Oxford Lives

In today's episode of Oxford Lives we speak to Dr Jon Xue Zhang, a man with a remarkable resume: actor, martial artist, stunt man, psychologist, musician, producer, writer. And that's for starters. Jon is best known as the Iconic Ram Man in the recent Masters of the Universe movie, and the loveable but lethal Blood Boots in the Netflix action-comedy The Brothers Sun. Jon has adapted his martial arts philosophy into a remarkable attitude to life. His unique insights can now be accessed in an inspiring new book, The Martial Heart, a roadmap to positive living. A highly articulate, genial and reflective man, this interview will lift your spirits. Links YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@jon_xue_zhang INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jonxuezhang/?hl=en THE MARTIAL HEART: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Heart-Jon-Xue-Zhang/dp/1715225929 SUBSTACK: https://jonxuezhang.substack.com/  

In today's episode of Oxford Lives, we interview publisher and historian Tony Morris. Tony's most recent books are Buddhism by Numbers and The Morris Oxford Mini-History of Oxford. Tony has produced a groundbreaking blogsite: Morris Oxford, an extremely accessible, easy-on-the-eye guide to our ever-rewarding city, packed with beautiful photographs and fascinating revelations. If this doesn't you out exploring the cobbled streets and hallowed quads, nothing will… LINKS MORRIS OXFORD: https://morrisoxford.co.uk/about/ MUD PIE BOOKS: https://mudpiebooks.com/books-authors/tony-morris/ OXFORD HISTORY TOURS: https://www.oxfordhistorytours.com/books/the-morris-oxford-mini-history-of-oxford    

Today's guest is Peter Tickler, an established writer of crime fiction, mostly set in and around Oxford and Oxfordshire. Peter has been much praised for the authenticity in his literary depictions of Oxford and for his nuanced characters. Having worked in the IT dept of the Potato Marketing Board in Between Towns Road, Peter would often look down onto the carpark of neighbouring Cowley police station. Perhaps it was inevitable then that his first fictional protagonist DI Susan Holden should be based there. The ensuing Oxford Series of crime novels have been enormously successful. We also talk to Peter about his time at Keble College, his public speaking events, and his love of Oxford United. LINKS: https://www.petertickler.co.uk/    

In this special episode of Oxford Lives we interview one of the city's first families: the Fryers. Phil and Pete Fryer have been at the forefront of the Oxford music scene for over fifty years, both as performers and promoters. But their story really starts when their father Bobby (born Robert Freisinger) fled his native Austria in 1938, taking the Kindertransport to Great Britain. After a stint with the Scottish Regiment, which included acting as a translator during interrogations of Nazi officers, Bobby returned to Britain and met his wife, Margaret. Following a brief period living in Wales, the couple moved to Oxford, with Bobby taking a job at the Morris Motors factory. He rose to become the leading shop steward and a highly effective union leader, admired by fellow workers and respected by management. A highly cultured and principled man, Bobby passed his values onto his sons, as they grew up on the Florence Park estate. By their mid-teens, the boys had discovered their true passion, music, which they pu

Today's guest is Rosanne Bostock*. Rosanne is founder of OxClean – an Oxford Civic Society initiative dedicated to keeping Oxford clean and tidy. We recently came across a letter written by Rosanne to The Spectator, lamenting the state of the city. Intrigued, we contacted this formidable campaigner, who proved only too happy to talk to us. The subsequent conversation presented a fascinating portrait of a multifaceted life stretching back to Headington in the Second World War. So, sit back and enjoying this enthralling journey through a life well lived, in which good has definitely been 'passed on'. *Addendum: Rosanne Bostock (BA English 1986-88) has recently been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for outstanding service to the community in the King's 2025 Birthday Honours list. Forgot to mention that minor detail in the interview! LINKS: https://www.oxclean.org.uk/ https://www.oxclean.org.uk/get-involved/ https://www.oxclean.org.uk/spring-clean/ https://www.oxclean.org.uk/anytime-litter-picks/  

Today we turn to our favourite subject: pubs. Specifically, Oxford pubs. And who better to guide us through the heady world of our city's glorious boozers than CAMRA's very own Dave Richardson. As well as editing the campaign's official magazine and newsletter for the city (The Oxford Drinker), Dave has also written an indispensable guide to the plethora of inns and taverns on our doorstep. And, as if that wasn't enough, with us today we also have a special co-host: Oxford Lives regular and resident pub expert, Jeremy Smith. With two hardcore ale authorities on hand to educate and inform, prepare to be intoxicated!   Links: https://camra.org.uk/ https://oxford.camra.org.uk/ https://oxforddrinker.camra.org.uk/ Oxford Pubs is published by Amberley Publishing. ISBN: 9781445647289 paperback/9781445647296 ebook. You'll find it on all the usual online platforms but why not go local and but it from the Museum of Oxford or Blackwell?

Today's guest is writer, journalist, educator, tour guide, musician, political warrior Dan Glazebrook. Dan has contributed many articles to a diverse range of newspapers and online platforms, including The Independent, The Guardian, Asia Times and Middle East Eye. His journalism is informed by a commitment to political activism and reinforced by a Master's degree in International Relations. He latest book, Divide and Ruin, looks at the West's strategies to destabilise regional powers post-Iraq. In this enlightening episode, Dan educates us on these modern imperialist exploits, explaining how Oxford fits into the picture, and talks about his new walking tour on the subject: Imperial Oxford.  LINKS: Imperial Oxford walking tours: https://sites.google.com/view/imperialoxford.home Articles: https://danglazebrook.com https://www.middleeasteye.net/users.dan-glazebrook https://www.counterpunch.org/author/gutaf7uc/ Books: https://sites.google.com/view/christopheralder/home https://danglazebrook.com/my-book/  

In today's episode of Oxford Lives we talk with Senior Advisor to the Oxford Martin School's AI initiative, Mark Robinson. Mark has a long history in technology procurement and science diplomacy. His mission now is to research and disseminate ways and means by which governments and big tech can come together to monitor the progress of the world's most rapidly evolving technology and preempt any potential calamities. But as Mark explains here, nobody can predict anything for certain… Links: My 2025 International Affairs Journal paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaf105 My 2020 Global Policy Paper on Science Collaborations and Lessons for Global Governance: https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12861 The Oxford Martin School AI Global Governance website: AI Governance | Oxford Martin School Here are the books I mentioned (Thomas is part of Blavatnik School of Governance): Thomas Hale, David Held, Beyond Gridlock ISBN: 978-1-509-51571-4, October 2017, Polity Press Marietje Schaake, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democra

Today's episode features David Taylor, Chairman of Didcot and District Archaelogical and Historical Society. This year marks the society's 50th anniversary and David has been involved for many years. In what turns out to be a fairly cosy and relaxed conversation, David tells us about his time growing up in Kennington, his career as a mechanical engineer helping build MRI body scanners, his love of history, Didcot's connection to the Great Western Railway/Brunel, mobile discos, and much much more.   Links: Didcot Archaelogical Historical Society: https://www.ddahs.org.uk/ enquiries@hhahs.org.uk Contact Davi: 07843421029

You may have been intrigued by the Friars who wander around the city centre in white habits. If you happen to know they are called Blackfriars, you may be puzzled. If you're aware of the Blackfriars Priory as a place of worship and/or a part of the University, you may be plain baffled as to how those two sides fit together. Here to explain all, and to tell us how he fits into all this, is Dominican Archivist, Dr Richard Finn. Father Richard is a member of the Theology Faculty and the Classics Faculty at the University of Oxford, lectures in Augustine and Church History; and his Archivist role covers all of the English Dominican Province. In this fascinating episode, Father Richard tells us about the history of the Blackfriars and his life there over the last twenty eight years. We warn you now: it's even more complicated than you thought!

In this very special episode of Oxford Lives we are lucky enough to be able to interview The Right Honourable Dame Anneliese Dodds. Anneliese has been kind enought to take time out of her busy schedule (you'll hear all about that!) to talk about her life in Oxford: as a student, resident, and MP for Oxford East. We also touch on Anneliese's time as an MEP for South East England during a tumultuous period in recent British History. Sit back, relax, and listen to this riveting chat with one of the city's most vehement champions.

Today's guest is freelance writer, author and campaigner, Sylvia Vetta. Sylvia began writing features on antiques for The Oxford Times . She soon went on to cover art, history and science-related events. This led to her long-running profile series, Oxford Castaways, set on the mythical island of Oxtopia. Sylvia has a lifelong passion for China. Her extensive interviews with Stars Art movement founder, Qu Leilei, inspired her bestselling novel Brushstrokes in Time. In this extended interview we talk about her life growing up in Luton, leading to a lifelong passion for public libraries, the racism she encountered in a mixed-marriage in Sixties Smethwick, her career as an antiques dealer, and the many books she has authored. We also give a plug to the forthcoming Oxford Indie Book Fair, which Sylvie helped to set up.  LINKS:  https://www.sylviavetta.co.uk/ https://www.oxfordindiebookfair.co.uk/ sylviavetta@gmail.com  

In this latest episode of Oxford Lives we interview documentary photographer, writer, and sustainability campaigner, Martin Stott. Martin has contributed photographs to a huge range of publications, broadcast media and agencies and his lens has taken him all around the world from Bhopal to Iceland to Nicaragua. His latest photobook Bartlemas: Oxford's Hidden Sanctuary is out now. Links: https://martin-stott.com

We enjoyed the Nick Gill performances on the previous podcast, we thought we'd give you a little but extra. So here it is - enjoy!

Today’s guest is jazz pianist, musicologist and entertainer, Nick Gill. A huge figure on the Oxford music scene, Nick specialises in pre-war jazz styles from "Fats" Waller to Billie Holiday via the Great American Songbook. Later this month, Nick will be presenting The Life and Works of Billie Holiday at Florence Park Community Centre, a personal tribute to the first lady of jazz. In this lively interview we talk about Nick’s musical journey and the life of Lady Day herself. LINKS: www.classicjazz.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063578648459   FORTHCOMING GIGS   Saturday September 13th The Lady Sings the Blues - The Life and Works of Billie Holiday Florence Park Community Centre Door time: 7:15pm Start time: 8:00pm   Saturday September 20th 7pm - 9.30pm The Friends' Meeting House, 43 Saint Giles, Oxford. Oxford Classic Jazz Band CND Fund-raising concert Entry: £14 + £12 concession Saturday 27th Sept - 11am – 1pm - Coffee concert: West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road, Oxford “Fats Waller

Today’s guest is Simon Horobin – philologist, author, and Professor of English Language and Literature and Tutorial Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford.  Simon has just written a fascinating account of CS Lewis’s life in Oxford. From undergraduate days at University College to his 29-year tutorial stint at Magdalen, not to mention his many boozy hours spent in the company of the Inklings at the Eagle and Child, Simon paints a fully-rounded picture of the Narnia author's love affair with the city.  Expect revelations galore as we present a life both complex and compartmentalised.   Links:  https://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-simon-horobin/ https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781851245642?gC=5a105e8b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20226739100&gbraid=0AAAAADsTpAS4lPj9I1YqLS-cn_UML3d1M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL--pjx7Rc-7XnplauOgiNsfE1bpsqY7-i3fkTESa-pMmkcDHugNwnNlAawaAjXhEALw_wcB

In this second part of our pub special with Jeremy Smith, we embark upon a virtual pub tour of East Oxford, starting at the Plain and ending in Florence Park. On our wobbly journey, we encounter ghost pubs, insurance scams, and even a murder. And if you think you can cope with that, we've even thrown in a Wetherspoons. We apologise for the sound in advance - we didn't quite get as good a recording as Part One. Hopefully you'll get the gist and to, quote a city centre hostelry, receive "an education in intoxication". In collaboration with Curious Minds.  Links: https://oxforddrinker.camra.org.uk/ https://oxford.camra.org.uk/

In this second collaboration with Curious Minds, we embark upon the first of two virtual pub tours around the city with podcast regular, Jeremy Smith. In Part One we explore the City Centre’s numerous drinking dens, both past and present. In the second half we return to cut a boozy path through the oft overlooked delights of East Oxford. Expect ale anecdotes galore, quirky historical facts and the odd bad joke. Links: https://oxforddrinker.camra.org.uk/ https://oxford.camra.org.uk/

Part Two of our special edition Oxford Lives collaboration with Curious Minds: Murder They Wrote. This panel discussion features many of Oxford's top crime writers: Colin Wade (Murder at the Manor, The Devil's Code), Jacquii John (Matilda's Magical Tails, Evie the Brave and her Sidekick Cleo co-written with Paul Blake) Jake Lynch (Blood on the Stone), and Annabel McGoldrick (Mind Over Murder, co-written with Jake Lynch). In this second part, we focus on our authors' personal work and their connection to Oxford. We also examine the phenomenon of 'cosy crime' and the importance of research.

In this special edition of Oxford Lives we team up with Curious Minds for a panel discussion on the subject of Murder Mysteries. The discussion features many of Oxford's top crime writers: Colin Wade (Murder at the Manor, The Devil's Code), Steve Lunn (The Price of Doormice), Jaquii John (Matilda's Magical Tails, Evie the Brave and her Sidekick Cleo co-written with Paul Blake), Jake Lynch (Blood on the Stone), and Annabel McGoldrick (Mind Over Murder, co-written with Jake Lynch). In the first part we focus on the craft of putting together a crime fiction novel. Is there a formula? Can you deviate from that formula? How do you make the novel stand out in an overcrowded market? Part two to follow. https://colinwade.com/ hrrps://www.stevelunn.net/ https://jacquiijohnauthor.com/ https://www.jakelynch.co.uk/ https://emdr-therapy-oxford.com/about/ https//colinwade.com/oxford-independent-authors-group/