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How To Play Podcast Episodes on the Amazon Echo Dot Speaker

The Amazon Echo Dot is a popular smart speaker that allows you to play podcast episodes using just your voice. With the Alexa voice assistant built-in, you can access your favorite podcasts hands-free. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play podcast episodes on your Echo Dot.

Connect Your Podcast Service

The first step is to connect your preferred podcast service to your Echo Dot. The most popular options compatible with Alexa are:

  • Amazon Music
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • TuneIn
  • Pandora
  • iHeartRadio

To connect a service:

  1. Open the Alexa app
  2. Go to Settings > Music & Podcasts > Link New Service
  3. Select your podcast service and log in with your credentials
  4. Enable permissions so Alexa can access your podcast library

Once connected, Alexa will have access to the podcasts from that service.

Set a Default Podcast Service

You can set one service as the default so you don’t have to specify the provider every time.

To do this:

  1. Go to Settings > Music & Podcasts > Default Services > Podcasts
  2. Choose your preferred podcast service from the list

Now Alexa will check that provider first when you request a podcast.

Play a Podcast

With your service enabled, you can now start playing podcasts! Try saying:

  • “Alexa, play the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast”
  • “Alexa, resume playing Stuff You Should Know podcast”
  • “Alexa, play podcasts”

Alexa will begin playing the requested podcast from your enabled services.

Play Specific Episodes

Unfortunately Alexa does not currently allow you to request specific episode numbers or titles. The best way around this is to enable a skill that gives you more playback control.

Using AnyPod Skill

  1. Enable the AnyPod skill in your Alexa app
  2. Link your AnyPod account
  3. Say “Alexa, ask AnyPod to play episode 10 of The History of Rome podcast”

AnyPod allows you to request episodes by number, play newest or oldest, and queue up multiple podcasts.

Using Pocket Casts Skill

  1. Enable Pocket Casts skills
  2. Link your Pocket Cast account
  3. Say “Alexa, ask Pocket Casts to play the latest episode of Reply All”

Pocket Casts gives you full control over your podcast library on Alexa. You can also sync your playback position from the Pocket Casts app.

Podcast Playback Commands

Controlling playback using Alexa is easy. Try these voice commands after starting a podcast:

  • “Alexa, pause”
  • “Alexa, resume”
  • “Alexa, skip forward 30 seconds”
  • “Alexa, restart”
  • “Alexa, play previous episode”

You have basic playback functions available, with additional capabilities available using skills.

Create a Routine

You can create Alexa routines to automatically start playing a podcast using a custom voice command.

  1. Open the Alexa app and create a new routine
  2. Add a custom voice command phrase like “play my podcast”
  3. Add the action to play your desired podcast

Now instead of multiple commands, your podcast starts with just one phrase!

Use Bluetooth Streaming

You can also play podcasts from your phone or tablet by connecting to your Echo Dot via Bluetooth.

  1. Pair your mobile device to the Echo Dot in Bluetooth settings
  2. Open your podcast app on your phone and start playing an episode
  3. The audio will now stream from your phone to the Echo Dot speaker

This allows you to access your full podcast library on a mobile app while sending the audio to Alexa.

Tips for Voice Commands

Here are some tips for interacting with Alexa for podcasts:

  • Always specify the podcast name and add “podcast” to the end
  • Add the host name if Alexa is confused about different podcasts with similar titles
  • Preface playback commands like “pause” and “resume” with “Alexa”
  • Enable skills like AnyPod for advanced playback functions
  • Create routines for one-phrase voice commands

With some practice, you’ll be able to easily control podcasts on your Echo Dot. Enjoy hands-free listening!

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