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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
Cotton Fields
Hollywood
Catherine Dunham Dance Company
Slavery
Political Activism
Racism
Comedy
Antoni Gaudi

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes385Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Great Lives

Latest Episodes

"I find his novels extraordinarily beautiful .. and they're an excellent length."

Miles Jupp picks an author he loves, but knows little about. JL Carr was born in Yorkshire and was a teacher, mapmaker, and an eccentric. Joining the comedian in studi... more

Today's great life is possibly more famous as a Shakespearean character - King Richard II who was deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke in 1399. He's been chosen by historian Helen Castor, author of The Eagle and the Hart, who shines a light on wha... more

DJ Deb Grant picks US mailman turned country-folk singer John Prine, whose beautiful songs captured the world in which he lived. Bob Harris, who first met him on the Old Grey Whistle Test, adds to the conversation.

"I came to know him through him sp... more

Seretse Khama was born in 1921 in Bechuanaland when it was still a British Protectorate. In 1966 he became Botswana's first president. In between he married a white Londoner, Ruth Williamson, was exiled by the British, and made to renounce his intere... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Katrina Navickas
Professor of History with a focus on protest
Episode: Ned Ludd mythical leader of the Luddites
Joe Ward-Munrow
Writer and playwright whose work revolves around the mythical leader of the Luddites
Episode: Ned Ludd mythical leader of the Luddites
Jonathan Maitland
Playwright and former journalist, nominated Benny Hill as a great life.
Episode: Benny Hill
Helen Lederer
Comedian and writer, brings a critical view on Benny Hill's humor.
Episode: Benny Hill
Darren Coffield
A painter and chronicler of Soho's past, currently working on a biography of Henrietta Moraes.
Not specified
Episode: Maggi Hambling picks muse and lover Henrietta Moraes
Diana Mellie
A commentator on Henrietta Moraes, providing insights into her life.
Not specified
Episode: Maggi Hambling picks muse and lover Henrietta Moraes
Sheri Randolph
Author of the biography 'Florynce Flo Kennedy, The Life of a Black Feminist Radical' and associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Episode: Ellen E Jones nominates Florynce Kennedy
Philippe Cousteau Jr.
Oceanographer, environmental activist, and filmmaker
Earth Echo International
Episode: Doug Allan on Captain Jacques Cousteau
Dr. Henry Marsh
Retired neurosurgeon and author of three bestselling books about life as a brain surgeon and his experiences as a cancer patient.
Episode: The surgeon Henry Marsh picks 'the saviour of mothers' Dr Semmelweis

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • Sigh…

    Why would one waste time on a ‘biography’ podcast that is incapable of purveying accurate biographical information about the subject?

    For one recent example, Christopher Marlowe did not die in a “bar brawl”. You do not have to be a scholar of Elizabethan England to know this. You could just read Charles Nicholl’s The Reckoning, which attains the rare feat of being severely academic in its reliance on archival research but also uncommonly readable.

    Or you could do what this show does and stick to... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Aleksandra Tintinfan i UK
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Brilliant Lives

    I have discovered so many extraordinary people through this podcast. I really like the production too. It’s lovely to fall asleep to, but often I have to replay it several times to hear the whole thing. My only wish… is that someone will choose Marion Chesney as their great life!

    Cvt

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    STUARTBOYOFDESTINY
    New Zealand7 months ago
  • Highly interesting!

    A great podcast to get more than a broad idea about the person portrayed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeckmannsiTunes
    Germanya year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the insights shared by guests, often noting the thorough production quality.
Many reviews commend the depth of exploration into subjects' lives and the relatable perspectives brought by guests.
Negative feedback commonly highlights perceived biases in commentary, particularly around controversial figures and historical accuracy.
There's a consensus that the host's presentation style adds charm and credibility to the narratives discussed.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Maggi Hambling picks muse and lover Henrietta Moraes
Q: Did she talk to you at all about her childhood?
Maggi recalls that Henrietta was very much in the present and focused on current happenings.
Maggi Hambling picks muse and lover Henrietta Moraes
Q: What do you mean by muse?
Maggi describes the moments where the painting paints itself, which are the moments she truly lives for.
Benny Hill
Q: What do you remember from the time? Did you ever watch him on TV?
Helen reflects that Benny Hill was a staple of family viewing but now feels disinterested and critical of the humor, noting the problematic nature of some sketches.
Benny Hill
Q: Did you laugh? Did you find it funny?
Helen states that as a child she did not find Benny Hill funny and feels sad about the content of his sketches, associating them with outdated and dodgy depictions.
Benny Hill
Q: Tell me, Jonathan, why have you picked Benny today?
Jonathan recalls that he was captivated by Benny's humor at boarding school and wants to restore his reputation, believing Hill was a genius despite his problematic aspects.

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 Great Lives

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

This biographical podcast series features engaging discussions with guests who select and explore the lives of inspirational figures. Each episode unravels the complexities of the chosen personalities, ranging from historical icons to modern-day legends. Listeners can expect a rich tapestry of stories that illuminate the traits and achievements that have made these individuals significant, all while offering personal insights from the guests. The series often highlights the interplay between the subjects' contributions to society and their personal struggles, providing a nuanced portrayal of what it means to lead a 'great life'. Unique perspectives and expert guests add depth to the narratives, making it a valuable resource for those intere... 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?

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. Last Word
2. This Cultural Life
3. In Our Time
4. Profile
5. Desert Island Discs

How many episodes of Great Lives are there?

Great Lives launched 18 years ago and published 385 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. Katrina Navickas
2. Joe Ward-Munrow
3. Jonathan Maitland
4. Helen Lederer
5. Darren Coffield
6. Diana Mellie
7. Sheri Randolph
8. Philippe Cousteau Jr.

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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