Podcast Episodes

Maya Angelou on the trauma that made her mute

The great American writer Maya Angelou was cast away back in 1987.

She told Michael Parkinson about the disturbing reason she became temporarily mute during her childhood, which in turn led to her lov…

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

David Nott on working in war zones

The surgeon David Nott was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016 shortly after returning from war-torn Syria.

He spoke to Kirsty about his experiences of working in a warzone for the first time back in th…

Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago

Judi Dench on her childhood days in amateur dramatics

The actor Dame Judi Dench has been cast away to the desert island three times, most recently in 2015.

She spoke to Kirsty Young about her first performances in an amateur dramatic group which included…

Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago

Adele on her first record deal

The singer Adele was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

In 2008, she released her debut album, 19, and the following year she won the first of many Grammys. Her next three albums, 21, 25 and 30, con…

Published on 4 weeks, 2 days ago

Professor Sue Black on the mysteries of the human body

In 2015, the forensic anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black, was cast away by Kirsty Young.

Brought up on the west coast of Scotland and in Inverness, she fell in love with biology at secondary sch…

Published on 1 month ago

Lemn Sissay on his foster family

The poet Lemm Sissay was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2015.

As a poet, writer and playwright, much of his work tells the story of his search for his birth parents. Born to a young Ethiopian woman who …

Published on 1 month ago

Jill Scott on her start in football

The former footballer Jill Scott was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.

Jill was part of the Lionesses’ winning team at the Euros 2022.

When Jill was starting out in her career, the women players had…

Published on 1 month ago

Adrian Edmondson on working with Rik Mayall

In 2023, the comedian and writer Adrian Edmondson was cast away by Lauren Laverne.

Adrian met his comedy partner, the late Rik Mayall, at university. They bonded over their shared interests in double …

Published on 1 month ago

Dr Nicola Fox on the tragedy that changed her life

After completing her PhD, Dr Fox took up a post-doctoral fellowship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland. In 2010, she became the project scientist for the Parker Solar Probe, humanity’s…

Published on 1 month ago

George Michael on his accidental start in music

As a singer and songwriter, George sold more than 100 million records, won two Grammy awards and notched up countless number one hits.

He told Kirsty about how an accident played a pivotal role in his…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago