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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

24:52

God’s Architect: The Organic Genius and Tragic End of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/18

In this episode, we explore the life of Antoni Gaudí, the celebrated Catalan architect widely recognized as the greatest exponent of Modernisme. We discuss how Gaudí’s work was deeply influenced by his three main passions—architecture, nature, and religion—eventually earning him the nickname "God's Architect". Listeners will discover how he moved beyond Gothic traditions to create a unique style based on ruled geometrical forms found in nature, such as the hyperboloid and the helicoid.We also dive

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33:39

This Is Not A Podcast: The Surreal World of René...

pplpod ·

2026/01/18

Why did a Belgian painter insist that a picture of a pipe wasn't actually a pipe? In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life and mind of René Magritte, the surrealist artist famous for placing ordinary objects in impossible contexts. We explore his early life, including the tragic suicide of his mother that may have inspired his obsession with shrouded faces, and his turbulent career, which included a stint forging banknotes and fake Picassos during his "Vache period".Join us as we analyze his

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38:25

Ai Weiwei: The Art of Dissent and Surveillance

pplpod ·

2026/01/18

In this episode, we profile Ai Weiwei, the renowned Chinese contemporary artist whose provocative work blurs the lines between art, architecture, and political activism. We trace his journey from growing up in exile with his father, the poet Ai Qing, to his years in New York City's East Village, where he befriended Allen Ginsberg and played professional blackjack.Discover how Ai became a vital instigator in Chinese culture, from helping design the Beijing National Stadium (the "Bird's Nest") for the

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32:39

Joan Miró: The Catalan Surrealist Who "Assassinated"...

pplpod ·

2026/01/18

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life and mind of Joan Miró (1893–1983), the Catalan painter, sculptor, and ceramicist who reshaped 20th-century art. Though often classified as a Surrealist due to his interest in the subconscious and dream-like automatism, Miró famously rejected membership in any specific artistic movement,. Instead, he declared an "assassination of painting," aiming to destroy conventional methods and bourgeois artistic standards,.Join us as we discuss:• The Early Years:

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39:07

Samuel Beckett: Resistance, Cricket, and the Theatre...

pplpod ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life of Samuel Beckett, the Irish novelist and playwright widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. We trace his journey from a cricket-playing youth in Dublin—becoming the only Nobel laureate to play first-class cricket—to his time in Paris as a confidant of James Joyce.Discover how a near-fatal stabbing and his service in the French Resistance during World War II shaped his worldview, earning him the Croix de Guerre for

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25:59

Tennessee Williams: Desire, Dysfunction, and the...

pplpod ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the turbulent genius of Tennessee Williams, the man who, alongside Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, stands as one of the three foremost playwrights of 20th-century American drama. Born Thomas Lanier Williams III, he adopted his pen name to acknowledge his Southern roots, eventually mining his own dysfunctional family history to revolutionize the theater.We discuss:The Autobiographical Art: How Williams used writing to break free from his puritan upbringing and

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35:54

Arthur Miller: The Playwright, The Witch Hunt, and...

pplpod ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of pplpod, we examine the life of Arthur Miller, widely considered one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. From a childhood in Harlem to a family financial collapse during the Wall Street crash of 1929, we trace the origins of the man who redefined the American stage with classics like All My Sons and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Death of a Salesman,.Join us as we discuss the political firestorm that nearly derailed his career, including his refusal to "name names" before

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37:48

Jules Verne: Bad Translations, "Extraordinary...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we dive 20,000 leagues into the life of Jules Verne, the French author who ranks as the second most-translated writer in the world, sandwiched between Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare. While often remembered as the "father of science fiction," we explore why Verne viewed himself as a man of letters and how his true literary legacy was obscured in the English-speaking world for decades.Join us as we discuss:From Law to Literature: How Verne defied his father's wish

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35:47

H. G. Wells: The Father of Sci-Fi & The Man Who Saw...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the extraordinary life of H. G. Wells, the prolific writer often hailed as the "father of science fiction". Join us as we trace his journey from a miserable apprenticeship at a draper’s emporium to his studies under T. H. Huxley, where a background in biology helped shape his revolutionary "scientific romances".We dive deep into his most iconic works, including The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and The War of the Worlds, examining how he used "the

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39:31

"The First of a New Genus": Mary Wollstonecraft,...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the tumultuous life and enduring legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century writer and philosopher who declared her ambition to become "the first of a new genus". Regarded today as a founding feminist philosopher, Wollstonecraft is best known for her groundbreaking 1792 treatise, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. We discuss her central argument that women are not naturally inferior to men, but only appear so because they have been denied education, and

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50:33

The Power Couple Era: Taylor Swift’s Showgirl...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

Join us as we explore the massive cultural footprint of the "supercouple" Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025,. We break down Swift's historic achievements, including the $2 billion-grossing Eras Tour and the release of her chart-topping 2025 album, The Life of a Showgirl,. Discussion includes her finalized purchase of her masters in May 2025 and her status as the music industry's first billionaire based primarily on songs and performances,. We also analyze

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55:45

Simone Weil: The Revolutionary Mystic on Affliction,...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the intense life and uncompromising philosophy of Simone Weil (1909–1943), a figure Albert Camus once called "the only great spirit of our times". A French philosopher, mystic, and political activist who died at the age of 34, Weil’s legacy is defined by her radical empathy and her concept of "decreation"—the undoing of the self to make room for truth.We trace Weil’s journey from her youth as the "Red Virgin"—a radical teacher and trade unionist—to her time

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40:21

Ayn Rand: The Radical Egoist Behind "Atlas Shrugged"

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the polarizing life and legacy of Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum, better known to the world as Ayn Rand. Born in St. Petersburg, Rand witnessed the Bolshevik Revolution seize her father’s pharmacy before fleeing to the United States in 1926 with dreams of becoming a screenwriter. We explore her transformation from a struggling immigrant extra in Cecil B. DeMille films to a literary powerhouse who authored The Fountainhead and her 1957 magnum opus, Atlas

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32:55

Magic, Madness, and The Alchemist: The Journey of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the turbulent and transformative life of Paulo Coelho, the Brazilian lyricist and novelist best known for his international best-seller, The Alchemist. We dig into Coelho’s rebellious youth in Rio de Janeiro, during which his parents committed him to a mental institution from which he escaped three times. We also discuss his time living as a hippie and his career as a songwriter for Brazilian icons like Raul Seixas, a period where his association with the occult

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35:49

Haruki Murakami: Jazz, Cats, and the "Black Sheep" of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the surreal world of Haruki Murakami, the globally acclaimed author who describes himself as the "black sheep" of the Japanese literary establishment. We trace his journey from owning a jazz bar named Peter Cat to the moment he decided to write his first novel, Hear the Wind Sing, while watching a baseball game in 1978.Join us as we explore:The Hits: How the nostalgic Norwegian Wood propelled him to stardom and why 1Q84 was ranked the best work of Japan’s

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33:43

Benedict Cumberbatch: A Comprehensive Profile and...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

This biography details the life and prolific career of English actor Benedict Cumberbatch, from his early education at Harrow to his professional training at LAMDA. It documents his rise to fame through his acclaimed stage work, including the "Triple Crown" of London theatre, and his transformative television roles in projects like Sherlock and Patrick Melrose. The text also highlights his extensive filmography, noting his Academy Award nominations for The Imitation Game and The Power of the Dog,

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34:17

Sir Patrick Stewart: A Life on Stage and Screen

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

This biography documents the life and extensive career of Sir Patrick Stewart, a highly decorated English actor born in 1940. While he is globally recognized for iconic roles such as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, the text highlights his roots in classical theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The profile details his difficult upbringing in Yorkshire, his rise through the British stage and television scenes, and his eventual international

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29:52

Sir Ian McKellen: A Life on Stage and Screen

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

Sir Ian McKellen is a distinguished English actor whose prolific career spans over six decades across stage, television, and film. He is widely celebrated for his Shakespearean mastery and his iconic portrayals of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men franchise. Recognized as a British cultural icon, McKellen has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including a Tony Award and multiple Olivier Awards. Beyond his artistic contributions, he is a prominent LGBT rights activist and

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32:31

Sir Anthony Hopkins: From Hannibal Lecter to The Father

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode, we profile Sir Anthony Hopkins, the Welsh baker’s son who overcame a difficult school life to become one of the most prolific actors of his generation. We trace his journey from his early days as Laurence Olivier’s understudy at the Royal National Theatre to his film breakthrough in 1968's The Lion in Winter.We explore his most iconic roles, including his Academy Award-winning performance as the serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs—a character voted the

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29:53

Daniel Day-Lewis: The Method, The Cobbler, and The...

pplpod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the career of Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history and the only performer to ever win three Academy Awards for Best Actor,. Born into a creative dynasty as the son of Poet Laureate Cecil Day-Lewis and actress Jill Balcon, Day-Lewis overcame early bullying for being "posh" and Jewish by mastering local accents—his first true acting performance,.Join us as we explore the legendary "method" intensity that

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1,906 results

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