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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
Bunce Court School
Impressionism
Poetry
Auschwitz
David Bomberg
Self-Portraits
Lucian Freud
Nazi Germany
London
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes147Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Cultural Life

Latest Episodes

The novelist, essayist and critic Julian Barnes talks to John Wilson about his career and formative cultural influences. One of the most acclaimed and distinctive British writers of his generation, his early novels, including Metroland, A History Of ... more

Dame Imogen Cooper is one of Britain’s most esteemed concert pianists. Having played since the age of five, she was mentored by the great Austrian born pianist Alfred Brendel before making her name internationally with interpretations of works by Sch... more

Award-winning actor Sir Jonathan Pryce talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences and career. He made his name with the 1975 Trevor Griffiths play Comedians, his role as a stand-up comic winning him a Tony Award after it moved to Broadway. He... more

Theatre and opera director Katie Mitchell talks to John Wilson about her career and formative influences. She is renowned for her experimental storytelling on stage, her feminist perspective, and for contemporary reframing of classic plays, she has d... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
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

Host

John Wilson
Host of this cultural life

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 604 ratings
  • The best!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ms reasonable
    Australia3 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 Kingdom6 months ago
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AdamJohnH
    United Kingdom8 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 Kingdom9 months ago
  • My go to podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quirky Cav
    United Kingdom10 months 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.

Apple Podcasts
#213
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#96
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#41
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#203
France/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#17
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Julian Barnes
Q: But what did she do for you?
Well, first of all, she focused on the last, the Synth 3 sections, on the third section. And she pointed out where I was sort of coasting or where there was flab.
Julian Barnes
Q: So did you write it or it suggests that line, it suggests that you were writing this knowing it was a swan song of sorts. Did it bring greater pressure therefore?
No, I wrote it thinking this might be true. I didn't put any pressure on me at all.
Julian Barnes
Q: You've called Departures a novel. Actually, it's a hybrid book in a way. Part fiction is a story within a story. And then also we get these reflections on life and death and memory in particular by this character called Julian Barnes, who shares much of your biography. Was there a specific starting point for the book in those notebooks?
No, I don't think there was. And in fact, I couldn't tell you which part I started writing first because the process of writing involves the eradication of where you could have started, where you might have gone wrong.
Imogen Cooper
Q: What drives you on creatively knowing that there is an end point that you are heading to?
I'm not sure whether I will have the drive to keep the discipline, but there is also nothing to stop me going on with recitals at home.
Imogen Cooper
Q: Are you aware of the demands of being a woman in the music industry?
Yes, it's definitely harder and lonelier. There is an element of all that.

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. Desert Island Discs
2. Great Lives
3. ill-advised by Bill Nighy
4. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
5. Bookclub

How many episodes of This Cultural Life are there?

This Cultural Life launched 4 years ago and published 147 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. Julian Barnes
2. Dame Imogen Cooper
3. Annie Leibovitz
4. Guillermo del Toro
5. Dame Rose Tremain
6. Jackie Kay
7. Alicia Vikander
8. Katherine Rundell

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