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Artwork for Reel Lives Podcast

Reel Lives Podcast

Tim Kirkman
The Color Purple
Harold and Maude
Lars and the Real Girl
Tender Mercies
Grief
Empathy
Horton Foote
Movies
Steven Spielberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Oprah Winfrey

Welcome to Reel Lives, where we explore the intersection of cinema and the human experience. Unlike the typical "open mic" podcasts where a few guys just sit around and talk over each other, Reel Lives focuses on a single film to uncover the personal stories behind the screen—from superfans and psychologists to the very artists who brought the story to life. Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile or... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes6Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmSociety & CultureFilm InterviewsDocumentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Reel Lives Podcast

Latest Episodes

Welcome to Reel Lives, where we explore the intersection of cinema and the human experience. Unlike the typical "open mic" podcasts where a few guys just sit around and talk over each other, Reel Lives focuses on a single film to uncover the personal... more

A nurse who played a sister to Oprah Winfrey’s Sofia and an actor/massage therapist talk about the meaning of Steven Spielberg’s 1985 interpretation of Alice Walker’s novel and the impact the film had in their lives.

Set in rural Georgia during the ... more

A middle school drama teacher, a mother with bipolar disorder, a Minneapolis filmmaker/author, a former Jehovah’s Witness and a psychologist tell personal stories about the impact of Hal Ashby’s cult 1971 classic cult comedy, HAROLD AND MAUDE. Writte... more

Academy Award nominated writer Nancy Oliver, musician Sean Alexander Bart, and psychologist Wendy Winograd tell personal stories about the 2007 film LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. Directed by Craig Gillespie, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL is the story of a Lars (R... more

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Recent Guests

Beverly Hamilton
Sofia's sister in The Color Purple movie
Color Purple production (cast)
Episode: THE COLOR PURPLE: "I'm Here"
Shayne Brakefield
Actor and licensed massage therapist from Lexington, Kentucky
Actor, massage therapist
Episode: THE COLOR PURPLE: "I'm Here"
Rachel Barbenol-Freed
Clinical psychologist and executive leadership coach from New York
Independent (psychology)
Episode: HAROLD AND MAUDE: "Go and Love Some More"
Michael LaRocca
Former Chicago-area resident, early memoire about Harold and Maude
Personal recollection
Episode: HAROLD AND MAUDE: "Go and Love Some More"
Timothy King
Middle school theater teacher from Burke, Virginia
Education/Arts
Episode: HAROLD AND MAUDE: "Go and Love Some More"
Nicki Nyne
Resident of Cranston, Rhode Island; parent sharing personal journey
Private individual
Episode: HAROLD AND MAUDE: "Go and Love Some More"
John Gaspard
Author of Held Over about Harold and Maude's Minneapolis run
Albertz Books (Space Factory)
Episode: HAROLD AND MAUDE: "Go and Love Some More"
Nancy Oliver
Writer and sometime director who wrote Lars And The Real Girl
Writer of Lars And The Real Girl
Episode: LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: "Love is God in Action"
Sean Alexander Bart
Musician, music director, vocal coach, and writer living in Los Angeles
Musician/Director
Episode: LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: "Love is God in Action"

Host

Tim Kirkman
Host of Reel Lives; filmmaker with a focus on cinema and human experience.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 29 ratings
  • Bravo Tim Kirkman & Co

    Brilliant idea to match iconic films with personal memoir. Listeners will savor every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L A Graham
    United States4 months ago
  • Brilliant podcast

    Really meaningful and fun to listen to how folks are impacted by these favorite films. Can’t wait for more episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tomerico74
    United States4 months ago
  • Intimate and uplifting

    I’ve just listened to the episode on Harold and Maude, a film I love and will now rewatch… to hear how it connects with the lives of others is so moving. The way people talk about what the film has meant to them is profound. Tim Kirkman is a wonderful guide and the episode was well-edited, a good length… this is special.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EricaW87
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Reel Good!

    This is just the podcast we needed! Jonesing for new episodes!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mikef180
    United States4 months ago
  • Love!!

    Amazing work Tim!! Subscribed!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kwoyan
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Tim's thoughtful direction makes personal film stories come alive.
Listeners appreciate the compassionate, insightful conversations.
Guests feel seen; production quality is consistently strong.
A fresh, intimate take on film-through-life stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: "Love is God in Action"
Q: How did you know when Lars was ready to confront the reality around Bianca?
The panel suggests it wasn't a single moment but a collective process; through ongoing support, self-reflection, and the community's involvement, Lars begins to navigate his own development and gradual readiness to face changes.

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 Reel Lives Podcast

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

This show centers on intimate, conversation-driven explorations of individual films and their ripple effects on people and communities. Across episodes, listeners hear personal memories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and expert perspectives that illuminate how cinema shapes identity, emotion, and social ties. The host guides empathetic, psychologically informed discussions with filmmakers, actors, writers, and professionals who bring depth to each film's impact. A notable strength is its ability to blend archival context with contemporary relevance, making film history feel immediate and human. Fans can expect a thoughtful, reverent tone that prizes personal storytelling and coolly observant analysis over generic film chatter.

Where can I find podcast stats for Reel Lives Podcast?

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How many listeners does Reel Lives Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for Reel Lives Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Reel Lives Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Reel Lives Podcast 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 Reel Lives Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reel Lives Podcast:

1. This American Life
2. The Daily
3. SmartLess
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. The Film Bros

How many episodes of Reel Lives Podcast are there?

Reel Lives Podcast launched 5 months ago and published 6 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 Reel Lives Podcast?

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 Reel Lives Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Reel Lives Podcast 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.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Reel Lives Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Reel Lives Podcast?

Recent guests on Reel Lives Podcast include:

1. Beverly Hamilton
2. Shayne Brakefield
3. Rachel Barbenol-Freed
4. Michael LaRocca
5. Timothy King
6. Nicki Nyne
7. John Gaspard
8. Nancy Oliver

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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