A Life Lived

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

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

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 available for purchase.

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

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.

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.

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/9780760379462/betty-white-2nd-edition Herbie J Pilato's book - NBC & Me, My life as a Page in a Book: https://www.herbiejpilato.com/books

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.

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 After His Most Famous Role

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, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes each week.

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 Strong and Leo Fong.  In part two, we take closer a look at how Bruce fought through chronic pain to become one of the first and most successful independent movie makers. 

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 Strong and Leo Fong.  In part one, we find out how a young immigrant would *literally* fight to become a household name. 

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 to the decadent fashion houses of 1950’s Paris - and inside the life of a visionary that changed the industry, one stitch at a time. 

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 Truman Capote - with the help of biographer Charles Shields and author Greg Neri.

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.