Listener sentiment
Avoiding Babylon has cultivated a remarkably devoted listener base whose review culture is itself a signal of community strength: the overwhelming majority of recent ratings are five stars, yet a large share of those are written as affectionate, tongue-in-cheek "roasts" in which fans lovingly mock the hosts' personalities, verbal tics, and on-air dynamics while still awarding top marks. Beneath the humor, genuine praise centers on the show's unpretentious take on traditional Catholic commentary, the joy and fraternity the hosts bring to faith discussions, the caliber of their guests, and educational segments like their ongoing papal encyclical history series. The most consistent recurring criticism — voiced even by loyal listeners — is that co-host Anthony dominates conversations, frequently interrupts guests, and leaves co-host Rob with little airtime, while some reviewers note the show's heavy reliance on inside jokes and platform-specific references that can alienate newcomers. A small number of genuinely negative reviews object to the hosts' treatment of other Catholic creators and what critics describe as uncharitable or divisive rhetoric toward fellow Catholics. On balance, the audience is highly engaged and loyal, with the sarcastic-review phenomenon itself underscoring how much listeners feel like insiders in a close-knit community rather than passive consumers.
Apple4.7 · 105
Summary generated Sep 5, 2026
