Listener sentiment
The Howie Games continues to command strong listener loyalty, with the bulk of recent reviews full-throated in their praise of Mark Howard's long-form interview style, the caliber of sporting guests, and the show's behind-the-scenes diary series — particularly the College Football Diaries and Ashes Diary, which multiple reviewers describe as a standout innovation that took the podcast to a new level. Listeners repeatedly highlight the emotional depth and honesty of conversations with athletes like Stuart MacGill, Owen Wright, and Michelle Payne, and value the show as a companion for commuting, walking, and travel. The most consistent criticism, voiced by a minority across multiple reviews, is that Howard can dominate conversations and interject with his own experiences rather than letting guests fully develop their answers — a tension that even some five-star reviewers acknowledge. A second recurring thread, sharpening in the most recent ratings, calls out the lack of diversity among guests, with several reviewers specifically requesting more women, more athletes from non-white backgrounds, and broader coverage across sports like rugby union, basketball, and cricket. Minor friction around episodes being split into parts and a desire for tighter intros also surfaces occasionally.
Apple4.7 · 551
Summary generated Sep 10, 2026
