Podcast Episodes

Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials

When Jon Ronson was growing up, he went to see The Specials play in Cardiff. "I went on my own to Sophia Gardens," he says. "The crowd was fantastica…

3 years ago

Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes

Sir Edward Coke was born in Norfolk in 1552.

He's best known as a judge and Parliamentarian, the link says Jesse Norman between Magna Carta and the E…

3 years ago

Kofi Annan

In 1997 Kofi Annan became the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations. The nineties were a turbulent period for the organisation and it had …

3 years, 1 month ago

Frank Zappa

"The most important thing to do in your life is not to interfere with somebody else's life." Frank Zappa was born December 1940 in Baltimore, USA. C…

3 years, 1 month ago

Frederick the Great of Prussia

Frederick the Great had a brute of a father. When young Frederick was captured trying to run away, he was locked up and forced to watch his friend - …

3 years, 1 month ago

Arthur Ashe

Broadcaster Qasa Alom chooses the first African-American tennis player to win the US Open and Wimbledon, Arthur Ashe.

Arthur was born in Richmond, Vi…

3 years, 1 month ago

Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking

The best-selling author of How to Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell, explains her love for the Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren. Born in 1907, Lindgr…

3 years, 3 months ago

Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston

Actor Adjoa Andoh has a list of TV, theatre and film credits as long as your arm. She's best known worldwide as Bridgerton's Lady Danbury, and is due…

3 years, 4 months ago

Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain

"‘For me, it’s all about his authenticity’. Chris McCausland

Kurt Cobain, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the band Nirvana became the voice …

3 years, 4 months ago

Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged

Matthew Parris travels along the Thames to meet Nick Hayes - illustrator and author of The Book of Trespass - to discuss the life of Roger Deakin. Th…

3 years, 4 months ago