Listener sentiment
Listeners remain sharply divided on *Under the Influence*, with a vocal core of fans appreciating Jo Piazza's candid exploration of social media culture and motherhood, while a significant portion express frustration over what they perceive as a decline in quality and an increasingly judgmental tone. Season 1 earned sustained praise for rigorous reporting and fresh insight into influencer culture; subsequent seasons are repeatedly criticized as opinion-driven, under-researched, and heavy-handed—especially regarding episodes on tradwives and alternative lifestyles, where reviewers note the host's claims of non-judgment clash with her delivery. A recurring complaint across recent and older reviews alike is the volume and misalignment of ads (weight loss products, diet aids, nicotine) that readers find hypocritical given the show's stated critique of consumer culture, along with aggressive promotion of Piazza's book. Production quality issues, excessive verbal repetition, and what listeners characterize as narcissism or performative feminism have pushed many once-engaged subscribers to unsubscribe, though newer listeners continue discovering and championing the podcast for its relevant topics and relatable take on parenting and social comparison.
Apple3.8 · 214
Summary generated Jun 20, 2026
