Listener sentiment
Recent ratings for The Constant are overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of listeners calling it one of the best history podcasts available. Host Mark Chrisler is consistently praised for his storytelling craft, humor, deep research, and ability to surface obscure historical episodes that no other podcast covers. Listeners describe the show as bingeable, witty, and emotionally resonant, frequently returning to favorite episodes and recommending it to others. The recurring criticism — voiced by a small but consistent minority across multiple years — is that certain episodes drift into political commentary or apply modern ideological standards to historical figures, which some listeners find alienating regardless of their own leanings. A secondary thread of complaints targets intrusive background music, occasional pacing issues (including a period of noticeably fast narration that the host appears to have corrected), and a handful of reviewers who feel research quality dips on topics outside the show's modern-era sweet spot. On balance, the consensus is that the show's concept — humanity's grand mistakes and bad ideas — is executed with rare skill, and even critical listeners tend to acknowledge its strengths.
Apple4.7 · 290
Summary generated Aug 2, 2026
