

Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
Global
Award-winning LBC presenter and best-selling author James O’Brien hosts a series of compelling conversations with fascinating people from the worlds of politics, news and entertainment. These are thoughtful conversations with a curious and interested interviewer.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 16, 2024 • 56min
Zeinab Badawi: Setting the record straight on African history
Zeinab Badawi is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and the President of SOAS University of London. Born in Sudan, she has worked in the British media for several decades. She has recently published her first book which promises to reshape our understanding of Africa. Zeinab tells James what led her to write her instant Sunday Times bestseller, An African History of Africa.

May 10, 2024 • 1h 4min
Julie Hesmondhalgh: How good telly and theatre can change the world
Lancaster legend Julie Hesmondhalgh is an actor, writer and activist. She's best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street in what started as a short-term punchline and turned into a 16 year career. Since leaving the cobbles, Julie has gone on to star multiple dramas including Broadchurch, Happy Valley and more recently, Mr Bates vs The Post Office. She’s recently joined the cast of the world premiere of James Graham’s new play Punch, about the power of forgiveness. Tickets for Punch are available at nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events

May 2, 2024 • 58min
Angela Hartnett: One of the UK's top chefs shares her recipe for success
Angela Hartnett is a Michelin starred chef, restaurateur and podcast host. After studying for a history degree, she began working in a local pub before joining Gordon Ramsay at his first restaurant, Aubergine. She worked with Gordon for 17 years before deciding to go it alone. She now runs several restaurants of her own including the Michelin-starred Murano in Mayfair. Angela's podcast, Dish from Waitrose, is available on all podcast providers.

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 1min
Caroline Lucas: Being Britain's first and only Green MP
Caroline Lucas, Britain's first and only Green MP, discusses her political journey, the importance of green voices in Parliament, and her focus on climate and nature issues. She reflects on the aftermath of Brexit, childhood influences, and her academic awakening. Lucas explores her journey from activism to becoming an MP, advocating for wealth inequality, government actions, and ambitions for change.

Apr 18, 2024 • 52min
Bassem Youssef: Egypt's Jon Stewart on Palestine, the press and Piers Morgan
In 2011 Bassem Youssef was a little-known heart surgeon in Cairo. A year later, he was hosting his own political satire TV show, Al-Bernameg, drawing in 30 million weekly viewers as he made fun of the Egyptian regime. Bassem's comedy was groundbreaking but it proved too controversial to remain on air. In 2014 he was forced to move to United States, where he has since had to work to re-establish his career in a new language. Now, he's back in the news thanks to an explosive interview with Piers Morgan on the conflict in Gaza, which went viral. Tickets for his latest tour, The Middle Beast, are available at livenation.co.uk

Apr 11, 2024 • 59min
James Timpson: The secrets to running a successful business and making money
"The best ideas don't come from the boardroom, the best ideas come from the frontline." James Timpson is the chief executive of Timpson, a family-run business known for its key cutting and watch repair services. James does business differently. His unconventional leadership style has raised eyebrows - but it works. Since taking over Timpson, he has grown the business to over 2,000 stores by developing new ideas, giving ex-prisoners a second chance and putting his employees first. He has published a book packed with leadership advice for a happier, healthy workforce. The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management is out now.

Apr 5, 2024 • 58min
Bryony Gordon: My OCD made me think my family would die
Bestselling author and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon discusses her struggles with OCD, binge eating, and addiction. She shares how exercise became her salvation and talks about living with dark, intrusive thoughts, advocating for mental health awareness and support.

Mar 28, 2024 • 51min
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby: Finding my faith amidst hangovers, beatings and abuse
Growing up, Justin Welby thought his home life was normal. It wasn't until he was a teenager that he realised being brought up by an abusive, alcoholic father was anything but. He found faith and the love of God as a student at Cambridge, bringing with it a sense of peace and security. He graduated and then spent 11 years working in the oil industry. From such unlikely beginnings, Justin Welby’s faith became his life. He was ordained a priest in 1993 and has been the Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013. He tells James about his struggles growing up with an alcoholic father and why he speaks out on political issues like the Rwanda Bill.

Mar 22, 2024 • 54min
Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean: From Nottingham council estates to winning gold at the Olympics
It's 40 years since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won gold at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Around 24 million people turned on their TVs to watch the Nottingham duo make history on the ice rink. It was the moment that changed Jayne and Chris' lives forever. Since then, they have won multiple World Championships, sold out international tours and become the faces of ITV's hit show Dancing on Ice. Tickets for their last ever UK tour, Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance, are available at www.torvillanddean.com

Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 3min
Humza Yousaf on Islamophobia and toxicity in politics
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf discusses his journey in Scottish politics, challenges faced by voters in England, and the impact of Brexit. He dives into issues of race, multiculturalism, and divisive rhetoric within the Conservative party. The chapter explores his challenges with racism in school and his unexpected entry into politics post-9/11. Discussion also emphasizes the importance of diversity in politics and embracing hope in the face of adversity.