Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

"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/

A chance encounter with the director Lindsay Anderson changed Robin Askwith's life forever. It led to his first acting job, playing the schoolboy Keating in Anderson's film if.... which became one of the most popular British films of all time. If.... kickstarted Robin's incredible career that spans an extraordinary period of time. Over the past 50 years, he's appeared in everything from Pier Paolo Pasolini's The Canterbury Tales to the Confessions comedies to Inside No. 9, The Madame Blanc Mysteries and even a stint in pantomime that saw him batting bread rolls with Ian Botham. Now he's enjoying something of a renaissance moment. And boy, does he have some stories to tell...

James Graham is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter for TV and film. His plays include Ink, This House and Dear England, about the struggles and successes of England’s former football manager Gareth Southgate. His acclaimed TV dramas include Quiz and Sherwood, set in the north Nottinghamshire village where he grew up. James was born into the close-knit community of Kirkby-In-Ashfield and witnessed the deep and permanent divisions from the 1980s miners’ strikes. He wrote his first play whilst studying drama at the University of Hull and seeing his words come alive on stage inspired him to keep writing. He’s gone on to establish himself as one of the most influential playwrights of his generation, taking inspiration from moments in history that illuminate a particular social or political anxiety of the moment and telling stories that help us make sense of the world. His adaptation of Alan Bleasdale's TV drama, Boys From The Blackstuff, is currently playing at the West End's Garrick Theatre. Tickets are available at boysfromtheblackstuff.com