Best Rob Howell Podcasts (2025)

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Rob Reiner, Joanna Trollope, Stanley Baxter, Sophie Kinsella 27:46

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6d ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Rob Reiner, the film director, screenwriter and actor behind pictures like “This Is Spinal Tap”, “Stand By Me” and “When Harry Met Sally”. Stanley Baxter, the Scottish comedian best known for his impersonations of Hollywood stars and royalty. The actor Bill Paterson pays tribute. And Joanna Trollope and Sophie Kinsella, two bes…

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23.1 Black Bart 1:10:52

8d ago1:10:52

1:10:52

We come to another pirate with a cool nick name. Two episodes on him, but why? is the pirate we have all been waiting for?By Rob and Jamie

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Season Six: 2025 Year End Round up with Leanne Battelle and Daedalus Howell 35:22

8d ago35:22

35:22

Send us a text Leanne Battelle (Marin IJ food writer and editor at The Real Deal Marin) and Daedalus Howell (editor of the Pacific Sun/Bohemian and host of The Drive on Wine Country Radio 95.5 FM) join us to talk about the state of the restaurant business in Marin at the end of 2025.By Jeff Burkhart Kevin Blum Daedalus Howell Leanne Battelle

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Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Vera Weisfeld, Frank Gehry, Martin Parr 27:52

13d ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the zoologist who devoted his life to the study and conservation of African elephants. Vera Weisfeld, the businesswoman whose chain of What Every Woman Wants stores offered fashion designs at bargain prices. Frank Gehry, the architect best known for his flamboyant designs for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilb…

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Sir Tom Stoppard, Pam Hogg, Yanxin He, Jack Shepherd 27:46

20d ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister has a star-studded cast on this week’s Last Word: Sir David Hare pays tribute to his friend and fellow playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. Boy George recalls the flamboyant fashion designer Pam Hogg. Sir Mark Rylance gives an insight into the many talents of the actor, director and writer Jack Shepherd. We also remember Yanxin He, one of…

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Rob Russell – “Rail is a Precious Commodity” 47:32

23d ago47:32

47:32

Rob Russell, Managing Partner, Russell-Kroese Partners, joins Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono for a wide-ranging discussion on the railroad industry and its future, with particular emphasis on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Among the topics are the health of the rail industry from 2002 to present; the service an…

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Jimmy Cliff, Charlotte Bingham, Skye Gyngell, David Bellos 27:36

27d ago27:36

27:36

Kirsty Lang on: Jimmy Cliff, who took reggae music onto the global stage. His former record producer and founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell pays tribute. Charlotte Bingham, the writer who mined the experience of her upbringing and relationships to pen dozens of novels and screenplays. Skye Gyngell, the Australian born chef whose devotion to…

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22 Christopher Condent 53:46

29d ago53:46

53:46

It's not a long episode. And his name is not Christopher Condent. But don't let that disturb you - maybe he is great! Maybe?By Rob and Jamie

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Episode 63 - Talking the power of AI and Humanity in building Customer Experiences with Antti Kangaslahti 43:46

1M ago43:46

43:46

In today's episode, we talk to Antti Kangaslahti. Antti is a customer experience expert with over a decade of experience in top London agencies across a breadth of industries, including FMCG, technology, finance, telecoms, aviation, and education. We chat about the role of expectations in customer experience, why signature human experiences still m…

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Baroness Newlove, Zoe Wicomb, Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, Professor Roland Paxton 27:42

1M ago27:42

27:42

Matthew Bannister on: Baroness Newlove, who turned a tragic event in her own life into a powerful campaign for victims’ rights. Zoe Wicomb, the South Africa-born author whose novels are set against the backdrop of the apartheid regime. Sir Geoffrey Bindman, the lawyer who helped to shape equality legislation, represented Labour politicians and foug…

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James Watson, Pauline Collins, Judith Vidal-Hall, Dugald Ross 27:45

1M ago27:45

27:45

Matthew Bannister on James Watson who shared the Nobel Prize for identifying the structure of DNA, but was widely condemned later in life for his racist and sexist views. Pauline Collins, the comic actor who triumphed in the role of Shirley Valentine on stage and screen. The play’s director Simon Callow pays tribute. Judith Vidal-Hall, who edited t…

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32 Edward England 1:12:05

1M ago1:12:05

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This week we look into the life of an Irish pirate called England! We have come across him a couple of times already, but lets see what his story is all about.By Rob and Jamie

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Episode 62 - Talking Agentic AI with Special Guest Simon Spyer 33:51

1M ago33:51

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In this episode, we talk to Simon Spyer. Simon is an entrepreneur and data-driven marketer with experience at some of the best agencies in the UK. 5 months ago, he struck out on his own and started the company Data Agents. Their focus is on helping businesses to determine when and how to use agentic AI to unlock the most value possible. We cover wh…

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Season Six: Lou Lesko, author/director/photographer and writing partner in Tale of a Barfly 20:11

1M ago20:11

20:11

Send us a text We welcome Lou Lesko, the man behind the scenes at "Tale of a Barfly," our dramatic collaboration at the Marin Civic Center's Showcase Theater on Nov. 20By Jeff Burkhart Kevin Blum Lou Lesko

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Dick Cheney, Yvonne Brewster, Mary McGee, Peter Watkins 27:55

2M ago27:55

27:55

Matthew Bannister on Dick Cheney, the Republican politician who was Vice President under George W Bush and played key roles in both Gulf Wars. Yvonne Brewster, the Jamaican-born director and actor who founded the Black British Theatre Company Talawa. Mary ‘May’ McGee, the Irish woman who brought s successful legal challenge against the country’s ba…

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Prunella Scales CBE, Gillian Tindall, Roger Smith, Anthony Grey 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Matthew Bannister on The actor Prunella Scales, best known for playing Sybil in the TV comedy Fawlty Towers. Her son Samuel West reflects on her long career and happy marriage to fellow actor Timothy West. Gillian Tindall, the writer who pioneered the technique of exploring history through the portal of a particular house or area. Roger Smith, who …

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SPECIAL EDITION: Prunella Scales 21:23

2M ago21:23

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In this special edition of Last Word, Matthew Bannister talks to the actor Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales. Prunella died on the 27th October, aged 93. Known for her work on stage and screen over many decades – Prunella was particularly renowned for her role as Sybil on Fawlty Towers. In addition to countless other roles, she appeared …

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20 Mary Read 50:48

2M ago50:48

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We go to the friend of Ann this week. What, if anything, makes her stand out from her partner in crime? Does she have a new and equally probably made up back story? Find out!By Rob and Jamie

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Raila Odinga, Bill Colley, Baroness Rosalind Howells, Sister Marion Irvine 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Matthew Bannister on The influential Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, who was detained for his pro-democracy campaigns, but went on to be the country’s Prime Minister. Bill Colley, who designed and built traditional wooden racing boats. Baroness Rosalind Howells of St Davids, who campaigned for racial equality and supported the family of Stephen Law…

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Norfolk Southern EVP and COO John Orr Talks Passenger Rail 17:55

2M ago17:55

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As Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John Orr holds ultimate responsibility for every train on the Class I’s vast network, freight and passenger. Relationships between passenger carriers and their host freight railroads aren’t always harmonious, but NS has been working on improvements benefiting both. “For sever…

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Peter Gurney, Diane Keaton, Peter Hall, Angela Bond 27:45

2M ago27:45

27:45

Matthew Bannister on Peter Gurney, the George Medal winning bomb disposal expert who regularly risked his life to defuse explosive devices, including the mortars that were fired at 10 Downing Street by the IRA in 1991. Diane Keaton, the actor best known for her collaboration with Woody Allen in Annie Hall and Manhattan. Peter Hall, the pioneering E…

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19 Ann Bonney 1:09:42

2M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

We get to one of the most interesting pirates of the age - Ann Bonny. The pirate world was not kind to women, so how did Ann navigate the tumultuous waters of being a pirate and a woman? Find out! (Oh, and there is a load of fun nonsense from the General History too)By Rob and Jamie

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Exciting Announcement! 3:15

2M ago3:15

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Jamie and I will be keynote speakers at next year's Intelligent Speech conference! It is always a great time. Intelligent Speech Online is happening February 28th, 2026. · The theme is Companions and Rivals · Tickets are on sale at intelligentspeechonline.com · Earlybird pricing is available on tickets until December 31st, 2025. · Use discount code…

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Patrick Bradley, Dame Jilly Cooper, Sara Jane Moore, Dame Patricia Routledge 27:46

3M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Patrick Bradley, the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles. Dame Jilly Cooper, the best-selling author of the racy “Rutshire Chronicles”. Sara Jane Moore, the political extremist who tried to assassinate US President Gerald Ford. Dame Patricia Routledge, the actor best known for her portraya…

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Season Six: Larry Mindel and Steve Reinertsen, authors of Mindel's new memoir "Lorenzo" 21:09

3M ago21:09

21:09

By Jeff Burkhart Kevin Blum Larry Mindel Steve Reinertsen

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Dame Jane Goodall, Tony Harrison, Lord Menzies Campbell, Danny Thompson 27:46

3M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Dame Jane Goodall, the primatologist and environmental campaigner who changed our understanding of animal behaviour. Chris Packham pays tribute. Tony Harrison, the Yorkshire born poet who took his writing to new audiences through theatre and TV. Michael Rosen assesses his work. Lord Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Li…

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18 Jack Rackham 1:29:16

3M ago1:29:16

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At the end of Vane's episode he was overtaken by his quartermaster. But who was that man? Why was he wearing these clothes, and why are the turtle hunters so buff? Find out!By Rob and Jamie

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Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, John Stapleton, Mary Elizabeth Dodd, Claudia Cardinale 27:34

3M ago27:34

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Matthew Bannister on Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect who designed the international terminal at London’s Waterloo Station and the Eden Project. John Stapleton, the TV presenter who fronted Watchdog with his wife and ITV’s breakfast and daytime shows. His friend Greg Dyke pays tribute. Mary Elizabeth Dodd, the physiotherapist who pioneered new …

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Season Six: Rob Lightner of East Brother Beer Co. and Tam Tavern 22:18

3M ago22:18

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Send us a text Rob Lightner, one of the co-founders of East Brother Beer Co., joins us to talk beer, and their two brand new locations: Tam Tavern in Mill Valley and a taproom at the Metreon in SF.By Jeff Burkhart Kevin Blum Rob Lightner

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Robert Redford, Barbara Harvey, Rosa Roisinblit, Stuart Craig 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

Matthew Bannister on: Robert Redford, the film star who believed his striking good looks could be a curse as well as a blessing. Barbara Harvey, the mediaeval historian who revealed fascinating details of the lives of the monks of Westminster Abbey. Rosa Roisinblit, one of Argentina’s Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo who finally tracked down the g…

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17.2 Charles Vane 1:39:02

3M ago1:39:02

1:39:02

Last time we saw what he got up to under Henry Jennings. But now he is on his own leading a pirate faction against all the leading pirates. Oh, and Woods Rogers is on his way!By Rob and Jamie

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Episode 61 - Talking the complicated world of Martech and AI with Special Guest Rob Pellow 43:30

3M ago43:30

43:30

In this episode, we talk to Rob Pellow, Executive Technical Director at the independent CRM agency Armadillo, based out of Bristol in the UK. Rob is an expert in the somewhat labyrinthine and opaque world of martech and we talked about that world, its current obsession with integrating AI and where he thinks the future is going. External resources:…

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The Duchess of Kent, Giorgio Armani, Valerie Pearlman, Rick Davies 27:31

3M ago27:31

27:31

John Wilson on: The Duchess of Kent, who stepped back from royal duties to teach music in primary schools. Giorgio Armani whose suit designs help define the look of the 1980s and beyond. Valerie Pearlman who made legal history by being the first judge in the UK finish a trial via fax machine and video link from her hospital bed. Rick Davies, who so…

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Joe Bugner, Ann McManus, Angela Mortimer Barrett, Frank Strang 27:52

4M ago27:52

27:52

John Wilson on Joe Bugner, the heavyweight boxer who fought the titans of the sport from Henry Cooper, Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier. Ann McManus, the writer for Coronation Street who went on to be one of the founders of Shed Productions that created hit drama series such as Bad Girls, Footballer Wives and Waterloo Road. Angela Mortimer Barrett, the…

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17.1 Charles Vane 1:21:45

4M ago1:21:45

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In a change to the schedule, we are looking at one of the most notorious pirates this week: Charles Vane! In part one we look at his life under one of the father's of golden age piracy - Captain Jennings.By Rob and Jamie

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David Richardson, Doris Lockhart Saatchi, Dame Annette Brooke, Byron Rogers 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

John Wilson on: Broadcaster David Richardson who was for over 60 years a leading voice in the farming community Doris Lockhart Saatchi, the Art collector who along with her former husband Charles Saatchi transformed the UK art scene in the 80s and 90s Dame Annette Brooke who for 14 years was the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole By…

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Terence Stamp, Stephanie Shirley, Kay Dunbar, Eric Midwinter 27:37

4M ago27:37

27:37

John Wilson on: Actor Terence Stamp, the Oscar nominated 60s screen icon who went onto play many villains in his later film career Baroness Stephanie Shirley, the pioneering computer scientist and founder of her own software company Kay Dunbar who founded the Ways with Words literary festival which ran in Devon for 30 years Eric Midwinter was one o…

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16 Howel Davies 1:27:10

4M ago1:27:10

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Howel Davies is here. He may not be a popular as Bonnet or Blackbeard, but he has a story! Join us as we review the con man of the seas.By Rob and Jamie

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Season Six: Nikki Wood and Mimi Towle of Marin Magazine 27:43

4M ago27:43

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Send us a text Nikki Wood and Mimi Towle of Marin Magazine join us to talk Best of Marin, parties and publishingBy Jeff Burkhart Kevin Blum Mimi Towle Nikki Wood

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Jim Lovell, Biddy Baxter, Razia Jan, Iris Williams 27:53

4M ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Jim Lovell, the astronaut who commanded the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. Biddy Baxter, the editor who left an indelible stamp on the children’s TV show Blue Peter. Sarah Greene pays tribute. Razia Jan, the Afghan/American who founded a school for girls in Afghanistan after 9/11. Iris Williams, the Welsh born singer whose career…

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Freight Rail Equipment Market Insights with Kate Suprenuk and David Nahass 34:05

5M ago34:05

34:05

This podcast, taken from Railway Age’s 2025 Rail Insights Conference, features Kate Suprenuk, President of Leasing and Manufacturing, Union Tank Car Company & Procor | Marmon, in conversation with David Nahass, President, Railroad Financial Corp. and Financial Editor, Railway Age. Conference sponsored by BNSF Railway, The Greenbrier Companies, Amst…

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Episode 60 - Talking Video game marketing and inclusivity with Special Guest Angela Harding 43:26

5M ago43:26

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This episode features an interview with Angela Harding. Angela is a veteran of the video games industry, having spent over 19 years working at Activision Blizzard. She held many roles there, including VP of EMEA for the legendary and enduring Call of Duty franchise. But she moved on from that a year or so ago to co-found Inclusive People, whose mis…

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Dame Stella Rimington, Sylvia Young, Sir Jamie McGrigor, Joan Anderson 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Dame Stella Rimington, the first woman to be Director General of MI5, who made the service more open and accountable. Sylvia Young, whose drama school turned out countless stars of stage, screen and music. Sir Jamie McGrigor, the Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands, who introduced a bill…

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15 Richard Whorley 41:19

5M ago41:19

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After the heights of Blackbeard and Bonnet we have the story of Whorley. Will he go down as one of the greats? No. Did we have fun talking about him? Yep!By Rob and Jamie

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Dame Cleo Laine, Hulk Hogan, Margaret Boden, Tom Lehrer 27:46

5M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Dame Cleo Laine, whose glorious voice was equally at home singing jazz, pop and classical music. Her daughter Jacqui Dankworth shares her memories. Hulk Hogan, who spearheaded the transformation of American wrestling from niche activity to global phenomenon. Professor Margaret Boden, whose expertise in cognitive science helped …

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Episode 59 - Talking about the point of Loyalty with special guest Adam Posner 39:59

5M ago39:59

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In this episode, we talk to Adam Posner, founder of the loyalty consultancy The Point of Loyalty. We cover the value of loyalty programs beyond the obvious, when a brand shouldn't have a loyalty program and how a brand's body language can really affect the success of its program. External resources: The Point of Loyalty website - CLICK HERE For Lov…

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Ozzy Osbourne, Connie Francis, Jacqui Browne, Douglas Chamberlain 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath lead singer known for his outrageous antics, many while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Jacqui Browne, the Thalidomide survivor who campaigned for the rights of disabled people in Ireland. Professor Douglas Chamberlain, the cardiologist who pioneered the use of defibrillators by ambula…

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14 Stede Bonnet 1:34:01

5M ago1:34:01

1:34:01

We have met Blackbeard - the most notorious pirate in history. But now let's meet the man behind the man. The gentleman in a dressing gown and bunny rabbit slippers. It's time to look at Stede Bonnet!By Rob and Jamie

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The CANSO ATM Podcast Episode 16 - Croatia's summer traffic challenge 26:50

5M ago26:50

26:50

Croatia has one of the busiest airspaces in Europe – air traffic at the moment is 44 per cent above 2019 levels, which is significantly above what was forecast during COVID. How does Croatia Control, the country's air navigation services provider, cope with all this activity during the peak summer season? CANSO Europe's Johnny Pring spoke with Dubr…

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Sir Ian Blair, Jennie Street, Dr Anna Ornstein, Muhammadu Buhari 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Lord Blair the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Jennie Street who helped to rehabilitate people on her suburban farm. Dr Anna Ornstein, a psychoanalyst and survivor of the Holocaust. Muhammudu Buhari, the former President of Nigeria. Interviewee: Sean O’Neill Interviewee: Anita OllerenshawInterviewee: Dr Sharone …