
Different with Nicky Campbell
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2023 • 44min
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 about meeting him, her career as a model, what it was like to be married to a Beatle and how George and Eric remained friends. Tony is a retired record promoter who worked closely with the Rolling Stones, Elton John and the Beatles, and we find out what John Lennon said really happened between him and Brian Epstein WARNING: This episode contains references to sex and substance abuse. Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Ailsa Rochester

May 30, 2023 • 52min
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 thinks perfect health is on its way. WARNING:This episode contains adult themes.Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Ailsa Rochester

May 23, 2023 • 40min
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 rules on where he could sit. He and Nicky discuss how much of the bible was meant to be taken literally, why people are drawn to men with big beards and white robes and why a non religious life can still be sacred. WARNING this episode contains mild bad language. Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Ailsa Rochester

May 16, 2023 • 34min
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 think you’re moments from death, and his long road to recovery.WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of accident and injury, and a discussion on assisted dying and suicidal thoughts.
Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Ailsa Rochester

May 9, 2023 • 44min
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

May 2, 2023 • 37min
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 contains bad languageProduced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Ailsa Rochester

Apr 25, 2023 • 42min
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. Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Rob Green

Apr 18, 2023 • 37min
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 Meek
Sound: Rob Green

Apr 11, 2023 • 36min
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, self harm and the occultProduced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Rob Green

Apr 4, 2023 • 35min
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 to diagnose with her nose.Produced by Audio Always
Producer: Ailsa Rochester
Editor: Jo Meek
Sound: Rob Green