Your Amazon Echo is a compact powerhouse, far more than just a speaker. With Alexa, you can check weather forecasts, manage shopping lists, play ambient sounds, or enjoy audiobooks. Prefer podcasts? Alexa skills make it effortless to stream your favorites hands-free.
Previously, Bluetooth streaming from phone apps was the main option. Now, dedicated skills offer direct, voice-activated access to thousands of shows.
Alexa skills are third-party developed extensions that supercharge your Echo. As experts who've tested dozens on our own devices, we recommend enabling them via the Alexa app or Amazon site—they install in seconds and transform your listening experience.
Whether you're a podcast enthusiast or just starting, these skills integrate seamlessly. Browse them in the app under categories, or search directly.
Find a skill in the Alexa app, tap Enable on its detail page. Activate with "Alexa, open [skill name]." For guidance, say "[skill name] help." Manage enabled skills via the app's Skills menu, including parental controls and notifications.
Here are eight vetted Alexa skills we've used extensively for podcasts on Echo devices:
Any Pod delivers nearly any podcast from its vast library of thousands of shows and episodes, updated daily. Say "Alexa, play [podcast name]"—partial names work too, like "Alexa, play Dr. Laura." Subscribe or check subs with "Alexa, ask AnyPod to subscribe/unsubscribe" or "what are my subscriptions?"
Enable: Any Pod (Free)
Pod Buddy shines for episode control: play by number, random episodes ("Play a random episode of [podcast name]"), or resume from your last stop for segmented listening.
Enable: Pod Buddy (Free)
Time-crunched? This skill's smart search highlights new or top-rated episodes based on listener votes. Rate what you hear to refine future suggestions.
Enable: The Podcast Player (Free)
Discover topic-based podcasts—say "Alexa, ask Magic Podcast to find a show about horses." Play directly with "Play [podcast name]" and skip unwanted ones.
Enable: Magic Podcast (Free)
Access 40,000+ podcasts with smart related-content suggestions. Respond "Yes" to play, "Skip" to pass, "Repeat" for lists, or "Stop" to cancel. Intuitive commands build your favorites fast.
Enable: Spreaker (Free)
Link your Podbean account for seamless access to recent listens and numbered playlists. Say "Alexa, ask Podbean to play my number one podcast."
Enable: Podbean Podcast Player (Free)
A uplifting Flash Briefing that doubles as a podcast, delivering positive stories from hosts Colleen and Neil—perfect for starting your day right.
Enable: The Good News Podcast (Free)
Tap into 100,000+ podcasts via your Stitcher account. Play playlists like Listen Later, binge series, or rediscover shows by name—all voice-controlled.
Enable: Stitcher (Free)
Your Echo isn't just a speaker—it's a podcast powerhouse. Ditch the phone; command Alexa for instant playback. Try these skills and share in the comments: Which ones are your favorites? What podcasts will you stream next?
