Why is Madonna one of the most controversial pop stars of all time? Before cancel culture and social media outrage, Madonna was already at the centre of America's biggest culture wars. Hosts Kai and Emmanuel sit down with writer and Scamfluencers host Scaachi Koul to explore Madonna's most defining controversies, from Like a Prayer to the infamous Sex book, and reveal how she turned feminism, sexuality, and provocation into cultural power. A must-listen for fans of pop history, music, and feminism.

Connect with the team! 
Follow our hosts Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi
Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn or X 
Follow BBC Podcasts on YouTube and Instagram

Why is Madonna one of the most controversial pop stars of all time? Before cancel culture and social media outrage, Madonna was already at the centre of America's biggest culture wars. Hosts Kai and Emmanuel sit down with writer and Scamfluencers host Scaachi Koul to explore Madonna's most defining controversies, from Like a Prayer to the infamous Sex book, and reveal how she turned feminism, sexuality, and provocation into cultural power. A must-listen for fans of pop history, music, and feminism.
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Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.

Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure — from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda — and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. 

After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart.

The Guardian: "A smart and chatty show"

The Telegraph: "Presenters sift wittily through the BBC archive"

Listen ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Sign up on the Big Lives show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. Subscribe to BBC on Apple Podcasts and on BBC.com.

Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.
Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure &mdash; from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda &mdash; and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape.&nbsp; After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart.
The Guardian: "A smart and chatty show"
The Telegraph: "Presenters sift wittily through the BBC archive"
Listen ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Sign up on the Big Lives show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. Subscribe to BBC on Apple Podcasts and on BBC.com.

Big Lives

Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture.
Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure — from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda — and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. 

After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart. 

From Pushkin Industries and BBC Studios, Big Lives drops new episodes on Mondays.

Every legend has a twist. From pop culture icons to music and comedy greats, award-winning journalists Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to unpick the story behind the icons who shape our culture. Each week on Big Lives, Kai and Emmanuel take an iconic figure &mdash; from musical trailblazers like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to stars of the screen like Richard Pryor, Meg Ryan and Jane Fonda &mdash; and dissect their lives. Join them as they see these icons in a new light, uncover deep cuts from the BBC's archive, and learn how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape.&nbsp; After all, you can't understand today's culture until you understand the icons who built it. Smart, curious, and full of heart.&nbsp; From Pushkin Industries and BBC Studios, Big Lives drops new episodes on Mondays.

How Madonna Started a Culture War

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