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
United States
Cold War
Joseph Stalin

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes187Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Legacy

Latest Episodes

What were the taxi drivers of 1990s Accra playing on repeat?

How does a woman who swore she was "not a bit political" write a hit about being used up and spat out by the system?

And, what does it take for the most unmistakably white icon in America... more

Why are a million people about to queue at the British Museum for a strip of embroidered linen?

What if the most famous picture of 1066 isn't a tapestry, was probably stitched in England, and treats the losing king as a hero?

And, if the arrow in H... more

Who says no to Elvis Presley — and is proved right eighteen years later?

How does a girl from a one-room cabin with no electricity work out the economics of music publishing before most of Nashville has?

And, in an age that agrees on almost nothing... more

Why is a war fought 44 years ago back on the front pages?

What happens when a combative president in Buenos Aires, a friend in the White House and an oil field due online in 2028 all point at the same islands?

And, when 99.8% of the people who live... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sue Brunning
Curator; Keeper of the Sutton Hoo treasures
British Museum
Episode: Inbox: The Bayeux Tapestry and the Arrow Nobody Can Prove | Sue Brunning
Marie Favereau
Historian of the Mongol Empire; Professor
Paris-Nord University
Episode: Inbox: Genghis Khan and the Empire We Got Wrong | Marie Favereau
Arwa Omaren
Star and co-writer of the one-woman show Hecuba, Why Am I In Your Country
Performer, co-writer; Palestinian refugee, UK resident
Episode: Inbox: Hecuba, Exile and Coming Home | Arwa Omaren
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

Hosts

Peter Frankopan
Host of Legacy; co-host/lead contributor with background in historical analysis; frequently anchors discussions and provides historical framing.
Afua Hirsch
Co-host who provides contemporary context, interviews, and historical insight; often drives interviews and frames discussion.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • Factually incorrect

    Mao died in 1976 not 1979. Getting facts wrong is symptomatic of presenters relying on researchers when the topic is not their area of expertise

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Rootsy81
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Prefer the old format

    Used to love the old format but just can’t take to this series. Such a shame :(

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    L@ur@1234
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 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 Zealand3 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
    Australia3 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 Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics feel the format shift has affected pacing and focus for certain episodes.
A number of reviews call out perceived political framing as a strength or a flaw, depending on listener preference.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' chemistry and the way history is made engaging and thought-provoking.
Many praise accessible deep dives into biographies and global contexts, with strong personal narratives from the hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/History
Spotify
#38
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#54
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#82
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#54
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#228
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inbox: The Bayeux Tapestry and the Arrow Nobody Can Prove | Sue Brunning
Q: Why is the Bayeux Tapestry so central to public imagination and history
Because it provides a monumental, visual narrative of 1066 that has endured in popular culture as a shorthand for the medieval period and the Norman conquest, making history feel immediate and tangible.
Inbox: The Bayeux Tapestry and the Arrow Nobody Can Prove | Sue Brunning
Q: Tell us a bit about who made the Bayeux Tapestry and who it was for.
Scholars think there was a designer and likely a team who planned the imagery, with embroiderers—likely English women—bringing the piece to life; the work may have been made for Bayeux Cathedral or Canterbury, depending on the theory.
Inbox: Genghis Khan and the Empire We Got Wrong | Marie Favereau
Q: Why is the Mongol legacy so controversial or negative in some traditional histories, and why is a balanced view important?
The negative legacy stems from later colonial framing and a long-standing “barbarian nomad” stereotype, but modern scholarship works to present a fuller, more nuanced picture that includes administration, religious and cultural openness, and the empire's long-term global influence.
Inbox: Genghis Khan and the Empire We Got Wrong | Marie Favereau
Q: Tell us about some specific objects or features, like the saddle or the composite bow, and what they reveal about empire-building.
Artifacts such as horse-related equipment and weaponry illustrate how mobility and technology underpinned rapid expansion, while textiles, ceramics, and luxury items demonstrate a sophisticated court culture and the empire's role as a cultural hub that blended Central Asian and Chinese influences.
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.

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?

Two historians with complementary perspectives explore biographies and legacies of influential figures, often tying personal narratives to larger social and political themes. Episodes frequently hinge on questions of how reputations are constructed, the moral complexities of famous lives, and how modern lenses refract past actions. Notable strengths include deep historical context, thoughtful dialogue between hosts, and a willingness to connect biography to contemporary issues, making it appealing for listeners who enjoy rigorous analysis paired with narrative storytelling. A recurring upside is the engaging chemistry between hosts and the breadth of topics, from individual figures to broad cultural trends; a potential drawback for some is ... more

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How many listeners does Legacy get?

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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 187 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?

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What guests have appeared on Legacy?

Recent guests on Legacy include:

1. Sue Brunning
2. Marie Favereau
3. Arwa Omaren
4. Karim Zidan
5. Gary Lineker
6. Sir Antony Beevor
7. Christopher de Bellaigue
8. Kim Ghattas

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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