Apple Podcasts can use a significant amount of data if you are streaming episodes directly from the app, especially if those podcasts are long or high in quality. The app downloads the entire episode onto your device when you hit play, which can consume a lot of data.

To reduce data usage, you can:

1. Download episodes while you're connected to Wi-Fi: You can download your favorite episodes at home before you leave and listen to them on the go without using any data.

2. Adjust the settings to only download new episodes over Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Podcasts > Download Episodes and select "Only New" or "Off". This will prevent the app from automatically downloading new episodes using cellular data.

3. Adjust the settings to only refresh podcast feeds over Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Podcasts > Cellular Data and turn it off. This will prevent the app from automatically checking for and downloading new episodes.

4. Lower the audio quality: Some podcasts offer lower quality streams that can save data. Check the podcast's settings to see if this is an option.