You’ve heard of art critics and movie critics, but did you know there are some writers out there who dedicate most of their coverage and analysis to podcasts? As the medium has grown, editorial efforts have expanded to include columns in mainstream publications that cover new shows and the future of podcasting.
Imran Ahmed, founder of Great Pods, recently wrote about the importance of podcast criticism for the industry. “Critics help place podcasts within a cultural and creative context,” he writes. “They help us recognize what’s pushing the medium forward—not just what’s getting the most downloads.” Indeed, following podcast critics has many perks. You can read trusted recommendations and cultural analysis. Critics are also good contacts to have in mind when pitching your next podcast.
Our list of podcast critics is by no means exhaustive, but it is representative of growing editorial coverage for podcasting as an industry. Who is your favorite podcast critic? Share your thoughts with us via LinkedIn.
Nicholas Quah, Vulture
Nicholas “Nick” Quah is a US-based critic, journalist, and newsletter writer who has been covering podcasts for over a decade. He was the founder of Hot Pod, now part of Vox Media, and writes a regular column for Vulture and New York Magazine. He also publishes 1.5x Speed, a newsletter offering recommendations and industry insights.
Nick’s criticism blends cultural commentary with technical know-how. He doesn’t just tell you whether a show is good — he explains why it matters in the broader audio landscape. His essays often explore how podcasts intersect with streaming, journalism, or video. If you want clear, often humorous takes on the podcast landscape, Nick is one of the sharpest voices to turn to. Which is why he’s on The Podglomerate’s list of “best podcast newsletters.”
As a central voice in the story of podcasting, Nick writes articles like his recent work “Can There Ever Be a Podcast Canon?” for Vulture, questioning how we define “the greats” of podcasting. He has also weighed in on video podcasting’s rise and the tensions between indie and corporate productions. Read his work on Vulture and subscribe to 1.5x Speed for his latest recommendations.
Fiona Sturges, Financial Times
Fiona Sturges is a UK-based culture journalist who has written about music, television, and podcasts for publications including The Financial Times, The Guardian, and The Independent. In recent years, she has become one of the UK’s most consistent podcast critics, publishing weekly reviews in the FT.
Her criticism is both conversational and probing. She reviews the latest narrative hits and interview shows, but also takes a step back to ask: what do these stories say about us? If you’re interested in new true crime, nature, or history podcasts, Fiona has likely covered the show.
Recent reviews include Death in Dubai, which she described as “a grim tale of sex trafficking,” and The Lab Detective, a chilling look at a miscarriage of justice. They’re both in the FT, behind a paywall. Fiona has also written on the rise of vodcasts, analyzing how video reshapes the podcast experience (which is a great companion to The Podglomerate’s articles on video podcasting). Read Fiona’s weekly column in the FT for more well-thought-out, clear-eyed analysis.
Alice Florence Orr, Podcast Review
Alice Florence Orr is a UK-based critic, writer, and academic originally from Edinburgh. She is the Managing Editor of Podcast Review. She often contributes podcast recommendations and analysis to BBC Radio, and sometimes publishes end-of-year round-ups in The Independent and Irish Independent.
Alice’s criticism often straddles personal, cultural, and industry themes. While listicles are her bread and butter, she also writes essays, reviews, and genre overviews. Interested in science podcasts? What about self-development? Alice has a list to help. She also curates monthly “must-listen” recommendations for Podcast Review, keeping audio fans up to date on new releases.
With a strong sense of what podcast criticism itself could be, Alice recently wrote an essay called “My Favorite Podcast is Back. Here’s What It Taught Me About Being a Critic,” reflecting on how critics operate in the current media climate. Read her work on Podcast Review.
Hannah J Davies, The Guardian
Hannah J Davies is a London-based culture writer and editor associated with The Guardian. Formerly deputy TV editor and later deputy editor for newsletters at the paper, she writes regularly on podcasts via the “Best Podcasts of the Week” and “Hear Here” roundups alongside The Guardian’s podcast critics Alexi Duggins and Hollie Richardson.
Hannah’s criticism is curated, listener-friendly, and wide-ranging. She samples across genres and frames each recommendation to help you know what to expect, whether it’s a true-crime mini-series, a comedic chat, or a narrative audio drama. Hannah is especially good at highlighting new and returning shows, showing how they fit into cultural moments or provoke thought.
In her “Best podcasts of the week” roundups, Hannah includes a mix of story-driven narrative, topical culture, and light entertainment. Read her suggestions in The Guardian to discover what’s new, what’s resonant, and what might surprise you.
Keelin Peterson, Mentally? A Magpie
Keelin Peterson is a US-based independent podcast critic and the founder of Mentally? A Magpie, a site dedicated to free podcast reviews. Launched in 2021, her platform is a champion of indie podcasters and everyday listeners who want thoughtful recommendations.
Keelin’s reviews are approachable, empathetic, and ethical.
She focuses less on insider jargon and more on listener experience: how a podcast feels, whether it achieves its aims, and who might enjoy it. Looking for hidden gems or under-the-radar shows? Keelin’s lists and highlights are built for discovery.
She has also been outspoken about the role of AI in audio, making clear that she will never knowingly review an AI-generated podcast. Recent highlights on Mentally? A Magpie include episode spotlights that dig into hosting styles, themes, and accessibility for listeners. For indie-friendly, listener-first reviews, Keelin’s work is a refreshing guide.
Patricia Nicol, The Sunday Times
Patricia Nicol is a UK-based journalist and critic who writes a weekly audio column for The Sunday Times Culture. She also covers books, features, and broader arts commentary.
Patricia’s podcast criticism is literary in spirit. She pays close attention to tone, storytelling, and how a show fits into cultural conversations. Curious about history, geopolitics, or memoir? Patricia’s recommendations often move between high-stakes narratives and more intimate reflections. Her columns in The Sunday Times blend critique with cultural insight, making her one of the UK’s most thoughtful podcast reviewers.
Jessica Testa, The New York Times
Jessica Testa is a US-based journalist at The New York Times, best known for her reporting on style, culture, and social issues. While not a full-time podcast critic, she has often written about the medium in a wider cultural context, offering interviews and profiles on podcasters.
Her approach to criticism is rooted in cultural analysis. Rather than simply rating a podcast, she explores how it reflects broader social questions: who gets to tell stories, whose voices are amplified, and how audiences engage with narrative.
Recent bylines include reporting on the intersection of fashion and gender for The New York Times, alongside occasional audio-related essays. While her podcast criticism is more sporadic than others on this list, her work offers a valuable perspective: attentive to power, identity, and the cultural noise that surrounds podcasts.
Rebecca Lavoie, Kevin Flynn, Lara Bricker & Toby Ball, Crime Writers On
Crime Writers On is the definitive true crime review podcast. Each week, Rebecca Lavoie, Kevin Flynn, Lara Bricker, and Toby Ball critically examine the hottest true crime and mystery shows, podcasts, and pop culture, offering their unique panel reviews.
Each of Crime Writers On’s hosts carry wide-ranging expertise from the worlds of true crime media and podcasting. Rebecca Lavoie is Director of On-Demand Audio at New Hampshire Public Radio, the home of chart-topping investigative podcasts including Bear Brook, The 13th Step, and Youth Development Center. Kevin Flynn is host of the …These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order podcast and author/co-author of five true crime books. Lara Bricker is a journalist, true crime author, and private investigator. And Toby Ball is the critically-acclaimed author of suspense novels.
Recent episodes have covered popular true crime series like The New York Times’ The Retrievals and Wondery’s Liberty Lost. Make sure to follow Crime Writers On for no-holds-barred reviews of true crime podcasts and media.
James Marriott, The Times
James Marriott is a columnist and critic at The Times of London, where he reviews books, culture, and increasingly podcasts. Known for his sharp, sometimes sceptical voice, James takes podcasts seriously as part of the wider media ecosystem.
His style is probing and often provocative. James is unafraid to critique popular hits that others gloss over, asking whether they are original, ambitious, or simply repeating familiar formulas. Wondering if a viral podcast really lives up to the hype? James’s reviews cut through the noise.
To get a sense of his style, here’s an example: When James reviewed popular podcast The Diary of a CEO, he called out its “surfeit of platitudes” and unearned seriousness, and has appeared on The Sacred podcast to discuss the role of criticism itself. His columns in The Times bring a literary sensibility to podcast reviewing, connecting the medium to bigger cultural debates.
Ximena Smith, Radio New Zealand
Ximena Smith is a New Zealand-based arts and culture writer who previously covered podcasts for Stuff.co.nz and currently shares podcast recommendations with RNZ (Radio New Zealand). Her podcast criticism brings a distinct perspective to the global audio landscape, often highlighting how U.S. shows and international series resonate with New Zealand audiences.
Smith’s reviews are thoughtful and accessible, balancing cultural commentary with a practical listener perspective. Recent reviews have included deep dives into American true crime series like Campside Media and Wavland Media’s Noble and the New Zealand political history podcast Context.
For coverage that bridges international audio trends with local cultural insight, make sure to follow Smith’s criticism on RNZ.
Benjamin Cannon, The AV Club
Benjamin Cannon is a US-based culture critic at The A.V. Club, where he covers podcasts alongside television, film, and digital media. Known for his pop culture fluency and genre expertise, Ben approaches podcast criticism with the same analytical rigor he brings to reviewing prestige television.
As part of his Podcast Cannon series of reviews, Benjamin analyzes the history of podcasts and interrogates how we talk about the art form. His criticism is smart, reference-heavy, and unafraid to make connections between audio storytelling and other media forms.
Recent coverage has included dissections of audiofiction podcasts like Batman: The Audio Adventures, prestige narrative podcasts like Heavyweight, and public radio series like 10 Things that Scare Me. For criticism that treats podcasts as seriously as any other art form, Benjamin’s work at The A.V. Club delivers sharp, informed analysis.
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