Rephonic
Artwork for Legacy
Charles Dickens
Winston Churchill
Colonialism
Joan Of Arc
Sigmund Freud
A Christmas Carol
England
Kwame Nkrumah
Jane Austen
Second World War
World Cup
Marie Antoinette
World War II
Mikhail Gorbachev
Psychoanalysis
France
Oliver Twist
Cold War
Joseph Stalin
John Lennon

Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the rep they deserve. Should Nina Simone’s role in the civil rights movement be more celebrated than it is? When you find out what Picasso got up to in his studio, can you still admire his art? Was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant - or both? (And, while we... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes176Founded3 years ago
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HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Legacy

Latest Episodes

Why does a kettle cost less than ten pounds?

What kind of official refuses to send the army against protesters in one decade, then puts thirty million people out of work in the next?

And when the man who built modern China spent his last twenty yea... more

When did flying stop being the most glamorous thing a person could possibly do?

What kind of industry fixes its own prices by law, and then competes on how much champagne it can pour?

And what happened to the man who broke it?

Sir Freddie Laker sw... more

What happens to a person when the country they were born in decides they were never really from there?

What does a play about the women of a sacked city, written 2,400 years ago, have to say to an actress walking out of Syria on foot?

And how do yo... more

Who decided that the sea — cold, dangerous and full of smugglers — was somewhere you went for fun?

What kind of doctor prescribes plunging into the Channel naked in the dead of winter, and then drinking it?

And how did the towns Britain built to en... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Karim Zidan
Investigative journalist and creator of The Authoritarian History of the World Cup
Human Rights Foundation / The Authoritarian History of the World Cup
Episode: Inbox: Why Dictators Love the World Cup | Feat. Karim Zidan
Gary Lineker
Professional footballer and public figure featured in the episode
England national football team (former)
Episode: Gary Lineker | Nation, Identity and the Beautiful Game | 2
Sir Antony Beevor
Historian and author
Historian and author of Rasputin and the Downfall of the Romanovs
Episode: Rasputin | How Rumour Broke an Empire | Feat. Sir Antony Beevor
Christopher de Bellaigue
Author and historian specializing in the modern Middle East
Episode: Iran | Feat. Christopher de Bellaigue | On The Eve Of Confrontation | 3
Kim Ghattas
Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of Black Wave
The Legacy Podcast
Episode: Iran | Feat. Kim Ghattas | The Legacies Of 1979 | 2
Ali Ansari
Professor of Iranian History, University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
Episode: Iran | Feat. Ali Ansari | Seen From The Inside And Out | 1
Marlon James
Renowned novelist and winner of the Booker Prize
Episode: Jane Austen | Feat. Marlon James | It's Jane Austen's World And We're Living In It | 3
Professor Brett Kahr
Psychoanalyst and Freud scholar
Episode: Freud | Goodnight Vienna | 4
Dr. Susie Orbach
Author and broadcaster, founder of the Women's Therapy Center
Episode: Freud | Goodnight Vienna | 4

Hosts

Peter Frankopan
Host of Legacy; prominent voice in historical storytelling and analysis.
Afua Hirsch
Co-host and main commentator on historical biographies with a focus on critical perspectives.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • Love legacy

    This show has really grown on me - I love the different perspectives both hosts bring to the topics. I also love how it makes me think about events in history in a new and different way. Thank you !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Voilet1717
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • No fun.

    I have really enjoyed this podcast for a long time now but am finding Afua’s obsession with colonisation and racism becoming tedious. It is like listening to a cracked record harping on these issues over and over again. There is little enjoyment to following the podcast now.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    fragoulis gallowopolous
    Australia2 months ago
  • Previously fantastic, now fantastically mid

    When this show first came out it was honestly fantastic. Efua and Peter bounce off each other very well. Their chemistry is great and they are clearly experts in their fields. The original format of the show, focusing on individuals from history were great! Unfortunately now it seems to have deviated and dropped off massively. Random, uninteresting subjects (not even people.. isn’t that the whole point of the show?) that just don’t pique the interest, coupled with incessant political messaging f... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jammyad96
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Love

    Listened to the World Cup episode as I was driving home to watch the England vs Ghana game. Best timing ever. Cheered for Ghana, but my heart goes to my home. Go Canada!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Montreal Charlotte
    Canada2 months ago
  • Engaging

    This podcast is great. I have learnt so much. I always disliked history at school as I didn’t find the uk curriculum topics interesting. Afua and Peter are fantastic at exploring and explaining topics and relating them back to social issues today which is so engaging. I love the refreshing perspectives that Afua brings to the conversations.

    Ps Ridiculous that some reviews are complaining about ads. The hosts deserve to be paid for the content they produce. Subscribe if you dont want them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lennalo
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the balance between biography and critical social commentary.
Listeners praise the hosts for clear, engaging analysis and robust debate.
Some feel the pivot to shorter, topic-driven episodes has improved focus, while others miss longer, narrative biographies.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#189
United States/History
Spotify
#43
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#80
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#189
France/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inbox: Why Dictators Love the World Cup | Feat. Karim Zidan
Q: How should fans and players respond to the moral complexities of hosting the World Cup in regimes with questionable human rights records?
Fans should stay informed and maintain critical awareness rather than surrendering to escapism; reforming bodies like FIFA and resisting unconditional endorsement of state-backed ventures can help preserve sports integrity over the long term.
Inbox: Why Dictators Love the World Cup | Feat. Karim Zidan
Q: Do dictators genuinely enjoy sports, or is it more about propaganda value and crowd control?
Context matters per regime, but leaders often see sport as a strategic tool—Mussolini used it to unify a fractured nation and broadcast fascism, while others, like Trump, leveraged the spectacle for personal branding and to symbolize dominance.
Inbox: Why Dictators Love the World Cup | Feat. Karim Zidan
Q: What first sparked your interest in linking sport with international politics beyond the game itself?
I describe a personal journey from childhood football in Egypt to a broader curiosity about how fans' voices, government power, and global attention intersect, which led me to explore the political power embedded in football long before I became a journalist.
Gary Lineker | The Polictics Of The World Cup | 1
Q: When you compare your earlier, more sheltered years as a player with your current publicly vocal stance, how do you reconcile those experiences?
He notes that players were traditionally kept out of politics to preserve focus on the game, but now many feel compelled to use their voices to address human rights and justice, balancing responsibility with the realities of a global audience.
Gary Lineker | The Polictics Of The World Cup | 1
Q: How have players' roles and visibility changed from your playing days to today when it comes to speaking out on political issues?
He explains that the advent of social media and wider platforms has given players more agency to speak out, but also placed them under greater scrutiny and risk, shaping how they navigate activism while focusing on their sport.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Legacy

What is Legacy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful history-and-biography show that re-examines iconic figures through a modern lens, weighing fame against legacy and often questioning the narratives around famous lives. Episodes span political revolutions, art, science, leadership, and cultural impact, with a knack for connecting historical figures to contemporary debates about power, identity, and ethics. Guests and hosts frequently challenge traditional depictions, offering nuanced takes on who these figures were and what their legacies mean today. The format has evolved to shorter, topic-driven profiles, which some listeners appreciate for conciseness and insight, while others miss long-form biographical storytelling. Overall, it's likely to appeal to curious, educated liste... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Legacy?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Legacy. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Legacy and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Legacy get?

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What are the audience demographics for Legacy?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Legacy, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Legacy have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Legacy has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Legacy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Legacy:

1. British Scandal
2. The Spy Who
3. Empire: World History
4. The Rest Is Classified
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of Legacy are there?

Legacy launched 3 years ago and published 176 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Legacy?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Legacy?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Legacy from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Legacy?

Recent guests on Legacy include:

1. Karim Zidan
2. Gary Lineker
3. Sir Antony Beevor
4. Christopher de Bellaigue
5. Kim Ghattas
6. Ali Ansari
7. Marlon James
8. Professor Brett Kahr

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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