How to Transcribe a Podcast

You can transcribe a podcast three ways: check whether the show already publishes a transcript, upload the audio file to a transcription tool, or capture the episode as it plays on your computer. Here's how each works and when to use it.

Method 1: Check for an existing transcript

Many shows now publish transcripts on their website or show notes, and Spotify and Apple Podcasts auto-generate transcripts for some episodes (look for the transcript icon while playing). Fastest when it's there — but coverage is patchy, and auto-generated ones can be rough and have no summary.

Method 2: Upload the audio to a transcription tool

If you have the episode's audio file, you can upload it to an AI transcription service. Accurate, but you need the actual file (not always easy to get), and free tiers are usually capped or gated.

Method 3: Capture it as it plays (Mac)

Nod's media mode captures your Mac's system audio, so it transcribes a podcast straight from playback — in a browser, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, anywhere the sound comes through your Mac. You get a full transcript plus a structured summary of the key points, searchable later with 'Ask Nod'. No file to track down, no upload — just play the episode and record.

On data: capture is local on your Mac, transcription runs in the EU cloud, and no audio is stored — only the transcript and summary are kept.

Why transcribe a podcast?

• Notes and research without re-listening to an hour of audio.
• Pull quotes accurately for an article or post.
• Accessibility — a readable version of an audio-only show.
• A searchable archive of episodes you can ask questions across.

For video, see how to transcribe a YouTube video.