Best Commission Factory Podcasts (2025)

1
Jimmy Anderson: Behind the Bowler 57:14

13h 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…

1
Christiane Amanpour: From Global Crises to Personal Truths 50:01

8d 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…

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

15d 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…

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

22d 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 …

1
Brian Conley: “I made everyone laugh, that was my defence mechanism.” 1:10:00

29d ago1:10:00

1:10:00

From the world of variety to the West End stage, Brian Conley has built a career around his infectious energy, unique humour, and remarkable talent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, Brian opens up about his journey, from growing up in a working-class family to finding solace and confidence in showbiz. He reflects on the highs of performing with …

1
Kenneth Roth: Tyrants Trust Sycophants, I Challenge Them with the Truth 1:05:04

1M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has spent over three decades at the forefront of the global human rights movement, challenging abusive governments and fighting for justice. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Kenneth to discuss his extraordinary career, from his early years learning his fa…

1
Ash Atalla: The Office, The IT Crowd, and the Unlikely Road to Comedy Success 1:01:12

1M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Ash Atalla, the creative mind behind some of the most beloved British comedies, sits down with James O'Brien to explore his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in Northern Ireland to becoming a powerhouse producer in television. From The Office to The IT Crowd, Big Boys and more, Ash shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, in…

1
Steven Frayne: I Had To Kill Dynamo To Be Steven 1:08:14

2M ago1:08:14

1:08:14

Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, takes us on an extraordinary journey from the tough streets of Bradford to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated magicians. In this revealing episode of Full Disclosure, Steven opens up about his transformative life experiences- growing up in a single-parent household, dealing with adversity, and findi…

1
Carol Vorderman LIVE! Numbers, Politics, and Finding Her Voice 1:12:10

2M ago1:12:10

1:12:10

Carol Vorderman is best known as the queen of Countdown, but there’s far more to her than just numbers. From growing up in a single-parent household to becoming one of the most recognisable women in British television, her journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien explores Carol’s path from excelling …

1
Jon Ronson: “It's good training for a journalist, being bullied at school.” 57:57

2M ago57:57

57:57

From investigating the minds of psychopaths to examining the impact of public shaming in the digital age, Jon Ronson is a journalist and author who has built a career exploring stories that reveal the complexities of human nature. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Jon to unpack the experiences that shaped his unique o…

1
David Harewood: "I was not 'black' enough, I didn't know where I fit in" 1:02:32

2M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

David Harewood is one of Britain's finest actors, but fame found him late in life after he was cast as CIA Director David Estes in smash-hit show Homeland. In this fascinating episode of Full Disclosure, join James O'Brien as he takes a tour around David's life, from his early childhood, racist abuse from theatre reviewers, his psychosis diagnosis …

1
Alistair McGowan: My friends laughed when I said I was doing comedy 1:07:48

3M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Alistair McGowan is a man of many talents, as well as being one of the UKs most beloved impressionists. From award winning performances on the West End Stage, sell-out pianist shows and dominating the 90s and 00s sketch TV scene, he is a man that never disappoints to entertain. In this episode, James O'Brien goes back in time to Alistair's school d…

1
KT Tunstall: “I lost my hearing, it didn’t come back.” 58:51

3M ago58:51

58:51

From busking on the streets to topping the charts, KT Tunstall has carved a career defined by resilience, reinvention, and raw talent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien dives into KT’s journey from growing up in Scotland in a family with no musical background, to discovering her biological father’s Irish singing roots, and ultimatel…

1
Matt Forde: Doctors said I would never walk again 1:07:55

3M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Matt Forde is an eternal optimist. From growing up on a council estate to a single mother on benefits, to playing sold out nights at the London Palladium, he's a comedian and broadcaster with a very different story to most. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien takes a tour of Matt's formative years from the industrial city of Nottingha…

1
Zoe Lyons: My mum screamed about me..."I can't cope anymore" 1:01:58

3M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Zoe Lyons is a comedian that has graced our screens for over two decades, being a regular panelist on Mock the Week as well as numerous appearances on Have I Got News For You and Live at the Apollo. She grew up in rural Ireland, with a peripatetic childhood that would see her move to England, America and Scotland all by the time she reached 10-year…

1
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee: This breathing exercise will save your life! 59:59

4M ago59:59

59:59

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is a British physician, author, television presenter, and podcaster, known for his alternative approaches to health and wellbeing, aiming to find the root cause of disease rather than simply treating symptoms. During this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Dr. Chatterjee to find out how his childhood shap…

1
Full Disclosure is taking a short break, but we will be back! 2:01

5M ago2:01

2:01

Full Disclosure is taking a short break over Christmas but don't worry, we'll be back at the end of January with a line up of exceptional guests. If you can't wait until then, why not catch up on some of the episodes you might have missed. It's been a vintage year with incredible guests including Rob Brydon, Sir David Jason, Sally Lindsay and lots …

1
Best of... Full Disclosure 2024 50:10

5M ago50:10

50:10

As we take short break for Christmas – here's a selection of some of our favourite conversations from 2024. Full Disclosure will be back in the new year with more brilliant guests. In the meantime, why not listen back to your favourite episodes or catch up on the ones you might have missed. You can find them all on Global Player or wherever you get…

1
Rob Brydon: Rejection, manifesting success & meeting Steve Coogan 1:05:06

5M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

Rob Brydon has done pretty much everything you can. From radio DJ & Voice over artists, hosting one of the UKs most loved panel shows to being the star of Gavin & Stacey and acting alongside Margot Robbie in smash-hit Barbie. Rob is a comic that has never lacked ambition, but his success came later in life, during one of his darkest personal moment…

1
Shaun Keaveny: "I have self-doubt and massive amounts of imposter syndrome" 1:03:53

6M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Shaun Keaveny is one of the UKs most beloved broadcasters, having spent 11 years presenting one of the countries biggest music breakfast radio shows. His journey began upon leaving college, where he knew he wanted to work in a creative industry with a passion for writing skits, listening to the radio and playing music. Shaun soon got his first brea…

1
Alex James: 'Modern Life is Rubbish' was our last chance at success 55:52

6M ago55:52

55:52

Alex James is the bass player in one of Britain's biggest bands, Blur. With millions of record sales and 2 sold-out nights at Wembley in 2023, he sits down with James O'Brien to discuss his early childhood, the emergence of Blur, cheese making and his brilliant new book 'Over the Rainbow'. With a self-confessed short attention span, Alex failed his…

1
Baroness Lola Young: From foster care to the House of Lords 57:52

6M ago57:52

57:52

"As I grew up, I realised I had to look after myself because no one else was going to do it for me." Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey joined the House of Lords in 2004, becoming one of its first Black female members. But from the age of eight weeks old to eighteen years old, she moved between foster care placements and care homes in north London. In …

1
Dan Snow: I'd die if my kids said they wanted to be broadcasters 1:01:49

6M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Dan Snow makes history exciting. Whether it’s through his award-winning documentaries, bestselling books, or popular podcast History Hit, he has a gift for bringing the past to life and showing us why it still matters today. Coming from a family of celebrated journalists—his father is broadcaster Peter Snow and his mother is Canadian journalist Ann…

1
Rupert Everett: “I stuck out like a sore thumb in Hollywood" 56:11

7M ago56:11

56:11

For thirty-six year, James has been chasing this interview and now, he's finally secured it. Actor, writer and director Rupert Everett joins him to talk about the highs and lows of his extraordinary 40-year career in show business. Rupert discovered performing when he was a young boy and got a thrill from showing off in school plays at Ampleforth C…

1
James Rebanks: The shepherd who tells the stories of ordinary, extraordinary people 58:59

7M ago58:59

58:59

Growing up on a Lake District farm that had been in his family for centuries, James Rebanks always knew his place in the world. School wasn't for him - he felt his teachers looked down on farming and his grandparents worried education might lure him away from the land. By the age of 15, he had left school with just two O-Levels to work full-time on…

1
Hanif Kureishi: A freak accident left me paralysed - and it broke me 59:13

7M ago59:13

59:13

"I really need a future. What happened to me is so dark and so depressing that I've got to believe in something." On Boxing Day 2022, Hanif Kureishi's life changed forever. The acclaimed novelist and playwright had a fall that left him paralysed, a single, shattering moment that split his life in two. In this episode, Hanif tells James about the li…

1
Michel Roux: Cooking for presidents, kitchen battles and continuing the family legacy 57:41

7M ago57:41

57:41

One of Britain’s most celebrated French chefs, Michel Roux Jr is restaurant royalty. Born into the legendary Roux family, his father and uncle, Albert and Michel Roux Snr founded Le Gavroche, the first British restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. Determined to follow in their footsteps, Michel left school at 16 to begin a pastry apprenticeship …

1
Sir David Jason: "I’m addicted to an audience" 1:04:47

8M ago1:04:47

1:04:47

"I wasn’t driven by being famous, I was driven by being successful. I wanted to be recognised by my peers, people who I considered ‘posh actors’”. Award-winning actor and bestselling author, Sir David White, is better known by his stage name David Jason. His career has spanned over 50 years, and is best known for his iconic roles Del Boy in Only Fo…

1
William Dalrymple: A life shaped by history 1:01:57

8M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

"I'm that lucky guy who found his hobby and was able to turn it into a job." William Dalrymple is a multi-award winning and bestselling historian. Growing up on the Dalrymple family estate in North Berwick, with an almost Edwardian childhood, William was sent off to Ampleforth College at just eight years old. It was there that his passion for histo…

1
Graeme Park: How I accidentally became a resident DJ at the Hacienda 1:03:00

8M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Graeme Park is a legendary DJ and one of the founders of the UK's house music movement. Best known for his nine-year residency at Manchester's iconic superclub, The Hacienda, Graeme's journey into DJing was far from planned. In fact, he stumbled into it almost by accident. However, his passion for sharing the music he loved had a huge impact on the…

1
Jon Sopel: The Making of a News Agent 57:19

8M ago57:19

57:19

"Britain is nowhere near as bad as America but let's not get complacent about the risk." Jon Sopel is a journalist, broadcaster and author who launched the hugely successful The News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall in August 2022. Previously, he was the BBC’s North America Editor, covering U.S. elections including Donald Trump’s…

1
From The Vault: Angela Rayner 1:07:52

8M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

James is back with another incredible guest from the Full Disclosure vault. Angela Rayner is a politician you simply can’t ignore, Her story is as inspiring as it is unlikely. She grew up in poverty in Stockport, left school at 16, pregnant and without a single qualification to her name. And yet through sheer grit, she’s fought her way up to become…

1
From The Vault: Sir Keir Starmer 1:04:51

9M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

James revisits one of the most memorable episodes of Full Disclosure with none other than the current Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Sir Keir’s journey to Downing Street was far from straightforward. In fact, for a long time his life was headed in a completely different direction. He joined James for a live recording of Full Disclosure back in 2…

1
Tony Blackburn: Escaping school, life at sea and landing the biggest job in radio 58:40

9M ago58:40

58:40

Radio legend Tony Blackburn has spent the past 60 years entertaining listeners with his cheeky charm and passion for soul music. His journey in broadcasting began in 1964 on the offshore pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London. Just three years later, he made history as the first DJ to be heard on BBC Radio 1, launching the station with his…

1
Jordan Stephens: Heartbreak, hitting rock bottom and finding my way back from self-destruction 58:18

9M ago58:18

58:18

Jordan Stephens is a writer, musician and actor, best-known as one half of the hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. His late teens and early twenties were a whirlwind of hit records, sold-out shows and wild parties, fuelled by a heady cocktail of drugs, drink, sex and chaos. It was fun until is wasn't. In 2017, everything fell apart when Jordan cheated on his…

1
Former Met Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu: I spent a year in therapy to get over what happened in my career 1:07:22

9M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

"When I signed up to the police my friends said, 'Why on earth are you joining a corrupt and racist organisation?'" Neil Basu joined the police force as uniformed officer in 1992. He rose through the ranks to become an assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in 2015, a role he held until 2021. Alongside this, he served as the UK's head of…

1
Paul Sinha: How I went from GP to award-winning comedian and Chaser 57:03

10M ago57:03

57:03

Paul Sinha never really had a life plan and yet, somehow he's ended up with a career that's way beyond anything he could have imagined. He originally pursued a career in medicine, largely to keep his parents happy. But, whilst working as a junior doctor, he decided to give stand-up comedy a try. Now, he's not just a successful comedian but also a p…

1
Martin O'Neill: Trophies, titles and missing out on the FA Cup 59:31

10M ago59:31

59:31

Raised in an Irish Catholic family as one of nine siblings, Martin O'Neill was brought up with Gaelic football but he dreamt of becoming a professional English footballer. At 18, he was scouted by Nottingham Forest and quit his law degree to sign for the club. He went on to become an integral part of Brian Clough's legendary Nottingham Forest squad…

1
Robin Askwith: The legendary actor with a life you couldn't make up 57:43

10M ago57:43

57:43

A chance encounter with the director Lindsay Anderson changed Robin Askwith's life forever. It led to his first acting job, playing the schoolboy Keating in Anderson's film if.... which became one of the most popular British films of all time. If.... kickstarted Robin's incredible career that spans an extraordinary period of time. Over the past 50 …

1
James Graham: The playwright with the Midas touch 1:08:50

10M ago1:08:50

1:08:50

James Graham is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter for TV and film. His plays include Ink, This House and Dear England, about the struggles and successes of England’s former football manager Gareth Southgate. His acclaimed TV dramas include Quiz and Sherwood, set in the north Nottinghamshire village where he grew up. James was born into t…

1
Russell Watson: From factory worker to performing for the Emperor of Japan 56:22

11M ago56:22

56:22

"I had this inner feeling that something would happen to take me away from my mundane life". The first twenty years of Russell Watson's life were very ordinary. He grew up in Salford, left school at 16 with almost no qualifications and joined the government's Youth Training Scheme. By the age of 20, he was working on the shop floor of a factory, ma…

1
Joe Pasquale: All I ever wanted to do was make my mum laugh 58:58

11M ago58:58

58:58

When Joe Pasquale was just seven years old, his mum was involved in a car accident that left her with concussion and epilepsy. She struggled to look after Joe and his three siblings and became severely depressed. Determined to try and fix things, Joe made it his mission to make her laugh every single day. Forty years on, he has become a staple in B…

1
Midge Ure: Hit singles and world tours meant nothing until I was in my own band 56:00

11M ago56:00

56:00

“I’m a Walter Mitty who’s actually done it.” Growing up in a tenement on the outskirts of Glasgow, Midge Ure dreamt of being a rock star, even though it seemed impossible for a working-class kid like him. But he had something special. At just 18, he got his first break as the guitarist for the pop band Slik and went on to be part of several influen…

1
Nick Lowles: Why I've spent the last 35 years fighting Nazis 54:02

11M ago54:02

54:02

Nick Lowles is chief executive of HOPE not hate, the UK's largest anti-racism and anti-extremism movement. For the last 35 years, he has tirelessly fought against those who try to exploit frustrations, create divisions and pit groups against each other. Nick began his involvement with the anti-fascist movement as a student volunteer. He then worked…

1
Sally Lindsay: Fighting for working-class women in telly 56:55

11M ago56:55

56:55

Actor and writer Sally Lindsay has always loved the spotlight. She made her TV debut aged 7 when her school choir performed their No.1 single There’s No One Quite Like Grandma on Top of the Pops. But it wasn’t until university that she realised she could make a career out of performing. Sally's gone on to star in hit TV shows such as Phoenix Nights…

1
Helen Lederer: "I've never been on the winning team when it matters" 48:34

12M ago48:34

48:34

Helen Lederer is a writer, actress and comedian. She began her career on the alternative comedy circuit, performing alongside many of today’s household names, and quickly landed roles in iconic sitcoms such as Absolutely Fabulous, Bottom and Girls on Top. Since then she’s appeared on TV and radio, written bestselling books and set up the Comedy Wom…

1
Danny Wallace: How I got sucked into the conspiracy rabbit hole... 1:00:40

12M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Danny Wallace is a bestselling author and broadcaster who loves nothing more than thinking up fun ideas and seeing how far he can take them. His first book, Join Me, tells the true story of how he he accidentally started a cult. His second book, Yes Man, describes what happened when he decided to say yes to everything - a story so compelling it was…

1
Frank Skinner: "People will forgive you for anything but success" 53:51

1y ago53:51

53:51

Comedy legend Frank Skinner returns to Full Disclosure just days after he signed off his final Absolute Radio show, wrapping up an incredible 15 years. He tells James why he will always love radio, reveals the one regret that will stay with him forever and gives a refreshingly honest take on what it's really like to be famous. Frank is extending hi…

1
Salman Rushdie: When I die, I know there will be nothing 49:06

1y ago49:06

49:06

One of the world’s most acclaimed, award-winning authors Salman Rushdie has spent the last thirty years with a death threat attached to his head. A threat that almost became a reality two years ago when he brutally stabbed 15 times by a stranger. Few people have come so close to death and lived to tell the story. Salman returns to Full Disclosure t…

1
Zeinab Badawi: Setting the record straight on African history 55:43

1y ago55:43

55:43

Zeinab Badawi is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and the President of SOAS University of London. Born in Sudan, she has worked in the British media for several decades. She has recently published her first book which promises to reshape our understanding of Africa. Zeinab tells James what led her to write her instant Sunday Times bestselle…

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