Big Lives
Pushkin Industries and BBC StudiosEvery 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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 7 | Founded | 2 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureArts | |||
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Latest Episodes
Sir David Attenborough turns 100 this year—and no one has done more to shape how humanity sees our planet. But for years, there was one issue he didn’t talk about. Emmanuel & Kai chart the story of how one nerdy rock-collecting kid became one of TV’s... more
LL Cool J didn’t conquer hip‑hop by being the toughest or the slickest, he did it by being unabashedly himself. Kai & Emmanuel break down the charisma, contradictions, and carefully crafted showmanship that turned a Queens teenager into a global cult... more
Amy Winehouse rewrote the rules of modern songwriting by refusing to fake a single feeling. In this episode, Kai and Emmanuel explore the BBC archive and find how a teenage jazz obsessive became a generational storyteller. Someone who insisted on tru... more
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
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Reviews
- Watered Down Richard’s Legacy
I can’t believe these guys watered down Richard’s legacy to being bi-sexual. He’s a legend and changed the landscape of comedy. You did the exact same thing to George. I could not get through these two episodes. I can’t believe Pushkin hasn’t cancelled this podcast.
Apple Podcasts1Kstyles
United States16 days ago - Not Up To Pushkin Standards
These guys talk over each other, laugh at their own “jokes”, say “right?” way too much. The content is really shallow. Nothing here you can’t read on Wikipedia in less time and with less annoyance. Love the other Pushkin podcasts I’ve listened to but this is one to skip.
Apple Podcasts1WatchDaawgUnited States21 days ago - Awful
Incredibly disrespectful to artists and biased beyond belief. Zero expertise (enthusiasm alone cannot replace that, sorry). Could have been an interesting premise for a show but not with those two numpties.
Apple Podcasts1L_K_
United Kingdom22 days ago I really thought there'd be a LOT more archive audio than just descriptions of it. If you've got access to the BBC archive, please use it!
Podcast Addict324 days agoStGeorge- Good, could be great!
I'm enjoying this new show, the easy joyful conversation between the hosts about people in the arts/culture spotlight. While the featured artists aren't new to me (as I'm of a certain age) so far, I appreciate hearing about their lives through a new lens, and through their archival histories. I do wish the hosts wouldn't always agree or come to the same conclusions (at least on the eps I've heard) It simplifies the complications that any life presents us with, and falls flat for me.
Apple Podcasts4johowozoUnited States24 days ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #108 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #53 |  Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #65 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #144 |  Italy/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #166 |  Australia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #115 |  Philippines/Top Podcasts |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social 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 listeners does Big Lives get?
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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. Revisionist History
2. This American Life
3. The Secret World of Roald Dahl
4. Jacob Reed and Me
5. Heavyweight
How many episodes of Big Lives are there?
Big Lives launched 2 months ago and published 7 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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.