Members! Welcome to Slate Plus! To get your ad-free podcasts and bonus audio content, you need to subscribe to the Slate Plus podcast feed. Here’s the quick-and-dirty explanation: You’ll need a unique URL to subscribe.

Or copy this link to manually import your unique URL into your podcast player: 

(How-to copy/paste instructions here. On many mobile devices or tablets, you will need to tap and hold your finger on the link for several seconds.)

That didn’t work? Don’t panic! We’ve got an FAQ.

How do I get my ad-free podcasts and bonus audio content?

You need to subscribe to the Slate Plus podcast feed. To subscribe, you simply need to import your unique URL address into the podcast player of your choice.

What’s this “unique URL” hogwash? Why can’t I just find a Slate Plus podcast feed when I search in iTunes or my podcast player?

Because it’s secret! When you sign up for membership, we assign you a unique URL that allows you access to the private Slate Plus podcast feed. Think of it as the password that gets you into the party.

Where do I get my Slate Plus podcast URL?

At the top of this article page.

What do I do with my unique URL?

If you’re on your phone, try clicking the link. Most podcast apps will automatically launch and subscribe you to the Slate Plus podcast feed.

There's more information about accessing the feed from your computer further below.

That didn’t work. Now what?

No biggie. You just need to manually import the URL into your podcast player.

The basic instructions are the same for your computer or phone, no matter what podcast player you use:

1. Copy the unique URL that’s at the top of this page to your clipboard.
2. Find your podcast player’s command for adding a podcast feed. You’re looking for a menu item or button that says something like: “Subscribe to Podcast … ,” “Add Podcast Manually,” “Add Manually,” “Add Feed,” or it might just be a plus sign.
3. If prompted to subscribe, do so.
   

Can I share my URL with my friends?

Your purchase of Slate Plus membership helps Slate launch new podcasting projects. Please tell people about the great stuff we’re trying in Slate Plus. But please don’t share your podcast feed.

Baby steps, please. I need more exact instructions.

No problem! Below, you’ll find specific instructions for how to manually import your unique URL into some of the more common podcast players.

If you’re on your mobile device, you should first try clicking the unique URL at the top of this page. Most players will automatically launch and subscribe you to the Slate Plus podcast feed.

How to manually import your Slate Plus podcast feed on your computer.

iTUNES

• Select “File” from the menu bar at the top of your screen.
• Select “Subscribe to Podcast …" (NOT "Submit a Podcast." If you see that, you're likely looking in the iTunes store rather than the menu bar.)
• Paste your unique URL into the dialog box.

You might find “Subscribe to Podcast … ” in “Advanced” if you’re using an older version of iTunes.

If you’re on Windows, the menus might not appear by default. Hit Ctrl-B or click the little book icon in the top left of the iTunes window.

Other options

Not an iTunes user? The feed should work with most RSS readers.

Slate Plus members have reported successfully using these two browser-based RSS readers:

• Feeder for Chrome (They also make a Safari-compatible version.) 
• Feedly

How to manually import your Slate Plus podcast feed into your mobile device.

iOS (iPHONE, iPOD TOUCH, iPAD)

Note: you shouldn’t need to enter a username or password for any of the players below.

Apple Podcasts App

If you click the unique URL at the top of this page from your mobile device, you should be prompted to subscribe automatically after you click the link.

If that doesn’t work – launch a Safari browser (not Chrome or another browser.) Paste the link in the address bar (not the search bar.)

Didn’t work? The instructions may vary if you are using an older iPhone or iPod Touch, or if you are not using the latest version of iOS:

• Manually install the podcast feed to iTunes on your computer. (See instructions above.) 
• Sync your device to your iTunes account.
• Alternatively, we recommend trying Downcast or another popular podcast player.

Stitcher

You can now access Slate Plus podcasts through the Stitcher app for iOS (stay tuned for Android access). Here’s how to access your S+ podcasts:

For more information on how to use the Stitcher app, visit Stitcher's FAQ page.

Downcast

• Select the plus sign to add a new podcast. 
• Choose “Add Podcast Manually.”
• Paste in your unique URL.
• We’ve shortened the URLs because that makes it easier for most users to import the URL manually. Some Downcast users report that you will need to use the longer URL to subscribe. Open the URL in a browser and copy/paste that longer link.

Instacast

• Select the plus sign to add a new podcast. 
• Select “More.”
• Paste your URL after selecting “Enter URL.”

ICatcher

• Select the plus sign to add a new podcast. 
• Paste your URL after selecting “Import Feed With URL.”

Overcast

• Select the plus sign to add new podcast
• Paste your URL after selecting "Add URL"

**Note: This podcast player allows users to create custom playlists, so if you prefer to manage your feed, this might be the right podcast player for you to use.

ANDROID

BeyondPod

• Select “Add Feed.”
• Enter your URL in the field at the top, then select “Save.”
• We’ve shortened the URLs because that makes it easier for most users to import the URL manually. Some Beyondpod users report that you will need to use the longer URL to subscribe. Open the URL in a browser and copy/paste that longer link.

DoggCatcher

• Select the plus symbol to add a new podcast.
• Choose “Feed RSS URL.”
• Enter your URL under “RSS URL.”

Podkicker Pro

• Choose “Add Manually.”
• Paste in your URL.

WINDOWS

The Slate Plus podcasts work on Windows phone and Zune. Add your URL when prompted.

What about TuneIn Radio?

Unfortunately, it's not currently possible to import your Slate Plus podcast feed into the TuneIn Radio player. We're working on it.

What podcasts are included in the Slate Plus feed?

Currently, the Slate Plus feed includes the Political Gabfest, the Culture Gabfest, Hang Up and Listen, XX, the Gist, Mom and Dad are Fighting and Slate Money. Members can also listen to several podcasting projects that are exclusive to Slate Plus, like The Game of Thrones Podcast. 

Why isn't there a Slate Plus version of every podcast?

It's extra work for our producers to create two versions of each show, so we're starting with a select group. We're discussing how to expand the list of Slate Plus podcasts--if you have a suggestion about which ones we should add, email us! 

Can you please create a separate feed for each podcast so that the ones I don't want stop downloading automatically to my phone?

Maybe someday. In the meantime, we suggest exploring the settings on your podcast player; you want to prevent your podcast subscriptions from downloading new episodes automatically.

My podcast app isn’t on this list! Or it is, but I simply can’t make it work and need some help.

We really want you to be able to listen to ad-free podcasts and bonus segments. Please email Jeff and Jennifer at plus@slate.com and we’ll help you out.