Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

"I'm that lucky guy who found his hobby and was able to turn it into a job." William Dalrymple is a multi-award winning and bestselling historian. Growing up on the Dalrymple family estate in North Berwick, with an almost Edwardian childhood, William was sent off to Ampleforth College at just eight years old. It was there that his passion for history grew and he spent his free time on archaeological digs and getting lost in history books. William has gone on to turn that childhood fascination into an incredible career. He has written numerous bestselling books including White Mughals and The Last Mughals. His latest book The Golden Road is out now.

Graeme Park is a legendary DJ and one of the founders of the UK's house music movement. Best known for his nine-year residency at Manchester's iconic superclub, The Hacienda, Graeme's journey into DJing was far from planned. In fact, he stumbled into it almost by accident. However, his passion for sharing the music he loved had a huge impact on the dance scene of the 80s and 90s, influencing a generation of club-goers, including sixteen year old James O'Brien.Today, Graeme continues to perform to fans old and new around the world. He also DJs alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra as part of the Hacienda Classical shows, which have been touring the UK since 2016 and even opened the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2017.You can find out more details about Graeme's upcoming gigs on thisisgraemepark.com

"Britain is nowhere near as bad as America but let's not get complacent about the risk."Jon Sopel is a journalist, broadcaster and author who launched the hugely successful The News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall in August 2022. Previously, he was the BBC’s North America Editor, covering U.S. elections including Donald Trump’s presidency. He is the author of several books including: If Only They Didn’t Speak English and A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump’s White House. His latest book: Strangeland is out now.

Angela Rayner, the dynamic Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, shares her incredible journey from a challenging childhood in poverty to a powerful political figure. She reflects on the resilience forged from her chaotic upbringing and the importance of compassion in advocacy. The conversation touches on the balancing act of motherhood and politics, navigating public scrutiny, and the challenges of the care sector. Her humorous anecdotes and emotional reflections illustrate her commitment to helping others while carving her path in British politics.

In a compelling conversation, Sir Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister and former Leader of the Opposition, shares his unconventional journey into politics. He reflects on his childhood in a bustling household and his passion for donkeys, alongside his early aspirations in music. Starmer discusses the emotional toll of media scrutiny and the challenges of public life, emphasizing the importance of humility and self-promotion in leadership. His candid stories and insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the values and experiences shaping his political life.

Tony Blackburn, a radio legend with a six-decade career, reflects on his life in broadcasting. He shares nostalgic tales from his early days on pirate radio and his iconic role at BBC Radio 1, where he made history as the first DJ. Blackburn discusses the influence of family and soul music on his journey and the importance of humility in the industry. He also opens up about the pressures of fame and his ongoing commitment to engaging audiences, proving that his love for radio remains as strong as ever.

Jordan Stephens, writer, musician, and one half of Rizzle Kicks, shares his candid journey from chaos to self-discovery. He opens up about the painful breakup that spurred his exploration of heartbreak and masculinity. Jordan discusses the struggles with ADHD, creativity, and self-worth amid the pressures of fame. He emphasizes the importance of discussing male vulnerability and the healing power of love, while reflecting on how shared pain can foster understanding. His new book, 'Avoidance,' dives deep into these experiences.

Neil Basu, a former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and head of counter-terrorism, opens up about his extraordinary career. He candidly discusses facing racism within the police, the challenges of navigating mixed cultural identities, and the institution's urgent need for acknowledgment of its biases. His leadership in thwarting terror plots showcases resilience, while his journey reveals the emotional toll of such responsibilities. Basu emphasizes the importance of honest dialogues about institutional racism and mental health support for officers.

Paul Sinha never really had a life plan and yet, somehow he's ended up with a career that's way beyond anything he could have imagined. He originally pursued a career in medicine, largely to keep his parents happy. But, whilst working as a junior doctor, he decided to give stand-up comedy a try. Now, he's not just a successful comedian but also a professional quizzer, best-known as one of the six Chasers on the ITV quiz show, The Chase. He tells James what it was like to hide his sexuality at school, his unexpected break into comedy and the overwhelming sense of relief he felt when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Paul's memoir One Sinha Lifetime is out now.

Raised in an Irish Catholic family as one of nine siblings, Martin O'Neill was brought up with Gaelic football but he dreamt of becoming a professional English footballer. At 18, he was scouted by Nottingham Forest and quit his law degree to sign for the club. He went on to become an integral part of Brian Clough's legendary Nottingham Forest squad, winning back-to-back European Cups, and made history as the first Catholic player to captain Northern Ireland's national team. After hanging up his boots, Martin achieved remarkable success as a manager, leading Celtic and Leicester City to major titles and taking the Republic of Ireland to the knockout stages of the 2016 Euros. He is now the chairman of the League Managers Association and co-hosts the Global podcast The Football Authorities with Clive Tyldesley. You can listen to The Football Authorities here: https://the-football-authorities.captivate.fm/