In this episode of pplpod, we examine the dual legacy of Leopold II, the longest-reigning monarch in Belgian history. Known domestically as the "Builder King" for his grand urban projects and public works in Brussels and Ostend, Leopold is far more infamous on the global stage as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State.

We explore how a constitutional monarch managed to acquire a private colony 76 times larger than his own country under the guise of philanthropy. We discuss the horrific reality of his personal rule, where the demand for rubber and ivory led to forced labor, systematic mutilation, and the severing of hands—brutal tactics enforced by his mercenary army, the Force Publique.

Key topics in this episode include:

• The "Builder King": How profits from the Congo funded Belgia ...