Imagined Life

by Wondery
8,079
Fiction #169

What is it like to be famous before you’re famous? What is it like to walk in the shoes of another person? Each episode of Imagined Life takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It’ll be someone you may think you know, even admire -- or maybe the opposite. You’ll get clues to your identity along the way. But only in the final moments will you find out who “you” really are. So sit back, let go, and -- imagine your life, with our hosts, Oscar nominated Virginia Madsen and celebrated voice actor Robbie Daymond.

Binge all episodes of Imagined Sleep exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/imagined-sleep/ now.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • SassyLizzard
    Disappointed it’s behind a paywall now
    I enjoy this podcast. I haven’t listened in a little while and imagine my disappointment to see it is now behind a pay wall. I’d have given it 5 starts if it was still available. I love seeing how early I can figure out who the episode is about.
  • sarahellen1128
    Cool Podcast
    This podcast is rated clean but it is actually not. It says curse words. I listened to the first episode and it said the H word and the D word. Other than that it’s a pretty great podcast.
  • writy writer
    I don’t know why
    Why did you make it so we can’t listen to any episodes? I loved this podcast so much. It gave me inspiration ( especially the one about Lin Manuel Miranda ) now I have to pay a lot of money. This doesn’t seem fair but I would like to understand, why the change? Also, why did you start sharing worse stories, stories that targeted people?
  • sayitaintso!!
    Sad
    I had not listened to the pod cast for a while. I come back and hear race baiting stories intentionally targeted to further divide us.
  • Noizchild
    I Miss This Podcast
    Is it ever coming back? I miss this so much!
  • CNAN2626
    Love this podcast!
    I'm training for a marathon and like to listen to podcasts instead of music on my longer runs. LOVE this podcast! Makes the miles go by much more quickly. Thanks, Virginia and Robbie and all the producers, support staff.
  • Mikec737373737
    Big Mike
    I like the one about Big Mike. They left out the sex change part and the one of Barry’s gay activities.
  • quintyyyyy
    Good
    I mean it’s all right moms rule
  • AnotherLoyalListener
    The WAS my favorite podcast
    It is so disappointing that now nearly every episode requires Wondery+ subscription.
  • Annoying Millenials
    Please come back
    I love this podcast. It is my favorite one. It hasn’t been updated since 2021.
  • Fishflesh
    A biography and a mystery in one!
    One of my favorite podcasts! I love hearing about the featured person while gathering clues to try figure out who it is. Great story telling by the narrators and cool insight to their lives.
  • npaxton
    Great choice
    I love listening to this podcast at night! It has a great balance between calm and exciting. I would definitely recommend this podcast!
  • The other side of 75
    I love this series
    I have followed your site and enjoyed but have to go because every time I turn around it costs money that I, as an older person can’t afford.
  • BlueBottleGirl
    A Must Listen
    I’m a crime podcast junkie and stumbled on this as a filler. I cry at the end of every episode knowing that this is the best part of humanity. The sharing of life experiences in hope of lifting those in the next generation who feel defeated. Whoever created this……… it’s what the world needs right now. Bravo!
  • Tor 1,473629 PASTA
    I used to love it but I’ve waited a year and…
    I love the espisodes on this podcast! But don’t expect more. Ive waited over a YEAR and nothing.
  • jvivuidjcjv
    ITS OKAYYYYY
    I didnt like hiw it has so many badwords. Somebody pls quote me. Im only 11.
  • Mntn Mimi
    Imagined Life
    Simply outstanding!
  • Jellybomb_30
    Feedback
    So l love this podcast, but the ad speaker’s voice is kinda annoying. Also the fact that the ads are always the same. Please change the ads and the speaker please.
  • darlingdae
    1st ep is for musk fanboys
    i wish i didn’t waste my time on the first episode. he doesn’t need help creating his mythology
  • Bmdrew11
    LOVE THIS PODCAST
    I happen to find this podcast by pure luck!! I absolutely love the stories. Please do more episodes. Helps me thru my long work day :).
  • podsteress
    More please!
    Please make more episodes!
  • Missy Vespie
    😍😍😍😍
    I love this podcast so much but why why did u stop putting out episodes? I really like it but I’m almost done with every episode so please put out more Ps I’m 12 If your bored here’s something to do super Easy 😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐🫤😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐 Easy🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼‍♂️🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼🧖🏼 Medium 👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽‍♂️👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽👰🏽 Medium hard 😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😺😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸 Hard 🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛫🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬🛬 Super hard 🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕦🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥🕥 Extreme 🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌆🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇 If you got all 7 correct you have an IQ 100% If you got 6 you Have an IQ of 85% If you got 3or lower you have an IQ of 0%
  • henrik nelson
    I love this show
    I love how it tell’s wat it is like to change the world.
  • MorganMc1000
    I love!
    First Virginia Madden is so good in this podcast. I love the background sounds in the stories that help paint a mental picture of the story. Its fun trying to figure out who the story is about before the end. Its an interesting new format for a documentary. I've been so tempted to fast forward to the end but never so. What a great show.
  • Bobcats 0123
    Let go
    This podcast has helped me with my dupreshon and to sea the truth and that it’s ok that everyone will hate you at one potent or another.
  • Pray for them
    Listen to about 15 shows
    I work in surgery, an anesthesiologist told me about the show. I’ve listen to other programs of theirs, the problem with this one is they use the F word too much so I can’t play it in the OR and about every other show is about some transgender or homosexual agenda. That doesn’t bother me until you put it on over and over again
  • Piapaya
    Entertaining
    Writing is good quality, but what I’ve noticed is that Virginia’s episodes are really easy to guess for me. All the ones I’ve listened to of hers I’ve been able to guess within the first 5 minutes, which makes them less fun to listen to because then it’s just a reiteration of things I already know about the person. It makes me wish they chose their subjects with more thought.
  • Buhlinduh
    Hidden gem!
    I stumbled upon this show while searching for podcasts that let me expand my imagination and practice active listening. The first episode I tuned into was so uplifting (no spoilers but I already had a good feeling I knew who it was since I recently read the person's memoir!) Looking forward to listening to more of these episodes.
  • m.a84
    Imagined life
    Love everyone and can’t wait to hear more!!!! I love this show! BUT! Not a fan of the family shows I do listen to at least the beginning of each one. I feel like you shouldn’t have dedicated the full season to family. Maybe do every other week as a family episode. Thanks for listening and for putting this podcast out.
  • Reese2.o
    Lol
    I love the show but the person usually ends up being an actor. Way too many actors. And also episodes for children stink. Just like children do. Post Message: It’s a joke. It’s literally a joke. Why should I get blocked for a joke? Every heard of a roast? Maybe you haven’t, maybe your lame. Again me saying that you are lame is also a joke. Get inside your skull
  • Lalaloverofsongsandfanyasy
    Imagined life
    I really enjoy imagined life and I look forward to the release of the next season. I do feel like the content has taken a downfall since the imagined life family began, but Reese2.o, you can express your feelings about this show, but please refrain from making possibly offensive comments about a certain group of people, in this case, children.
  • mmmsophisticatedmama
    The Planner
    Yawn. Another leftist.
  • Drew-TX
    I like the show
    This is a very interesting series. I look forward to new episodes. I do wish there was more diversity in the subject matter. There are also important figures in science, math, and medicine. Not just politics and popular culture
  • Al3569
    Wonderful listen
    It is so nice to have a fun mystery each week. So refreshing.
  • LeFemmeEspanole
    RIVETING!!!
    What a fascinating way to introduce historical figures. Who ever writes & produces this show should've been my History Teachers...maybe I would've remembered something. Such a clever and creative way to tell the Life Stories of our greatest icons. In History Books we only see the End Result, not the battle behind the Heroes. I have listened to only 4 episodes, but have been riveted by each. Bravo!!!
  • Sarahcheexoxo
    Family season
    I’m not a fan of the family episodes, they’re too easy to guess, and maybe that’s the point but I personally never get that wow factor at the end as I do with the regular episodes. So I’m waiting impatiently for next season.
  • MissGinger13
    No Family
    I loved this podcast until you put out an entire season for “family” and in a childish voice at that. If you want to produce a kids podcast why not do it in a separate podcast?
  • n see bdhak
    Enjoy, but spin off…
    Very very much enjoy the show! Have recommended many times and have listened to all the episodes. However, I am not enjoying that this whole season is family episodes. Could a spin off be done. Hoping next season is back to original format.
  • Schmidt*
    Tell the full story, please.
    Several of this season’s episodes don’t tell you he important way the person died. Some of the stories about their death are equally as powerful of their life and you do a dishonor to them by leaving out that part of their life. I really like this snow, but this season has fallen short by not telling the full impactful stories on multiple people. Disappointed.
  • chadfour
    Love this podcast!
    I think I like the family episodes the best!
  • DoLorax
    I never write reviews
    I am compelled to write a 5 star review as every episode I have listened to has left me teary eyed. I have not come to a complete understanding as to why I am continually moved and overwhelmed. But I am and the story telling is so thoughtful you make everyone sound and feel so interesting and understandable.
  • Dhrvkrafijb
    Please spin off Imagined Life Family
    I love Imagined Life and have recommended it to all my friends. I especially love the original hosts! I noticed the occasional Family episode in past seasons and they are ok once in a while but if they are really popular with kids and families (which I’m sure they are) maybe do a spin off? I’m missing the original format this season and not looking forward to a whole season of Family episodes. Hoping Virginia Madsen is recording some regular ones for next season! She is definitely my favorite.
  • Brooke276
    Is this for children??
    I have figured out EVERY person within the first 5-6 minutes. This is really for people who don’t pay attention
  • Drea2550
    Was my favorite
    The whole season for Family? Really Why don’t you create a second podcast just for Family and leave this podcast alone. And, stick with the original Host’s Virginia and Robbie. Stop making changes to this podcast! It was 5star now dropping fast
  • AyeeBeeBakes
    Love the podcast but not every narrator
    I love when Robbie is the narrator but when anyone else is the the narrator, I turn off the podcast.
  • Black_Dahlia_16
    Back to the Good Ol' Days
    This last season has really lowered in the entertainment aspect ever since focusing on more and more "Family" episodes. Please go back to only incorporating one or two of those, and keep the rest as regular "adult" episodes.
  • Quanda123
    Obsessed.
    Update: I just listened to the most recent episode. I love Robbie and Virginia but they need to call back Cree Summer for more episodes!!! Her voice filmography is out of this world so it’s wonderful to hear her doing this podcast! I’ve been truly enjoying this podcast. I love the concept. Only on season 2 but the people who they choice to spotlight have been so interesting. Sometimes I want to just skip to the end and figure out who it is but I contain myself. Looking forward to what/who is to come!
  • CKF14
    9 Hour Roadtrip Seemed like Just Hours
    I love this podcast! Was recommended by a friend and decided to try it out for a 9 hour long drive yesterday. I listened to this nearly the entire way and it made the drive seem like just a few hours! Such a good idea to turn the podcast into a game like experience.
  • Light me up bright
    Life Imagined
    I was fun listening to it until they started requiring a paid subscription. Moving on.
  • Brittcom
    Wonderful
    I love it! There are so many things I never knew about some of my favorite people. But also, some people I never gave much thought to. It’s thought provoking and informative. I’ve shed more than a few tears listening. I’d recommend it for anyone. Just great!
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