How I Ended Up with 228 Unlistened Podcast Episodes (And What I’m Doing About It)

Introduction

Despite my love for podcasts, I never have the time to listen to them. And when I do have time, I forget about them, or I’m just not in the mood. Currently, in my Spotify “Your Episodes” playlist, I have 228 episodes I want to listen to. To put my problem into perspective, if each episode is 45 minutes long, then that would equal to 171 hours of podcast episodes. The problem is that I don't have time to listen to episodes for hours on end. Since I'm always busy, I would rather listen to music than a podcast when I have free time. To solve this problem, I decided to compile a list of some suggestions for increasing your podcast listening.

Building a Podcast Listening Habit

First, we need to figure out how you can implement listening to podcasts. For me, the problem was that I didn’t have a habit of listening to podcasts. Here are a few tips on how you can try to implement podcasts into your daily life:

Set a daily podcast routine: Pick a time to listen, like during your commute, while doing chores, or before bed.
Create a playlist: Make a “podcast queue” on Spotify so you don’t have to search every time.
Pair it with another habit: Listen while walking, working out, or getting ready in the morning.
Use reminders: Set a daily reminder on your phone or add it to your to-do list.
Start with the short episodes: If some are only 10-20 minutes, knock those out first for a quick win.

When to Listen to Podcasts

In order to start listening to podcasts more often, you also have to decide when you want to listen to them. Not all times are good for listening to podcasts. For example, if you are trying to study for a test for your history class, listening to Emma Chamberlain's Anything Goes podcast probably isn't a good idea. Here are some potential scenarios you could listen to your podcasts:

Driving/commuting: Whether you're going to school, work, or running errands, it's a perfect time.
Getting ready: Listen while brushing your teeth, doing makeup, or picking out an outfit.
Cooking/eating: Play an episode while making dinner or having a meal alone.
Cleaning/chores: Washing dishes, vacuuming, or tidying up becomes way less boring.
Exercising: Great for walks, gym workouts, or stretching.
Before bed: Swap social media scrolling for a chill podcast to wind down.
Waiting around: While in line, at the doctor's office, or waiting for class to start.
Shower time: If you have a waterproof speaker, this is a solid option.
Doing mindless work: Stuff like organizing, data entry, or crafting is perfect for background listening.

Choosing the Right Podcast

Just like with reading books, you’re not always in the mood for certain podcasts. Sometimes you may feel like you are in an educational mood, while others you are in a chatty mood. To enjoy the podcast, you are going to listen to, you want to make sure that you have a podcast that will match with what you are feeling. Below are a few tips to master this:

Podcast playlists for moods: Categorize your podcasts by mood (e.g., motivational, funny, educational). Having specific playlists makes it easier to pick the right episode depending on how you're feeling.
Mixing short and long episodes: Balance between quick 10-minute bursts for when you’re short on time and longer ones for when you have more flexibility.

Prioritizing your Episodes

When you have as many podcasts on your list as I do, it can feel overwhelming to listen to all of them. Therefore, it’s important for you to pick and choose the ones you want to listen to most. Try to start with podcasts that are time-sensitive. For example, if you have episodes from the beginning of the year talking about 2025 reset and goals, you might want to start with those first.

Prioritize your podcasts: Not all episodes need to be listened to. Learn to identify the ones that matter most to you and ignore the rest.
Batch listening: Sometimes, it’s easier to listen to multiple episodes of a show in one sitting. Group related episodes and save them for a designated time.
Unsubscribe from unwanted shows: If you find that some podcasts no longer interest you, it’s okay to unsubscribe. Keeping your playlist lean can help you focus on the best content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the number of podcasts on our lists, there are many ways to make listening a more manageable and enjoyable habit. By implementing a daily routine, pairing podcasts with other activities, and being mindful about when and what to listen to, you can make the most of your podcast library. Prioritizing and organizing your episodes, along with letting go of those that no longer interest you, will also help you stay on track and prevent burnout. Remember, podcasts should enhance your life, not add stress to it, so take it one episode at a time and enjoy the journey!