Rephonic
Artwork for Big Lives
George Michael
Jane Fonda
Richard Pryor
Vietnam War
Barbarella
Jane Fonda's Workout
Cadre Of Activism In the 1970s
AIDS

Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.

Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure — from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes5Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Big Lives

Latest Episodes

Richard Pryor redefined comedy by telling the truth, even when it scorched him. In this raw, riveting episode, Kai and Emmanuel unearth BBC archival tape to explore how Pryor rose from a Peoria, Illinois brothel to become comedy’s GOAT, only to then ... more

George Michael was more than scandal headlines and tabloid punchlines. He was one of the defining pop artists of his generation. Through rare BBC interviews, Kai and Emmanuel unspool the emotional arc behind the hits: teen heart‑throb, closeted supe... more

Jane Fonda didn’t just change Hollywood; she rattled American politics, beauty standards, and the birth of modern fitness culture. Kai and Emmanuel dig into the BBC archives to trace how the Oscar-winning “nudie cutie” became a firebrand activist, co... more

Big Lives is a show about the cultural giants we think we know - until the archive proves we don’t. Each episode, acclaimed journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dive into the BBC’s century‑deep vault of interviews, performances, and forgotten t... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Rain Pryor
Daughter of Richard Pryor, featured in archival material
Family of Richard Pryor
Episode: Richard Pryor: The Truth‑Teller Who Changed Comedy Forever
Paul Mooney
Close collaborator in comedy
Stand-up comedy/Black humor scene
Episode: Richard Pryor: The Truth‑Teller Who Changed Comedy Forever

Hosts

Kai Wright
Host in long-running role for the show, frequently coordinating with co-hosts and guiding episode structure; commonly affiliated with BBC Studios / Pushkin Industries across iterations.
Emmanuel Dzotsi
Co-host and principal presenter, known for anchoring discussions with archival context and cultural analysis; frequently collaborates with Kai Wright.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#51
United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#159
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#26
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#62
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#103
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#107
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#182
Germany/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#186
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#219
Chile/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#36
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#47
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#56
New Zealand/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#62
Finland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#68
Colombia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#71
Israel/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#76
Denmark/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#78
Norway/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#83
South Africa/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#83
Hong Kong/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#99
Spain/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#112
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#128
Belgium/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#136
Mexico/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#145
India/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#147
Ukraine/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#160
Switzerland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#211
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#225
Brazil/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#228
Netherlands/Society & Culture

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Lives

What is Big Lives about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Big Lives curates in-depth biographical episodes about cultural icons, using BBC archival material to illuminate the nuanced stories behind famous figures. The show's hosts, two seasoned culture journalists, unpack how public personas were built, the social and historical contexts that shaped them, and the legacies that still reverberate in today's culture. Across episodes they tease apart contradictions and use archival clips to offer fresh perspectives, balancing reverence with critical reflection. Notable through-lines include the tension between fame and authenticity, the era-defining moments that altered public perception, and the ongoing question of how public legacies influence contemporary culture. The format tends to blend storytel... more

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How many subscribers and views does Big Lives have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Big Lives?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Lives:

1. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
2. This American Life
3. Fresh Air
4. The Idiot
5. Revisionist History

How many episodes of Big Lives are there?

Big Lives launched 2 months ago and published 5 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 Big Lives?

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What guests have appeared on Big Lives?

Recent guests on Big Lives include:

1. Rain Pryor
2. Paul Mooney

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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