Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

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

  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, Amber offers an unusually frank look at what it means to hold power- and when to walk away from it.She speaks candidly about the human cost of leadership, the moral complexity of the Home Office, and the fallout of political compromise. And she reflects on what it takes to recover- personally and professionally- from being publicly vilified.Grounded, introspective and refreshingly sincere, Amber revisits the pressure points of her political life, the people who’ve shaped her, and why disagreement doesn’t have to mean disloyalty.She also shares why she’s returned to public conversation with The Crisis Room- a new podcast co-hosted with journalist Mark Urban and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos. Each week, the team unpicks the biggest crises shaping the UK and the world. With insider perspectives drawn from the gritty underbelly of investigative reporting, the corridors of Westminster and the shadowy realm of intelligence, they break down what’s really happening behind the headlines, and what’s at stake for our future.Listen to The Crisis Room here

  --------  

  59:24
• Jameela Jamil: Getting hit by that car changed everything

  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-Hulk, Jameela’s story is one of extraordinary reinvention.She speaks openly about how trauma shaped her values, why comedy became her lifeline, and how she built I Weigh- a platform and podcast that champions mental health, challenges toxic norms, and encourages people to question what they’ve been taught to value.Candid, sharp and disarmingly funny, Jameela reflects on the cost of speaking out, the privilege of being heard, and how embracing chaos has often led her to exactly where she needed to be.Find out more about Jameela Jamil’s podcast Wrong Turns here

  --------  

  1:01:36
• Larry Lamb: Damaged people are dangerous because they know they can survive

  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 up with an abusive father and shares the unexpected twists that took him from oil rigs and sales jobs to amateur theatre and eventual stardom.Moving, measured, and full of reflection, this conversation offers a rare window into how we carry our past, and how it can shape- without defining- the people we become.Find out more about Larry’s debut novel All Wrapped Up and national book tour here

  --------  

  1:03:39
• Jimmy Anderson: Behind the Bowler

  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 after nearly two decades. Jimmy also shares personal revelations about his mental health, the strength he drew from family life, and how loss, resilience, and therapy helped him endure some of his darkest moments.As he steps into retirement, Jimmy opens up about what the game has taught him, why he’s still not finished giving back, and how he plans to navigate life off the pitch. Reflective and candid, this conversation reveals the human side of a sporting great who’s spent his life finding calm amid the chaos.Find out more about Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge: The Autobiography here

  --------  

  57:14
• Christiane Amanpour: From Global Crises to Personal Truths

  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 Tehran to CNN’s international anchor desk, discussing the deep personal impact of motherhood, the shifting challenges for women in journalism, and the influence of her high-profile marriage to diplomat Jamie Rubin. From candid reflections on the media’s role in Trump-era America to her evolving understanding of clarity, empathy and leadership, this is a conversation shaped by the past but rooted firmly in the turbulent present.Christiane also opens up about her new podcast, The Ex Files, co-hosted with her ex-husband Jamie Rubin. Told through the prism of their 20-year marriage and subsequent divorce, the series explores the biggest issues of the day and the historical moments that shaped them- from Donald Trump’s return to office, to the escalating global economic crisis, the war in Gaza, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine- all examined through lived history on opposite sides.Listen to The Ex Files here

  --------  

  50:01

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

Full Disclosure with James O'Brien: Podcasts in Family