Q: What is a podcast?
A: According to the Wikipedia article on podcasting, podcasting is a method of publishing audio programs via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed of new files (usually MP3s)…Podcasting is distinct from other types of online media delivery because of its subscription model, which uses a feed (such as RSS or Atom) to deliver an enclosed file. Podcasting enables independent producers to create self-published, syndicated “radio shows,” and gives broadcast radio programs a new distribution method. Listeners may subscribe to feeds using “podcatching” or receiving software (a type of aggregator), which periodically checks for and downloads new content automatically.
Most podcast receiving software enables the user to copy podcasts to portable music players. Any digital audio player or computer with audio-playing software can play podcasts…
Q: Do I need an iPod or mp3 player to listen to a podcast?
A: No! Many people just use their computer to listen to podcasts. “Podcasting” is a portmanteau word that combines the words “broadcasting” and “iPod.” The term can be misleading since neither podcasting nor listening to podcasts requires an iPod or any portable player. Of course, a portable device like an iPod makes the experience better because you can take your content with you where ever you go.
Q: How do I Listen to a podcast?
A: Here are a few ways you can listen
Click and play on the web: Most web browsers will play an mp3 file simply by left clicking on it. If that doesn’t work try the next option. Look for the web link that identifies the mp3 file direcly. Usually by the name of the file, or a ‘click here’ to listen link.
Download MP3 files: If you can’t listen by left clicking on the web link, or if you want to save the file for later, RIGHT click on the direct web link to the mp3 file and select ‘Save Target As…’ or ‘Save link As…’, and save it to you computer. Remember where you saved it! After it is downloaded, listen to it as you would any mp3 file.
Subscribe for automatic downloads: this is the cool way to listen! Read the next question to find out why.
Q: Why should I subscribe to a podcast?
A: This is the beauty of podcasting, because when you subscribe to a podcast you automatically get new episodes when they are published. You don’t have to do anything. Just sit back and enjoy.
Q: How do I subscribe to a podcast?
A: To take full advantage of a podcast feed, one should set up a podcast receiver such as iTunes, Juice or some other application. I normally recommend iTunes because it’s easy and free. Juice is also very nice receiver. After installation chose one of the methods below.
iTunes Drag and Drop Method: simply drag and drop an rss tag like this one 
to an open iTunes window. The podcast will be added automatically and you will be subscribed. That’s all there is to it! Click ‘Settings…’ in the bottom right corner of iTunes to configure how often iTunes will go and look for new content.
iTunes One-Click Method: look for an iTunes One-Click tag or link and click. ITunes should launch and you will be taken to the podcast’s page in the iTunes Music Store. Just click Subscribe. Okay, so, it was actually two clicks. But that’s not bad! Click ‘Settings…’ in the bottom right corner of iTunes to configure how often iTunes will go and look for new content.
Fail-safe Method: this method should work on most aggregators, including iTunes. Find the ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Add Feed’ option. Copy and paste the following URL where it asks for URL:
http://www.preachings.org/feed
The great thing about this method is that it works almost anywhere with almost any podcast receiver whether it’s a software application or browser based receiver.
Q: How do I find the RSS URL for a podcast?
A: Most sites have the ubiquitious orange rss tag in some flavor. It might be a different shape or size, but if it is orange and either says RSS or show the RSS symbol (
), it is probably what you are looking for. RIGHT click one of these rss tags and select ‘Copy Shortcut’ or ‘Copy Link Location’ and then past it into your application where it asks for the URL.