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Artwork for Lives Less Ordinary

Lives Less Ordinary

BBC World Service
Tupamaros
José Mujica
Uruguay
Cyprus
Libya
Michel Van Rijn
Amazing Sport Stories
Cameroon
Migration
Moscow
Family
Lucía Topolanski
Revolution
Aydin Dickman
Antiquities
Stolen Heritage
Brazilian Amazon
Vietnam
Rock and Roll
Kidnapping

Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from e... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes305Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsSociety & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for Lives Less Ordinary

Latest Episodes

The incredible story of the football icon who changed a boy's life.

Craig Bromfield's start in life was difficult: there was often no electricity in his childhood home, and he didn’t even own a coat. He was in and out of the social care system, and... more

When Jenny Evans was sexually assaulted and confidential details appeared in a national newspaper, she decided to investigate – uncovering police corruption, tabloid spying, and phone-hacking.

Jenny got a role in her first feature film when she was... more

Hayley Williams’ grandpa Rusty nurtured her musical dreams – now, she’s returning the favour.

As the lead singer of American rock band Paramore, Hayley Williams has won three Grammy Awards and toured the world. Behind the scenes, her grandad Rusty h... more

The award-winning author who used her strict Mennonite upbringing to tell its unspoken stories.

Miriam Toews is one of Canada’s most acclaimed novelists, but her journey began far from the literary world. Raised in the conservative Mennonite town of... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

The Documentary Podcast
The Documentary PodcastBBC World Service
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Witness HistoryBBC World Service
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The Inquiry
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The History Hour
The History HourBBC World Service

Recent Guests

Jenny Evans
A survivor who experienced first-hand the corruption involved in a sexual assault case and has since turned to journalism.
Episode: My private trauma was leaked to the press – so I fought back
Tim Berners-Lee
Inventor of the World Wide Web and advocate for digital sovereignty
Episode: Tim Berners-Lee: The man who dreamed of a World Wide Web
Giulia Bacosi
Crew member aboard the Avontuur, sharing her experiences and observations
Sailing Cargo Ship Avontuur
Episode: Hold Fast! 5. No better mirror than the sea
Christiaan de Beukelaer
An academic doing research on the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.
Episode: Hold Fast! 1. Signs from the universe
Mic Whitty
An Australian who faced severe personal and financial turmoil
Episode: My way out of the woods
Adjoa Andoh
Actor, director, and mother of three, best known for her role as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton.
Bridgerton
Episode: Introducing Dear Daughter
Sophie Parker
Granddaughter of Odette Hallowes, sharing her grandmother's wartime experiences.
Episode: The WW2 spy and the little leaf that saved her
Delimar Vera
Kidnapping survivor and subject of the episode
Episode: Stolen as a baby, I called my abductor ‘Mom’
Tomoaki Hamatsu
Comedian known as Nasubi, who underwent a unique and demanding experience on reality TV.
Episode: Naked and alone: the comedian trapped in a reality TV show

Hosts

Mobeen Azhar
Host of Lives Less Ordinary
Siobhán McSweeney
Host of Lives Less Ordinary

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Good show

    Interviewing different people about interesting experiences and incidents, would recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ishaan Shetty 1411
    Singapore10 days ago
  • Simply perfect

    Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jeckles88
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Zarna Gary

    What an amazing story of how she got where she is! I love her!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cuca Girl
    United States3 months ago
  • Uplifting

    In these bleak times, I rely on Lives Less Ordinary to bring me hope. Stories about people surmounting sometimes unbelievably impossible obstacles- the one about the Indian woman whose stepmother stabbed, blinded her and left her homeless- comes to mind— and she not only persisted but learned to truly thrive. So many inspiring stories like that. A great pick-me-up when you’re feeling low

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sharon in Davis
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent Program!

    It takes you all over the globe and shares stories from peoples lives- some famous and some not- that keeps me looking forward to each and every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trouya
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews mention varying presentation styles, with a mix of appreciation for the depth of narratives and critique of interview techniques.
Listeners commend the podcast for its poignant storytelling and diverse personal experiences.
Overall, it garners praise for uncovering extraordinary tales that resonate with audiences seeking both hope and understanding.
The show is viewed as an inspiring source that highlights resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

My private trauma was leaked to the press – so I fought back
Q: What does it mean to you to feel supported when telling your story?
To share it and not be shamed, I suppose, was hugely moving; it still is.
The ragtag boy who was taken in by a football icon
Q: What was life like with your family before Brian Clough came into the picture?
Craig describes his home life as difficult, with years spent in and out of the social care system due to his father's alcoholism.
Miriam Toews: A loud voice in a town once ruled by silence
Q: How did that work change your mother and her outlook?
It meant a lot to her; she was able to help others and push against the issues within our community, despite facing significant backlash.
Miriam Toews: A loud voice in a town once ruled by silence
Q: So how did you get on with this emphasis on submission?
Not very well; I loved my childhood but as I matured, I began to see the restrictions and expectations placed upon me as a girl in that community.
Trapped underground: my 54-hour cave rescue
Q: How did you feel to finally be rescued?
I felt immense gratitude and relief as well as emotional joy just to be above ground again.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Lives Less Ordinary

What is Lives Less Ordinary about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of remarkable true stories from people around the globe, this podcast invites listeners to immerse themselves in the extraordinary journeys of individuals from various backgrounds. Each episode presents an interview with a guest who shares a personal narrative that is often filled with ups and downs, grappling with themes such as resilience, survival, and the unexpected turns life can take. The diverse range of topics spans from harrowing accounts of survival in challenging circumstances to humorous anecdotes that reflect the complexities of human experiences, making it relatable yet awe-inspiring.

Noteworthy for its ability to connect listeners with the personal struggles and triumphs of guests from different cu... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Lives Less Ordinary?

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How many listeners does Lives Less Ordinary get?

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What are the audience demographics for Lives Less Ordinary?

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How many subscribers and views does Lives Less Ordinary have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Lives Less Ordinary has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Lives Less Ordinary?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Lives Less Ordinary:

1. The Documentary Podcast
2. Witness History
3. Life Changing
4. The Inquiry
5. The History Hour

How many episodes of Lives Less Ordinary are there?

Lives Less Ordinary launched 16 years ago and published 305 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Lives Less Ordinary?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Lives Less Ordinary?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Lives Less Ordinary from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Lives Less Ordinary?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Lives Less Ordinary. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Lives Less Ordinary?

Recent guests on Lives Less Ordinary include:

1. Jenny Evans
2. Tim Berners-Lee
3. Giulia Bacosi
4. Christiaan de Beukelaer
5. Mic Whitty
6. Adjoa Andoh
7. Sophie Parker
8. Delimar Vera

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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