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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes167Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Cultural Life

Latest Episodes

Bestselling Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. Renowned for epic stories that connect the past and the present, told from multiple perspectives, her novels explore marginalised communiti... more

American photographer Joel Meyerowitz talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences and formative experiences. A pioneer of the artform, he first began capturing life on the streets of his native New York in the early 1960s, and helped to establ... more

Actor Ray Winstone talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences and inspirations. A schoolboy boxing champion, he built a reputation playing tough, working class characters after being cast in the borstal drama Scum at the age of 17. ... more

Theatre and film director Sir Nicholas Hytner talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences. Over a career spanning four decades, he has directed Shakespeare, contemporary drama and musicals, including Miss Saigon which ran for over 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

Ray Winstone
Actor
Episode: Ray Winstone
Nicholas Hytner
Theatre and film director; former artistic director of the National Theatre
Bridge Theatre; National Theatre
Episode: Nicholas Hytner
Mitsuko Uchida
Renowned pianist and subject of the episode
Pianist, performer
Episode: Mitsuko Uchida
Sebastian Faulks
British author known for historical novels and early success with Birdsong
Episode: Sebastian Faulks
Tania Bruguera
Cuban-born performance and conceptual artist
Independent artist
Episode: Tania Bruguera
Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Writer known for Millions, A British Childhood, and work with Danny Boyle
Writer
Episode: Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Kiefer Sutherland
Actor and musician
Actor and musician
Episode: Kiefer Sutherland
Liam Young
Australian-born artist and filmmaker described as a speculative architect
Episode: Liam Young
Kristin Scott Thomas
Actor and director/writer
Actor, director, writer
Episode: Kristin Scott Thomas

Host

John Wilson
Host of This Cultural Life

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 663 ratings
  • Proper Talk

    John W is such a skilled interviewer, quietly getting people relaxed enough to teveal themselves to us. Such a fascinating choice of subjects: who knew Kiefer Sutherland could be so interesting? Kristin ST also a great one. Looking for George Saunders next. No airhead'celebs', thank God. Keep it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lusaka60
    United Kingdom22 days ago
  • South African Listener

    Thank you for this fascinating podcast of a host of interesting & varied, most talented people. I love listening to “ This Cultural Life”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    #stanford#
    South Africa2 months ago
  • Noice

    Great revelations, you are great at your job, John, love your interest…thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cataract 13
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Herzog

    It’s really a shame the host was seemingly unaware that Herzog is an accomplished author of over 20 books and novellas. Made for a quite embarrassing and testy interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    bcsquest
    United States4 months ago
  • The best!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ms reasonable
    Australia10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are described as thoughtful, deeply researched, and richly detailed.
Some criticism notes occasional reverence or selective guest focus, but overall the interviews are seen as among the best in arts culture formats.
Listeners praise the host's warmth, curiosity, and ability to draw out guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/Arts
Spotify
#36
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#108
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#56
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#116
France/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nicholas Hytner
Q: How did your approach to directing Henry V and other politically resonant works evolve in relation to current events?
He discusses aligning contemporary context with classical texts, using accessible pricing schemes and the Travel X £10 ticket to reach broader audiences while maintaining artistic integrity.
Nicholas Hytner
Q: What did you learn from Miss Saigon and other big productions about balancing spectacle with cost?
He reflects on being drawn into large-scale, popular productions and how those experiences informed his approach to both theatre economics and audience engagement.
Nicholas Hytner
Q: What do you see as the biggest change in the sector in the last decade?
He explains that average ticket prices have decreased while costs rose, leading to a tougher financial balance, but also notes ingenuity and new revenue models as responses.
Sebastian Faulks
Q: Did Birdsong start with a single image in your mind or did the whole story coalesce around a moment?
It began from a theme—how far you can go—and I built the main characters around that idea, allowing the story to reveal itself rather than forcing a preordained scene. This approach helped avoid cliché and gave the narrative room to breathe as it moved between time periods and perspectives.
Liam Young
Q: Blade Runner influenced your visual language. What is it about that film that continues to resonate with your work?
He discusses world-building as a core practice and how Blade Runner's integration of city design, technology, and social anxieties informs his approach to creating immersive futures with social and political relevance.

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 show features in-depth conversations with leading artists and creatives across theatre, visual arts, music, film, and more. The host guides intimate, long-form discussions that explore influences, craft, and the life behind significant work, often drawing out personal histories, cultural context, and artistic philosophy. Episodes frequently highlight how individual experiences, collaborations, and institutional environments shape creative practice, with guests ranging from writers and actors to painters and directors. A standout trait is the thoughtful, curiosity-driven interviewing style that invites guests to reflect on their journeys, risks, and evolving perspectives. This makes it a compelling listen for those interested in behind-... 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. A Good Read

How many episodes of This Cultural Life are there?

This Cultural Life launched 5 years ago and published 167 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. Ray Winstone
2. Nicholas Hytner
3. Mitsuko Uchida
4. Sebastian Faulks
5. Tania Bruguera
6. Frank Cottrell-Boyce
7. Kiefer Sutherland
8. Liam Young

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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