James O'Brien - The Whole Show

Global

Donald Trump

Keir Starmer

Brexit

Nigel Farage

Iran

United Kingdom

Labour Party

Jeffrey Epstein

NATO

Andy Burnham

Peter Mandelson

Education

Immigration

Climate Change

Conservative Party

European Union

Greenland

Racism

Reform UK

British Monarchy

Listen back to James O'Brien's phone-in show, which will make you think - and possibly change your outlook on the big stories. You can email the show below and get involved at any time jamesobrienshow@global.com for regular listeners or jamesobrienPlus@global.com for subscribers. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com

3.5k ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	1691	Founded	8 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Daily NewsNews

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Latest Episodes

$6.3bn has just been stolen...is this question too stupid to ask?

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

Yesterday • 2 hrs 25 min

A tale of two extremes in the media today

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

29 Oct 2026 • 2 hrs 24 min

What did the budget ever do for us?

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

28 Oct 2026 • 2 hrs 34 min

Everybody thinks pensioners have it too easy

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

27 Oct 2026 • 2 hrs 25 min

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Number of Listeners

Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

James O'Brien DailyGlobal

Full Disclosure with James O'BrienGlobal

James O'Brien's Mystery HourGlobal

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Recent Guests

Vicky Aldridge

Principal Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead at Combat Stress

Combat Stress

Episode: I'm going to start prepping for a crisis

Carolyn Saunders

Filmmaker, writer and director; BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing for Comedy Award winner

Episode: What has AI ever done for us?

Will Guyatt

LBC technology correspondent

LBC

Episode: What has AI ever done for us?

Dom Joly

Comedian and author

Episode: What has AI ever done for us?

Michael Lewis

Bestselling nonfiction author of The Big Short, The Fifth Risk and Blockers

Episode: Should we be extracting more gas from the UK?

Peter Atezi

BAFTA award-winning filmmaker and producer who attended Dulwich College with Nigel Farage

Episode: Should we be extracting more gas from the UK?

Bethany Dawson

Political journalist who covers Prime Minister's Questions

Episode: Should we be extracting more gas from the UK?

Simon Marks

Journalist and international affairs commentator

Episode: The mother of all privatisation disasters

Evan Gershkovich

Wall Street Journal journalist imprisoned in Russia

The Wall Street Journal

Episode: Trump has posted footage from the tiger enclosure

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.5k ratings

Whiney chin stroker
Cant stand this whiney woke cnt snivelling weasel faced arse
Apple Podcasts
1
RodPod123
United Kingdom5 months ago
“It’s extraordinary”
As James himself says every 30 seconds or so, it’s extraordinary!
Apple Podcasts
5
Reviewer U.K.
United Kingdom6 months ago
Love the show, but…
Your attack on Doctor Pepper is disgraceful and has resulted in a loss of a star, HA! Take that!
No, but seriously, it’s funny hearing someone offer criticism of another country’s drinks who’s from a country INFAMOUS for having an absolutely horrible culinary culture. Even your signature dish, “Fish & Chips!” is garbage. Cheerios, you limey bastard!
Otherwise, great show.
Apple Podcasts
4
Bill the Bug Guy
United States6 months ago
Sanity preserving
O'Brien keeps me sane. Other people agree with me re Farage, Reform and the Trump regime. I don't live in a parallel reality after all! Such a relief!
Apple Podcasts
5
Dottler
United Kingdom7 months ago
Brilliant
The best analysis of the absolute madness we are currently living with. Fearless and totally on point. No ming vase being carefully carried here. Excellent show.
Apple Podcasts
5
TIEITM
United Kingdom7 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and coverage are seen as timely and relevant to public policy debates.

Some listeners feel the tone can be polarizing or abrasive, but many appreciate the transparent debate.

The host's passion and willingness to challenge callers are considered a hallmark of the show.

Listeners praise fearless, analytical commentary and engaging guests.

Editing and audio quality are frequently criticized, with many noting skips and glitches.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#107	United States/News/Daily News
YouTube	#82	United Kingdom/Popular Podcasts
Apple Podcasts	#12	United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts	#45	United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts	#53	Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts	#28	Australia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The French attack France

Q: What do people who grew up in comfortable areas fail to understand about childhood in difficult areas?

Callers describe routine fear and vigilance, deprivation, poor housing, overcrowded schools, limited educational expectations and fewer opportunities. Several say that moving to safer areas or encountering different communities helped them recognize how their childhood environments had shaped their wellbeing and ambitions.

The French attack France

Q: What are the key differences between France and Britain that help explain the protests, and could similar unrest happen in Britain?

Callers describe French citizens' stronger sense of ownership of the republic and an established right to demonstrate, as well as a historical expectation that protest can bring change. They contrast this with British deference and argue that France's demonstrations include a mix of students, yellow-vest supporters and opportunistic rioters, while the causes and political context differ from Britain's unrest.

The mother of all privatisation disasters

Q: What is it like to lose your temper and start regretting it almost immediately?

Callers describe anger as a rapid, exhausting rush that can be triggered by frustration, feeling threatened or suppressing resentment. They discuss how childhood experiences, ADHD and other emotional difficulties may contribute, and describe counselling, medication and stepping away as ways they have managed it.

The mother of all privatisation disasters

Q: How did Thames Water become the mother of all privatisation disasters?

Callers point to the company's monopoly over an essential service, weak regulation, neglected infrastructure, debt and owners' focus on extracting profit. Former employees describe early warnings about deteriorating assets and say investment and maintenance were sacrificed.

Should we be extracting more gas from the UK?

Q: What was it like to have a loved one in a care home during COVID, and did you know at the time that residents were at risk?

Former care home workers and relatives describe inadequate PPE, infected hospital discharges, residents dying after COVID entered care homes, and families being unable to visit. They say staff recognized serious risks while official assurances about protecting care homes did not match their experience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About James O'Brien

What is James O'Brien about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show is a fast-paced, call-in driven current affairs program that probes big UK and global stories through listener perspectives. Topics span climate, education, social care, immigration, policing, national leadership, and media narratives, with the host guiding debates, challenging callers, and weaving in expert guests. It often blends sharp political commentary with personal anecdotes, aiming to illuminate policy implications while encouraging audience participation. A notable strength is its willingness to tackle controversial issues head-on, sometimes triggering strong reactions but frequently offering practical, real-world context for public policy and civic life.

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How many listeners does James O'Brien get?

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How many subscribers and views does James O'Brien have?

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Which podcasts are similar to James O'Brien?

These podcasts share a similar audience with James O'Brien:

1. James O'Brien Daily
2. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
3. James O'Brien's Mystery Hour
4. The News Agents
5. The News Agents - USA

How many episodes of James O'Brien are there?

James O'Brien launched 8 years ago and published 1691 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact James O'Brien?

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What guests have appeared on James O'Brien?

Recent guests on James O'Brien include:

1. Vicky Aldridge
2. Carolyn Saunders
3. Will Guyatt
4. Dom Joly
5. Michael Lewis
6. Peter Atezi
7. Bethany Dawson
8. Simon Marks

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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