A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing. Streaming applications and podcasting services provide a convenient and integrated way to manage a personal consumption file across many podcast sources and playback devices. There also exist podcast search engines, which help users find and share podcast episodes.

A podcast series usually features one or more recurring hosts engaged in a discussion about a particular topic or current event of interest to their listeners. Discussion and content within a podcast can range from carefully scripted to completely improvised. Podcasts combine elaborate and artistic sound production with thematic concerns ranging from an educational, scientific research to many podcast series provide an associated website with links and show notes, guest biographies, transcripts, additional resources, commentary, and even a community forum dedicated to discussing the show’s content.

Podcasts have been used for local community news and issues. Podcasting has emerged as an effective independent outlet to share community stories of interest and engage on-demand with citizens on local issues.