Jan. 27, 2025

Podcast Downloader

A Simple, Open-Source RSS Podcast Fetcher

Tired of being constantly nudged toward "more relevant content", I built a script to break free from commercial or closed-source podcast apps. I just wanted a tool that quietly grabs my favorite shows—no fuss, no tracking, no extras. Read this post to learn more; it's free/libre software under GPLv3.

Left: Apple Podcasts, Right: Apple iBooks—both screens dedicate around half the interface to content I didn't request
Left: Apple Podcasts, Right: Apple iBooks—both screens dedicate around half the interface to content I didn't request

Modern apps are optimised for engagement, with patterns to keep you tapping into more content you might like - I hate this. They push recommendations, promotions, or what the app developer wants discovered, overshadowing my own library and nudging me away from my original choices.

So I wrote podcast-downloader, a small Bash script under the GPLv3 license. It uses common GNU/Linux utilities to fetch podcasts from an RSS feed and optionally tag metadata.

Key Features

Usage

You can find the code, full instructions, and more details here: https://source.willem.com/podcast-downloader/ In a nutshell:

Conclusion

Enjoy an ad-free, suggestion-free, and completely free-as-in-freedom podcast experience! Feedback and contributions are welcome.

Downloaded podcasts on my A&K audio player—modern Apple nudges ironically sent me back to the old iPod-like design (o sweet irony)
Downloaded podcasts on my A&K audio player—modern Apple nudges ironically sent me back to the old iPod-like design (o sweet irony)

Update: Auscultare, a Unix-Style Android App

Following the Unix philosophy of small, focused tools, I've created the perfect companion for this script. While the downloader's only job is to fetch the audio files, Auscultare is a simple, libre Android app whose only job is to play them and track your progress. It's a classic toolchain where the filesystem is the pipe that connects the two.

Auscultare Podcast + Audiobook Player

Auscultare Podcast + Audiobook Player

Building a native Android app that remembers where you've left

Enjoy distraction free listening to long form audio files like podcasts and audiobooks using this app I made. Tired of bloated apps full of ads, subscriptions or 'suggestions', I wanted an app that gets out of my way by doing one thing only and one thing very well. This is Auscultare.

Podcast Downloader

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