Lost Cultures: Living Legacies

About Lost Cultures: Living Legacies

What can we discover about a place by exploring the histories of those who once lived there–and those who live there still ? In what ways do cultures build upon each other as populations come and go? How do they complement each other, interact, and leave their marks on the people that come after them? And are cultures truly ever lost, even if the people move on or evolve and adapt? Lost Cultures: Living Legacies—the award-winning podcast from Travel + Leisure—returns for Season 2. This season, we’re diving into the stories of vibrant communities around the globe, including the Kānaka Maoli of Hawai‘i, the Sámi of Norway, the Baghdadi Jewish community of India, and more!

Publisher

Travel + Leisure

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Mar 2023

Latest episode

9 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

21 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Jul 2025

   The Māori: The First People of Aotearoa (New Zealand)

   In the Season 2 finale of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies, host Alisha Prakash delves into the history and traditions of the Māori, the first people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Centuries ago, their ancestors crossed the Pacific in waka, or canoes, navigating by stars, bird migrations, and ocean swells. Their arrival marked the beginning of a cultural legacy rooted in kinship with the land and sea and guided by a deep spiritual connection to the natural world. We’re joined by two Māori cultural leaders who share how they carry this legacy forward through their work and lived experience. Rawiri Edward Manawatu, from the South Island town of Kaikōura, helps his iwi (tribe) stay connected to their ancestral homeland through community-led development. Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, a master navigator, is reviving the sacred art of traditional Polynesian voyaging. Through their stories, we explore Māori oral histories, spiritual beliefs, social structures, and the lasting effects of colonization, along with powerful efforts to reclaim and revitalize culture. The conversation also highlights ways visitors can connect meaningfully with Māori life today, from sacred coastal landscapes to world-class museums and immersive cultural tours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2. 

   2 Jul 2025

   The Narragansett: Bridging the Past With the Future

   Host Alisha Prakash interviews Lorén Spears, Dawn Spears, and Cassius Spears about the Narragansett Nation's efforts to preserve their cultural traditions through education, museums, and food sovereignty, ensuring the legacy empowers future generations.

3. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Encore: The Tongva: A Lasting Influence on Los Angeles

   Kimberly Morales Johnson and Desireé Martinez explore the Gabrielino-Tongva community's history and ongoing efforts to revitalize their culture in Los Angeles, revealing their lasting influence; this is an interview.

Who has been a guest on Lost Cultures: Living Legacies

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lorén Spears
• Dawn Spears
• Cassius Spears
• Kimberly Morales Johnson
• Desireé Martinez

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,955,668

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

96 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

22 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

67

Contact Lost Cultures: Living Legacies

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.