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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.

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All Episodes

33:06

Dame Judi Dench: A Life on Stage and Screen

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Dame Judi Dench is a celebrated British actress whose professional career has reached across seven decades on the stage and screen. Originally finding success in Shakespearean theater and television comedies like As Time Goes By, she achieved immense global fame through her recurring role as M in the James Bond franchise. Her extensive list of accolades includes an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, alongside numerous BAFTAs, Tony Awards, and Olivier Awards. Beyond her artistic

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32:17

The Unsinkable Artistry of Kate Winslet

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

This biography details the life and prolific career of English actress Kate Winslet, born in 1975. The text follows her journey from her theatrical upbringing and early television work to achieving global stardom in the blockbuster film Titanic. It highlights her preference for complex characters in independent dramas and period pieces, which has earned her numerous honors, including an Academy Award, several BAFTAs, and multiple Emmy Awards. Beyond her acting credits, the source describes her

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35:17

Nicole Kidman: The Hollywood Shapeshifter — From...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

On this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the four-decade career of the indomitable Nicole Kidman . We trace her journey from a shy child born in Hawaii to her status as one of the greatest actors of the 21st century,, . We explore how she shed the label of "Tom Cruise's wife" to become an Oscar-winning powerhouse and a television titan with hits like Big Little Lies and The Undoing,, .Join us as we discuss her fearless approach to method acting, her pledge to champion female directors, and the

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37:37

Julia Roberts: The Billion-Dollar Smile Behind...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the iconic career of Julia Roberts, a Hollywood powerhouse whose films have collectively grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide. We trace her meteoric rise from early critical successes like Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias to the global phenomenon of Pretty Woman, the film that cemented her status as a leading lady and earned her a second Oscar nomination,. Listen in as we breakdown her reign as the "queen of the romantic comedy" in the 1990s with hits such as My

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32:22

Sandra Bullock: The Life and Legacy of a Screen Icon

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

This biographical overview detailing the life of Sandra Bullock documents her evolution from a theater student to one of Hollywood's most successful actresses and producers. The text highlights her major film achievements, including her breakout in Speed and her Academy Award-winning performance in The Blind Side. Beyond her acting credits, the source explores her entrepreneurial efforts through her production company, Fortis Films, and her significant philanthropic contributions to disaster relief

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38:28

Charlize Theron: Life, Career, and Accolades

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

This biography profiles Charlize Theron, an influential South African and American actress and film producer celebrated for her versatile performances. The text chronicles her early life in South Africa, including a traumatic family event, and her transition from modeling and ballet into a successful Hollywood career. It highlights her Academy Award-winning role in Monster alongside other major works in both critically acclaimed dramas and high-grossing action franchises. Beyond the screen, the

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32:42

Viola Davis: The Legacy of an EGOT Icon

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Viola Davis is a preeminent American actress and producer whose career spans several decades of acclaimed performances on stage, film, and television. Rising from a childhood of abject poverty, she trained at the Juilliard School before becoming the first Black performer to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting and eventually EGOT status. Her professional breakthrough occurred through the plays of August Wilson, leading to prestigious Tony Awards and an Academy Award for her role in Fences. She is

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32:27

The Renaissance of Sir Idris Elba: Career and Honours

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

This biography documents the multi-faceted career of Sir Idris Elba, a celebrated English entertainer and entrepreneur. While widely recognized for his critically acclaimed acting in television series like The Wire and Luther, he has also achieved massive commercial success in global film franchises. Beyond the screen, Elba is a prolific musical artist, performing as a DJ and rapper while managing his own record labels and production companies. The text highlights his diverse personal interests,

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30:38

Mahershala Ali: A Cinematic Legacy and Award Record

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

This biographical source details the life and prolific career of Mahershala Ali, an acclaimed American actor and former musician. Initially a collegiate basketball player and a rapper under the name Prince Ali, he transitioned into professional acting after earning a master's degree from New York University. The text highlights his historic achievements, including becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award and securing two Oscars for his roles in Moonlight and Green Book. It also covers

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33:41

The Rise, Fall, and Imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

In this episode, we profile the complex legacy of Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero who evolved from a global icon of democracy to a controversial figure defending military actions,. We trace her early years, her pivotal role in the 1988 uprising, and the fifteen years she spent under house arrest, which culminated in her receiving the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize,.We also examine her ascent to power in 2016 as State Counsellor—a role created for her as she was constitutionally

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43:43

The Dalai Lama Lineage: Reincarnation, Politics, and...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Join us as we explore the history of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the enduring symbol of Tibetan nationhood,. We trace the lineage back to its mythical roots, where the Dalai Lamas are believed to be incarnations of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, sent to protect the people of Tibet,. Discover how the title, meaning "Ocean Guru," was first bestowed by the Mongol ruler Altan Khan in 1578 and applied retroactively to the first two

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44:53

The Francis Era: Mercy, Reform, and the Shepherd from...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Join us for a comprehensive retrospective on the historic life and legacy of Pope Francis, following his death on Easter Monday, 2025,. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere, Francis reshaped the Catholic Church with a focus on humility, the environment, and the "smell of the sheep",. In this episode, we break down the twelve years of his papacy, from his election in 2013 to the conclave that elected his successor, Pope Leo XIV,.Episode Highlights:A New Style of Papacy:

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38:21

The Modi Era: Rise, Power, and the Reshaping of India

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

In this episode, we explore the trajectory of Narendra Modi, who rose from a tea-selling family in Vadnagar to become the longest-serving Indian prime minister outside the Indian National Congress,. We trace his early political formation within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which he joined as a child, leading to his appointment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001,,.We delve into the defining moments of his career, including the controversial 2002 Gujarat violence—where the Supreme

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45:26

The Red Prince’s Dream: From Cave Dweller to China’s...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

In this episode, we explore the dramatic rise of Xi Jinping, the son of a revolutionary veteran who overcame exile during the Cultural Revolution to become the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong,. We trace his journey from living in a cave in rural Liangjiahe and working as a local party secretary to his ascension as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China,.Tune in as we break down Xi’s defining policies and consolidation of power, including:The

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31:47

Jupiter’s France: The Rise, Reign, and Crises of...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Title: Jupiter’s France: The Rise, Reign, and Crises of Emmanuel MacronDescription:In this episode, we explore the meteoric rise and turbulent presidency of Emmanuel Macron, the former investment banker who became France’s youngest head of state since Napoleon,. We trace his journey from the halls of Rothschild & Co and the Ministry of Economics to his decisive 2017 victory over Marine Le Pen with his centrist movement, En Marche!,.Join us as we break down the defining moments of his

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35:14

Ryan Gosling: A Cinematic and Musical Journey

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Born in 1980, Ryan Gosling is a highly accomplished Canadian actor and musician whose career spans over three decades. This comprehensive biography details his transition from a child performer on The Mickey Mouse Club to a major Hollywood star known for diverse roles in films like The Notebook, Drive, and Barbie. Beyond his acting accolades and multiple Academy Award nominations, the text highlights his artistic ventures in the indie rock band Dead Man's Bones. The sources also explore his early

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32:31

Halle Berry: A Life of Beauty, Grit, and Acclaim

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Halle Berry is an acclaimed American actress and director whose career began in the beauty pageant circuit before transitioning to film and television in the late 1980s. She made history as the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball. Beyond her Oscar-winning turn, she is widely recognized for her roles in the X-Men franchise, as a Bond girl in Die Another Day, and for her recent directorial debut in the film Bruised. The source

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23:38

Whoopi Goldberg: The EGOT Trailblazer

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, is a prolific American performer and media personality whose career spans over four decades. She is one of the few individuals to achieve EGOT status, having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Her rise to fame began with a one-woman Broadway show, followed by a critically acclaimed film debut in The Color Purple and an Academy Award-winning role in Ghost. Beyond her work in cinema and theater, she has reached a broad audience as a longtime moderator

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26:53

Dustin Hoffman: The Evolution of an Icon

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

Dustin Hoffman is a highly celebrated American actor and filmmaker whose career has spanned over six decades, as detailed in this comprehensive biographical overview. Emerging as a central figure in the New Hollywood movement, he gained fame for portraying complex antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable individuals in landmark films such as The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy. The provided text outlines his extensive filmography, noting his two Academy Awards for Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man, as well

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51:54

Jack Nicholson: The Rebel, The Joker, and The...

pplpod ·

2026/01/06

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the five-decade career of Jack Nicholson, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. From his status as the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history to his reputation as a counter-culture anti-hero, we break down the life of the man who redefined Hollywood stardom.Tune in as we discuss:A Family Secret: The shocking revelation Nicholson learned from Time magazine researchers in 1974—that the woman he believed was his sister was

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1,640 results

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