How to reference a podcast episode in MLA 9

An episode reference in MLA 9 has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.

  • In your essay: (Author page)
  • 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 5 parts

Host, host. “Episode.” Podcast, Date, Web address.

The example reference, with each part labelled

1 · HOSTAhmed, Sara, host. 2 · EPISODE“Why We Put Things Off.”3 · PODCASTThe Study Hour, 4 · DATE2 May 2024, 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

  1. 1 · HostSurname, then first name. Then “host”.The host, in the episode’s description.
  2. 2 · EpisodeCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In double quotation marks.The episode’s own title.
  3. 3 · PodcastIn italics.The name of the podcast.
  4. 4 · DateThe date, written like this: 2 May 2024.The date the episode came out.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address.The episode’s own page, not the whole podcast’s.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

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

The author, and the page when there is one.
IN YOUR WORKS CITED LIST

Ahmed, Sara, host. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, 2 May 2024, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

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 WORKS CITED LIST ENTRYReady to copy

Ahmed, Sara, host. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, 2 May 2024, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Ahmed)

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. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, 2 May 2024, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

    In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau)

  • No date

    Leave the date out. And add the date you looked at it, after “Accessed”.

    Ahmed, Sara, host. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

    In your essay: (Ahmed)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “and”.

    Green, Amara, and Ravi Patel, hosts. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, 2 May 2024, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

    In your essay: (Green and Patel)

  • 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, Amara, et al., hosts. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, 2 May 2024, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off.

    In your essay: (Green et al.)

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).

Check your university’s version

Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.

This guide follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.

The full MLA 9 guide

Questions

How do I cite a podcast episode in the text?

Give the author, in brackets: (Ahmed)

What if there’s no date?

Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how MLA 9 sets it out: Ahmed, Sara, host. “Why We Put Things Off.” The Study Hour, https://www.example.org/study-hour/why-we-put-things-off. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Is MLA 9 the same at every university?

Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course 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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