So You Want to Cite a Podcast, But Chicago Is Throwing Shade? A Hilarious Guide to Referencing Podcasts in Windy City Style
Ah, the Windy City. Deep dish pizza, jazz that'll blow your socks off, and... a referencing style guide that can leave you feeling like you've been caught jaywalking with a Cubs hat on during a Sox game (major faux pas). But fear not, intrepid scholar, for today we delve into the delightful world of citing podcasts in Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) format!
Why Cite Podcasts Anyway? Because They're Not Just Water Cooler Gossip (Well, Maybe...)
Podcasts. Those glorious nuggets of audio goodness that can teach you about astrophysics while you fold laundry, or make you snort-laugh while commuting. But sometimes, you gotta give credit where credit's due. Maybe a podcast interview with a beekeeper completely transformed your understanding of honey production (who knew bees were basically tiny social communists?). Or perhaps an episode on the history of the Chicago hot dog left you hungry for knowledge (and an actual hot dog).
Whatever the reason, referencing a podcast in your paper shows you're a well-rounded scholar who gets down with the hippest forms of information dissemination. Plus, it makes you look super official.
Referencing Like a Boss: The Chicago Manual Lowdown
Now, buckle up, because CMOS has a specific way of doing things. Here's the breakdown, complete with some fun facts about Chicago to keep things lively:
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Author, Author! - First up, you need the name(s) of the podcast host(s). Think of them as your tour guides through the fascinating world of the episode's topic. Unless it's a documentary-style podcast, in which case, picture them narrating a nature documentary about, well, Chicago's ever-changing skyline.
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Title Time! - Next comes the episode title. This is like the catchy name of a Chicago blues bar - it should entice listeners (or readers, in your case) to delve deeper.
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Production Powerhouse (Optional) - If you can find the producer's name, pop that in there too. They're the folks behind the scenes making sure the audio quality is smooth as a jazz riff.
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The Big Kahuna: The Podcast Title - We can't forget the podcast title itself. Consider it the name of the entire bar - the place where all the interesting conversations and knowledge bombs happen.
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Published When? (Not the Date of the Great Chicago Fire) - Include the publication date of the episode. This helps folks track down the exact episode you're referencing, just like following a map to find the perfect deep dish joint.
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Format Fun! - Don't forget to mention it's a podcast and the format (usually audio). You wouldn't cite a documentary as a radio show, would you?
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URL-y Good - If there's a website URL associated with the podcast, include it for easy access. Think of it as the web address of your favorite Chicago museum - a portal to a world of knowledge.
Here's an example to make things crystal clear:
Dennis, Ryan, and Charlie, "The Gang Solves the Podcast Crisis." Produced by Glenn Howerton. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Podcast, February 14, 2023. Podcast, audio, 42:37. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-always-sunny-podcast/id1594627983
(Disclaimer: This episode may not be historically accurate or a reliable source of information on podcast referencing)
So You've Mastered Chicago Podcast Citations! Now What?
Congratulations! You've conquered the art of referencing podcasts in true Windy City style. Now, go forth and spread your newfound knowledge, like confetti after a Cubs World Series win (although, hopefully with less littering). Remember, with great referencing power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely, and remember to include some truly stellar podcasts in your work!
