How do I listen to a podcast?
Aside from choosing between headphones, speakers, stereo, or stream to TV, my default was Spotify. It was basically all I normally used. So when I found out that they had podcasts, I figured easy decision. Oh contraire. I first heard my first podcast in July 2021. And I know what you're thinking, "This kid is just a baby." Sure. No point in denying my comparable experience against some other seasoned veterans like the #Buzzsprout crew or the #EarbudsPodcastCollective team.
Nonetheless, after hearing some of these teams recommend other avenues to listen to podcasts, I branched out. A little. I still primarily start with Spotify, but there are loads on Audible. Some are even structured like stories anyway. If your preference is audiobooks, then maybe that's a good first step into the podcasting arena. What's cool is you can stay there; enjoy podcasts read as stories or investigations about cold cases, like #SwordandScale from Incongruity; or consider some horizontal integration in your playlist. There's other podcasts on Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music about specific books, book reviews, how to publish books, or why even read books anymore.
If the "how" you're asking is more in reference to a capability because some indie producer has the gain too high (I did that for a few conversations till I figured out how to adjust it on my #Rodecaster), or the host has the leveling too high and no pop filter so you get all of the mouth noises (total turn-off for me - too distracting), maybe topic clarity should be in your near future.
However you decide to listen to podcasts, be it preference or platform, survival takes communication. Welcome to the team!