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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
Pia Sinha
Prison Reform Trust
NASA
Marina Abramović
Nirvana
Frank Sinatra
Daft Punk
Tony Robbins
Alexandra Jean
The Real Thing

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes2000Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicPersonal JournalsMusic CommentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes

Kirsty Young interviews writer Colm Toibin in a programme first heard in 2016.

Lauren Laverne talks to crossbench peer Dame Louise Casey in a programme from 2021.

Kirsty Young talks to actor Warwick Davis, in a programme first heard in 2016.

Lindsey Hilsum is a multi-award-winning journalist who has been a foreign correspondent for the past four decades. She has been Channel 4’s international editor for the past 22 years and has reported on every continent except Antarctica.

After stud... 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.

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Recent Guests

Dame Louise Casey
Baroness Casey of Blackstock, known for her work in homelessness and social reform.
Crossbench peer, former chief executive of a charity, and governmental advisor.
Episode: Classic Desert Island Discs - Dame Louise Casey
Warwick Davis
Actor known for roles in Harry Potter and Star Wars
Liberty Films
Episode: Classic Desert Island Discs - Warwick Davis
Donna Ockenden
Midwife dedicated to improving maternity care, leading investigations into maternity scandals.
Episode: Donna Ockenden, midwife
Professor Carl Jones
Award-winning conservation biologist known for saving the Mauritius Kestrel from extinction.
Episode: Professor Carl Jones, conservation biologist
Sir Jony Ive
Renowned industrial designer and former Chief Design Officer at Apple
Apple
Episode: Sir Jony Ive, designer
Mina Smallman
Activist and mother of Bibaa and Nicole
Episode: Mina Smallman, activist
Harriet Wistrich
Prominent human rights lawyer and campaigner
Centre for Women's Justice
Episode: Harriet Wistrich, lawyer
Laurie Anderson
Artist and performer known for her innovative and multidisciplinary approach to storytelling.
Episode: Laurie Anderson, artist
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Broadcaster and former cricketer, first black woman to play for England
BBC, former cricketer for England
Episode: Ebony Rainford-Brent, former England cricketer

Host

Lauren Laverne
Host with a warm and captivating interviewing style, known for creating a personal connection with guests while exploring their life narratives and music choices.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 19.5k ratings
  • Donna Ochdean

    Wow

    I felt so connected to Donna story in part

    It’s my belief that rare moments when you meet a fellow abuser who says let me show you how

    Donna be proud of you the scars that you watch you did wonderful with your created space to heal and in so doing you then have gift to many who needed to hear their is life after abuse

    From one abuse survivor to another you did your inner child proud

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lovealways#
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • I love this program

    I’ve listened to hours of fascinating ishows learning and meeting so many interesting thoughtful people. The interviewers are absolutely sensational and bring out the personality and culture of every guest. No wonder this show has lasted so many years! Highly recommend recommended

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coastalcalgal
    United States2 months ago
  • Ian Write episode!

    Lauren has such a relaxed, warm and empathetic style. She’s very subtle but adds so much to this show!

    I definitely ‘had something in my eye’ during the Ian Wright episode. Very moving story…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Johno932
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • I love it

    I ❤️ desert island discs it is very interesting and i love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lissie e
    United Arab Emirates2 months ago
  • Always a great listen

    Mina Smallman - what an amazing woman. Laverne is always such a great, empathetic interviewer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoBettany7
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many listeners feel that the podcast has provided them with a sense of comfort and connection over the years, and find it a part of their routine that they look forward to. Emotional resonance and the personal nature of the narratives shared are particularly noted as aspects they cherish. Some have concerns about recent shifts in interview quality or content focus, indicating a divide in listener preferences.
Listeners appreciate the emotional depth and storytelling in each episode, often finding it insightful and relatable. They praise the diverse range of guests, who bring a mix of experiences that resonate widely with audiences. However, some reviews express a desire for more focus on music and less on social agendas, reflecting varying expectations among listeners. Overall, Lauren Laverne's interviewing style is frequently highlighted as warm and engaging, enhancing the overall experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lindsey Hilsum, journalist
Q: Marie always had a broken heart. Is that a view you share?
Not really, but Hilsum feels strongly about exposing injustices and believes that journalists can pressure for change, even if it doesn't always lead to policy change.
Lindsey Hilsum, journalist
Q: How do you deal with the memories that you can't unsee?
Hilsum notes that while she acknowledges the emotional toll, she balances it by spending time in her garden and surrounded by color.
Lindsey Hilsum, journalist
Q: How did you deal with what was happening?
It was awful to lose my mother. I was very close to her, and when I found out she was ill, she had hidden it from me, which made it even harder.
Lindsey Hilsum, journalist
Q: You have said it's not difficult to get the truth, but it's hard to get the whole truth. Tell me about that.
Hilsum explains the challenges of combining front line reporting with analysis to convey understanding of complex situations in war zones.
Donna Ockenden, midwife
Q: What do you remember about life there?
It was a huge cultural change to move from Aberrammon, a little village in South Wales, to Abu Dhabi.

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?

A unique exploration of personal narratives through music, where guests share the eight tracks that resonate with their life stories. Each episode offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of diverse personalities—from artists and activists to legal experts and sports figures—delving into the memories and emotions tied to their music selections. The conversations are often layered with themes of resilience, creativity, and personal struggle, allowing listeners to connect with the human experience in profound ways. This format not only highlights the guests’ achievements but also reveals the intricacies of their journeys, providing a rich tapestry of cultural commentary that resonates deeply with audiences.

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 Rest Is Entertainment
2. The Louis Theroux Podcast
3. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
4. Brydon &
5. Woman's Hour

How many episodes of Desert Island Discs are there?

Desert Island Discs launched 15 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. Dame Louise Casey
2. Warwick Davis
3. Donna Ockenden
4. Professor Carl Jones
5. Sir Jony Ive
6. Mina Smallman
7. Harriet Wistrich
8. Laurie Anderson

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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