How to Take Notes While Listening to Podcasts
You listen to a podcast that shifts how you think. You’re inspired and intend to remember it. And then… you don’t.
If you enjoy podcasts and struggle to remember what you heard a week later, well, you’re human. Podcasts can inspire curiosity and new ideas — but without a way to capture them, insights can vanish.
The good news? With a simple, intentional approach, you can remember the ideas that matter.
Why podcasts are so easy to forget
They tend to be difficult to remember due to:
- Listening while doing something else (e.g., driving, walking, cooking, working)
- Fast-paced information without a visual anchor
- Our brains aren’t great at retaining information we don’t interact with
Forgetting podcast episodes isn’t a personal failure — it’s just how memory works. Listening alone is passive; writing turns listening into learning.
A simple 5-step method for taking notes while listening to podcasts
- Set a light intention before you listen. Notice if you are listening to: learn, reflect on a topic you care about, laugh, get inspired, or understand a different perspective.
- Listen for moments that stand out instead of trying to summarize an episode. Moments like: a sentence that makes you pause, a question that sticks with you, an idea you want to explore later, something you strongly agree or disagree with
- Write notes in your own words. Tip: I also notate a timestamp for future reference.
- Capture one takeaway, like an idea you want to remember, explore or share with someone else.
- Leave space to return to later. Podcast notes don't need to be 'finished', you may want to reflect in the future or connect it to something you've read about.
Common podcast note-taking mistakes to avoid
If note-taking (or lack of) has felt frustrating in the past, here are some likely culprits:
- Trying to write everything down
- Waiting until “later” to summarize the episode
- Notes scattered across apps and notebooks
- Thinking notes have to be polished to be useful
Simple, imperfect notes you revisit are more meaningful than perfect notes you don't write.
Where to keep your podcast notes
There’s no single right place (whether Notes app or notebook) — but consistency matters.
Having a designated place makes it much easier to return to them — and actually use what you’ve learned.
Keep it simple and just begin
You don’t need to take notes on every podcast you listen to. Start with episodes that resonate with you. One or two lines per episode can make a difference.
If you love podcasts but find yourself forgetting the ideas that inspire you, creating a habit of writing can change how you listen — and what you retain.
A dedicated Podcast Listener Journal can make this process easy, organized and consistent- and dare I say, stylish.
