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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes146Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Legacy

Latest Episodes

What did Vogue actually recommend women eat in 1977 — and why did it make one food writer cry in the

bathroom? How did the Greeks turn a six-pack into a moral argument? And, has the human obsession with

controlling what we eat ever really been abou... more

What happens when you raise a child telling him he's the Beast — and he decides to prove you right? Could a man

who genuinely repelled everyone around him have quietly shaped the culture we live in today? And, is the world of

sex, drugs, and rock a... more

Who invented the spiritual vocabulary of the modern world — karma, reincarnation, yoga studios, the idea that you can be "spiritual but not religious"? What if the hidden masters living in remote Tibetan mountains who inspired her weren't real — but ... more

Nostradamus has predicted every major disaster in history — or so the internet would have you believe. Peter and Afua get behind the myth to meet the real man: a plague-era apothecary, rejected by the medical establishment, whose greatest invention w... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Professor Brett Carr
Psychoanalyst and Freud scholar
Episode: Freud | Battle of The Egos | 3
Justin Hawkins
Lead singer of The Darkness
The Darkness
Episode: Listen Now: How Do You Cope?
Afua Hirsch
Historian and co-host of Legacy
Wondery and Goalhanger Podcasts
Episode: Legacy and British Scandal Special: The Scandalous Life of Charles Dickens | 5

Hosts

Peter Frankopan
Host of Legacy
Afua Hirsch
Host of Legacy

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Facelifts is just bizarre

    I really enjoy this series but facelifts??

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mordaj1
    United Kingdom24 days ago
  • Love Your Work! (Minor Feedback Since the Format Pivot)

    This note coming to you with much love, as your show has been one of my all time favourites!

    I just wanted to share a bit of feedback, Legacy was a daily listen (all the way through the back catalogue!) for me and I so used to look forward to the new seasons dropping with long form profiles on historical figures.

    I do feel like the show has lost something since pivoting into the shorter form topics, they feel a bit less well structured and I miss the mix of narrative biographies with dialogu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    cmaedis
    Canada25 days ago
  • Off beam…

    When this series is at its best, in my view, is when it reviews people and their legacies. Especially where those legacies are either contradictory to normal understanding or simply not well known. I think of Nina Simone and Picasso as particular highlights. And there are so many people left to consider but now we’re talking about face lifts? I’m sorry but that’s not for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Zoolddhgae
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • What is Legacy even about?

    This is a podcast. I’ve tried to listen too many times. I think they started with an interesting premise of asking if historical figures have the reputation they deserve, but now they are doing events and it’s basically just a generic history podcast at this point. It’s still definitely trying to find its voice and purpose. Not terrible, but far from great.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    AZplebian
    United Statesa month ago
  • Yes to an Episode on Gifts

    Peter, please make one. Am loving the focus on the natural world effects on human history

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Suzy6113
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Lively discussions that challenge popular narratives can be polarizing for some
Well-researched and engaging storytelling with clear chemistry between hosts
Thoughtful and insightful history with strong perspectives
High production quality and depth on biographical topics
Some listeners feel episodes are too political or opinionated at times, affecting balance

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#137
United States/History
Spotify
#29
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#31
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
Canada/History
Spotify
#41
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#41
Australia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Age Of Cargo | Globalisation and the Oceans | 2
Q: But tell me, Afua, about how coal was loaded into the hold of these big ships and barges.
Afua describes bulk loading coal in holds, with loose bulk handling, cranes, chutes, and manual shoveling, highlighting how this contrasted with earlier packaged goods and how mechanization later revolutionized loading.
The Age Of Cargo | Globalisation and the Oceans | 2
Q: Tell us, Afua, about steamships.
Afua explains how steam power removed dependence on wind, enabling reliable schedules and larger cargoes, which catalyzed a shift to a modern, more predictable global logistics system.
Iran | Feat. Kim Ghattas | The Legacies Of 1979 | 2
Q: How do pre-1979 histories and Iran's imperial past coexist with the Islamic Republic's present ideology?
Iranian leaders often blend nationalist sentiment with religious rhetoric, using both to legitimize their actions and to position Iran as a historic regional power beyond mere religious identity.
Iran | Feat. Kim Ghattas | The Legacies Of 1979 | 2
Q: Why have Western administrations consistently misunderstood Iran, and can power really be centralized away from the supreme leader?
Misunderstandings arise from underestimating the structure of power in Iran where the supreme leader remains the ultimate authority, making presidential overtures insufficient without addressing the broader theocratic framework.
Iran | Feat. Kim Ghattas | The Legacies Of 1979 | 2
Q: Does the new generation threaten to change Iran, or is much of it tied to the system due to economic incentives and elite networks?
Young people are diverse; some benefit from the system and do not seek rapid change, while others participate in protests, making any transformation complex and contingent on internal shifts and external pressures.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Legacy

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

A historically minded show that explores the lives of extraordinary figures through a modern lens, blending biographical storytelling with analysis of power, culture, and politics. Topics span empire, war, literature, art, and social movements, often pushing listeners to reconsider reputations and legacies. The hosts bring sharp, informed perspectives and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives, which makes episodes feel both educational and thought-provoking. A standout trait is the balanced tension between rigorous research and engaging debate, plus a willingness to connect past events to current global issues, making it appealing to curious, educated listeners who enjoy deep-dive storytelling with a critical edge.

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. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. Empire: World History
5. Short History Of...

How many episodes of Legacy are there?

Legacy launched 3 years ago and published 146 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Legacy?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Legacy. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Legacy?

Recent guests on Legacy include:

1. Christopher de Bellaigue
2. Kim Ghattas
3. Ali Ansari
4. Marlon James
5. Professor Brett Kahr
6. Dr. Susie Orbach
7. Professor Brett Carr
8. Justin Hawkins

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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