Life Changing
BBC Radio 4In this series Dr Sian Williams talks to people who have lived through extraordinary events that have set their lives on an entirely different course.
This podcast is all about the human experience, how people deal with obstacles that turn their lives upside down. The journeys are not always straightforward and there are often some remarkable discoveries along the way.
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| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 78 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Personal JournalsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Growing up, Karine Burns always knew she was adopted, and that her mother had been sent over to the UK from Ireland.
Karine had a joyous childhood, loved dearly by her Scottish parents. But after the arrival of her first child, she started to think... more
In an interview recorded before the recent conflict between Israel, the USA and Iran, but after the reprisals following the public protests against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Sian Williams talks to 19 year-old Rozhan about her flight from Tehra... more
In the first programme of a new series of Life Changing, Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was killed in the 2023 Nottingham attack, talks with openness and candour about the very personal anguish at the heart of this very public story.
Barnaby, fellow... more
As a young man, engineer Michael Ashcroft was plagued by excruciating headaches, along with neck pain and a rushing sound in his ear. Eventually scans were made revealing a tumour the size of a tangerine behind his left ear. It required twelve hours ... more
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Reviews
- Highly recommended
Dr Sian Williams has a refreshingly good way of interviewing people. She allows the interviewee to speak freely and has a lovely way of putting them at ease. The participants’ stories are quite remarkable and very interesting. This is a fabulous podcast
Apple Podcasts5Lynnepitt
United Kingdom2 months ago - Mixed bag
Some of these stories are amazing and the contributors remarkable human beings whose experience and the way they have come to terms with it inform and enrich us. Without invalidating the perceived trauma, other contributions do not fall to the ears of an audience as being of huge significance, or worth relating to strangers. They may afford therapy to the person concerned but don’t add anything to the collective wisdom.
Apple Podcasts3jeannellaismeUnited Kingdom3 months ago - Fascinating and uplifting
Everyone has a story and the conversations that we get to hear are so interesting. The chat is open, honest and always respectful. It’s a delight. Thank you.
Apple Podcasts5D3bssssUnited Kingdom3 months ago - Life affirming as well as life changing
I have listened to nearly all of these on my dog walks and car journeys. Although there is a familiar formula to the story unfolding, Sian is a skilled, kind and clever interviewer and listener - she ‘holds space’ beautifully for each individual to recount their, often harrowing, experiences. The ultimate message of them all is hopeful and optimistic about human resilience, and how we can rise and emerge stronger after the most painful challenges. Many stories have stayed with me in an inspiring... more
Apple Podcasts5SalCunninghamUnited Kingdom4 months ago - George Linanne episode
Usually love this podcast but the George Linanne episode I had to skip. The man is so arrogant and obnoxious, a horrible interviewee. Sounded like he didn’t even want to be there getting interviewed!!
Apple Podcasts2Vicky.119United Kingdom5 months ago
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #142 |  United States/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #9 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #31 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #36 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #23 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #41 |  Germany/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Life Changing
What is Life Changing about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This series centers on people who have endured extraordinarily life-changing events and explores how they navigate grief, resilience, accountability, and healing. Episodes often blend intimate personal narratives with broader social themes—from public inquiries and justice reform to trauma recovery, advocacy, and turning hardship into meaning or community impact. The conversations tend to be compassionate, exploring how individuals find hope, rebuild identity, and use their experiences to help others or effect change. A standout aspect is the variety of guests, spanning survivors, professionals, and advocates, all united by a focus on human resilience and transformation.
Where can I find podcast stats for Life Changing?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Life Changing. 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 Life Changing and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Life Changing get?
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What are the audience demographics for Life Changing?
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How many subscribers and views does Life Changing have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Life Changing 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 Life Changing?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Life Changing:
1. Woman's Hour
2. Desert Island Discs
3. Strangers on a Bench
4. Off Air with Jane & Fi
5. Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett
How many episodes of Life Changing are there?
Life Changing launched 5 years ago and published 78 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 Life Changing?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Life Changing?
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What guests have appeared on Life Changing?
Recent guests on Life Changing include:
1. Jess Martinez
2. Detective Constable Tarynjeet Finn
3. George Linanne
4. Paul Kohler
5. Angie Weatherhead
6. Dorothea Merzbacher
7. Larry O'Brien
8. Stacey Goodwin
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.