Great Lives Podcast
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Episodes to download
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Rights activist Cesar Chavez nominated by Cori Crider
Tue 26 Jan 2021
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider explains why she is inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
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Caroline Catz on Delia Derbyshire
Tue 19 Jan 2021
Actor Caroline Catz chooses Delia Derbyshire, who realised the theme to Doctor Who.
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David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat
Tue 12 Jan 2021
Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
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Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
Tue 29 Dec 2020
Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
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The Great Lives of Great Lives
Tue 22 Dec 2020
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
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David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey
Tue 15 Dec 2020
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
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Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Tue 8 Dec 2020
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
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Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller
Tue 29 Sep 2020
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
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James Graham on John Maynard Keynes
Tue 22 Sep 2020
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
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Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Tue 15 Sep 2020
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
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Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Tue 8 Sep 2020
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
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Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
Tue 25 Aug 2020
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
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Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
Tue 18 Aug 2020
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
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Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton
Tue 11 Aug 2020
Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.
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Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Tue 2 Jun 2020
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
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Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Tue 26 May 2020
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
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Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Tue 19 May 2020
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
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Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Tue 12 May 2020
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
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Victoria Wood
Tue 5 May 2020
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
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Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Tue 14 Apr 2020
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
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Rick Stein on Jim Morrison
Tue 7 Apr 2020
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
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Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Tue 21 Jan 2020
Andi Oliver chooses the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
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Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Tue 7 Jan 2020
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
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Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Tue 31 Dec 2019
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
Great Rock and Roll Lives
Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday
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