PODCAST · society
Different with Nicky Campbell
by BBC Radio 5 Live
What does it mean to be different? Is it how we think? Or how we act? In this BBC podcast, Nicky Campbell explores just that with guests who are extraordinarily different.
Episodes
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Our Day in Court: The Brownlee Trial
At school Nicky, along with many other pupils of Edinburgh Academy, was the victim of vicious abuse from teacher John Brownlee. Nicky didn’t think Brownlee’s crimes would ever be answered, but in March 2024, they went to court. John Brownlee is 89 and was declared unfit to stand trial, instead an...
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AI Ghosts
Jarren Rocks tells Nicky about creating Seance AI, a programme that allows us to speak to people we have lost. They discuss the rise of grief tech - how it can be a great tool to helpfully grieve, but also it's dangers. They discuss dystopian futures v utopian futures, how AI can change…
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A Dad's Revenge Killing
Jody Plauché joins Nicky to tell him a remarkable story of survival, revenge and family. At 11 Jody was groomed then kidnapped by his karate teacher Jeff Doucet, an America wide manhunt ensued and Jody’s attacker was apprehended, and Jody returned home safely. But the story didn’t end there…
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Despite - Radio Times Moment of the Year Nominee
In the first series of Different Nicky spoke to journalist Alex Renton about the abuse that he saw and experienced at his school, the Edinburgh Academy, in the 1970s. Since the episode, ‘Edgar’ was published, many more victims have come forward, and the case against the alleged living abuser...
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A Trans Dad’s Experience
Journalist Freddy McConnell sits down with Nicky to talk about making his documentary Seahorse, how the trans conversation has changed in the UK and why he tried to get the law changed so he could be on his children's birth certificates as parent or father. Produced by Audio Always Producer…
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Celebrity Surgeon Scam
Benita Alexander is an Emmy winning NBC journalist who was sent to interview a surgeon to the stars. Dr Paulo Macchiarini was rumoured to be up for a Nobel prize and his groundbreaking trachea surgery was changing medicine. Within a year Benita and Paulo were engaged and he arranged a star…
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Scientific Ghostbuster
Noah Leigh is an epidemiologist by day, with an unusual hobby: he runs not-for-profit the Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee. PIM use scientific methods to catalogue people’s experiences with ghosts, poltergeists and everything in between. He tells Nicky why science and the paranormal don’t…
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Rwandan Genocide - 30 Years Later
Consolee Nishimwe was 14 when the civil unrest in Rwanda reached boiling point, Consolee’s father and three younger brothers were murdered, and she was kidnapped for being Tutsi, held and tortured for 3 months. When the genocide ended Consolee returned to school, and many of the perpetrators...
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Against Adoption
When Arun Dohle was weeks old he was adopted by a wealthy German couple, who took him from his home country of India. As an adult he began a search for his parents which lead to a battle in the Bombay High Court, an estrangement with his adoptive parents and the founding of ACT - Against Child...
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Evangelical Christian to Science Writer
When author Tracy King was 12 her father was killed on the streets of their Midlands council estate, this lead her family to be further seduced by born-again Christianity and her being exorcised when her trauma was misdiagnosed as “demons”. She tells Nicky how a second hand copy of a book by...
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Is our world real?
Nicky talks to Dr Melvin Vopson as Associate Professor in Physics at the University of Portsmouth. Melvin explains why he believes things like nature's symmetry and quantum physics point to our reality being a simulation - and whether information is the fifth state of matter. Produced by Audio...
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Serving Time
Author, ex East End gangster and convicted murderer meets Nicky to tell him about surviving prison, how the justice system needs to change and why she’s innocent of the murder she served 15 years behind bars for, but guilty of an armed raid on a Post Office. Nicky and Linda discuss the standard…
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The Female of the Species
Author and evolutionary biologist Lucy Cooke tells Nicky what the world of science got wrong because it was looking at the world through a patriarchal lens. From the amazing bonobo apes bonding through sapphic intimacy, to the menopausal whales leading their pods, to ducks evolving to choose…
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Dippy: Unmasked
Dr Anna Colton tells Nicky about her work assessing potential reality TV contestants for shows like The Voice and My Mum, Your Dad. They talk about red flags, the effects of appearing on a reality TV show and Nicky explores his joyful experience as Dippy Egg on the Masked Singer and what the lead...
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The Man with No Fear
Jordy Cernik was an up and coming TV and radio presenter when a rare disease called Cushing Syndrome started wreaking havoc on his life. After a string of life or death brain surgeries Jordy was left with one unexpected symptom - he is physically unable to feel fear. He told Nicky about jumping…
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A Survivor Changes the Law
WARNING this episode contains strong language and descriptions of sexual violence. Suzy Angus tells Nicky how she joined forces with two other women to fight the law of corroboration - a law previously described as the “cornerstone” of Scottish justice. Suzy tells Nicky why the law meant there…
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The Orgasm Teacher
Holistic sex educator and tantric yoga teacher Jenny Keane meets Nicky to chat misconceptions about sex, being a sex educator in Ireland and why sex education matters. Warning: This episode contains adult conversations about sex.
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The Barber of Old New York
Nicky meets Joseph Paris, a man who spent several decades making wigs for Frank Sinatra. He tells Nicky what kind of man Frank was, what New York was like in the 70’s, which famous band Sinatra chased out of a Vegas steam room…And Nicky writes a swing song for Joe in the style of the late, great...
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Different Selection Box
A New Year selection box including… Nicky’s conversation with Tony King, promoter to some of the most famous bands ever - including Queen and the Beatles. A trip to Zara the dominatrix’s dungeon to explore why people pay for pain. A daring tale of crime and adventure - David McMillan recounts his...
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The Elf Whisperer
Nicky Campbell meets Elf Whisperer Bryndis Bryndis Fjóla Pètursdóttir, who describes herself as a seer and horticulturalist. She talks to Nicky about the hidden people and elves that dwell in the garden, a widespread and common belief in Iceland. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester...
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My Father the Terrorist
Zak Ebrahim was 7 when his father went to prison, initially for the attempted assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane, while there it was discovered he had helped plan the 1993 World Trade Centre Bombing, alongside men like the Blind Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman. Now Zak speaks about his experiences,...
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Born into a Cult
Katy Morgan-Davies was born in a nondescript house in Lambeth in London, but thirty years later the world would discover she, and the other occupants in the house, were anything but ordinary. Katy was born into a strict communist-Maoist cult, didn’t know who her parents were, wasn’t allowed to…
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"Edgar": An Investigation
Nicky first spoke about the abuse he witnessed and suffered at Edinburgh Academy on this podcast, now more than a year later Panorama has released an investigation into Iain Wares - at one point known only as the pseudonym “Edgar” - the teacher accused by multiple victims of abuse over several...
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Laundering for the Cartel
Robert Mazur was once the go-to money launderer for Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel - but it was all a ruse, Robert was undercover and it led to one of the largest money laundering prosecutions in history. He joins Nicky to talk about making friends with ruthless criminals, fear and how more…
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Big Questions
Pastor Clement Okusi, biblical scholar Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou and geneticist Dr Adam Rutherford join Nicky for a far reaching conversation. Asking questions like…where does the bible stand on evolution? Did Jesus exist? Does it matter if he did? Who gets into heaven? And what’s the...
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The Criminal Surgeon
Sarah Jane Downing was a victim of the now imprisoned surgeon Ian Paterson. Ian Paterson specialised in breast cancer operations, and between 1997 and 2011, he subjected more than 1000 patients to unnecessary and damaging surgeries, many of them mastectomies. He's currently serving a 20 year...
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The Iceman Cometh
Wim Hof is an extreme athlete who held the record for swimming under ice, prolonged full body contact with ice and completing a half marathon barefoot on ice and snow. Now an author, tv star and motivational speaker he encourages everyone to embrace the cold - whether it’s wild swimming, cold...
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Hunting Killers
In 1984 college student Angela Samota was found dead in her Texas apartment, her murder went unsolved for more than 30 years. Nicky speaks to Angela’s friend Sheila Wysocki who pressured police into reopening the case and finally finding the killer. Sheila is now a private investigator who…
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Captive
Michael Scott Moore is an American journalist living and working in Berlin - in 2012 he was reporting on the court case of a group of Somali pirates being tried in Germany and planning on writing a book on piracy. He travelled to Somalia where he was taken by pirates and held for the next 2 and...
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A Record Player
This week on Different Nicky meets Tony King, a record promoter who worked with John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury and remains a close friend of Elton John’s. He tells Nicky about working with the most famous people on earth, Studio 54 in its heyday and shopping with Freddy.…
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Something in Her Style
This week on Different Nicky explores the band which changed his life, with two people who were there while the music was being made - Pattie Boyd and Tony King. Pattie Boyd was married to George Harrison, then later Eric Clapton, and George wrote the song "Something" for her. She tells Nicky…
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No Plan to Die
In 2013 Bryan Johnson sold his company to Paypal for $800 million, since then he’s founded two new companies, and began Project Blueprint - the regimen designed to make him live forever. He tells Nicky about his gruelling daily routine, being the most measured man in human history and why he…
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Walking in God’s Sandals
Journalist and author AJ Jacobs tells Nicky about his year long mission to understand the bible better - by following every rule it sets. From not shaving the corners of his beard, to stoning adulterers and having to bring his own camping chair on the subway because of some extremely restrictive...
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Flames in the Cockpit
Jamie Hull had left the SAS when he went to America to train as a pilot - part of his longer plan to work as a commercial airline pilot. In his final weeks of training Jamie took his plane up on a solo flight, where it caught fire. He tells Nicky about jumping from the plane, what it’s like to...
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Psychopathic Behaviour
What’s it like to be a psychopath? Nicky finds out with diagnosed psychopath ME Thomas. They talk about guilt, love and why most serial killers are too emotional to be actual psychopaths. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Ailsa Rochester
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I Found it At Bruce’s
Bruce Findlay ran legendary Edinburgh record story Bruce’s before going on to manage band Simple Minds. He tells Nicky about meeting the biggest names in music, why he and Simple Minds parted company and how his shop was the first in Scotland to sell the Beatles White Album. WARNING: This episode...
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Family Secrets
Nicky talks to Martin Davidson, a historian who discovered as an adult that his Grandfather was a mid ranking SS Officer in the Nazi party - and had joined the party far before Hitler came to power. He and Nicky discuss what he uncovered about the holocaust, recognising evil and family secrets....
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Understanding Evil
Nicky talks to forensic psychiatrist and author Dr Gwen Adshead about working with violent offenders, psychopaths and the dangers of certainty. WARNING: This episode includes discussion of violent crimes, child sexual assault and rape. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo...
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The Deliverance Man
Jason Bray, a minister in the Church of Wales talks about his job as a deliverance minister - explaining why if you think you're possessed you definitely aren’t, where the bible stands on ghosts and why he considers himself a sceptic. WARNING: this episode contains references to mental illness,...
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The Nose
Nicky learns how the power of super-smeller Joy Milne has been harnessed to make a new test to diagnose Parkinson’s. They discuss her ability, how she found out that she had identified the smell of Parkinson's, the other illnesses she can smell and the ethical dilemma that comes with being able…
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The Night Poet
Dream decoder and author Theresa Cheung talks about being homeschooled by a family of spiritualists and astrologers, getting into Cambridge and the red flags to watch out for if you visit a psychic. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green
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Life After North Korea
Seoyhun Lee’s father was one of North Korea’s privileged party members, but when the regime came for their friends the family made the decision to defect. Seoyhun Lee tells Nicky about her best friend's kidnapping by the state, what’s really going on in Pyongyang and life in America. Produced by...
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Unseen Realm
Rhonda McCrimmon explains to Nicky what being a shaman is all about, plays him the drum that takes you into a dream state and explains why Scotland is so tied up with ancient magic. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Craig Edmondson
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Stations of the Mind
Dr Jill Bolte Taylor is an author and neuroanatomist who used her own stroke to better understand how her brain perceives reality. She tells Nicky about that experience, about how her brother’s schizophrenia inspired her to start her career, and they explore which bits of the brain do what.
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Angry Man with a Camera
Nicky talks to Giles Duley, a conflict photographer, chef and founder of the Legacy of War Foundation. Giles lost three limbs when he stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan, where he was embedded with US troops and reporting on the conflict. He tells Nicky about overcoming his injuries and his...
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Despite
In the first series of Different Nicky spoke to journalist Alex Renton about the abuse that he saw and experienced at his school, the Edinburgh Academy, in the 1970s. Since the episode, ‘Edgar’ was published, many more victims have come forward, and the case against the alleged living abuser...
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Modern Men
Richard Reeves tells Nicky about his new book which explores “the male malaise” and investigates whether boys and men are failing at everything from school, to work and relationships. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green
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Escape to the Arctic
Nicky hears what it’s like to quit the rat race in a big way. Gaynor Leeper left her London city life to move to the Arctic Circle and train sled dogs - despite a fear of dogs. They talk about dark mornings, racing sleds and owning 43 dogs. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester…
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Undercover
Ex undercover operative Mubin Shaikh tells Nicky how he became radicalised as a teenager, before changing his views and being recruited by the Canadian government to gather information on terror suspects. He talks de-radicalisation, terror threats and his faith now. Produced by Audio Always...
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Considering The End
Nicky spends time with David Denison who has pancreatic cancer and is now in end of life care. David has been campaigning for assisted dying to be made legal in the UK and believes he should have been allowed the legal right to choose when he dies - without criminalising his partner. He tells…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What does it mean to be different? Is it how we think? Or how we act? In this BBC podcast, Nicky Campbell explores just that with guests who are extraordinarily different.
HOSTED BY
BBC Radio 5 Live
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Different with Nicky Campbell have?
Different with Nicky Campbell currently has 69 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Different with Nicky Campbell about?
What does it mean to be different? Is it how we think? Or how we act? In this BBC podcast, Nicky Campbell explores just that with guests who are extraordinarily different.
How often does Different with Nicky Campbell release new episodes?
Different with Nicky Campbell has 69 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Different with Nicky Campbell?
You can listen to Different with Nicky Campbell on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Different with Nicky Campbell?
Different with Nicky Campbell is created and hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live.
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