Legacy

Women were humanity’s first doctors — midwives, herbalists and healers — until fear, religion and power turned care into a crime. This episode explores how women’s medical knowledge became witchcraft, and why healing women were systematically erased.Stay connected with LegacyFollow us for clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and new episode drops: Instagram: @originallegacypodcastTikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A hidden history of women as the first healers, from shamanic plant knowledge to ancient surgical practice. The rise of male-dominated medicine, university gatekeeping, and church hostility that pushed women out. The strange “penis nest” myth and its role in demonizing traditional healing. Tensions around witchcraft, reproduction, and the loss of embodied medical knowledge.

Ancient beliefs that illness came from spirits and the rituals used to diagnose and cure them. Roles of shamans, exorcists, oracles and their ritual tools like drums, mirrors and plant medicines. How purification practices became modern spas and why ambiguous prophecy held social power. Conversations about psychics, faith healing risks, and the modern revival of spiritual medicine.

Afua makes the case that sleep is sacred — and modern “grind culture” is quietly wrecking us — as Peter and Afua explore how the ancients actually slept, dreamed, and interpreted the night. Then it’s the birth of exercise: from survival-strength and ritual dance to wrestling, hunting, and the gymnasium — and how movement became medicine (and status).Stay connected with LegacyFollow us for clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and new episode drops:Instagram: @originallegacypodcastBlueSky: @legacy-productions.bsky.socialTikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afua's voice returns thanks to a quirky red onion and honey remedy, leading to a dive into ancient healing methods. They explore how civilizations used food and herbs as medicine, revealing early medical writings like the Ebers Papyrus. Honey emerges as a revered superfood with various uses, while spices like frankincense and turmeric showcase their antiseptic qualities. The conversation touches on dietary systems and the impact of water rituals on public health, highlighting how access to wellness has been influenced by social inequalities.

Journey back 10,000 years to uncover the origins of wellness. Discover how hunter-gatherers were surprisingly sophisticated and healthy. Explore the shift from diverse diets to monoculture, leading to dental disease and nutritional deficiencies. Learn about early medicine and preventative practices that shaped health. Engage with how spirituality intertwined with physical wellbeing in ancient societies. Finally, reflect on how social structures and the move to agriculture influenced body and mind.

Explore the tumultuous era of Gorbachev's leadership during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Delve into the events of the 1991 coup, the rise of Boris Yeltsin, and the struggles with nationalism that unraveled the empire. Discover Gorbachev's surprising public image, notably through a Pizza Hut ad, and his complex relationship with Putin. Finally, reflect on Gorbachev's legacy and the lessons it holds for today as Russia grapples with its past.

The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 sends shockwaves through Europe and Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership. It exposes Soviet secrecy and incompetence, forcing Gorbachev to confront a crumbling system. Rivalries between Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin intensify, revealing competing visions for reform. As independence movements surge, the fall of the Berlin Wall marks a pivotal moment. The discussion delves into the consequences of Gorbachev's decisions and whether his reluctance to use force was wise or mistaken.

Gorbachev steps onto the world stage determined to avert nuclear war, forging an unexpected bond with Reagan. The podcast dives into the unforgettable 1980s nuclear anxiety and the fallout from Reagan's 'evil empire' speech. Key moments like the Geneva Summit showcase how personal relationships can reshape diplomacy. Despite near-agreements in Reykjavik, challenges remained, yet they ignited hope for nuclear reductions and environmental diplomacy. The episode explores the complexities of Cold War dynamics through a captivating blend of history and personal stories.

Explore the tumultuous early life of Gorbachev, shaped by Stalin's terror and World War II trauma. Discover how his rise through the Communist Party led to transformative reforms like Perestroika and Glasnost. Delve into the mixed reactions to his leadership, from Western praise to domestic backlash. The discussion reveals his struggle with economic reforms, anti-alcohol campaigns, and the complexities of a command economy. Witness how his diplomatic relationship with Ronald Reagan altered his global standing.