Oxford Lives
Oxford is a wonderful city in which to live, and If you have the good fortune to call yourself a resident you are probably here because you value its incredible mix of people and cultures. However, whether local or visitor, your own personal network of friends and colleagues can only touch a small proportion of the fascinating people who call this place home.
We set up this podcast to seek out some of the individuals that we find interesting and explore their lives and stories. They are not all celebrated or well-known, but what they do and what they think add another dimension to the familiar narrative of town, gown and tourism. Hopefully you will find it an insight and an introduction to interesting and unfamiliar parts of our community.
So, relax and select someone from the cast below and get to know a bit more about a particular Oxford life.
With Jeremy Allen
Produced by Graeme Fry
As a compliment to our podcast we have produced a self-guided tour where we look at Oxford’s links to fantasy literature and the many writers who have lived and worked here. So if you find yourself in Oxford prepare to be whisked away to other worlds full of Hobbits, Orcs and parallel universes!
https://voicemap.me/tour/oxford/literary-legends-and-landmarks-a-fantasy-fiction-tour-of-oxford
- Update frequency
- every 24 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 67
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 46 with Charlie and Chico
Today’s guests are from the Oxford Artisan Distillery and are both leading experts in their field. Master Distiller Francisco Rosa (AKA Chico), and Head of Whisky, Charlie Echlin, talk us through the…
Oxford Lives - Episode 45 with Jeremy Smith
We enjoyed his company so much the first time, we asked him back! This time Jeremy Smith is here to talk about the Oxford music scene, of which he has a vast knowledge, stretching back four decades. …
Oxford Lives - Episode 44 with Tinashe Mushakavanhu
Today on Oxford Lives we interview academic and writer Tinashe Mushakavanhu. Tinashe is a Junior Research Fellow in African & Comparative Literature at St Anne's College, here in Oxford. In a fascina…
Oxford Lives - Episode 43 with Jeremy Smith
Oxford Pub Special – The Bear, Turf Tavern, Kings Arms. Oxford is blessed with an array of historical pubs, blending tradition, atmosphere, sumptuous ales, and some fantastic stories. Here, real ale …
Oxford Lives - Episode 42 with Melanie Clarke-Jacques.
INSPECTOR MORSE SPECIAL – In this latest episode of Oxford Lives, we discuss all things Inspector Morse with Oxford’s resident Morse expert, Melanie Clarke-Jacques. Intrinsic to the novels and TV sho…
Oxford Lives - Episode 41 with Patrick McGuinness
Our latest guest is academic, critic, novelist, poet and author of Real Oxford, Patrick McGuinness. The book is a tour de force of travel writing which sheds light on the Oxford behind the picture po…
Oxford Lives - Episode 40 with Julia Cameron
Today's edition of Oxford Lives is an interview with writer and publisher, Julia Cameron. Julia has produced a remarkable guide to Oxford, from the viewpoint of a cat. Specifically, Julia's cat - Sim…
Oxford Lives - Episode 39 with Craig Simmons
In this episode of Oxford Lives, we talk to former Lord Mayor Craig Simmons about his time in office, his years as a councillor representing the Green Party, and his work as a sustainability consulta…
Oxford Lives - Episode 38 with Jeremy Allen and Lee Woodward
Host Jeremy Allen and Lee Woodward talk about their new theatre project, Analyse Thou, a Zoom-based drama that puts Shakespearean characters on the therapist’s couch. This original piece of work has …
Oxford Lives - Episode 37 with Korky Paul
Korky Paul is a world-famous children’s book illustrator whose Winnie the Witch series has sold millions of copies all around the world. In a highly engaging interview, Korky reflects on his childhoo…
Oxford Lives - Episode 36 with Dr Mary Miller
Dr Mary Miller is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine, specialising in end-of-life care. Mary qualified from University College Cork in 1988 and has practised around the work, coming to Oxford in 199…
Oxford Lives - Episode 35 with Anand Menon
Anand Menon is Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College Londin and director of UK in a Changing Europe, an initiative promoting independent research into UK-EU relations. …
Oxford Lives - Episode 34 with Sinead Leach
What is the Census? How did it evolve? What is all that information used for? And why is it so important we complete it? Here Census Engagement Manager Sinead Leach tells us everything we need to kno…
Oxford Lives - Episode 33 with Tim Wraith
Tim Wraith is Corporate Partnerships Manager for Sobell House. But he’s more than that. Much more. Tim is a true force for good in our community, uniting individuals and organisations in the common c…
Oxford Lives - Episode 32 with Richard O Smith
In this latest edition of Oxford Lives we welcome back author and comedian, Richard O Smith. Richard is here to talk about three new projects he’s been involved in, each with a distinctly Oxford flav…
Oxford Lives - Episode 31 with Chris Heap
In 1971, Chris Heap moved from the riot-torn streets of Derry to the tranquillity of Oxford. Here he talks about growing up in a city dominated by the car industry and dwells at length on the glory d…
Oxford Lives - Episode 30 with Jane Cranston
Today we talk to Jane Cranston, Chair of Oxford Homeless Movement. Homelessness has been a growing problem in Oxfordshire over recent years, due to a variety of factors, many of which Jane outlines h…
Oxford Lives - Episode 29 with Alasdair de Voil
Today’s guest is a familiar sight for regular visitors to the centre of Oxford. His name is Alasdair de Voil, but you will probably know him as The Mad Hatter. Here, Alasdair talks about his lively c…
Oxford Lives - Episode 28 with Graeme Fry
Welcome back to Oxford Lives- in Lockdown! It’s been a while since our last outing, so here we launch a series of fresh interviews with fascinating Oxonians via video platform du jour,Zoom. We start …
Oxford Lives - Episode 27 with Larry Sanders
Larry Sanders is a living legend. New York born and raised, Larry moved to Oxford fifty years ago and can now safely call himself an Oxonian. Health Spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wa…