Long before it became one of the most visited websites on Earth, Wikipedia began as a radical idea from a curious boy in Huntsville, Alabama. Raised by a father who managed a grocery store and a mother and grandmother who ran a tiny, Montessori-inspired school where “each one teach one” was the guiding principle, Wales grew up surrounded by early computers, space rockets and encyclopaedias bought from door-to-door salesmen. It was there he developed both a fascination with information and a beli...
Oct 31, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 258
Before he was Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones or the commanding presence of The Jewel in the Crown , Charles Dance was a boy from Worcestershire whose father died when he was three and whose mother built a new life for the family, remarried to their lodger. A childhood marked by loss, a stammer and humble beginnings gave little hint of the commanding actor he would become. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the Emmy-nominated actor to trace an extraordinary jour...
Oct 24, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 257
Before Pointless , Classic FM and comedy stardom, Alexander Armstrong was a restless kid growing up in rural Northumberland- lonely at boarding school, obsessed with music, and quietly desperate to perform. In this revealing conversation with James O’Brien, he opens up about the bruises and eccentricities of his childhood, the teachers who changed everything, and the nights at Cambridge that set him on the path to Armstrong & Miller . They talk about the shock of failure, the seduction of su...
Oct 17, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 256
Growing up in Bristol, acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Jack Thorne was a shy, politically driven kid who believed he could change the world- first through politics, then acting, before discovering that storytelling was where his voice truly belonged. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the Emmy and BAFTA-winning creator of This Is England , His Dark Materials , Harry Potter And The Cursed Child and Adolescence to trace Jack’s journey from a lonely teenager to ...
Oct 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 255
In 2013, businesswoman and mum Cor Hutton was given just a five percent chance of survival after contracting pneumonia that developed into sepsis. She pulled through, but lost both hands and her legs below the knee. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien speaks to Cor about her extraordinary journey- from relearning how to live as a quadruple amputee to becoming the first person in Scotland to receive a double hand transplant. They discuss her founding of the charity Finding Your Fee...
Oct 06, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 254
Before he became one of the world’s best-known chefs, Jamie Oliver was a dyslexic kid growing up in his parents’ pub in rural Essex, learning the value of hard work, fresh food, and family. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Jamie to trace his journey from peeling veg at his parents’ pub to fronting The Naked Chef , reshaping school dinners, and building - then losing - a restaurant empire. They talk about the resilience required to recover from failure, his uncomp...
Oct 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 253
Before becoming Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar was a Dublin GP with bold ambitions and a belief that politics could be a kind of medicine for society. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the former Prime Minister to explore his extraordinary rise from a mixed-heritage childhood in 1980s Ireland, to leading his country through Brexit battles, historic referendums and the turbulence of the pandemic. They discuss the unlikely path that took him from medical...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 252
Britain’s leading forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd has performed over 23,000 postmortems and given evidence in some of the most high-profile cases of our time, from Hungerford to Hillsborough, from Princess Diana to David Kelly. But his fascination with death began much earlier, when his mother died suddenly from heart disease and he was left with questions no one could answer. In this episode of Full Disclosure , Dr Shepherd tells James O’Brien how that childhood loss set him on the pat...
Sep 19, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 251
Actor, comedian and bestselling author Arabella Weir grew up in a family that prized intellect and appearances but struggled to offer love. In this episode of Full Disclosure , she tells James O’Brien how an unsettled childhood shaped her fearless streak, her need to perform, and her instinct to turn pain into comedy. From the brutal remarks of her mother to the liberating chaos of Camden School for Girls, Arabella charts the path that took her from rejection at drama schools to finding her voic...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 250
Natalie Haynes has never been easy to categorise. A stand-up comedian turned broadcaster and best-selling author, she has built a career out of making the ancient world vivid, funny and urgent. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien talks with the presenter of Stand Up for the Classics about her unusual path from Birmingham bookshops to the Edinburgh Fringe, and from Radio 4 to re-imagining Medea. They explore the strange alchemy of combining scholarship with humour, the myths that r...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 249
From a childhood in Dundee marked by loss, poverty and resilience, to becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation, Brian Cox’s life and career have been defined by an unrelenting pursuit of truth on and off stage. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner reflects on the death of his father at eight years old, the formative influence of his mother’s struggles with mental health, and the teachers who first spotted his talent. Cox charts his...
Aug 29, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 248
From a childhood in Oxford shaped by unconditional love, Jewish heritage and a keen sense of curiosity, to a career spanning stage, screen, voice work and bestselling memoir, Miriam Margolyes’ life has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation with James O’Brien, the beloved actor reflects on the security of her early years, the sting of antisemitism, and the moment she first felt at home on stage. She recalls her path from Cambridge Footlights to the BBC, the breakthrough of her o...
Aug 22, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 247
Cariad Lloyd never set out to become the voice of modern grief, but after losing her father at just fifteen, the silence around death stayed with her. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien speaks with the actor, comedian and creator of Griefcast podcast about how turning her personal loss into public conversation has transformed both her life and others'. Together they explore the tension between comedy and sorrow, the strange rituals of mourning, and why so many of us feel unequipp...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 246
From a shifting childhood split between Wolverhampton, rural Ireland and London, to fronting one of the most distinctive and uncompromising bands of the 1980s, Kevin Rowland’s life has been defined by defiance, vision and resilience. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Dexys Midnight Runners frontman reflects on the lasting impact of a father’s harsh words, the struggle to find his place in the world, and the burning drive to prove himself through music and style. Rowland speak...
Aug 08, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 245
From the high-rises of Muirhouse to the heart of countercultural Britain, Irvine Welsh has built a literary universe fuelled by punk energy, dancefloor euphoria, and radical empathy. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien meets the novelist and cultural icon to trace a life shaped by rebellion, recovery, and relentless storytelling. They discuss Irvine’s early years in working class Edinburgh, his brushes with heroin and grief, and the accidental discipline learned on a council compu...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 244
From a working-class childhood in Tottenham to the Cabinet table, David Lammy’s path to becoming Foreign Secretary was anything but straightforward. Raised by a single mother after his father disappeared when he was twelve, David’s early life was shaped by absence, ambition and a fierce sense of justice. In this deeply personal conversation with James O’Brien, David opens up about the chaos of his childhood, the teachers and parish priests who changed his life, and the duality of growing up betw...
Jul 25, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 243
Before she was a MasterChef judge and one of Britain’s most distinctive food writers, Grace Dent was a Carlisle kid eating crispy pancakes and dreaming of life beyond beige dinners. In this episode of Full Disclosure , she joins James O’Brien to talk about blagging her way into London media, finding her voice through food, and why she still can’t believe they let her near the foie gras. Grace reflects on growing up in a loud, loving, working-class family, and how her obsession with pop culture, ...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 242
Before he became known as the quirky, banana-snacking John Shuttleworth, Graham Fellows was a kid from Sheffield with dreams of classical acting and a knack for writing unforgettable songs. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien meets the man behind the cult characters to trace the unpredictable path from Jilted John to Chicken Town. They explore Graham’s early life, from his mum’s quiet environmentalism to a fleeting moment of baby photo fame, and his parallel passions for drama and...
Jul 11, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 241
Long before Dead Ringers or Spitting Image , Jon Culshaw was a schoolboy with a knack for mimicry and a fierce determination to escape into voices- finding freedom, fun, and a future through the radio dial. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Jon to explore how a shy kid from Lancashire became one of the UK’s best-loved impressionists. They trace his early love of radio, his first gigs as a hospital DJ, and the key moments that transformed a quiet obsession into a c...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 240
Before The Big Short , Moneyball or The Blind Side became bestsellers (and Hollywood hits), Michael Lewis was just trying to make sense of a world where things didn’t add up- from Wall Street to the government to the rules of sport. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the celebrated writer to unpack the origins of his outsider lens, his instinct for spotting value in unexpected places, and why he’s drawn to stories where people are swimming against the current. They...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 239
Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes worlds of business, government and Brexit-era turmoil. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Amber to reflect on the decisions, mistakes and tensions that shaped her time in office. From her alliance with Theresa May to her public resignation from Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, Ambe...
Jun 20, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 238
Actor, activist, and unapologetic truth-teller, Jameela Jamil has lived many lives and survived every single one of them with grit, wit, and an unwavering sense of justice. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Jameela to explore a journey that defies expectation. From a childhood shaped by illness, isolation and relentless bullying, to becoming a pioneering British radio and TV presenter, to an accidental breakout in Hollywood with roles in The Good Place and She-Hul...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 237
Known to millions as Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders , Larry Lamb has lived a life far more complex than any character he’s played. From a fractured childhood in postwar London, to becoming one of Britain’s most familiar faces- his story is one of survival, resilience and transformation. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Larry to explore the lesser-known journey behind the fame. Larry speaks candidly about the trauma of growing...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 236
In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with cricketing icon Jimmy Anderson to trace the arc of a record-breaking career- from growing up as a shy kid in Burnley, to becoming the most successful fast bowler in Test history. Jimmy reflects on the early self-doubt that plagued him, the physical toll of a 20-year career, and the inner battles he faced behind the scenes. They discuss everything from the fierce rivalries that shaped him, to being dropped from the England squad af...
May 30, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 235
From the war zones of Bosnia to the frontlines of Gaza, Christiane Amanpour has reported from the epicentres of global upheaval for over three decades. Her commitment to being “truthful, not neutral” made her one of the most respected correspondents of her generation and a sharp, unwavering voice in the age of misinformation. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Christiane to explore the emotional and political terrain of her career. They trace her journey from Tehra...
May 23, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 234
From founding the Everyday Sexism Project to unpicking how AI is entrenching misogyny, Laura Bates has become one of the UK’s most unflinching feminist voices. In this episode of Full Disclosure , she joins James O’Brien to explore how one devastating week in her early twenties sparked a lifetime of activism- and why storytelling, statistics, and school visits remain central to her mission. Laura traces her path from a bookish childhood to acting ambitions, before recounting the moment a string ...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 233
From dominating the UK airwaves to starting over on the other side of the world, Christian O’Connell is a broadcaster and writer who has built a career out of connection, candour, and comedy. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Christian to trace the path from his childhood in Hampshire to becoming one of the UK’s most celebrated radio voices- and the breakdown that forced him to confront what success really meant. They explore the roots of Christian’s anxiety, the ...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 232
From the world of variety to the West End stage, Brian Conley has built a career around his infectious energy, unique humour, and remarkable talent. In this episode of Full Disclosure , Brian opens up about his journey, from growing up in a working-class family to finding solace and confidence in showbiz. He reflects on the highs of performing with legends like Tom Jones to his struggles with dyslexia and alcohol. With his trademark wit, Brian shares how his love for comedy, musicals, and warm-u...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 231
Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has spent over three decades at the forefront of the global human rights movement, challenging abusive governments and fighting for justice. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O'Brien sits down with Kenneth to discuss his extraordinary career, from his early years learning his father’s refugee story, to his pivotal role in shaping international human rights advocacy. Kenneth reflects on the strategies he employed to push oppr...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 230
Ash Atalla, the creative mind behind some of the most beloved British comedies, sits down with James O'Brien to explore his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in Northern Ireland to becoming a powerhouse producer in television. From The Office to The IT Crowd , Big Boys and more, Ash shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including the unexpected path that led him to comedy and the challenges he faced along the way. In this episode of Full Disclosure , Ash opens up about...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 229
