The complete guide to podcast search (2026)
2 Aug 2026 • Ben Bowler
How to find specific podcast episodes and topics — not just shows. A working guide to the three tiers of podcast search, query patterns, and the apps that do it well.
Blog
What's new in Podtastic — August 1, 2026
1 Aug 2026 • Ben Bowler
Jump to Video is now open to everyone (opt-in), downloads survive bad signal, and iOS launches faster on big libraries. Here's what shipped this week.
7 AI podcasts worth listening to in 2026 (skip the hype)
31 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
Seven AI podcasts that report on what's actually happening — from Hard Fork to Dwarkesh — chosen for signal over hype, with why each one is worth your time.
How to Back Up Your Podcast Subscriptions (OPML Guide)
30 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
A subscription list you've built over years is a real asset. Here's how to back it up in five minutes with OPML — the small file that keeps every heavy listener insured.
How to Actually Remember What You Listen To
29 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
How to remember podcasts you actually want to keep: a three-layer framework for before, during, and after you press play, backed by research.
7 Podcasts That Are Boring on Purpose (for Sleep)
28 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
Sleep podcasts should be boring by design. Seven shows engineered to help you drift off, plus the setup that makes any podcast for sleep work.
What the Apple–OpenAI Lawsuit Means for Podcast Listeners
27 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
The Apple–OpenAI lawsuit isn't about chatbots. It's about who controls the voice interface to your podcast library. Here's what listeners need to know.
The Complete Guide to Bluetooth Audio Codecs for Podcasts
26 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
How SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC, and Auracast Bluetooth audio codecs handle podcasts, and how to pick earbuds that don't fatigue you on long episodes.
Why Podcast Episodes Keep Getting Longer
25 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
Podcast episode length trends keep climbing. Here's what's driving the drift and how time-poor listeners are quietly rewarding shows that resist it.
A Quick Note on Apple Review Times (and What's Coming)
24 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
A short note on why Apple's App Store review is slowing our iOS releases right now, and why Android sees changes faster.
7 Short Podcasts Under 20 Minutes Worth Your Time
24 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
Seven short podcasts under 20 minutes worth your time: news, economics, science, songwriting, all edited tight enough to fit a commute or a walk.
Managing 40+ Podcast Subscriptions Without Drowning
23 Jul 2026 • Ben Bowler
Manage podcast subscriptions with a three-tier system: daily anchors, weekly picks, and dip-in shows. One rule per tier. Ends the backlog anxiety.
More from Podtastic
- Save Open Podcasting: why open RSS feeds matter and what platform exclusives take away.
- Independent podcast apps: a directory of apps that play any open feed.
- Podcast app comparisons: how Podtastic compares with the app you use today.