A Life Lived
From Muhammad Ali to Carrie Fisher, hear how the lives of the biggest stars were truly lived. With exclusive interviews from the people who knew them in life, journalist Stephanie Okupniak tells the stories of the dead.
Episodes
September 10, 2024 • 47 mins
Host Stephanie Okupniak goes on a journey with sports journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo to discover what makes football globally tactile and how Diego Maradona transformed the sport into an art.
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
Mark as Played
August 26, 2024 • 33 mins
Join Stephanie Okupniak to discover how Bill Paxton went from painting sets with James Cameron to starring in the legendary Director's biggest movies.
So stop your grinning and drop your linen to spend to time with co-stars Paul Reiser, Mark Rolston and Jenette Goldstein as they share their wonderful stories of Bill, from the bus ride he took to meet his wife to the camaraderie he brought to the set of Aliens.
To...
So stop your grinning and drop your linen to spend to time with co-stars Paul Reiser, Mark Rolston and Jenette Goldstein as they share their wonderful stories of Bill, from the bus ride he took to meet his wife to the camaraderie he brought to the set of Aliens.
To...
Mark as Played
August 19, 2024 • 29 mins
A Life Lived Host Stephanie Okupniak chats with Muhammad Ali's daughter Hana about her father's playful side and his love of life (and women!), alongside Sky Sports Boxing correspondent Johnny Nelson on what made 'The Greatest' so great.
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
Mark as Played
August 5, 2024 • 42 mins
A Life Lived host Stephanie Okupniak talks with screenwriter Gavin Scott about 20 years of friendship and collaboration with the Monty Python, Terry Jones.
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived
Mark as Played
July 29, 2024 • 32 mins
Host Stephanie Okupniak talks with comedy legends Helen Lederer and Nigel Planer about pushing comedy boundaries on The Young Ones and Bottom with the punk rocker of comedy - Rik Mayall.
Helen Lederer's memoir Not That I'm Bitter is available to buy wherever online and in your favourite bookshop
Nigel Planer's book Jeremiah Bourne in Time is the first instalment of his Time Shard Chronicles trilogy and is availabl...
Helen Lederer's memoir Not That I'm Bitter is available to buy wherever online and in your favourite bookshop
Nigel Planer's book Jeremiah Bourne in Time is the first instalment of his Time Shard Chronicles trilogy and is availabl...
Mark as Played
July 22, 2024 • 36 mins
A Life Lived host Stephanie Okupniak takes with actor Neil Dudgeon behind the scenes to find out what made Dame Diana Rigg as biographer Herbie J Pilato delves into what made the actress steal the hearts of generations.
Herbie J Pilato's biography One Tough Dame: The Life and Career of Diana Rigg is available for presale here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Tough-Dame-Hollywood-Legends/dp/1496837975
Herbie J Pilato's biography One Tough Dame: The Life and Career of Diana Rigg is available for presale here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Tough-Dame-Hollywood-Legends/dp/1496837975
Mark as Played
July 15, 2024 • 27 mins
A Life Lived host Stephanie Okupniak talks to photographer and filmmaker Gobi Rahimi about how the son of a Black Panther activist would grow up to be the voice of a movement in this 2019 episode honouring Tupac Shakur.
Mark as Played
July 1, 2024 • 35 mins
Michael Kenneth Williams was known for playing tough characters. He was recognised for the scar across his face. But his nephew, Dominic DuPont, knew the demons he battled, how hard he worked, the good he gave back to the community and the love and empathy he had for everyone.
Michael Kenneth WIlliams's memoir Scenes from My Life is available wherever you buy books.
Michael Kenneth WIlliams's memoir Scenes from My Life is available wherever you buy books.
Mark as Played
June 24, 2024 • 35 mins
Author Herbie J Pilato, filmmaker William S Tribell and biographer Ray Richmond walk us through the raunchy euphemisms, the pioneering devotion and the sweet and caring nature that paved the way for Betty White to have the longest career in broadcasting than any woman in the Guinness Book of World Records.
To learn more about Betty White you can find copies of Ray Richmond's book here:
https://www.quarto.com/books...
To learn more about Betty White you can find copies of Ray Richmond's book here:
https://www.quarto.com/books...
Mark as Played
June 17, 2024 • 34 mins
In this episode of A Life Lived Stephanie Okupniak speaks with a professor and fellow classmate of Chadwick Boseman when he attended Oxford University for a summer acting course. The origin story of an artist who had never considered acting before - only to become on of the greatest cinematic heroes of all time.
Mark as Played
June 10, 2024 • 28 mins
Stephanie Okupniak learns more about the school dropout from Edinburgh who will win the hearts of millions as the rogue spy 007 with journalist Brian Pendreigh, director Alvin Rakoff and biographer Herbie J Pilato.
Alvin Rakoff's memoir I'M JUST THE GUY WHO SAYS ACTION can be found here - alvinrakoff.com
Herbie J Pilato's biography Connery, Sean Connery can be found here - Connery, Sean Connery: Before, During, and Aft...
Alvin Rakoff's memoir I'M JUST THE GUY WHO SAYS ACTION can be found here - alvinrakoff.com
Herbie J Pilato's biography Connery, Sean Connery can be found here - Connery, Sean Connery: Before, During, and Aft...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2024 • 1 min
After a 4-year hiatus - A Life Lived returns!!
Join Stephanie Okupniak from June 10th as she speaks with the people closest to icons who have died and finds out what they were really like behind the spotlight.
This season she discovers why the mob stalked Sir Sean Connery, how Betty White got into the Guinness Book of World Records and what Chadwick Boseman learned in Hogwarts dining hall.
Follow on Spotify, Appl...
Join Stephanie Okupniak from June 10th as she speaks with the people closest to icons who have died and finds out what they were really like behind the spotlight.
This season she discovers why the mob stalked Sir Sean Connery, how Betty White got into the Guinness Book of World Records and what Chadwick Boseman learned in Hogwarts dining hall.
Follow on Spotify, Appl...
Mark as Played
February 22, 2021 • 37 mins
Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee.
He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon.
Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick Stron...
Mark as Played
February 22, 2021 • 45 mins
Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee.
He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon.
Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick...
Mark as Played
February 15, 2021 • 41 mins
Hubert de Givenchy crafted exquisite, haute couture creations that made women feel powerful, beautiful - and one of a kind.
One of the founding fathers of high fashion, the designer’s legacy is unwavering almost 70 years after the birth of the Maison de Givenchy.
Medical Philanthropist, fashion icon & lifelong friend Deeda Blair takes Stephanie Okupniak back in time...
Mark as Played
February 8, 2021 • 55 mins
What does it take to write the great American novel?
Harper Lee’s defining work - To Kill a Mockingbird - has stood the test of time.
Surrounded by racism, segregation and injustice growing up in rural Alabama, Lee’s experiences shaped what would go on to become a literary classic.
Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her life - and friendship with...
Mark as Played
February 1, 2021 • 51 mins
Margot Kidder was an actress, an activist, a daredevil, an outspoken campaigner - but first and foremost - a mother.
In her role as Lois Lane she set the benchmark for fierce, feminist leading ladies.
Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her tumultuous life with the help of brother John Kidder and close friend Rosie Shuster.
Mark as Played
January 25, 2021 • 48 mins
There are some performers that just seem frozen in time.
Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three - and let us take you inside the life of one of Hollywood’s most hypnotic stars - Gene Wilder.
But he was so much more than Willy Wonka, than Frederick Frankenstein, than Leo Bloom.
Gene’s beloved nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman joins Stephanie ...
Mark as Played
January 18, 2021 • 43 mins
He may have been small in stature, but Verne Troyer had a giant personality.
In a career that spanned 25 years he starred on the big screen as Mini-Me, Little Santa, Alien Son and Baby Joe - but off it he was a total sweetheart.
Actress and co-star Mindy Sterling and director Richard Elfman fondly remember the life of the 2’8”, 35-pound movie icon.
Mark as Played
January 11, 2021 • 38 mins
Debbie Reynolds was a force to be reckoned with.
A member of Hollywood royalty, she faced scandal after scandal after scandal - yet bounced back bigger and better every time.
Debbie’s son Todd Fisher joins Stephanie Okupniak to take us beyond the headlines - and shines a bright light on what life with his iconic mother was really like.
A member of Hollywood royalty, she faced scandal after scandal after scandal - yet bounced back bigger and better every time.
Debbie’s son Todd Fisher joins Stephanie Okupniak to take us beyond the headlines - and shines a bright light on what life with his iconic mother was really like.
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by iHeartRadio.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.