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PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

history music history

All Episodes

29:59

Arthur Rimbaud: The Teenage "Seer," The Scandalous...

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the explosive and contradictory life of Arthur Rimbaud, the French poet whose transgressive themes prefigured surrealism and modern literature. We trace his journey from a brilliant but rebellious student in Charleville, where he chafed under the rule of his strict mother, to his days as a vagabond in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.Join us as we discuss:• The Philosophy of the Seer: How a teenage Rimbaud sought visionary power through a "long, immense and

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23:49

The High Priestess of Protest and Soul: The Life of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the turbulent genius of Nina Simone, the "High Priestess of Soul" whose music bridged classical, jazz, blues, and gospel. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in North Carolina, she originally aspired to be a concert pianist but was denied admission to the Curtis Institute of Music, a rejection she attributed to racial prejudice. We discuss how she adopted the pseudonym "Nina Simone" to hide her career playing "the devil's music" in Atlantic City bars from her religious

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24:45

The Little Sparrow: Glory and Tragedy in the Life of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

In this episode, we dive into the turbulent life of France’s greatest popular singer, Édith Piaf. Born Édith Giovanna Gassion, she rose from a childhood of extreme poverty—raised in a Normandy brothel and temporarily blinded by keratitis—to become an international cultural icon. We explore how a nightclub owner discovered the 4'8" street singer and christened her "La Môme Piaf" (The Sparrow Kid), launching a career defined by her signature black dress and powerful voice.Join us as we discuss the

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27:47

Leonard Bernstein: The Maestro of American Music

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

He was the genius behind West Side Story, the face of the New York Philharmonic, and the first American-born conductor to achieve international acclaim. This week on pplpod, we explore the explosive career and complex life of Leonard Bernstein.From his childhood in Massachusetts as the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants to his stunning, last-minute conducting debut at Carnegie Hall that made him famous overnight,, we track the rise of a musical prodigy. We discuss how Bernstein bridged the gap between

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28:13

J. D. Salinger: The Art of Enigmatic Seclusion

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography covers the life and literary legacy of J. D. Salinger, the American author of the classic novel The Catcher in the Rye. It explores his early years in New York, his traumatic service during World War II, and his subsequent rise to fame through short stories published in The New Yorker. The text highlights his sudden shift into a reclusive lifestyle in New Hampshire, where he pursued diverse spiritual interests and strictly guarded his privacy. It also details his complex personal

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27:43

Aaron Copland: The Dean of American Music

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography profiles Aaron Copland, a seminal 20th-century figure famously regarded as the "Dean of American Music." The text details his evolution from a student of Nadia Boulanger in Paris to a definitive voice in American nationalism, creating iconic works like Appalachian Spring and Fanfare for the Common Man. It explores his transition from modernist abstraction to an accessible "populist" style designed to reach broader audiences during the Great Depression. Beyond his compositions, the

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24:37

Henrik Ibsen: The Father of Modern Drama

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode is a comprehensive biographical entry on Henrik Ibsen, the nineteenth-century Norwegian playwright widely celebrated as the father of modern drama. It details his patrician upbringing in Skien and clarifies how his family’s complex social standing and merchant background deeply informed his later literary themes. The sources outline his transition from writing lyrical verse to pioneering theatrical realism, highlighting iconic plays like A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler. These works were

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26:42

George Gershwin: Master of the American Musical...

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

George Gershwin was a transformative American composer and pianist who redefined the musical landscape by merging classical traditions with jazz and popular styles. Born to Jewish immigrants, he rose from a teenage "song plugger" on Tin Pan Alley to a celebrated creator of Broadway musicals and symphonic masterpieces like Rhapsody in Blue. Alongside his brother Ira Gershwin, he produced enduring standards and the landmark opera Porgy and Bess, which is now considered a cultural classic. Despite a

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28:39

Igor Stravinsky: Life and Works of a Modernist Icon

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode examines the life and professional evolution of Igor Stravinsky, a seminal figure in modernist music who held citizenship in Russia, France, and the United States. The text outlines his biography, starting with his musical education under Rimsky-Korsakov and his subsequent rise to global fame through collaborations with the Ballets Russes. His diverse creative output is categorized into three distinct eras: the Russian period, the neoclassical period, and his late adoption of serialism

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29:13

Paul Verlaine: The Prince of Decadent Poetry

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode details the life and artistic contributions of Paul Verlaine, a foundational figure in French Symbolism and the Decadent movement. The text traces his history from a middle-class upbringing to a tumultuous adulthood marked by a violent relationship with fellow poet Arthur Rimbaud. Despite periods of imprisonment and poverty, Verlaine achieved immense literary fame, eventually being named the "Prince of Poets" by his contemporaries. His work is noted for its lyrical musicality and

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28:20

Maurice Ravel: The Architect of French Modernism

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode is a comprehensive biographical entry on Maurice Ravel, documenting his transformation from a controversial student at the Paris Conservatoire to a premier French composer. It details his unique musical philosophy, which blended classical structures with modernism, jazz, and exoticism, while emphasizing his meticulous craftsmanship and mastery of orchestration. The sources explore his major masterpieces, such as Boléro and Daphnis et Chloé, alongside his professional rivalries and

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25:25

Claude Debussy: The Architect of Musical Impressionism

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography provides a comprehensive look at the life of Claude Debussy, a transformative French composer who reshaped the landscape of Western classical music. The text explores his evolution from a rebellious student at the Paris Conservatoire to a global icon whose unique approach to harmony and orchestral color defined the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Key milestones are highlighted, including his prestigious Prix de Rome win and the international acclaim following his landmark opera,

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25:11

The Career and Legacy of Conan O’Brien

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

Conan O’Brien is a prominent American media personality whose career spans over four decades as a writer, comedian, and late-night host. After gaining early recognition for his writing contributions to Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, he spent nearly thirty years hosting major talk shows, including Late Night, The Tonight Show, and Conan. The provided text details his educational background at Harvard, his highly publicized network transitions, and his successful expansion into podcasting and

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22:26

The Career and Legacy of Tina Fey

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography documents the prolific life and career of Tina Fey, an influential American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. The text outlines her transition from The Second City in Chicago to becoming the first female head writer at Saturday Night Live, where she gained fame for her Weekend Update segments and her satirical portrayal of Sarah Palin. It details her success as the creator and star of the acclaimed sitcom 30 Rock, as well as her work on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and the hit

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28:39

Jerry Seinfeld: The Complete Professional Profile and...

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography covers the life and professional achievements of Jerry Seinfeld, a legendary American stand-up comedian and actor. It traces his evolution from a student at Queens College to his massive success as the co-creator and star of the iconic sitcom Seinfeld. Beyond his television stardom, the text highlights his diverse projects like Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and various literary works. Readers can also learn about his personal life, including his family, his interest in

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21:24

The Life and Career of Dave Chappelle

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

Dave Chappelle is a highly influential American stand-up comedian and actor best known for creating the satirical sketch program Chappelle's Show. This biographical overview tracks his transition from a teenage performer in New York City to a major Hollywood figure appearing in films like Half Baked and A Star Is Born. The text highlights his sudden departure from television in 2005 and his subsequent multi-million dollar comeback through a series of successful Netflix specials. Chappelle’s career

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22:22

Chris Rock: A Comprehensive Life and Career Profile

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

Christopher Julius Rock is a legendary American entertainer whose career spans over four decades as a stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. After gaining national recognition as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s, he rose to global superstardom through acclaimed HBO comedy specials like Bring the Pain. His versatile professional portfolio includes creating the hit semi-autobiographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, voicing characters in the Madagascar franchise, and directing

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26:52

Eddie Murphy: The Complete Life and Career of a Legend

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode documents the life and professional journey of Eddie Murphy, a highly influential American actor, comedian, and singer. The text details his early breakthrough on Saturday Night Live and his transition into a major motion picture star with hits like Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor. Beyond his acting roles, the records highlight his musical achievements, including hit singles and studio albums, as well as his prolific work as a voice artist for animated franchises. The

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24:25

Jim Carrey: A Life of Comedy, Drama, and Art

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This biography covers the life and professional journey of Jim Carrey, a prominent Canadian-American actor and comedian. The text details his early financial hardships and his rise from the Toronto comedy circuit to becoming a major Hollywood movie star known for energetic slapstick. Key highlights include his breakout success in the 1990s with hits like Ace Ventura and The Mask, as well as his transition into award-winning dramatic roles in films such as The Truman Show. Beyond his filmography, the

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24:38

The Master of Nuance: Philip Seymour Hoffman Biography

pplpod ·

2026/01/20

This episode is a detailed biography of the late American actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, outlining his prolific career in film and theater from 1991 until his death in 2014. It tracks his evolution from a supporting character actor in cult classics to an Academy Award-winning lead known for his intense dedication and versatility. The sources highlight his acclaimed work in movies like Capote and The Master, as well as his significant contributions to the Broadway stage. Beyond his professional

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1,906 results

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