logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
28m 50s

The Reluctant Hero

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode
<p>Husband and father, Larry O’Brien, loved the freedom his job as a long-distance lorry driver gave him. But on March 6th 1987, that freedom was almost lost in the horror of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, in which almost 200 people lost their lives. Larry – who could not swim – risked his own life to pull 30 people to safety. Almost 40 years later, Larry t ... Show More
Up next
Jul 7
Introducing Half-Life from The History Podcast
Reading his great-grandfather's memoir, Joe Dunthorne discovers a disturbing confession 
14m 14s
Jun 2025
The Vicar of Bray's Daughter
In her early twenties Carol Cairns, the daughter of a priest in Ireland, had a passionate affair with a young bohemian poet called Benedict Ryan. In the Dublin of the 1960s, their improbable partnership burned bright but briefly. Somehow the gap in their backgrounds was too great ... Show More
28m 57s
Jun 2025
The Singing Bus Driver
Phillip Browne was born into a large and loving Windrush generation family in Birmingham. Church and singing were an important part of his upbringing, and when he struggled at school it was singing that gave him an escape and a status. But just as he was beginning to show signs o ... Show More
29 m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 29
Special: Real Life Heroes
Original Air Date: April 4, 2007. Oprah honors extraordinary everyday people who showed incredible courage in moments of crisis. She speaks with Rachel Supplee, who survived a bear attack, and her daughter Daphne, who fought the bear to save her. Alena Yokum recounts being trappe ... Show More
34m 8s
Apr 2020
Ryan Hart: Champion of the World
The true story of Ryan Hart, who beat homelessness and became arguably the greatest fighting game champion of all time.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving and inspiring tru ... Show More
27m 26s
Oct 13
The escape from Vietnam that tore my family apart
In the chaos of the helicopter evacuation from Saigon in April 1975, Doan Hoàng Curtis' sister was somehow left behind. It would haunt her family for years. Doan was just three years old when her family made it onto one of the last helicopters to leave Saigon as troops from the c ... Show More
42m 27s
Jul 2024
Is John Deere the WOKEST American Company?! | POPlitics Live
Alex’s friend, Robby Starbuck, whistleblows on John Deere, shockingly exposing them to be one of the wokest companies in America. JFK’s grandson, self-proclaimed “silly goose” and hot zaddy is the new political corespondent at VOGUE. Katy Perry faces intense backlash from her ext ... Show More
47m 20s
Mar 2024
Ken Loach
Ken Loach is one of the greatest film directors of all time and a true British icon. He is known for his powerful, socially engaged films including ‘I Daniel Blake’, which won him a BAFTA for outstanding British film. At 87 years old, Ken’s career spans nearly six decades and his ... Show More
38m 57s
May 2020
Jim: Fight, Flight or Freeze
Since childhood, Jim has suffered from a terrifying form of psychosis. In 2017, a game called Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice helped him come to terms with it. Jim tells us his story and meets with the game's developers: actor Melina Juergens and director Tameem Antoniades.Aoife Wil ... Show More
27m 39s
Apr 2020
Charlie Brooker: My Life in Video Games
Charlie Brooker chats to Aoife and Julia about the video game he almost made, his digital testicles and the games that changed his life.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving ... Show More
20m 40s
Apr 2020
Abdullah: Escape in an Oil Barrel
The astonishing true story of Abdullah, who risked his life to escape the Syrian Civil War and then made a video game about it.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving and inspi ... Show More
37m 42s
Apr 2024
70. Un bébé sauvé des eaux
INÉDIT - Stéphanie, une jeune femme en difficulté, accouche de son fils Andrew. Alors qu'elle se trouve à la plage avec des amies, la voiture dans laquelle Andrew a été laissé accidentellement se met à rouler vers le lac. Un homme plonge dans l'eau pour sauver le bébé, qui miracu ... Show More
18m 9s
Jul 2020
A Father's Grief
Kate and Sam lost their beautiful baby girl, Wren just six days after she was born. Their grief is shared, but their experiences quite different. This episode covers the loss of a baby through a father's eyes.Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some p ... Show More
35m 53s