Really interesting subject matter, but the vocal fry is grating and difficult to get past to take in the info.

This podcast is mostly great and Eleanor and Matt are engaging. I particularly enjoy the episodes where the two of them talk together. That said, the show is prone to getting some rather poor guests that drone on and give me flashbacks to attending college lectures. Matt in particular has a tendency to let guests go too long without interruption. The guests on the show are certainly knowledgeable, but some episodes could be so much better if the hosts were less timid and interjected more in order to get a decent discussion going. The best episodes are ones where you can tell the hosts and guests know each other, so there’s more back and forth. More of that please!

First it was Eleanor and Kate and then it was Eleanor and Matt. Pinch me! Please do that again! You three are so delightful and so much more fun than some of the droning British academics. I’m on my second listen of these two, just for fun.

I wonder why Eleanor has a guest at all on this episode as she gave no speaking time at all to the guest? Eleanor always speaks too much, but in this episode, it was egregious. And she was profoundly uninformative, but rather played her teeny-bopper image up to a frenzy . Zero redeeming value. I do love this show when Eleanor is not the host.

So tedious. Get to the point.

I love both Elenor and Matt as hosts. Great content and great delivery. The episodes where they co-host is extra delightful.

These hosts are off the hook. Just when you think you e heard it all…wait! There’s more! Solid facts, engaging interviews. Matt and Eleanor are people you want to go on vacation with, not just hang out at the library with.

Does she not read the reviews? Sophomoric, grating, idiotic — not sure what other words describe her but nothing good. Can’t stand to listen to her. In short, this series is like two different podcasts. The shows hosted by Matt Lewis are usually awesome. But the ones hosted by Eleanor Janega are horrible. The topics are interesting, and the guests are interesting, but her presentation and tone and approach are just so appalling that I can hardly stand to listen to her. She has this jokey, laughing style that can charitably be described as adolescent. The episode on the murder of Thomas Beckett is an example. It is so interesting to look behind the general mythology of the murder — that perhaps Beckett knew the murder was coming, and was preparing himself for it, in the hope of being sainted. But her snorting laughter about his wearing a hairshirt and general “hoo haw, this is just hilariously funny stuff” attitude toward a serious subject are so offensive. Even if it occurred in the long distant past, the subject is still one of violence and murder. Would we countenance this presentation for a description of a recent murder? I had to stop listening. Really wish the producers would pay attention to the generally negative comments about Dr. Janega and how the subject matter in this show is being presented. Her style is perhaps suitable to an audience of teenagers — but is that really the audience here? For the record, I am an American woman, and do not object to an American accent or the fact that Dr. Janega is a woman. That said, the way she pronounces “France” is ridiculous and so put on, I can’t believe it — seriously?

Taking a “deferential“ “I’m roo good for this” attitude to every subject is obnoxious. Please remove her from her hosting job.

It maybe true or it may be false but the church is notorious for burying the parts of its history that it doesn’t want known. While her giving birth during a papal procession would be difficult to keep under wraps, I imagine the news spreading turned into more of a game of telephone. One person would tell it and then the next would tell it but the details would be slightly different. Eventually the story would become something entirely different. I don’t imagine it would change that much but still. For all we know it could’ve been a case of a king or some ruler trying to discredit or insult the church. Even though kings were dependent upon the church, it still wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility. Without being able to see official records from that time period anything is possible.

I absolutely love this podcast and always learn so much from each episode. Dr. Janega and Matt have such great banter with the guests and always seems to ask all the right questions (ones I didn’t even know I wanted answered lol) it’s my me-time pod and I just adore it 🩷

Fascinating stuff, but I'm sorry the sound effects ruined it for me.

Gone Medieval has quickly become one of my favorite history podcasts. Great work, Mr. Lewis and Dr. Janega!

She makes my ears bleed. I would listen to this if she wasn’t part of the podcast. Her constant laughs and slang terms are god awful.

I must admit that I do not enjoy Dr Janega’s style of presentation whatsoever. I am disappointed because I love the content of this show, Cat Jarman and Matt Lewis are excellent, and I previously listened to it very frequently, but have stopped for this reason. The lexicon, tone, and affected accent (?transatlantic) are difficult to listen to, as much as I have tried pushing through I cannot make it through an episode hosted by her. I am sure she is an excellent academic and very knowledgeable but she talks over the guests quite a bit, and rather than asking probing questions, she often monologues and answers her own question. Respectfully, my opinion is that she is not a good fit for the hosting job.

Half of this podcast is one of my favorites. The other half is unlistenable (why is everything so funny?) I hate when one half intrudes on the other.

I enjoy Matt’s episodes. Why all the laughing from Dr. Janega? It’s unnecessary and detracts from the podcast.

Well done and fun. Medieval European history is absolutely my favorite but you don’t have to be a fan to appreciate and enjoy this podcast. Very well done. Cat Jarman and Matt Lewis episodes are my favorites. Dr Janega is no doubt very knowledgeable on some of my favorite topics but I do not enjoy her style of presentation. More Matt Lewis please.

Why?? Why random Trump insults?? It has ZERO pertinence to the discussion. I’m here for History, not random political barbs. It completely ruins the content. Not the time or the place for ANY modern political barbs regardless of party. Will have to find a new History podcast.

Amazing. The episodes should be two hours!

Thanks for the Crecy pod. I was not convinced by the author’s thesis though. Cliff Roger’s book on the campaigns of Edward III is much more incisive.

Thank you I look forward to every episode!

Can't stand the awful noise behind the spoken word. What is the point of all that bad so-called "music"? Quit the pod for a time, came back, now quitting again. It's a shame. Such brilliant content- such awful production.

Matt Lewis is fantastic but I’m utterly so sick of Dr. Janega’s unprofessional scoffing. Not to mention that she bloviates at a grad school level and doesn’t let guests talk.

This has arguably been my favorite podcast since it came out some years ago. Great topics great discussions and overall just so enjoyable for a medieval history fan. More Matt Lewis please!!!!!

I can’t wait to read the book. How about a spinoff SERIES on the Hundred Years War. I love hearing about Sluys, Crecy, Poitiers, Agincourt, Orleans, etc, but how about everything in between? More of this, please.

This podcast would garner five stars if it was just Matt Lewis, or boasted another historian co-host—male or female—who had greater aptitude, nuance, and interviewing competency. Lewis masterfully guides conversation. He deserves the helm of a History Hit podcast. While Lewis is a thoughtful host, Eleanor Janega is reminiscent of an insufferable student in a graduate seminar. It is noxious when some reviewers try to frame other critiques as being prejudicial. I wish it was not the case that this show had a subpar host. Nevertheless, I stand by my conclusion, which has nothing to do with a host being female but rather because a host is substandard.

I came across this podcast in preparation for our trip to France. I love it! The stories are told with passion and humor. I love the enthusiasm! I've learned so much. Thank you.

It’s great for a brief overview of something you want to do a deeper dive into on your own. Dr. Janega’s book is great but her podcast presence can be a bit much. She sometimes doesn’t leave much space for her guest and that can be frustrating (also it’s ok to it’s the English pronunciation of France!!) The real problem is all the ads- I’m fairly certain they’re designed as some kind of psy-op/crime against humanity. I’ve truly never heard more obnoxious/bordering on enraging ads.

Great pod with interesting content. Janega really gets on my nerves, though.

I listen to this podcast every week. I have learned so much. I wish you guys would cover the Scottish royal families.

Very England focused

The episodes hosted by Matt Lewis are usually very good, but ever since Eleanor Janega joined, it’s become pretty insufferable. Her attitude toward any Christian person is insulting. Interesting that other religions are treated with respect. I don’t agree with her approach to history at all and her delivery also lies bed much to be desired.

Since the arrival of Eleanor Janega, I only listen sometimes. I enjoy Matt Lewis and listen to most of his episodes. I am so disappointed to discover that an episode covering a topic in which I am very interested is hosted by Eleanor. I skip those episodes because I find her silly banter and the harshness of her voice to be unbearable. I miss Cat Jarman.

I skip any episode that Dr Janega hosts. Her style is off putting to me but other than that, a good history podcast!

The Renaissance episode was so painful to listen to, it compelled me to write a review. I understand it is entertainment more than education but the competitive ineffectual comedy was like a bad snl skit

I’ve enjoyed Gone Medieval since its start. With the arrival of Dr. Janega it has improved upon itself. Bring on more! Explain the Husserites!! More about the Hapsburgs. Jane in Seattle

I’ve decided to stop listening. Cat Jarman was a wonderful host with a lot of insight, and she was really good at prompting the guests to talk about interesting things. I highly recommend her episodes. Matt Lewis has always been pretty good and quite personable, though I tend to listen to his episodes less often than Cat’s because my interests and his overlap less. Eleanor Janega’s episodes are so bad though. As an American I’m not one to hate on American accents (or on Americans who borrow British slang, as she apparently does), but she demonstrates an appalling lack of charity for those whose belief systems are different than hers, to the point that it’s offensive to modern Christians and condescending to those whose stories she’s supposedly trying to tell. I did appreciate the one guest who kept pushing back on the rampant condescension, but pretty often she’d talk over her anyway. And Eleanor does the majority of the most interesting topics now!

I thoroughly enjoyed this show every week but the latest with Dr. Ada Palmer went to a whole other level. It was great! Combining lots of new information about then"Renaissance" with an hour of some of the funniest content in any realm. Dan Snow or Goalhanger you need to snap Dr. Palmer up.

I really like this podcast I found it last year and I really enjoyed listening to it keep up 😊💙

Always a Really Good Listen

The hate toward Dr Janega for the crime of having a personality is extremely weird and misogynist. It's often paired with the word "woke" which tells you all you need to know. Yuck. Both hosts are excellent and their passion for the topics is contagious. I love their humor, and especially Dr Janega's wit, charm, insight, and deep knowledge of the topics discussed. As a fellow woman with a personality, she seems like she'd be fun to hang with! Dear hosts, please ignore the weirdos and keep being awesome!

It’s usually fairly funny, and mildly instructive.

I could not listen to this episode because the beginning, discussing periodization, just insults every listener. They were 5 minutes in and just explaining to us why historians do this. Dr Janega should work on her tone and not dumb it down like this. I had to turn it off even if I was interested in why the early Middle Ages matter.

but when Dr. Janega is the host, I immediately skip that episode. It’s not about her credentials or the topics she covers, it’s her delivery and tone. It does not fit the content and the audience expectations for academic discussion of nuanced historical topics. She is better suited for History Hit youtube content which is aimed at a broader more entertainment-focused audience.

Dr. Janega is one of my favorite history hosts! I love history podcasts and read a lot of history. I appreciate Dr. J’s humor and style in this show. I especially enjoy the episodes on women’s history.

Listened to one incredibly campy episode and never subscribed. Sadly now I get this trash in my feed. I have confirmed I'm not following yet it still shows up.

Why does Dr. Janega have to speak like a teenage girl? I am trying to listen to the Joan of Arc episode and I cannot get through it. She uses “like” way too often and even said “word” (as in word up). Her style of speaking makes it very hard to take her seriously or even believe she is intelligent. Is she trying to attack a younger crowd? Clearly the podcast is doing well and since she’s not on every episode, it really can’t be helping. Please, for the love of everyone listening, stop speaking like a valley girl.

Presenters very knowledgeable. Exaggerated voice and speaking style by Eleanor is a bit much to have to sit through. Clearly intellectual but just not a presenter one wants to sit through

I really love this podcast. It’s exciting. It’s always new and they’re more geeky than I am about history stuff. Truly is a gem of a podcast.