How to Adjust the Speed of Podcasts and Videos – Without Making Your Brain Spin

Ah, podcasts and videos: the modern-day black holes for the free time we never knew we had.

But have you ever been listening to a podcast and thought, “Wow, these folks could really speed it up a bit“?

Or maybe you’re watching a video that moves so quickly it feels like you’re in a Fast & Furious sequel without the cool cars.

Well, fear not!

There’s a way to take control of that speed and adjust it to suit your mood, schedule, or attention span—and no, it doesn’t involve a magic wand (though we wish it did).

Today, we’ll show you how to be the master of time when it comes to podcasts and videos. Let’s jump in!

Why Adjust Podcast or Video Speed?

Why in the world would someone want to mess with the speed of a podcast or video, you ask? A few reasons:

1. The Snooze-Fest: Sometimes, a podcast host’s voice is so soothing that it puts you to sleep faster than a glass of warm milk. Speeding things up a notch can keep you engaged and prevent you from dozing off during the juicy parts!
2. The Fast-Talker: On the flip side, some hosts seem to have chugged a gallon of espresso before hitting record. If you find yourself constantly hitting rewind to catch what they’re saying, slowing down the playback speed can be a lifesaver.
3. The Time Crunch: Let’s face it, we’re all busy bees. When you’ve got a long podcast queue and not enough hours in the day, speeding up the playback can help you power through your list without missing a beat.

(Warning: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device/app. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your appAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More, device model and software version.)

How to Adjust the Speed of Podcasts in Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular platforms for listening to podcasts. And, lucky for you, they make it super easy to speed things up or slow things down.

1. On Mobile:
   • Open the Spotify app and play your favorite podcast episode or audiobook.
   • Tap the “Now Playing” bar at the bottom of the screen.
   • Look for the playback speed iconAn icon is a small graphical symbol used to represent an object, action, or concept in a digital int... More (“1x”). Tap it and select a speed anywhere from 0.5x to 3.5x. Want to turn a two-hour podcast into a one-hour sprint? Choose 2x. Want to catch every word in slow-motion, as if you’re being serenaded by sloths? Go with 0.5x.
2. On Desktop:
   • Open the Spotify app or go to Spotify Web Player.
   • Play the podcast or audiobook and find the “Now Playing” bar.
   • Click the “1x” button and pick your speed of choice. Whether you need a turbo boost or a relaxing, slo-mo chat, you can find the right setting to match your vibe.

How to Adjust the Speed in Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is another popular way to listen to your favorite shows, and they, too, have made speed control pretty simple.

1. On iPhone:
   • Open the Podcasts app and start listening to an episode.
   • Tap the mini-player at the bottom to expand the audio controls.
   • Tap the Playback Speed button (“1x”) and choose your desired speed from the menu. Want to speed up your favorite conspiracy theory podcast? Boom—tap 2x. Need it slow enough so even a turtle could keep up? 0.75x is your friend.
2. On MacA Mac, short for Macintosh, is a line of personal computers developed by Apple Inc. Renowned for the... More:
   • Click “Controls” in the menu bar.
   • Select “Playback Speed” and choose a speed between 0.75x and 2x.

Need a permanent speed change? You can always download"Download" is a term used to describe the process of copying files from the internet or another remo... More the episode and use a tool like EaseUS Speed Changer. It’s like having your own personal DJ who plays things at just the right tempo for you.

A bit more technical, but hey, it’s an option.

Adjusting the Speed of YouTube Videos

YouTube has it all—cooking videos, cat videos, people talking about obscure topics for hours. Fortunately, they also let you adjust playback speed so you can make these videos as fast or slow as you like.

1. On a Computer:
   • Launch your favorite browser and open YouTube.
   • Play the video you want and click the settings (gear) icon in the lower right corner.
   • Select “Playback Speed” from the menu and pick your speed. You can go from a leisurely 0.25x all the way to a chipmunk-speed 2x. If you really want to dial it in, there’s a custom setting that lets you fine-tune the speed exactly to your liking.
2. On Your Phone:
   • Open the YouTube app and find the video you want.
   • Tap the gear icon to access “Playback Speed” options and select your speed.
   • Unlike on the computer, there are no custom speeds here. But hey, at least you can still watch that cooking tutorial at 0.5x and finally figure out how to properly slice an onion.

Bottom Line: Control Your Own Speed

Adjusting playback speed may seem like a small thing, but it can make a world of difference in your listening and viewing experience.

Whether you’re trying to stay awake during a boring podcast or cram more knowledge into your day, these simple tricks will help you tailor your media consumption to your needs.

So go ahead, experiment with those playback speeds, and enjoy your podcasts and videos on your own terms!