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Artwork for This Cultural Life

This Cultural Life

BBC Radio 4
Frank Auerbach
Painting
Turner
Art School Education
Camden Town
Art
Self-Portraits
Bunce Court School
Poetry
Lucian Freud
Impressionism
London
David Bomberg
Nazi Germany
Auschwitz
Shakespeare
Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Acting
Pop Music
Andy Warhol

In-depth conversations with some of the world's leading artists and creatives across theatre, visual arts, music, dance, film and more. Hosted by John Wilson.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes136Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Cultural Life

Latest Episodes

One of the most revered and prolific British classical musicians, Thomas Adès made his name with his 1995 opera Powder Her Face, written when he was just 24 years old. His orchestral composition Asyla was nominated for the Mercury Prize for album of ... more

Jonathan Anderson was appointed as creative director of the French fashion house Dior in March 2025, becoming one of the world’s most influential designers. As creative director of the luxury label Loewe for 11 years from 2013, he led a rebranding of... more

Jackie Kay is one of the best known and most popular Scottish literary figures. A poet and novelist, she served as Makar - the name for Scotland’s poet laureate - for five years from 2016. Since her debut poetry collection The Adoption Papers in 1991... more

American artist Kerry James Marshall is one of the world’s most important living painters. Marshall has been making his large-scale, vividly colourful evocations of African-American life for over 40 years. His figurative paintings are rich with symbo... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jackie Kay
Poet and novelist, former Makar (Scotland's poet laureate)
Scottish Poet Laureate
Episode: Jackie Kay
Alicia Vikander
Swedish-born actor known for her Academy Award-winning role in The Danish Girl and various diverse film roles.
Episode: Alicia Vikander
Katherine Rundell
Children's writer and academic, multi-million selling author
Episode: Katherine Rundell
Steve Reich
Composer and godfather of musical minimalism
Episode: Steve Reich
Jenny Saville
Renowned painter known for large scale portraits of the female form.
Episode: Jenny Saville
Gillian Anderson
Actor known for her roles in The X-Files, The Crown, and Sex Education
Episode: Gillian Anderson
Doris Salcedo
Colombian artist known for her works addressing themes of trauma and violence
Episode: Doris Salcedo
Maggie O'Farrell
A prominent author known for her novels exploring themes of mortality and grief, including 'Hamnet' and 'The Marriage Portrait'.
Episode: Maggie O'Farrell
Abi Morgan
Screenwriter and playwright known for her works across television, film, and theatre.
Various productions including The Split and The Iron Lady
Episode: Abi Morgan

Host

John Wilson
Host of in-depth conversations with leading artists and creatives, exploring their journeys and artistic processes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 515 ratings
  • Fascinating!

    Superb interviewer and subjects alike. I’ve listened to so many already and delighted to have discovered such a back catalogue. Marvellous stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cambridge listener
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent

    An exceptional set of interviews. John Wilson is an outstanding interviewer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AdamJohnH
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Johny and the power of his voice

    Johnny has a warm voice and deep empathy of his guest making the recording, refreshingly enough to the listener. I stop what I’m doing and listen to truly inspiring podcast. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alibongo ee
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • My go to podcast

    John has become my favourite interviewer: warm, interested, engaging and intelligent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quirky Cav
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • My favourite Arts programme

    John Wilson is the best out there - such thoughtful and spacious questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EdDTakacs
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critics mention a tendency for the interviews to focus on familiar figures from elite backgrounds, suggesting a disconnect with broader audiences.
Listeners praise the exceptional quality of interviews and the depth of conversation, noting the host's warmth and engaging style.
Many highlight the talent and diversity of guests, appreciating the nuanced exploration of cultural themes throughout episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#34
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#14
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#47
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#212
France/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jonathan Anderson
Q: What is the biggest challenge the fashion industry is facing at the moment, do you think?
Anderson sees the fashion industry undergoing a seismic change and emphasizes the need for reinvention in response to complex global issues.
Jonathan Anderson
Q: How do you know what that something is? It's just instinctive, is it?
He explains it's about whether the design excites him and if he feels there is potential for exploration.
Jonathan Anderson
Q: In terms of winning those awards, how important is winning to you?
Anderson states that while awards are an amazing honor, what drives him is the challenge of turning the business around and creating a public presence for the brands he works with.
Jonathan Anderson
Q: Was that your nod to the past, in fact to his new look, to unveil yours?
He acknowledges that Sabrina Carpenter wore a classic new look in grey flannel, which connects back to Christian Dior's iconic designs and highlights their enduring influence.
Jonathan Anderson
Q: How much creative tension is there between the need to respect the history and the traditions of Dior and your own needs to create something new under the Dior name?
Anderson describes it as a very interesting process, noting that he is dealing with nostalgia and the legacies of many designers that have shaped the Dior brand.

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 This Cultural Life

What is This Cultural Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of leading artists, musicians, and creative figures, focusing on their personal journeys and the influences that have shaped their work. The discussions often span various art forms, including theatre, visual arts, music, dance, and film, highlighting the intricacies of the creative process and exploring significant societal themes within the arts.

Listeners can expect insightful reflections on the challenges faced by artists, the impact of their cultural backgrounds, and the evolution of their artistry over time. The host's gentle yet probing interview style encourages guests to share their personal stories, making it a compelling choice for anyone interested in the interse... more

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Which podcasts are similar to This Cultural Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Cultural Life:

1. Front Row
2. Private Passions
3. Desert Island Discs
4. Great Lives
5. Last Word

How many episodes of This Cultural Life are there?

This Cultural Life launched 4 years ago and published 136 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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What guests have appeared on This Cultural Life?

Recent guests on This Cultural Life include:

1. Jackie Kay
2. Alicia Vikander
3. Katherine Rundell
4. Steve Reich
5. Jenny Saville
6. Gillian Anderson
7. Doris Salcedo
8. Maggie O'Farrell

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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