Alexander McQueen was one of the most striking, controversial and talented designers of his generation. But how did a taxi driver's son from Lewisham become a four-time 'British Designer of the Year' and attract the following of stars from Lady Gaga to Kate Moss. Join Stephanie Okupniak and authors Andrew Wilson and Dana Thomas to hear the story of the boy who swapped life in a council house for life in the biggest fashion houses in the world. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

Join Stephanie Okupniak as we find out how a preacher's daughter who was raised by the church would go on to become the voice of a generation - and winner of 18 Grammy Awards in a remarkable career which spanned six decades. Documentary film producer Tirrell D. Whitley and newscaster & journalist Evrod Cassimy shine a light on the life of the musical icon. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

The origin story to end them all. Stan Lee's influence on modern culture is unquestionable, but how did a boy who lived in an apartment with one window develop an imagination that would wow the world? Join Stephanie Okupniak to discover how Stan Lee and his comic book creations conquered the world of cinema, one cameo at a time. Sandy Fries explains how it felt to have Stan as a boss and Lee's former colleague Allen Bellman speaks of his early years and the development of his craft. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

Host Stephanie Okupniak goes on a journey with sports journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo to discover what makes football globally tactile and how Diego Maradona transformed the sport into an art. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

Join Stephanie Okupniak to discover how Bill Paxton went from painting sets with James Cameron to starring in the legendary Director's biggest movies. So stop your grinning and drop your linen to spend to time with co-stars Paul Reiser, Mark Rolston and Jenette Goldstein as they share their wonderful stories of Bill, from the bus ride he took to meet his wife to the camaraderie he brought to the set of Aliens. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

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 - herbiejpilato.com/books

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.