Oxford Lives
63 episodes Last Updated: Jun 24, 25
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
Episodes
In this special edition of Oxford Lives we team up with Curious Minds for a panel discussion on the subject of Murder Mysteries. The discussion features many of Oxford's top crime writers: Colin Wade (Murder at the Manor, The Devil's Code), Steve Lunn (The Price of Doormice), Jaquii John (Matilda's Magical Tails, Evie the Brave and her Sidekick Cleo co-written with Paul Blake), Jake Lynch (Blood on the Stone), and Annabel McGoldrick (Mind Over Murder, co-written with Jake Lynch). In the first part we focus on the craft of putting together a crime fiction novel. Is there a formula? Can you deviate from that formula? How do you make the novel stand out in an overcrowded market? Part two to follow. https://colinwade.com/ hrrps://www.stevelunn.net/ https://jacquiijohnauthor.com/ https://www.jakelynch.co.uk/ https://emdr-therapy-oxford.com/about/ https//colinwade.com/oxford-independent-authors-group/
May 08, 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 61 with Jake Lynch
Today's guest is journalist, academic, novelist, and poet, Jake Lynch. In a varied career, Jake has been Sydney Correspondent for The Independent, Political Correspondent for Sky News, and BBC World Television newsreader. He is also a leading advocate for Peace Journalism, recently winning the Luxembourg Peace Prize. His two novels are both whodunnits: Blood on the Stone, set in 17th century Oxford, and Mind Over Murder (co-authored with wife Annabel McGoldrick), a detective story set in contemporary Oxford. Here to tell us about the many strands of his career, and how he splits his time between Oxford and Sydney, Jake certainly has some compelling points to make. https://www.jakelynch.co.uk
May 05, 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 60 with Sharron Jenkinson
Today we talk to archivist for the Oxford Welsh Male Voice, Sharron Jenkinson. It’s a fascinating story of talent, tradition, and brotherhood, borne out of Welsh migration to the city in the Great Depression. The Choir is still going strong to this day and will shortly be celebrating its centenary. We also talk to Sharron about her life as an historian, teacher, schools’ manager and the range of fascinating projects she is still involved in. Links: Oxford Male Voice Choir www.oxfordwelshmvc.org.uk https://oxfordwelshmvc.org.uk/see/ https://www.steventonhistory.co.uk/
Apr 25, 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 59 with JC Niala
Today's episode of Oxford Lives feateres writer, poet, storyteller, historian and social anthropologist, JC Niala. With a career spanning cities and continents, JC NIala has a vast experience in multiple art forms and specialises in cultural preservation. JC currently serves as the Head of Research, Teaching, and collections at the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford. Links: Oxford Male Voice Choir www.oxfordwelshmvc.org.uk History of science museum www.hsm.ox.ac.uk
Today’s guest is Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at the School of Geography and the Environment, here at the University of Oxford. Danny has published (with colleagues) more than a dozen books on social inequalities in Britain and several hundred journal papers. His work concerns issues of housing, health, employment, education and poverty. Danny is currently attached to St Peter’s College in Oxford. Prepare for some fascinating insights. Link: https://www.dannydorling.org/
Feb 03, 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 57 with Dr Jim Holt
In the latest edition of Oxford Lives we interview Dr Jim Holt, retired consultant physician and former Director of Studies at Oxford Medical School. Dr Holt has spent most of his professional life in Oxford and has seen vast changes in medical practice. On the eve of his ninetieth birthday, Dr Holt reflects on his long and varied career and provides some forthright opinions on government health policies. We also learn about his time as a Fellow of Linacre College and how he had a substantial role in the setting up of Green College. Essential listening.
Jan 17, 2025
Oxford Lives - Episode 56 with Marcus Rees
In this Episode of Oxford LIves we talk to writer, tour guide and wine aficionado, Marcus Rees. In a packed interview, we cover Marcus's student days at Jesus college, his early trips to French vineyards, and discuss his latest book Oxfordshire Uncorked - A guide to the vineyards of Oxfordshire and North Cotswolds. As well as giving us a whirlwind tutorial in how to develop one's palate, Marcus explains how climate change is creating an environment more conducive to wine making in the UK. A fascinating listen.
This episode of Oxford Lives features Julie Kleeman and Yeshi Jampa, who run the fabulous Taste Tibet restaurant in Easy Oxford and can currently be seen selling their exquisite cuisine all over the festival circuit. Here we learn about their backgrounds, how they met, early days in Gloucester Green market, success on the festival scene, and how everything came together during the pandemic with the opening of their already legendary restaurant. We also discuss their new cookbook, which has received rave reviews from such culinary gurus as Ken Hom. Prepare for your mouth to water.
Jun 07, 2024
Oxford Lives - Episode 54 with Nigel Ewers
New College was founded in 1379 by master mason William of Wykeham as a self-contained institution to quarantine and train priests at the time of the Black Death. As well as being one of the first Oxford colleges to take undergraduates and to appoint tutors to teach them, New College was the first in Oxford to be deliberately designed around a main quadrangle and still maintains many of its ancient features. In today's episode we talk to former Assistant Catering Services Manager and Butler to the Wardens, Nigel Ewers. Nigel retired in 2018 but was then reinstated as Visitor Liaison Officer and is a familiar sight to Oxford residents with his affable manner and fascinating anecdotes. We also talk to Nigel about his compelling life story and what drew him to the city in the first place.
May 14, 2024
Oxford Lives - Episode 53 with Malcolm Graham
Oxford Covered market 250th Anniversay Special with Malcolm Graham The Covered Market is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary. From its origins as a meat market built to declutter the bloodied city streets to a thriving community hub and tourist hot spot, John Gwynn's 18th century classic still occupies a pivotal spot in Oxford life. Here to talk about the evolution of the market and to reflect upon his own evolution as a popular local historian, Malcolm Graham joins us on this commemorative edition of the show.