Lives Less Ordinary

BBC World Service

4.7 (108)
PERSONAL JOURNALS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you ever locked eyes with a stranger and wondered, "What’s their story?" Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Extraordinary stories from around the world.

6 DAYS AGO

The sports scandal scoop that almost destroyed me

In 1998 Finnish journalist Johanna Aatsalo uncovered a huge news story: a member of the much-revered Finnish cross-country ski team had taken banned substances. After six months' intense investigation Johanna published her findings, and within just a few hours the backlash began. Johanna even received death threats. Because she wouldn't reveal her sources she was also taken to court and found guilty of defamation, but Johanna didn’t give up. Instead, she started a fight that would continue for the next 14 years. Presenter: Helena Merriman Producers: Emilia Jansson and Andrea Kennedy Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

40 min
NOV 11

Saved by goats after my fall from the sacred mountain

When he slid off a 40-metre cliff in the jungle, Morgan Segui thought he was sure to die. Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food; that is the rule that every mountaineer knows by heart. For Morgan Segui, a French acrobat-turned-explorer, he knew it meant his chances of survival were vanishingly small. He lay at the bottom of a dry gorge in the Timorese jungle of South Asia, miles from help, after taking a dramatic fall which broke several bones and left a huge gash to his head. Dazed and without water, he spent three days and nights on the jungle floor trying to cling to life. Until, astonishingly, a herd of goats came to his rescue. Morgan's written a book about his ordeal: Cinq Jours au Timor, published in French by Premier Parallèle. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Edgar Maddicott Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

42 min
NOV 4

Looking for my son for 58 years, part 2

Bestselling writer Lesley Pearse never stopped looking for her son. An agent once told Lesley Pearse to "write what you know", but her own story is more extraordinary than any of her bestselling novels. In this, the second episode of two, Lesley makes a selfless decision on behalf of her baby son Warren, and spends the six decades that follow searching for him. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Laura Thomas & Edgar Maddicott Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

23 min
OCT 28

Looking for my son for 58 years, part 1

Bestselling writer Lesley Pearse's own story is wilder than any romance. An agent once told Lesley Pearse to "write what you know", but her own story is more extraordinary than any of her bestselling novels. In this, the first episode of two, we follow her from playground storyteller to lost teenage girl in 1960s London, to brave single mum determined to go it alone. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Laura Thomas & Edgar Maddicott Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

29 min
OCT 20

The Wicker Man: Learning to love the film that broke us

Dominic and Justin Hardy were young boys when their father, the director Robin Hardy, began a gruelling and obsessive quest to make The Wicker Man. Now the film is regarded as a masterpiece and beloved by fans across the world, but when it was first released in 1973, it was a major flop. The fallout for the Hardy family was painful, tearing them apart. It would take many decades, a bundle of lost letters and another burning effigy for Dominic and Justin to finally come to terms with the past – and this iconic movie. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Maryam Maruf Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

45 min
OCT 17

Trailer: World of Secrets: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods

Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed – former owner of one of the most famous shops in the world – is accused of rape and attempted rape by women who worked for him. For the full investigation, search for World of Secrets wherever you get your BBC podcasts. This is a story of power and control at the very top of British society. At the time of many of the alleged attacks, Mohamed Al Fayed was the owner of London’s luxury department store Harrods, and also the iconic Ritz Paris hotel and English football club Fulham FC. The BBC heard testimony of over 20 women. Harrods has condemned Al Fayed’s actions “in the strongest terms” and has told the BBC that “as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.” Harrods says the organisation is different today to the one owned by Al Fayed, and it “seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”

3 min
OCT 13

"He counted 3, 2, 1 – then stabbed me in the heart"

Kieran Quinlan was on his way to a party when a man with a knife attacked him. Kieran Quinlan was an aspiring boxer living in his hometown of Birmingham in the UK. When he was 17 he was on the bus heading to a party when a man confronted him. The man counted down: 3, 2, 1 – before stabbing Kieran through his lung and into his heart. Kieran should have died that night. But instead he survived, spending the next decade rebuilding his life, transforming his body and his mind in the process. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: May Cameron Editor: Munazza Khan Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

41 min
OCT 6

The US’s first black astronaut trainee reaches space at 90

In May 2024, 90-year-old Ed Dwight Jr. from Kansas City, Missouri travelled to the edge of space – he was an honoured guest in the Blue Origin rocket. His trip was 60 years overdue. Ed had been chosen by President John F Kennedy to be the first African-American astronaut at a time when racism was rife and segregation a reality. But JFK’s plans for Ed were scuppered – and Ed had to pick himself up and build a whole new career. Please be aware that this episode contains outdated racial language that may offend. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

41 min

See All (139)

4.7

out of 5

108 Ratings

Excellent Podcast

Oct 19

UrbanTreefrog

There are so many stories that give one hope and faith in humanity. Thank you!
Excellent podcast

Apr 15

annsonline

This is one of my top three favourite podcasts – and I regularly listen to more than 20 of them. The presentation is tight and extremely well done and the subject matter is varied and unfailingly interesting. I recommended this to several people and they all love it.
Excellent podcast

2022-11-14

Janet Parks

Never disappoints. I learn so much about human resilience, tenacity, courage, love, kindness and what we are all capable of overcoming no matter what. Thanks for doing the work needed to produce this podcast.
It has potential

2023-12-15

Rightsideout

I really appreciate the topics chosen and the people who’s stories are being told. However, presenter Mobeen desperately needs to develop his interview skills - he needs to learn some trauma informed practices and ask open ended questions that don’t begin with his expectation of the answer.

Have you ever locked eyes with a stranger and wondered, "What’s their story?" Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Extraordinary stories from around the world.