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Artwork for The Last Archive

The Last Archive

Pushkin Industries
Elon Musk
Jill Lepore
Jesse Owens
Frankenstein
Artificial Intelligence
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Hart Island
Spiritualism
Psychology
Neil Harris Jr.
Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley
The Deadline
New York City
Mental Health
American Elections
Spacex
Clement Clarke Moore
Henry Livingston Jr.
Christmas
New York

The Last Archive​ is a show about the history of truth, and the historical context for our current fake news, post-truth moment. It’s a show about how we know what we know, and why it seems, these days, as if we don’t know anything at all anymore. The show is written & hosted by Ben Naddaff-Hafrey, and was created by the historian Jill Lepore. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushki... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes84Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Last Archive

Latest Episodes

Drilled is a true-crime climate change podcast exposing how corporate corruption and political operatives built decades of climate denial and delay. Hosted and reported by award-winning investigative climate journalists, led by Amy Westervelt, each s... more

Maya Shankar, host of Pushkin's A Slight Change of Plans podcast, just released a new book, "The Other Side of Change". To celebrate, we're sharing an exclusive excerpt with the Pushkin community. It's about what first sparked Maya’s interest in chan... more

For nearly 200 years, we have credited the most famous poem of the Christmas season to Clement Clarke Moore. But what if we got the wrong man?

This holiday season: A centuries old family feud, a bold claim from an English professor, and the true me... more

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to... more

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Recent Guests

Kate Porterfield
Psychologist involved in the Alabama Murders case
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Lee Camp
Theologian at Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Susan Mosley
Nurse and friend of Elizabeth, Charles Sennett's wife
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Shirley Bill
Member of Charles Sennett's church
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Grant Asbell
Preacher and local guide to Florence, Alabama
Westside Church of Christ
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Carl Rodin
Former member of Charles Sennett's church
Episode: From Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Rachel Wyman
Head baker at the Montclair Bread Company and baking educator
Culinary Institute of America
Episode: A Muffin Showdown
Chris Botticella
Baking executive who was sued for allegedly trying to steal the muffin recipe
Bimbo Bakeries
Episode: A Muffin Showdown
Father Michael Holleran
An American Carthusian monk with insights on trade secrets and mysteries
Episode: A Muffin Showdown

Host

Ben Naddaff-Hafrey
Host of Revisionist History and The Last Archive; backstories combine history with cultural storytelling.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • Are we sure it’s intelligence being created?

    Elon’s management methods during his 100 day “governmental purge fantasy” were exactly the same that AI currently uses; namely, fabricating lies in order to rationalize its actions and further its agenda. It seems the “intelligence” being created is closer to the current “me first” mindset than the seeking of knowledge. The robots will be us, fighting against each other and lying about anything for the sole purpose of being “right”.

    Ms. Lepore, I love your storytelling, though this time I detes... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ol’ Bucko
    United States10 months ago
  • Great insights!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    JohnMN
    10 months ago
  • Am I the only one who thinks about evil mermaids when hearing 'the Siren myth'?

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Joost Ringoot
    a year ago
  • I want to love this show

    This is a great show - topics are interesting and well researched. The negative is the overuse of voice actors. The gimmick is too dramatic, takes one out of the moment and, for me, incredibly distracting. This trend seems endemic to Pushkin in general. Wish it would go away.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Uber Irritated
    United States2 years ago
  • “It’s Still Alive”

    I’ve now listened to this reading by Jill Lepore three times in the last 24 hours or so. I can’t stop thinking about it and I’m going down various rabbit holes online to learn more! The amount of historical context about Frankenstein I never knew before is blowing me away. And then to learn that Lord Byron was Ada Lovelace’s Father?! I will be rereading Frankenstein over the weekend, and I can’t wait!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    knolldk
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many fans value the host's clear, calm narration and deep dives into historical context.
Listeners praise the show's thoughtful, well-researched storytelling and its balanced exploration of controversial topics.
Some critique the pacing and the use of dramatic storytelling elements as distractions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#23
Ukraine/History
Apple Podcasts
#65
Poland/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Belgium/History
Apple Podcasts
#112
Indonesia/History
Apple Podcasts
#163
Israel/History
Apple Podcasts
#244
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Twas the Night Before Christmas from Revisionist History
Q: Was there one bit of evidence that really sealed the case for you?
Yes, researchers found not just one, but two effectively Christmas poems by Clement Clarke Moore that predate or are closely related to 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'.
Planet B from X Man: The Elon Musk Origin Story
Q: So what is the benefit to humanity then to inhabit Mars?
Musk argues that being a space-faring civilization exploring the stars is far more exciting than being confined to Earth.
Pushkin Loves Love Songs: Babyface, Broken Hearts, and the Best Genre for Love
Q: What about folk music for love songs?
Ben Naddaff-Hafrey argues that folk and country music do love songs very well, particularly in expressing the complexities of lost or unfulfilled love.
Pushkin Loves Love Songs: Babyface, Broken Hearts, and the Best Genre for Love
Q: Justin, out of every genre and subgenre that exists today, which one do you think does love songs the best?
Justin firmly believes that R&B does love songs the best due to its historical context and emotional depth.
Get Happier, Help Others: Some Good Ideas About Giving
Q: What are some effective charities?
Top charities include the Against Malaria Foundation, Malaria Consortium, and Helen Keller International.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Archive

What is The Last Archive about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show examines the history of truth and the contexts that shape how we know what we know, often connecting past methods of knowledge with today's information landscape. Episodes blend historical inquiry, psychology, and media critique to unpack how narratives, institutions, and biases influence collective understanding. Notable strengths include rigorous storytelling, a patient, thoughtful host voice, and a willingness to examine uncomfortable truths about culture and power. A recurring edge is the interdisciplinary mix—history, psychology, law, and media studies—making it a strong fit for audiences who enjoy deeply researched narratives about truth, memory, and society.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Last Archive?

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How many listeners does The Last Archive get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Last Archive have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Last Archive 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 The Last Archive?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Last Archive:

1. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
2. Revisionist History
3. 99% Invisible
4. Sidedoor
5. the memory palace

How many episodes of The Last Archive are there?

The Last Archive launched 6 years ago and published 84 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 The Last Archive?

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 The Last Archive?

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What guests have appeared on The Last Archive?

Recent guests on The Last Archive include:

1. Kate Porterfield
2. Lee Camp
3. Susan Mosley
4. Shirley Bill
5. Grant Asbell
6. Carl Rodin
7. Rachel Wyman
8. Chris Botticella

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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