Great Lives
BBC Radio 4Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 416 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Kant was born in 18th century Prussia. He showed great intellectual promise as a child, but didn't make a name for himself until his late forties, when he published his lengthy tome on the scope of Metaphysics, called The Critique of Pure Reason, whi... more
Caroline Aherne was born in London on Christmas eve, but her family moved north when she was a toddler. With an IQ of 176, school was easy, so she kept herself busy, mimicking the nuns for the entertainment of her peers. After school, stand-up proved... more
Edward Osborne Wilson was a pioneer across several fields of biology, from entomology to biodiversity. He is best known for his expertise on ants, his work developing the field of Sociobiology and for his 'Half-Earth' goal.
Born in Alabama in 1929,... more
Iris Murdoch was born in Ireland in 1919, grew up in London and was educated in Bristol and Oxford. She's famous both as a novelist and a philosopher, and she won the Booker Prize in 1978 for The Sea, The Sea. Her nominator is Russell Kane, who is fu... more
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Recent Guests
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Reviews
- Pauline on Poly Styrene
Great great show - powerful and revealing with added bonus of X Ray Spex front woman Poly’s daughter Celeste bell
Apple Podcasts5Ttechster
United Kingdom2 months ago - Sylvia Plath episode
On Sylvia Plath, your guest said that feminism hasn’t quite covered the postpartum body or something of that nature. Well, she’s not read enough. There’s a vast field of research of all aspects of pregnancy, maternity, the body, and so on. Too easily generalised. Too easily checked haha.
Apple Podcasts2nucuplmnjuyh
United States4 months ago - Well done Matthew!
I have just read some of the reviews by people who clearly don’t know where the off button is and prefer to rant on a review page. Good grief, some people just need to chill…
When I want to chill, I turn to this programme. Matthew is the perfect host with a light touch and interested in finding out more about each subject.
Well done and thank you!
Apple Podcasts5LubiTrumfesUnited Kingdom5 months ago - Learn new things
And enjoy doing so!
Host is really good.
Apple Podcasts5MaryH1ngeUnited Kingdoma year ago - Fantastic except for Matthew
I do love Great Lives but Matthew Parris is very irritating. His opinions should be irrelevant and his droning, patronising tone silenced. Let the guest and experts speak.
Apple Podcasts4hannakusoUnited Kingdoma year ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #141 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #34 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #120 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #129 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #43 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #124 |  Italy/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Great Lives
What is Great Lives about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This biographical series features guests who nominate and explore historical and cultural figures, blending scholarly context with intimate reminiscences. Episodes range from theatre and film innovators to artists, politicians, and trailblazers, often featuring multiple hosts or interviewers who guide a conversation that balances archival detail with personal anecdotes. A notable strength is its ability to fuse rigorous biographical analysis with vivid, human stories, making complex legacies accessible and engaging for listeners who enjoy deep dives into influence, era, and impact. The show frequently highlights how its subjects shaped culture, politics, and art, while inviting fresh perspectives from scholars, performers, and insiders. A f... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Great Lives?
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How many listeners does Great Lives get?
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What are the audience demographics for Great Lives?
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How many subscribers and views does Great Lives have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Great Lives?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Great Lives:
1. Last Word
2. This Cultural Life
3. Private Passions
4. Profile
5. In Our Time
How many episodes of Great Lives are there?
Great Lives launched 19 years ago and published 416 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 Great Lives?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Great Lives?
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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 Great Lives?
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What guests have appeared on Great Lives?
Recent guests on Great Lives include:
1. Ruby Tandoh
2. Trevor Hyett
3. Mick Ord
4. Chris Packham
5. Zoe Howe
6. Celeste Bell
7. Tim Walker
8. Derek Jacobi
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.