How to reference a podcast episode in Harvard

An episode reference in Harvard has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.

  • In your essay: (Author, year)
  • Checked 21 October 2026

Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.

The 6 parts

Host (Year) Episode [Podcast], Podcast. Available at: Web address (Accessed: date accessed).

The example reference, with each part labelled

1 · HOSTAhmed, S.2 · DATE(2024)3 · EPISODEWhy we put things off [Podcast], 4 · PODCASTThe Study Hour. Available at: 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 6 · ACCESSED14 October 2026).

  1. 1 · HostSurname, then initials with full stops.The host, in the episode’s description.
  2. 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.The date the episode came out.
  3. 3 · EpisodeIn italics. Then “[Podcast]”.The episode’s own title.
  4. 4 · PodcastIn italics.The name of the podcast.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available at:”.The episode’s own page, not the whole podcast’s.
  6. 6 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “Accessed:”. All in round brackets.The day you listened.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Putting things off is often about feelings, not time (Ahmed, 2024).

The author and the year, in brackets.
IN YOUR REFERENCE LIST

Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.

Build your reference

Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Surname, then first name. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Like 14 October 2026.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Ahmed, 2024)

Pip tip: the title stays in italics when you paste into Word or Google Docs. If it doesn’t, select it and press Ctrl+I.

What if…

  • Made by an organisation

    Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.

    Riverside Media Bureau (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

    In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2024)

  • No date

    Write “no date” where the date goes.

    Ahmed, S. (no date) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

    In your essay: (Ahmed, no date)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “and”.

    Green, A. and Patel, R. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

    In your essay: (Green and Patel, 2024)

  • Four or more authors

    Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.

    Green, A. et al. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

    In your essay: (Green et al., 2024)

Easy to get wrong

  • A web address in your essay

    NOT QUITE

    Putting things off is often about feelings, not time (www.example.org).

    RIGHT

    Putting things off is often about feelings, not time (Ahmed, 2024).

  • Leaving out the date you looked at it

    NOT QUITE

    Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

    RIGHT

    Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

  • The title not in italics

    NOT QUITE

    Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

    RIGHT

    Ahmed, S. (2024) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

Check your university’s version

Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. Your module handbook always wins.

This guide follows Cite Them Right (12th edition), the Harvard many UK universities teach.

Harvard for your university

The full Harvard guide

Questions

How do I cite a podcast episode in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Ahmed, 2024)

What if there’s no date?

Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Harvard sets it out: Ahmed, S. (no date) Why we put things off [Podcast], The Study Hour. Available at: https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

Is Harvard the same at every university?

Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. Your module handbook always wins.

Referencing is easier as you go

Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.

Skip the typing next time

In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.

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