Lauren Laverne talks to Ian Wright in an episode first broadcast in 2020.Ian Wright is a former professional footballer and now a football pundit on TV and radio. He began his career at Crystal Palace before moving to Arsenal where he became their highest goal scorer of all time, a record only surpassed eight years later by Thierry Henry.Born to a Jamaican couple in south-east London, Ian grew up with his mother and step-father. His biological father had left the family when Ian was under two years old. Things at home were difficult and Ian spent as much time as possible outside playing football.At his primary school a teacher, Mr Pigden, took him under his wing and Ian would later credit him with changing his life. He left his secondary school at the age of 14 to get a job. Although he took part in trials for many professional football clubs as a teenager, he was never selected. He continued to play for amateur sides. By the age of 21, he had three children to provide for, so when Crystal Palace came calling in 1985, he turned them down three times before accepting a two-week trial, followed by a three-month contract. His football career had finally begun.After impressing as a forward at Palace, he was bought by Arsenal for a record fee in 1991. He was called up to the England squad the same year and would go on to collect 33 caps. He spent his last couple of years in professional football at a number of clubs around the country and in total, he played 581 league games, scoring 387 goals for seven clubs in England and Scotland. Since his retirement from football in 2000, he has had a career as a pundit on both TV and radio.He has eight children and has been happily married to his second wife, Nancy, since 2011.DISC ONE: The Marriage of Figaro: Duettino - Sull'aria by Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, composed by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart DISC TWO: Looking For You by Kirk Franklin DISC THREE: River Deep Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner DISC FOUR: Redemption Song by Bob Marley & The Wailers DISC FIVE: Mysteries of the World by MSFB DISC SIX: Endlessly by Randy Crawford DISC SEVEN: Crown by Stormzy DISC EIGHT: Just Fine by Mary J BligeBOOK CHOICE: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon LUXURY ITEM: A seven iron golf club and golf balls CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Endlessly by Randy CrawfordPresenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Cathy Drysdale

Lauren Laverne talks to Dr Nicola Fox in a programme first broadcast in 2023. Dr Nicky Fox is only the second woman to hold the post of Head of Science at NASA since the agency was founded in 1958. She has responsibility for around a hundred missions which are investigating the mysteries of outer space. These missions are tackling questions such as how do hurricanes form and are we alone in the universe.Nicky was born in Hitchin in Hertfordshire and her father introduced her to the wonders of space when she was just a few months old. In 1969 he lifted her out of her cot to watch the television coverage of the Apollo 11 mission when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Nicky’s enduring fascination with the cosmos led her to study physics at Imperial College in London.After completing her PhD she took up a post-doctoral fellowship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland. In 2010 she became the project scientist for the Parker Solar Probe, humanity’s first mission to a star, which launched in 2018 and is still flying through the sun’s atmosphere collecting data. Recently she oversaw the Osiris-Rex mission which brought back the first asteroid samples from deep space.In 2021 Nicky was awarded the American Astronautical Society’s Carl Sagan Memorial Award for her leadership in the field of Heliophysics.DISC ONE: The Best – Tina Turner DISC TWO: Livin’ On A Prayer - Bon Jovi DISC THREE: Lara’s Theme - MGM Studio Orchestra, composed and conducted by Maurice Jarre DISC FOUR: Danny Boy - Andy Williams DISC FIVE: When You Know - Shawn Colvin DISC SIX: (Reach Up for the) Sunrise - Duran Duran DISC SEVEN: Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day DISC EIGHT: Canyon Moon - Harry StylesBOOK CHOICE: Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan LUXURY ITEM: Lego CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green DayPresenter Lauren Laverne Producer Paula McGinley

Steven Spielberg is the most successful director of his generation and the highest-grossing director of all time: his films have taken more than $10 billion worldwide. From Jaws to E.T. and Jurassic Park to Schindler’s List, his storytelling has captivated audiences around the world.Steven grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where he started making films as a young boy. In 1958 he made a short Western which won him a Boy Scout merit badge. He screened it to his entire Scout troop and their laughter and applause got him hooked on film making.In 1971 he directed a television movie called Duel about a motorist who is pursued by a murderous truck driver. The film attracted good reviews from critics, and before the age of 30, Steven had directed his first global hit: Jaws grossed $471 million worldwide and is credited as heralding the arrival of the blockbuster era. He now says Jaws was ‘a free pass into my future.’He has won three Academy Awards, and has received eight nominations for best director. The Fabelmans, his most recent film, is a semi-fictionalised account of his own coming of age, drawing on his film-making experiences as a child.Steven is married to the actor Kate Capshaw, who starred in his film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and they have seven children.DISC ONE: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance by Gene Pitney DISC TWO: Fugue in G minor, BMW 578 – “The Little” arranged by Leopold Stokowski, composed by J.S Bach, performed by Philadelphia Orchestra and conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin DISC THREE: Michelle by The Beatles DISC FOUR: What the World Needs Now Is Love by Jackie DeShannon DISC FIVE: Come Fly with Me by Frank Sinatra DISC SIX: The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen DISC SEVEN: Somewhere, composed by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, performed by Reri Grist DISC EIGHT: Coolhand by Buzzy LeeBOOK CHOICE: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck LUXURY ITEM: H-8 Bolex camera CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Coolhand by Buzzy LeePresenter Lauren Laverne Producer Paula McGinley

Steven Knight, the mastermind behind Peaky Blinders, shares insights from his diverse career as a screenwriter and producer. He reflects on his Birmingham upbringing, emphasizing the role of music and storytelling in shaping his creativity. Knight discusses his journey from writing radio ads to creating iconic shows, including the global hit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? He candidly explores the spontaneous nature of writing and the emotional connections tied to significant songs, all while highlighting the importance of community in the arts.

Mark Knopfler, co-founder of Dire Straits and renowned musician, shares insightful anecdotes from his journey. He discusses his unique songwriting approach, shaped by family influences and early struggles. Knopfler reflects on the demanding life of touring, emphasizing the intimate connection musicians have with their audience. He humorously examines fame's quirks, including a dinosaur named after him. The conversation concludes with his personal picks for island life, featuring a favorite book and a beloved guitar.

Sarah Raven, one of Britain’s renowned gardeners and an author, dives into her journey from medicine to cultivating a passion for plants. She shares nostalgic childhood memories tied to family and nature, revealing how grief influenced her path. Sarah discusses the art of container gardening, likening plant arrangements to weddings, and reflects on her evolution from a kitchen table start-up to a successful business. A delightful blend of music and memory highlights the emotional ties between gardening and well-being, showcasing the transformative power of nature.

In this captivating conversation, David Nicholls, acclaimed writer of the bestseller 'One Day,' shares his creative journey. He reflects on the emotional complexities of storytelling, blending joy and sadness in his narratives. Nicholls discusses the profound influence of music on his writing and the transformative power of personal experiences. From his transition from acting to authorship, he reveals how formative encounters shaped his career. With anecdotes about love, family, and the inspirations behind his works, this chat is a rich tapestry of creativity.

Errollyn Wallen, a groundbreaking composer from Belize, discusses her remarkable journey in classical music. She shares her emotional connections to key pieces like Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and reflects on her childhood influences. Wallen opens up about the personal struggles she faced, including body image and mental health, and how these shaped her art. She passionately addresses the importance of cultural ownership in music and advocates for accessibility in the classical scene while also cherishing the solitude and creativity found in her lighthouse home.

Rob Delaney, the talented comedian and writer behind 'Catastrophe,' shares his journey of balancing humor and tragedy. He delves into the impact of his son Henry's brain tumor diagnosis on his creative process and how writing became a vital outlet for grief. Rob discusses the therapeutic power of comedy, his childhood in Marblehead, and the complexities of family relationships. He also reflects on the joy of surrendering to life's imperfections, highlighting music's role in shaping identity and healing.

Professor Patricia Wiltshire is a forensic ecologist specializing in palynology, having worked with every police force in Britain. She discusses her groundbreaking role in solving high-profile cases, such as the Soham murders, by analyzing pollen evidence. Patricia shares captivating stories from her early life that shaped her resilience and love for botany. With a touch of humor, she reflects on unique dating experiences involving lichens and explores her dream of surviving on a remote island, highlighting the essential music and items she would bring.