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Artwork for Great Lives

Great Lives

BBC Radio 4
Civil Rights Movement
Eartha Kitt
Harry Belafonte
World War II
Gerard Hoffnung
Frank Whittle
Diana Barnato Walker
Broadway
Thomas Jefferson
Calypso Music
Turbojet Engine
JG Ballard
Hollywood
Cotton Fields
Catherine Dunham Dance Company
Slavery
Political Activism
Racism
Comedy
Antoni Gaudi

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes399Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for Great Lives

Latest Episodes

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a Roman general best known for his military victories, but he also helped rebuild Rome, providing aqueducts, statues and the original Pantheon. Nominating him is Dr Daisy Dunn, author of The Missing Thread, who dubs him a... more

Matthew Parris invites a fellow Radio 4 presenter into the studio to nominate a Great Life. Dr Sian Williams, who as well as a broadcaster is a counselling psychologist chooses Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund and considered by many to be the founder ... more

Matthew Paris is joined by the pianist and broadcaster Keelan Carew, who nominates the Great Life of the early 20th century composer Nicolai Medtner.

It’s often the case that in a world of strong contenders, there are 'Great Lives' hidden by the sca... more

Born Joan Molinsky in 1933, Joan Rivers shot to fame on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, who she later infuriated by hosting a late night chat show of her own. Comedian and writer Helen Lederer, author of Not That I Am Bitter, picks Joan for her ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Daisy Dunn
Author of The Missing Thread
Author
Episode: Daisy Dunn on Marcus Agrippa, ancient Rome's king of cement
Shushma Malik
Associate Professor at Cambridge University
Cambridge University
Episode: Daisy Dunn on Marcus Agrippa, ancient Rome's king of cement
Francis Pott
Composer and pianist, champion of Medtner's work
Episode: Pianist and broadcaster Keelan Carew nominates Russian composer Nicolai Medtner
Andrew Davenport
Writer and musical mind behind In the Night Garden and Moon and Me, co-creator of Teletubbies
Episode: Oliver Postgate
Matthew Sweet
Cultural historian
Episode: Oliver Postgate
Sandra Kerr
Folk musician who worked on Bagpuss
Episode: Oliver Postgate
Elizabeth Day
Novelist and history graduate
Episode: Elizabeth Day on Hatshepsut
Professor Joyce Tyldesley
Egyptologist and author
Episode: Elizabeth Day on Hatshepsut
Tim Fletcher
Involved with organizing Derek Bailey's material for Huddersfield University.
Huddersfield University
Episode: Comedian Stewart Lee on Derek Bailey

Host

Matthew Parris
Host known for his engaging style and ability to bring out the unique stories of the guests. Parris often adds personal anecdotes and critiques that enrich the conversation.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Learn new things

    And enjoy doing so!

    Host is really good.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MaryH1nge
    United Kingdom4 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 Podcasts
    4
    hannakuso
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Learn new things

    And enjoy doing so

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MaryH1nge
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Richey Edwards episode

    An unusual subject for the show, but an important one. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LL-77
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Usual beeb

    Selective selection of those that have passed. The bias of this ‘objective’ cult is becoming tiring…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Capn_Chaos
    United Kingdom10 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 platform that encourages meaningful exploration of lives that have shaped cultural narratives.
Listeners appreciate the opportunity to learn about a diverse range of influential figures, with many expressing admiration for the formatting and production quality.
Some reviews indicate divided opinions on the host's style, with a few finding it engaging while others feel he can be patronizing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Daisy Dunn on Marcus Agrippa, ancient Rome's king of cement
Q: What makes Agrippa stand out compared to other Romans of the era?
Daisy Dunn emphasizes Agrippa's lack of ego, his focus on Rome's public works, and his steady partnership with Augustus, which allowed Rome to recover after civil strife and lay the groundwork for the Pax Augusta.
Daisy Dunn on Marcus Agrippa, ancient Rome's king of cement
Q: Tell us, Daisy, who is your great life?
Daisy Dunn explains why Marcus Agrippa resonates as a pragmatic and indispensable architect of Rome, whose work ethic and influence extended from building projects to political strategy, shaping how Augustus could stabilize and transform the Republic into an imperial system.
John Cooper Clarke on Johnny Green, road manager of The Clash
Q: Did he want to be a celebrity in his own right?
No way, no, not at all.
Sylvia Plath
Q: What ultimately happened in Sylvia Plath's life?
Plath experienced significant depression following personal crises, leading to her tragic suicide in early 1963.
Sylvia Plath
Q: How do you feel about Sylvia Plath's representation as a depressing writer?
Many find her work, despite its exploration of depression, to be comforting and relatable rather than merely depressive.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Great Lives

What is Great Lives about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content primarily revolves around biographical discussions, where guests share insights about individuals who have significantly impacted their lives, whether through personal relationships, literary works, or historical legacies. Topics frequently encompass notable figures from various domains, including literature, psychology, politics, and the arts, providing listeners with a diverse range of narratives that explore both famous and less well-known personalities. The mix of established guests, often influential in their fields, and the unique personal stories they share contributes to a rich tapestry of thought-provoking conversations that resonate with themes of inspiration, legacy, and the complexities of human experience. This biog... 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?

To see how many followers or subscribers Great Lives 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 Great Lives?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Great Lives:

1. This Cultural Life
2. In Our Time
3. Desert Island Discs
4. In Our Time: Culture
5. Bookclub

How many episodes of Great Lives are there?

Great Lives launched 19 years ago and published 399 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?

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 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.

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What guests have appeared on Great Lives?

Recent guests on Great Lives include:

1. Daisy Dunn
2. Shushma Malik
3. Francis Pott
4. Andrew Davenport
5. Matthew Sweet
6. Sandra Kerr
7. Elizabeth Day
8. Professor Joyce Tyldesley

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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