Best Amber Lyon Podcasts (2025)

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Full Disclosure 2025: The Year Reviewed 6:43

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5m ago6:43

6:43

A Boxing Day reflection on a standout year of Full Disclosure. James O’Brien revisits key guests and conversations from 2025, offering perspective on the ideas, stories and people that shaped the podcast over the past twelve months. With sincere thanks to everyone who has listened, shared and stayed curious, your company makes these conversations p…

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Martin Shaw: The Professionals was a monster that swallowed my career 1:01:11

6d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

From bomb sites in postwar Birmingham to the centre of British stage and screen, Martin Shaw’s life has been shaped by curiosity, kindness and a refusal to play the part he was expected to play. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with one of Britain’s most enduring actors to trace the journey behind the performances. Shaw r…

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Sir Gareth Southgate: There were days I didn’t want to get out from under the duvet 57:31

13d ago57:31

57:31

From missing the most famous penalty in English football to leading the national team into a new era, Gareth Southgate’s story is one of quiet resilience, modern leadership and emotional intelligence forged under relentless public pressure. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Gareth to trace the long road that shaped hi…

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Jan Ravens: “I lived with a nameless dread” 1:02:00

20d ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Jan Ravens, the acclaimed impressionist at the heart of Dead Ringers, grew up learning to change the mood of a room long before she ever changed her voice on stage. In this conversation with James O Brien, she reflects on a childhood shaped by humour, instability and her father’s illness, and how those early pressures sharpened the instincts that l…

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Danielle Caruana explores the decay and transformation of love as Mama Kin in album Promises 30:11

21d ago30:11

30:11

Danielle Caruana is an award winning singer songwriter - better known to many by her on-stage moniker of Mama Kin. This spellbinding singer and percussionist taps into the DNA of generations of creatives before her as half of the duo Mama Kin Spender - mesmerising audiences with her firebrand performances and songwriting. Mama Kin Spender’s latest …

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Hal Cruttenden: Divorce blew my mind- it hits harder than losing parents 1:04:43

28d ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Before he became one of the most recognisable storytellers on the comedy circuit, Hal Cruttenden was a shy kid from West London who spent years trying to be what he thought others wanted him to be. He trained as an actor, chased approval, and tried to outrun a gnawing sense that something in his life was not quite aligned. It took heartbreak, thera…

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Author and playwright Wren Valentino on building an internationally renowned creative powerhouse career 42:34

1M ago42:34

42:34

This episode of Streets of Your Town is a tribute to 30 years of friendship, and the power of the creative process in whatever form it takes. Wren Valentino is an author, playwright, actor, film producer, entrepreneur and teacher based in Sacremento California. He’s the CEO and owner of Blue Dasher Productions, helping to bring more than 100 indepe…

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Stephen Mangan: When Mum died, I knew I couldn’t waste life being a lawyer- I had to act 1:00:18

1M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Before he became one of Britain’s most familiar faces, Stephen Mangan was a bookish North London boy from an Irish working-class family- the son of a builder and a barmaid- who won a scholarship to a boarding school his parents didn’t want him to attend. From there to Cambridge, to RADA, and to the West End, his path looks polished. But behind it l…

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Toby Jones: I never wanted to feel desperate about acting 1:04:28

1M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

From Truman Capote to Mr Bates, Toby Jones has built a career on disappearing- an actor whose transformations are so complete they can seem alchemical. But behind that versatility lies a story of inheritance, self-doubt and quiet rebellion. The son of two actors, Toby grew up watching his father’s unpredictable career and vowing never to feel so ex…

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John Lloyd: Blackadder, Spitting Image, QI and a life in search of meaning 1:03:46

2M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

As the creative mind behind Blackadder, Spitting Image, Not the Nine O’Clock News and QI, John Lloyd has quietly shaped British comedy for more than forty years. In this episode of Full Disclosure, he sits down with James O’Brien to look back on the work that defined his career-and the questions that have driven him ever since. Lloyd reflects on hi…

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Jimmy Wales: The man who built Wikipedia 1:05:34

2M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

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 c…

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Charles Dance: From builder’s labourer with a stammer to Tywin Lannister 58:58

2M ago58:58

58:58

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 comman…

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Award-winning author Kirsty Nancarrow on Himalayan Dreams, and not allowing obstacles to overcome you 28:53

2M ago28:53

28:53

Sometimes our lives deviate from what we expected in ways we could never have imagined. For Cairns based journalist, media trainer and author Kirsty Nancarrow, her bestselling and now award winning book Himalayan Dreams is proof that you never know what could be around the corner. As a journalist for 15 years with ABC Radio in Queensland’s far nort…

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Alexander Armstrong: My default setting is fear- I expect the worst of people 53:58

2M ago53:58

53:58

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 e…

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Jack Thorne: “I was allergic to moving - the doctor said, ‘This might be forever.’” 1:06:24

3M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

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 c…

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Cor Hutton: The Quadruple Amputee Who Found Her Feet 51:59

3M ago51:59

51:59

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 quad…

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Jamie Oliver: “I’d gone from being skint to having a lot of money, I felt like a fake.” 1:03:22

3M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

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, res…

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Leo Varadkar: Former Prime Minister of Ireland on Power and Letting Go 1:05:21

3M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

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 h…

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Performer Garret Lyon on how what we see as failure can be turned into success 17:12

3M ago17:12

17:12

For proud Darumbal and Wulli-Wulli man Garret Lyon, singing and connecting with his audience has been integral to his existence since he was a small child when he would sing show tunes to his family. But just when he thought his talents were all coming to fruition, it was cruelly turned around in a way he didn’t expect. However on reflection, he’s …

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Multi-instrumentalist Kate Barzdo on the importance of letting our creativity shine 31:31

3M ago31:31

31:31

In a culture swamped by AI and technological change, it can become easy to dismiss our creative urges and tell ourselves that we missed our opportunity to shine. However multi-instrumentalist, choir leader, singer and performer Kate Barzdo shows that creativity can burst forth at any time in our life, but only if we heed it and listen to it. Kate h…

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Mirning Elder Bunna Lawrie on being one of the great founders of Australian rock music and whale dreamer 19:11

3M ago19:11

19:11

This week on Streets of Your Town, we’re going to Adelaide to celebrate one of the great founders of Australian rock music. Bunna Lawrie is the frontman and founding member of the band Coloured Stone, whose song Black Boy released in 1984 is still an anthem for First Nations people. He most recently performed at the Sydney Opera House in Generation…

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Dr Richard Shepherd: Lessons from 23,000 Postmortems- including Hungerford, Hillsborough and Princess Diana 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

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 le…

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Arabella Weir: At nine my mum said, “I can’t bear the sight of you” 1:00:56

4M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

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 …

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Natalie Haynes: Greek Myths, Medea and the Comedy of Classics 1:04:23

4M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

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 …

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From The Vault: Brian Cox 1:09:05

4M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

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 a…

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From The Vault: Miriam Margolyes 1:00:08

4M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

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…

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Cariad Lloyd: Talking About Grief Changed My Life 1:01:05

4M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

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 he…

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"Fat Girl" melds slam poetry and social justice onto the stage with creator Danielle Aquilina 24:33

5M ago24:33

24:33

Danielle Aquilina has forged a path from slam poetry to devising her own award winning play, taking on the taboo topic of women’s bodies with fearless abandon. Fat Girl may sound like a confronting title for a one woman show, but as Danielle tells us on Streets of Your Town - it’s an apt moniker for her unapologetic take on body dysmorphia, societa…

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Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen 59:08

5M ago59:08

59:08

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…

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Baconfest showcasing the best of the South Burnett featuring Amber Goldsmith and Rob Fitz-Herbert 24:15

5M ago24:15

24:15

There are not many foods that have almost universal appeal, but bacon would have to be one of them. So much so that the Queensland country region famed for producing bacon in many different varieties celebrates this feat with an annual Baconfest Festival. Kingaroy in the South Burnett will become the hub for all things bacon related over the weeken…

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Irvine Welsh: We’re More Addicted Now Than in Trainspotting 1:01:43

5M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

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…

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David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now 54:57

5M ago54:57

54:57

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 Ja…

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The Visitors shows an Aboriginal perspective of 1788 not found in the history books 25:26

5M ago25:26

25:26

Imagine for a moment, that it is 1788 and you are watching a mysterious fleet amassing on the harbour. This is the premise for the play The Visitors about the monumental events of 1788 from an Aboriginal perspective, giving audiences a unique opportunity to see these events from a viewpoint not covered by the history books. The play first debuted i…

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Grace Dent: Almost Everything I’ve Done, I’ve Been Told No First 1:02:35

5M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

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 be…

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Accidental Death of an Anarchist with a 1980s corrupt Queensland twist 26:25

5M ago26:25

26:25

Sometimes just as local history seems about to be forgotten, a bold project comes along to bring it back to life. So it is for the new production from Brisbane indie arts company PiP Theatre, with its bold reimagining of the classic play Accidental Death of an Anarchist. This adaptation of Dario Fo’s timeless political farce is relocated to 1980s B…

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Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost 59:30

6M ago59:30

59:30

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. The…

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Ken and Paul Thaiday on their remarkable artworks from the Torres Strait 19:14

6M ago19:14

19:14

The pitoval First Nations celebration that is NAIDOC Week is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - and continues until Sunday 13 July. The 2025 theme—The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy—looks firmly to the future while celebrating the achievements of the past. And that theme has inspired this episode of Streets of Your Town. Ren…

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Streets of Your Town goes to the outback Laura Races on Cape York in far-north Queensland 37:29

6M ago37:29

37:29

Three hours drive from Cairns in the vast wilderness of Cape York in far-north Queensland, is a little town called Laura. And for 128 years, this little town that is not much more than a roadhouse and a pub has hosted the annual Laura Amateur Turf Club Race meeting, attracting jockeys, horses and racegoers from all over the state. Fans and competit…

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Jon Culshaw: The Impressionist Who Fooled the Prime Minister 1:00:26

6M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

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 …

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Kate Baggerson on Everybody Now and the importance of creativity in our everyday lives 21:33

6M ago21:33

21:33

There are some conversations that take you to places you never expected, and this one on the banks of the Brisbane River in Brisbane’s cultural precinct was certainly one of them. This chat with Kate Baggerson I hope will inspire you to be more creative in your everyday life, as it did for me. The executive director of Everybody Now is celebrating …

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Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies 1:01:03

6M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

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 ou…

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Amber Rudd: I resigned because I couldn’t defend the indefensible 59:24

6M ago59:24

59:24

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, …

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Jameela Jamil: Getting hit by that car changed everything 1:01:36

7M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

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 relentle…

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Larry Lamb: Damaged people are dangerous because they know they can survive 1:03:39

7M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

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 Discl…

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Jimmy Anderson: Behind the Bowler 57:14

7M ago57:14

57:14

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 in…

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Olivier Boudon and Theresa Scholl on the beauty and amazing produce of the Scenic Rim 17:11

7M ago17:11

17:11

There’s a little patch of paradise in Queensland’s south-east corner - in some ways not far away from the big city lights of Brisbane, but when you get there, you feel like you could be at the end of the earth. The Scenic Rim spans more than four thousand kilometres with landscapes ranging from lush rainforests to rolling paddocks and serene lakes,…

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Christiane Amanpour: From Global Crises to Personal Truths 50:01

7M ago50:01

50:01

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 Ful…

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Laura Bates: Misogyny, Machine Learning and The Manosphere 1:04:12

7M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

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 sc…

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Join Fiona Shepherd on a Glasgow Music City Tour 19:28

8M ago19:28

19:28

Recently I spent a gloriously rare fine day in Glasgow for Streets of Your Town, wandering around the city’s renowned concert halls and gig venues with music journo Fiona Shepherd - who’s also the co-founder and lead guide of Glasgow Music City Tours. She’s been taking tourists back stage around Glasgow’s renowned live scene for ten years now, shar…

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Christian O’Connell: I had everything I ever wanted, and I was falling apart 1:03:45

8M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

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 …