Great Lives Podcast
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Episodes to download
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Alan Freeman picked by Simon Mayo
Tue 23 Jan 2024
Simon Mayo picks his broadcasting hero, Pick of the Pops's Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.
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Actor Niamh Cusack on the life of poet Mary Oliver
Tue 16 Jan 2024
Actor Niamh Cusack chooses the American poet Mary Oliver.
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Mr Motivator picks Harry Belafonte
Tue 9 Jan 2024
Mr Motivator chooses the King of Calypso, whose hits include Day-O and Jump in the Line.
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Jimmy Wales on Thomas Jefferson
Tue 2 Jan 2024
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, picks the third president of the United States.
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Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer
Boxing Day 2023
Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.
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John Gray on JG Ballard
Tue 19 Dec 2023
Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.
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Iszi Lawrence on Diana Barnato Walker
Tue 12 Dec 2023
Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker
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Mohammad Mossadegh, PM of Iran ousted in a coup
Tue 5 Dec 2023
Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.
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Chi-chi Nwanoku on Jessye Norman
Tue 19 Sep 2023
Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the global star of opera Jessye Norman.
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Lady Eve Balfour
Tue 12 Sep 2023
Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.
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Kate Raworth on Donella Meadows
Tue 22 Aug 2023
Economist Kate Raworth chooses the Environmental Scientist Donella 'Dana' Meadows
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Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques
Tue 15 Aug 2023
Neuroscientist Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend, Hattie Jacques
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Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
Tue 8 Aug 2023
The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo
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Susie Dent on Thomas Mann
Tue 1 Aug 2023
Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann who wrote 'Death in Venice'.
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Jake Arnott on John Gay
Tue 23 May 2023
The satirist and writer of The Beggar's Opera nominated by Jake Arnott. With Ian Hislop.
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Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials
Tue 16 May 2023
Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding
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Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Tue 9 May 2023
Jesse Norman picks lawyer and Parliamentarian Sir Edward Coke.
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Kofi Annan
Tue 2 May 2023
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
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Frederick the Great of Prussia
Tue 11 Apr 2023
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
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Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Tue 24 Jan 2023
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
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Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Tue 17 Jan 2023
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
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Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Tue 10 Jan 2023
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
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Minette Batters on Henry Plumb
Tue 3 Jan 2023
Matthew Parris is joined by the president of the National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters.
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Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United manager
Tue 27 Dec 2022
Presenter Bob Harris champions Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
Great Rock and Roll Lives
Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday
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