Rephonic
Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4
Mental Health
Shirley Ballas
Strictly Come Dancing
British Open To the World Professional Latin Championships
Dancing
Performance Art
Barbie
Octopus Energy
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Lea Salonga
Prison Reform Trust
Pia Sinha
NASA
Marina Abramović
The Real Thing
Alexandra Jean
Nirvana
Tony Robbins
Daft Punk
Frank Sinatra

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes2000Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsMusicSociety & CultureMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes

Professor Michele Dougherty is President of the Institute of Physics and Professor of Space Physics at Imperial College London. She was appointed Astronomer Royal last year – the first woman to hold the post in its 350-year history.

She was brought ... more

Kemi Badenoch is the Conservative MP for North West Essex and the Leader of the Opposition.

Since winning her seat in 2017, she has held cabinet positions as Minister of State for Equalities under Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for Internatio... more

Adeel Akhtar is an award-winning actor whose breakthrough role came in 2010 when he starred in Chris Morris’s black comedy Four Lions.

He won his first BAFTA for Best Actor in 2017 for his role in the BBC drama Murdered by My Father. His second, fo... more

Jesse Armstrong is a British author, screenwriter, and producer.

He has written several award-winning TV comedies and satirical dramas and won many accolades for his work including two BAFTA TV Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three Writers Gu... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
Rosebud with Gyles BrandrethGyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media

Recent Guests

Edgar Wright
British director known for his work on 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Baby Driver', who discusses adapting 'The Running Man'.
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Maitland McDonagh
Critic and writer known as the 'First Lady of Horror', who reflects on her experiences with King's works.
Substack
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Mike Flanagan
Writer, director, and producer known for adaptations of Stephen King's works including 'Gerald's Game'.
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Jojo Moyes
Award-winning author known for her bestsellers and impactful storytelling.
Episode: Jojo Moyes, writer
Margaret Atwood
One of the most critically acclaimed authors in the world, known for works like The Handmaid's Tale.
Episode: Margaret Atwood, writer
Salman Rushdie
Author and Nobel laureate, known for his works including "Midnight's Children" and "The Satanic Verses".
Episode: Sir Salman Rushdie, writer
Sally Mann
Renowned photographer and writer known for her evocative exploration of the American South
Episode: Sally Mann, photographer and writer
Lorraine Kelly
Prominent journalist and broadcaster, known for her long-standing career in television and advocacy on issues like menopause and breast cancer.
Episode: Lorraine Kelly, broadcaster
Mary Greenwell
Acclaimed makeup artist known for her 'less is more' approach.
Episode: Mary Greenwell, makeup artist

Host

Lauren Laverne
Host of the Desert Island Discs podcast, known for her warm and engaging interview style that connects deeply with guests and elicits their personal stories.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 20.1k ratings
  • Jesse Armstrong?

    Adore Desert Island Discs but what on Earth happened to the Jesse Armstrong episode? It was here then it disappeared, looked on the website, can't access it anywhere. Was it deleted? I was so excited to listen. Please help!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    leemorejacqueline
    United States2 months ago
  • I've listened to 100s of episodes of DID, so many memorable ones, but this one with the legend Ronnie Wood is up there with the best... captues the essence of what this show is all about 👏👏

    Podcast Addict
    5
    manneym
    3 months ago
  • Hello…?

    Six weeks now since the last new episode. I love Desert Island Discs. Are you coming back…?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Bradleyss
    United States4 months ago
  • Don’t like short clips

    I don’t like these short clips - get rid please

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RickStar5W
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Please stop publishing short excerpts.

    I love DID as a show, however this new trick of publishing short excerpts of archive interviews as if they’re whole new podcast episodes is infuriating. If you have to do those, put them on YouTube, please stop relentlessly imposing them on our podcast feeds.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CJ Thorpe-Tracey
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable platform for exploring diverse life stories through the lens of music, earning high recommendations for its insights and relatability.
There is some dissatisfaction regarding the recent format changes that include shorter excerpts instead of full episodes.
Critics express the desire for more consistent releases and worry about the direction of content, particularly with political discussions overshadowing personal narratives.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging storytelling and emotional depth, often highlighting the warm interviewing style of the host.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: What has been your biggest motivation in pursuing a career in politics?
Badenoch is motivated by a desire to create a better future for the younger generation, drawing on her own experiences of growing up during challenging times.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: How do you cope with the political pressures and the scrutiny that comes with being a leader?
Badenoch states that she embraces the messiness of politics and believes that trust can only be rebuilt by being honest about her beliefs and actions.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: What are your views on identity politics?
Badenoch is critical of identity politics, asserting that it can lead to division and conflict, and advocates for a more cohesive British identity that brings people together.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: How concerned are you about the Conservative Party's future, especially with recent defections?
Badenoch acknowledges the party's historic challenges but expresses her commitment to learning from past mistakes and maintaining the party's relevance by uniting different factions.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: Kemi, how would you describe your own personal style of leadership?
Badenoch emphasizes honesty in her leadership approach, stating that she believes in telling the truth even if it is blunt, and ensuring that her message reflects a genuine desire to improve people's lives.

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 Desert Island Discs

What is Desert Island Discs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Guests reflect on their personal journeys by sharing eight tracks, a book, and a luxury item they would take to a desert island. Each episode features engaging conversations that blend music choices with personal anecdotes, exploring themes such as identity, creativity, resilience, and cultural influences. The podcast fosters connections between the guests' stories and their selected music, often revealing deeper insights into their lives and careers, making it a compelling listen for those interested in music, storytelling, and personal exploration. It is noted for its empathetic interviewing style and the diversity of its guests, which range from artists and writers to scientists and politicians, providing a rich tapestry of life experien... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Desert Island Discs. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Desert Island Discs and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Desert Island Discs get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Desert Island Discs, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Desert Island Discs, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Desert Island Discs have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Desert Island Discs has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Desert Island Discs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Island Discs:

1. The Louis Theroux Podcast
2. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. This Cultural Life

How many episodes of Desert Island Discs are there?

Desert Island Discs launched 16 years ago and published 2000 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 Desert Island Discs?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Desert Island Discs from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Desert Island Discs. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Desert Island Discs?

Recent guests on Desert Island Discs include:

1. Edgar Wright
2. Maitland McDonagh
3. Mike Flanagan
4. Jojo Moyes
5. Margaret Atwood
6. Salman Rushdie
7. Sally Mann
8. Lorraine Kelly

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days