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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
Racism
Political Activism
Comedy
Antoni Gaudi

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes391Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Great Lives

Latest Episodes

"Postgate's work is deep inside me and I think that's true for so many of my generation...His work represents nothing less than a touchstone for our national imagination and in that sense it's profoundly important"

Andrew Davenport, writer, composer... more

Lucy Jones, author of Matrescence, chooses the writer Sylvia Plath.

Sylvia Plath was a precocious, prize-winning child,. Her mother had high expectations for her. Her father had died when she was 8 (but could have been saved if only he'd gone to se... more

"One of the things that she claimed was that her mother had been impregnated by the sun god Amon-Ra." Elizabeth Day's interest in the female pharaoh Hatshepsut was sparked by a trip to Egypt less than a year ago. What intrigued her was how this woman... more

"The area I mostly work in is generally known as free - the free music area. And free is one of those four letter words, like rock or jazz or punk maybe. It started out meaning something." Derek Bailey

Born in 1930 in Sheffield, Bailey worked as a s... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Private PassionsBBC Radio 3

Recent Guests

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
DJ Taylor
Friend of JL Carr and literary critic
Episode: Miles Jupp on JL Carr, author of A Month in the Country
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

Reviews

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

    And enjoy doing so

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MaryH1nge
    United Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom6 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 Kingdom6 months 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.

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.
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.

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

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How many listeners does Great Lives get?

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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. In Our Time
3. This Cultural Life
4. Profile
5. Private Passions

How many episodes of Great Lives are there?

Great Lives launched 18 years ago and published 391 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.

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What guests have appeared on Great Lives?

Recent guests on Great Lives include:

1. Elizabeth Day
2. Professor Joyce Tyldesley
3. Tim Fletcher
4. DJ Taylor
5. Katrina Navickas
6. Joe Ward-Munrow
7. Jonathan Maitland
8. Helen Lederer

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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