
Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from e... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 305 | Founded | 16 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Personal JournalsSociety & CultureDocumentary | |||

The inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, on the unique upbringing that inspired a tech revolution.
Tim Berners-Lee has well and truly changed the world. For under-35s it's almost impossible to imagine what life might have been like with... more
Jack Horner inspired a character in Jurassic Park after the dino discovery of a lifetime.
Jack has been fascinated by fossils for as long as he can remember. He spent his childhood digging around in the fossil-rich earth of Montana, as his father wa... more
In the chaos of the helicopter evacuation from Saigon in April 1975, Doan Hoàng Curtis' sister was somehow left behind. It would haunt her family for years.
Doan was just three years old when her family made it onto one of the last helicopters to l... more
Abbas Alizada was eight when he first saw a Bruce Lee film. He fell in love with kung-fu, copying his hero’s moves and his look before an online post shot him to overnight fame.
Abbas was born in Kabul in 1993, the youngest of nine siblings. His fam... more
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What an amazing story of how she got where she is! I love her!!
In these bleak times, I rely on Lives Less Ordinary to bring me hope. Stories about people surmounting sometimes unbelievably impossible obstacles- the one about the Indian woman whose stepmother stabbed, blinded her and left her homeless- comes to mind— and she not only persisted but learned to truly thrive. So many inspiring stories like that. A great pick-me-up when you’re feeling low
It takes you all over the globe and shares stories from peoples lives- some famous and some not- that keeps me looking forward to each and every episode.
Most recent stories sound fake. The dog whisperer thing is so fake the interviewer was reminding him of stuff throughout the interview:)))
I love this show! Every story is well-researched and delicately presented to inspire listeners to live less ordinarily. The writers and presenters creatively ask questions to move the story forward and keep us engaged authentically. I’m a big fan. Big thank you to the production team for the weekly inspiration!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #235 | |
Apple Podcasts | #11 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A captivating exploration of remarkable true stories from people around the globe, this podcast invites listeners to immerse themselves in the extraordinary journeys of individuals from various backgrounds. Each episode presents an interview with a guest who shares a personal narrative that is often filled with ups and downs, grappling with themes such as resilience, survival, and the unexpected turns life can take. The diverse range of topics spans from harrowing accounts of survival in challenging circumstances to humorous anecdotes that reflect the complexities of human experiences, making it relatable yet awe-inspiring.
Noteworthy for its ability to connect listeners with the personal struggles and triumphs of guests from different cu... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Lives Less Ordinary:
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3. The Audio Long Read
4. The Inquiry
5. The History Hour
Lives Less Ordinary launched 16 years ago and published 305 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Lives Less Ordinary include:
1. Tim Berners-Lee
2. Giulia Bacosi
3. Christiaan de Beukelaer
4. Mic Whitty
5. Adjoa Andoh
6. Sophie Parker
7. Delimar Vera
8. Tomoaki Hamatsu
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