Ten days after its release, the website Chartable listed Nolan Investigates as #3 most popular in news podcasts in Great Britain.

[12] Chrissy Stroop, in an article in openDemocracy, criticized the podcast, writing that it "plays up the same old transphobic talking points seen elsewhere" and characterized it as having a "heavy-handed conspiratorial tone".

[13] Charlotte Runcie of The Daily Telegraph compared it favorably to other investigative journalism podcasts such as Serial, The Missing Cryptoqueen or The Teacher's Pet.

[14] Joanna Williams of Spiked praised the podcast and Thompson in particular for tenacity in pursuing interviews and FOIs,[1] as did James Marriott of The Times.

[15] Gareth Roberts of UnHerd condemned the BBC's lack transparency and suggested the podcast be followed up by "a full public inquiry with the power to compel the whole truth in detail from government.

"[17] On 10 November, a month after the podcast's release, the BBC withdrew from the Diversity Champions Programme and Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.

[18] [O]ver time our participation in the Programme has led some to question whether the BBC can be impartial when reporting on public policy debates where Stonewall is taking an active role.

After careful consideration, we believe it is time to step back from the Diversity Champions Programme and will also no longer participate in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.

Stonewall called it a shame and that they would "continue to engage with the BBC on a number of fronts to champion support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and to represent our communities through their reporting".

The spokesperson for the transgender youth charity Mermaids condemned the podcast and claimed that it was an attempt to "silence and undermine the integrity of organisations which stand up for LGBTQIA+ rights".