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Artwork for This Cultural Life

This Cultural Life

BBC Radio 4
London
Doris Salcedo
Theatre
Opera
Frank Auerbach
Trauma
Painting
Cynthia Erivo
Colombian Civil War
Steve Reich
Shakespeare
Photography
Marina Abramović
Turner
Political Violence
Colonialism
Thomas Adès
Jennifer Lawrence
Music Education
Dostoevsky

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes155Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Artwork for This Cultural Life

Latest Episodes

The Booker Prize winning American author George Saunders talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences. He made his name as a writer of satirical or absurdist short stories which often explore contemporary consumerist society, always underpinned... more

The soprano Dame Felicity Lott talks to John Wilson about her distinguished career and cultural influences. One of Britain's best-loved sopranos, her breakthrough role was as a last minute stand-in for Pamina in The Magic Flute in 1975. Over the next... more

Over a seven-decade career, Michael Frayn has been acclaimed as a novelist, playwright, journalist, translator & memoirist. From his comedies – including the stage farce Noises Off, and a screenplay for Clockwise starring John Cleese, and the novels ... more

Turner Prize-winning Artist Lubaina Himid talks to John Wilson about her formative influences. She made her name in the mid-1980s as a pioneering member of the British black arts movement, organising exhibitions to champion the work of fellow women a... 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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Recent Guests

Felicity Lott
British soprano known for opera and concert performances
British soprano; associated with Royal Opera, Vienna, etc.
Episode: Felicity Lott
Michael Frayn
British writer and playwright
Author (translator, playwright, novelist)
Episode: Michael Frayn
Lubaina Himid
Artist, central figure in the British Black Arts Movement
Episode: Lubaina Himid
Robert Icke
Theatre director and writer
Theatre (UK)
Episode: Robert Icke
David Szalay
Booker Prize-winning writer, author of Flesh and All That Man Is, London and The South East, etc.
Author
Episode: David Szalay
Danielle de Niese
Australian-born opera singer
Opera singer
Episode: Danielle de Niese
Don McCullin
Photographer known for war photography and later landscapes
Self-employed photographer / The Sunday Times Observer archive
Episode: Don McCullin
Julian Barnes
Acclaimed British novelist, essayist, and critic
Episode: Julian Barnes
Dame Imogen Cooper
One of Britain's most esteemed concert pianists
Episode: Imogen Cooper

Host

John Wilson
Host of This Cultural Life

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 642 ratings
  • The best!

    Best interviewer, best interviewees, best format! A delight!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ms reasonable
    Australia6 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom9 months ago
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AdamJohnH
    United Kingdoma year 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • My go to podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quirky Cav
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality, long-form storytelling with a warm, engaging interview style.
Many listeners praise how the show illuminates the creator's craft and influences.
Thoughtful, nuanced interviews with deep, cross-disciplinary conversations.
The host draws out guests' life stories as well as their work, making it feel like a cultural salon.
A few critics note the host's reverence for guests, but overall feedback highlights thoughtful depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#198
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#95
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#38
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#89
France/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#219
Germany/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael Frayn
Q: How do you approach blending research with fiction?
He emphasizes that extensive research fuels ideas, but then the characters take on a life of their own, sometimes diverging from the original plan, which is both a help and a challenge to the writer.
Michael Frayn
Q: What role does memory play in your novels?
Memory provides a core impulse for Frayn's fiction, with personal recollections becoming a springboard for character-driven plots and moral complexities, as seen in Spies and Headlong.
Michael Frayn
Q: What were the early influences that shaped your writing?
Frayn describes a lifetime of reading and classroom experiences, including admiring authors like Arthur Ransome and Chekhov, which seeded his interest in narrative voice, structure, and humor.
Danielle de Niese
Q: Did you have a plan for a career when you were juggling acting and singing, and how did you see your path unfolding?
She had a clear dream of becoming an opera singer, and every step—from early training to television hosting—was aimed at building a performing toolkit that would support that goal, even if other avenues like television offered opportunities.
David Szalay
Q: What does winning the Booker Prize in 2025 mean for you personally and for your next work?
He reflects on the mixed feelings of validation and pressure, noting that he was already immersed in a new project when the prize was announced and that there is a balance between momentum and expectations moving forward.

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?

The show delivers in-depth conversations with leading artists and creatives across theatre, visual arts, music, film, and more, guided by thoughtful, expansive questions that blend personal history, craft, and career philosophy. Guests range from performers and writers to photographers and directors, with recurring emphasis on mentorship, collaboration, and the cultural context that informs their work. Listeners are likely drawn to richly detailed storytelling, reflective about practice and life outside the spotlight, and eager for nuanced insights into how creative minds shape culture. A standout throughline is the long-form, relaxed interview rhythm that uncovers the human and artistic through-lines behind celebrated careers, often touchi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to This Cultural Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Cultural Life:

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

How many episodes of This Cultural Life are there?

This Cultural Life launched 5 years ago and published 155 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. Felicity Lott
2. Michael Frayn
3. Lubaina Himid
4. Robert Icke
5. David Szalay
6. Danielle de Niese
7. Don McCullin
8. Julian Barnes

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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