Great Lives Podcast
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Episodes to download
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James Dyson on Frank Whittle
Mon 29 Apr 2024
James Dyson chooses the inventor of the jet engine, Frank Whittle.
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Katherine Rundell on E Nesbit
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Writer Katherine Rundell nominates fellow children's author E Nesbit.
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Sir Bruce Forsyth
Mon 8 Apr 2024
Sir Bruce Forsyth, nominated by political writer and broadcaster Steve Richards.
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Harry Enfield on Gerard Hoffnung
Mon 1 Apr 2024
Comedian Harry Enfield chooses the cartoonist, musician and raconteur Gerard Hoffnung.
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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 Sir Edward Coke, lawyer and Parliamentarian.
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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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Great Rock and Roll Lives
Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday
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