engaging way for individuals to share their thoughts, opinions, and expertise on various topics. However, when it comes to writing about podcasts, there seems to be confusion regarding the proper formatting style for their titles: should they be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks?
While there is no definitive answer to this debate, it’s important to consider the guidelines provided by different style manuals and publications. Let’s delve into the topic further to better understand the varying perspectives.
According to the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, which is widely used by journalists and news organizations, podcast titles should be enclosed in quotation marks. This style guide suggests that the titles of episodes within a podcast should be placed in quotation marks as well. For example, “The Joe Rogan Experience” is a popular podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, and an episode titled “The Power of Mindfulness” would be formatted as such.
Read these podcast italics or quotes
“The Daily” podcast by The New York Times
“The Michelle Obama Podcast” hosted by Michelle Obama
“TED Radio Hour” featuring Guy Raz
“How I Built This” with Guy Raz
“The Joe Rogan Experience” hosted by Joe Rogan
“Stuff You Should Know” by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
“Radiolab” with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich
“Serial” by Sarah Koenig
“The Tim Ferriss Show” hosted by Tim Ferriss
“The Dave Ramsey Show” with Dave Ramsey
“The Moth” by The Moth
“The Tony Robbins Podcast” hosted by Tony Robbins
“The GaryVee Audio Experience” by Gary Vaynerchuk
“Science Vs” with Wendy Zukerman
“Call Her Daddy” by Alex Cooper
“Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” hosted by Conan O’Brien
“The Bill Simmons Podcast” with Bill Simmons
“Freakonomics Radio” by Stephen J. Dubner
“The Oprah Winfrey Show: The Podcast”
“The School of Greatness” by Lewis Howes
On the other hand, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide suggests using italics for the titles of podcasts. According to MLA, any standalone audio series or podcast should be italicized, while episodes within a podcast should be enclosed in quotation marks. For example, The Daily is a popular podcast by The New York Times, and an episode titled “The Power of Mindfulness” would be formatted as such.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to use italics or quotation marks when referring to podcasts lies with the writer or the publication’s preferred style guide. It is crucial to maintain consistency throughout the content and follow the guidelines set by the chosen style manual. By doing so, writers can ensure clarity and professionalism in their work.
In conclusion, the debate over whether to use italics or quotation marks for podcast titles continues. While the AP Stylebook recommends quotation marks, the MLA style guide suggests using italics. Writers must select a consistent formatting style to maintain clarity and professionalism in their written content. Regardless of the formatting style chosen, what matters most is the quality of the podcast and the valuable insights it offers to its listeners.







