Great Lives
BBC Radio 4Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 410 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Poly Styrene was born Marie Joan Elliot-Said in 1957 and went on to become front woman of X-Ray Spex. When Pauline Black first saw her on Top of the Pops, Poly was wearing a red military jacket and cap. Her attitude, says the lead singer of ska band ... more
Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier of Brighton, was born in Dorking in 1907. He's best known these days for roles in films ranging from Wuthering Heights to Spartacus to the ageing Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman in The Boys from Brazil. He received twelve O... more
Naji al-Ali was one of the best known cartoonists in the Arab world. His creation, a little boy called Handala, always stands with his back to the viewer, hands behind his back, watching whatever Naji al-Ali has drawn. He's been picked by the Pulitze... more
"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety." She's the most famous character in antiquity, made more famous by Shakespeare and Hollywood films. But this Cleopatra is not the one Kate Williams has come to nominate. She wants to move... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
Hosts
Reviews
- 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 States2 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 Podcasts5LubiTrumfes
United Kingdom3 months ago - Learn new things
And enjoy doing so!
Host is really good.
Apple Podcasts5MaryH1ngeUnited Kingdom10 months 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 - Learn new things
And enjoy doing so
Apple Podcasts4MaryH1ngeUnited Kingdoma year 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 | #153 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #43 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #182 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #215 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #50 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #145 |  Italy/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Great Lives. 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 Great Lives and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
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. In Our Time
5. Desert Island Discs
How many episodes of Great Lives are there?
Great Lives launched 19 years ago and published 410 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?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Great Lives 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 Great Lives?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Great Lives. 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 Great Lives?
Recent guests on Great Lives include:
1. Zoe Howe
2. Celeste Bell
3. Tim Walker
4. Derek Jacobi
5. Mona Chalabi
6. Martin Rowson
7. Khalid al-Ali
8. Kate Williams
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.