Podcasts — edited audio recordings of people talking about various topics — have recently grown in prominence and popularity, especially among teen listeners. Podcasts are often free and accessible via many platforms such as streaming on the Apple Podcast app or the Google Play Music app on an Android.  Podcasts offer an anytime, anywhere, any subject flexibility that many young people find appealing.

Moriah Lotsoff, a freshman at Clayton High School and a member of several synagogues, thinks that their growth in popularity is largely due to how accessible they are through technology. 

“I normally will listen [to a podcast] when I’m going on a trip, [but not much other] because I don’t have time,” Lotsoff said. She thinks that if there were more podcasts that catered to teens, they would be even more popular. She and a close family member listened to one on a car ride. 

“[The podcast] was really interesting and I enjoyed listening,” Lotsoff said. “It was also a great way to pass the time.”

While podcasts are usually enjoyed individually with headphones, they can also be a collective experience.  Levi Simon, an eighth grade student at Epstein Hebrew Academy, enjoys listening to podcasts with his friends.

“My friend came over last night and told me about a funny podcast ‘The New Phil Hendrie Show,’” Simon said. “My mom and dad also show me good podcasts like ‘Serial.’”

Simon’s favorite podcast is called ‘Views’ by David Dobrik.  The YouTube star turned podcaster discusses current events and life as a 22-year-old internet celebrity.  

“I listen to podcasts late at night if I can’t sleep.  Its awesome just to listen to the different stories,” Simon said.  “I’ll also listen early in the morning before school.” 

Bryn Sentnor, a senior at Parkway North High School and a member of BBYO youth group, says she has had to listen to podcasts for school. 

“One [podcast] was for AP English and Composition. It was from NPR Fresh Air about the creators of ‘The Book of Mormon,’” Sentnor said. 

“I would definitely be interested in listening to podcasts about musical theater. I also enjoyed the podcast about the ‘Book of Mormon’ because I also went to see it,” she said. Sentnor added that she likes the dialogue in the podcast. She also said that she would also be interested in a Jewish podcast. 

“I think I would be interested in listening to a podcast about Jewish opinions on current events,” Sentnor said.

Overall, Sentnor sees podcasts as a great form of media and entertainment. 

Amelia Dorsey, a freshman at Webster Groves High School, has a very similar opinion about podcasts. Like Lotsoff, Simon and Sentnor, Dorsey thinks podcasts can be helpful and limitless.

“There really is no limit to what you can talk about,” Dorsey explained. Like Lotsoff, Dorsey said that she often doesn’t have the time it takes to listen to a podcast, especially if it’s more than a half-hour or so. 

Nevertheless, Dorsey thinks podcasts are cool and are a great way to keep up with politics and news. 

“I would be interested in listening to a podcast about volleyball or one that is hosted by a celebrity,” she said, adding, “Podcasts can be about anything and for anyone.” 

Simon takes it a step further by suggesting he’d be interested in creating his own podcast, “Maybe with me and a friend, talking about what it’s like going through life as a teenager.” 

The best part about podcasts is that there is always an audience out there waiting to hear your story.