Big Lives
Claim This Podcastby Pushkin Industries and BBC Studios
Podcast Overview
<p>Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.</p> <p>Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure — from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda — and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. <br><br>After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart.</p> <p>The Guardian: "A smart and chatty show"</p> <p>The Telegraph: "Presenters sift wittily through the BBC archive"</p> <p>Listen ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Sign up on the Big Lives show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. Subscribe to BBC on Apple Podcasts and on BBC.com.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/9/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Big Lives
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Recent Episodes
July 13, 2026
Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation, The Fugees and Her Enduring Legacy
Host Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi interview NPR's B.A. Parker about Lauryn Hill's impactful career, the pressures she faced, and her lasting influence on music.
July 6, 2026
The Beckhams: From World Cup Villain to Billionaire Power Couple
Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi explore how David and Victoria Beckham transformed public backlash into a billion-dollar global brand through strategic reinvention.
July 4, 2026
From Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise
Host Kai Wright interviews Malcolm Gladwell about his new podcast, "Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise," exploring the turbulent era after the Civil War and Frederick Douglass's fight for citizenship.
19 total episodes available with 8 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Big Lives?
<p>Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.</p> <p>Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure — from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda — and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. <br><br>After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart.</p> <p>The Guardian: "A smart and chatty show"</p> <p>The Telegraph: "Presenters sift wittily through the BBC archive"</p> <p>Listen ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Sign up on the Big Lives show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. Subscribe to BBC on Apple Podcasts and on BBC.com.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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