Think Dickens was all jolly carols and festive cheer? Not so. Behind the snowy scenes and spirit of goodwill, the so-called “Father of Christmas” was hiding a scandalous love life. Matt and Alice dive into the details with co-hosts of Wondery’s Legacy podcast, writer Afua Hirsch and historian Peter Frankopan. Plus, did Britain's most famous novelist really " ... Show More
Dec 2024
The Case of the Missing Aristocrat | Mother Knows Best | 1
<p>It’s 1865, and butcher Arthur Orton is living in poverty in Australia. Then he hears about a reward for information on England’s ninth richest nobleman, Sir Roger Tichborne, who's been missing for several years. So Arthur comes up with an audacious plan. All he has to do is fo ... Show More
51m 59s
Dec 2024
Legacy and British Scandal Special: The Scandalous Life of Charles Dickens | 5
Peter and Afua go on the British Scandal podcast hosted by Matt Forde and Alice Levine to discuss the life and times of Charles Dickens. Behind the snowy scenes, jolly carols and festive cheer, the so-called “Father of Christmas” had a turbulent home life full of drinking, allege ... Show More
47m 37s
May 2025
S9 EP19: Reverend Richard Coles
Joining me this episode to discuss their travel and holiday stories is priest, broadcaster, writer, and musician Reverend Richard Coles! Richard’s podcast The Apple & The Tree unpacks the complex bonds between parents and their grown-up children, and you can listen HERE Please su ... Show More
42m 51s
Apr 2025
Close Readings: 'Vanity Fair' by William Makepeace Thackeray
Thackeray's comic masterpiece, 'Vanity Fair', is a Victorian novel looking back to Regency England as an object both of satire and nostalgia. Thackeray’s disdain for the Regency is present throughout the book, not least in the proliferation of hapless characters called George, ye ... Show More
33m 7s
Aug 2025
Table Manners and Tudor Scandals | 94
<p>Just like us, royals are not immune to cringe-worthy moments. Caroline of Brunswick nearly flashed the crowd at her own wedding — while her groom got plastered across the church. Classy! To avoid pulling a royal faux pas, Brooke and Aricia are joined by Bonnie Tsai, founder of ... Show More
39m 8s
Nov 2024
Episode 504 || Annie Recommends: Nonfiction November
<p>This week on From the Front Porch, it’s an episode of Annie Recommends! In this series, Annie curates a stack of books in a certain genre or theme for you – just as if you walked into our brick-and-mortar store, The Bookshelf. Sometimes, you just want a good book list. This mo ... Show More
50m 43s