PHILADELPHIA -- First came the iPod as a way to download and listen to your favorite music in a matter of minutes. Now, there is podcasting.

With podcasting, you can listen to programs on just about anything from anywhere in the world for free.

NBC 10's Denise Nakano explains how it works and how podcast people are becoming instant Internet stars.

A couple from Telford, Pa., in Montgomery County, talk to the world from the front seat of their car.

"Good morning and welcome to the Commute Cast," Kevin Tofel said in his podcast introduction.

Kevin and his girlfriend, Barbara Braeunig, podcast three days a week during their commute. They record a 30-minute show on the latest technology.

Listeners can then click a few buttons and the show will automatically be downloaded into their computer.

"In true podcasting, you pick and choose what you want. If you don't like it, you skip to the next file," Kevin said.

The easiest way to understand podcasting is to think of it like TiVo for radio.

Podcasting allows you to download radio shows from the Internet and listen to them when you want to. All you need is a computer and an Internet connection.

If you want to take the podcast with you, you will need an iPod or an MP3 player.

There are podcasts on just about anything. In NBC 10's quick search, we found Pet Talk Radio, which is based in Australia.

Soon, Kevin and Barbara will use the technology to allow listeners to call and leave messages for troops overseas.

"The troops can then download it, download all these different files from home and listen to something that touches their heart," Barbara said.

Podcasting is a way for regular people to reach worldwide audiences on just about any topic.

"Anybody who doesn't think this is going to be huge, it's already becoming huge. It's just not a household name yet," Kevin said.

The latest check shows that more than 3,000 podcasts have already popped up.

The FCC does not have any regulatory power over podcasts, so the content is uncensored.

How To Podcast

www.engadget.com/entry/5843952395227141
www.podcasting-tools.com/how-to-podcast.htm