Leading Britain's Conversation

LBC

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Channel • 21 Shows

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly
Daily News

Daily News

Updated Daily
Comedy

Comedy

Updated Weekly
News

News

Updated Daily
Politics

Politics

Updated Weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly
News

News

Updated Weekly

2 DAYS AGO

From The Vault: Brian Cox

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 journey from the Dundee Repertory Theatre to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the West End and Hollywood, revisiting the defining roles that shaped his craft- from portraying Hannibal Lecter before Anthony Hopkins to his acclaimed turn as Logan Roy in Succession. He speaks candidly about the compromises and convictions that have steered his career, the cultural and political forces that have shaped his worldview, and his ongoing belief in the power of storytelling to confront injustice. Thoughtful, uncompromising and rich with anecdote, this episode offers a compelling portrait of an actor whose commanding presence is matched by his fierce intellect and refusal to play by the rules.

2 days ago

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1h 9m
22 AUG

From The Vault: Miriam Margolyes

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 one-woman show Dickens’ Women, and the global recognition that came with Harry Potter. Margolyes speaks openly about her voracious appetite for people and stories, her refusal to shy away from controversy, and the enduring influence of her parents- from her mother’s theatrical aspirations to her father’s financial frankness. Along the way, she shares unvarnished memories of working with Hollywood greats, the exhilaration of live performance, and the friendships collected across decades in the public eye. Frank, funny and utterly herself, this episode offers an unfiltered portrait of a national treasure who remains as curious, mischievous and compelling as ever.

22 Aug

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1 hr
15 AUG

Has Putin already won?

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

15 Aug

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2h 28m
15 AUG

Cariad Lloyd: Talking About Grief Changed My Life

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 unequipped to talk about death. Cariad shares the moments that shaped her, the people she’s never forgotten, and how the making of her book You Are Not Alone helped her say what so many struggle to find words for. Poignant, funny, and gently radical, Cariad reflects on love, loss, and learning to hold space for the chaos of being human. Find out more about Cariad Lloyd’s children’s book, Where Did She Go?: A heartfelt story to help children understand loss here

15 Aug

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1h 1m
1 AUG

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

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 computer that helped turn his chaotic brilliance into a career. The pair unpack the emotional weight behind his new book Men in Love, why he believes we’re living in a post-cultural age, and the creative lessons of rave, romance, and rock bottom. Sharp, soulful, and defiantly untamed, Irvine reflects on belonging, addiction, and the mad joy of letting characters run the show. Find out more about Irvine Welsh’s book, Men in Love here

1 Aug

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1h 2m
14 AUG

What should I do with this pigeon?

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

14 Aug

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49 min
8 AUG

Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen

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 speaks candidly about the creation and evolution of Dexys- from their soulful beginnings and fiercely protected aesthetic, to the extraordinary success of Come On Eileen and the pressures that came with it. He recalls the relentless control he exerted to protect his artistic vision, the personal cost of that intensity, and the creative compromises he would later come to regret. The conversation also explores his battle with addiction, the turning point that led to his recovery in 1993, and the revelations that followed as he began to confront the past he had long avoided. Now, with three decades of sobriety behind him, Kevin talks about continuing music on his own terms, embracing new ideas, and learning to be kinder to himself. Honest, unflinching and unexpectedly uplifting, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the man behind Dexys, the making of a global hit, and the life that came after. Find out more about Kevin Rowland’s memoir Bless Me Father here

8 Aug

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59 min
14 AUG

Putin won't stop at Ukraine

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

14 Aug

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2h 27m
12 AUG

Why Trump blames Zelenskyy for the Ukraine war

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

12 Aug

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2h 25m
27 JUNE

Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies

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 explore his unlikely route into writing, the moral questions behind some of his biggest books, and how he’s tried to find meaning through chaos. Curious, candid and full of surprising insight, this is a conversation about how institutions lose their grip, how outsiders make their mark and why the truth is often stranger (and more important) than fiction. Find out more about Michael Lewis, Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service here

27 June

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1h 1m

Leading Britain's Conversation