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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes153Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Artwork for This Cultural Life

Latest Episodes

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

Theatre director and writer Robert Icke talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences. Described by Variety magazine as ‘the great hope of British theatre’ and with his radical new versions of classic plays, Icke has built a reputation... more

Booker Prize-winning author David Szalay talks to John Wilson about his creative influences. His 2009 debut novel London and The South East, based on his experience of working in telesales, won the Betty Trask Award. The author of six books, his work... 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

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
Annie Leibovitz
One of the world's leading photographers, known for her work in Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.
Episode: Annie Leibovitz
Guillermo del Toro
Mexican filmmaker known for his fantasy-horror films.
Episode: Guillermo del Toro
Dame Rose Tremain
Prolific British author known for her novels and short stories.
Author
Episode: Rose Tremain

Host

John Wilson
Host of this cultural life

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 626 ratings
  • The best!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ms reasonable
    Australia5 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 Kingdom8 months ago
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AdamJohnH
    United Kingdom10 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 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.

A few listeners criticize certain episodes for being overly reverential or privileging established figures.
Interviews are seen as high-quality, with broad cross-disciplinary appeal.
The host is warmly praised for listening and drawing out thoughtful conversations.
Guests are described as inspiring and the discussions as nuanced and well-researched.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#45
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#17
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#123
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#78
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#109
Germany/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#17
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
David Szalay
Q: What attracted you to the New Hollywood films, and what did you learn about writing from them?
Szalay discusses the extreme naturalism and realism of those films, and how their depiction of ordinary people and life's texture informed his own approach to truthfulness and beauty in writing.
David Szalay
Q: How did your time in Hungary and the early 1990s shape your writing, especially Flesh?
He explains that living in Hungary during a time of transition profoundly affected his perception of London and his sense of possibility, and that Flesh grew directly out of those experiences.
David Szalay
Q: What about The Waste Land drew you in, and how do you reread it now?
He describes the tone, musicality, and atmospheric quality that resonated with him as a teenager, and notes that the poem's language still feels contemporary and capable of multiple readings.

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?

Rigorous, reflective conversations with leading figures across literature, visual arts, music, theatre, film, and beyond. Episodes center on creative journeys, influences, craft, and the personal contexts that shape iconic work, often weaving cross-disciplinary references and historical perspectives into deep, thoughtful dialogues. The format tends to attract listeners who value nuance, long-form storytelling, and mentorship-like insights from acclaimed artists and creators. A standout aspect is the breadth of guests—from novelists and photographers to composers and actors—paired with an interviewer known for attentive listening and insightful follow-up questions, making it a strong fit for audiences seeking intellectual depth and cultural ... 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. A Good Read
5. Last Word

How many episodes of This Cultural Life are there?

This Cultural Life launched 5 years ago and published 153 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. Robert Icke
2. David Szalay
3. Danielle de Niese
4. Don McCullin
5. Julian Barnes
6. Dame Imogen Cooper
7. Annie Leibovitz
8. Guillermo del Toro

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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