Matthew Collins

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 celebrated radio voices- and the breakdown that forced him to confront what success really meant. They explore the roots of Christian’s anxiety, the healing power of storytelling, and the courage it took to walk away from it all to begin again in Australia.Warm, unfiltered and often profound, Christian opens up about family, fame, fear and finding clarity in chaos- a conversation about reinvention, honesty, and what it takes to truly come home to yourself.Discover more about The Heart of Speaking here

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 legends like Tom Jones to his struggles with dyslexia and alcohol. With his trademark wit, Brian shares how his love for comedy, musicals, and warm-up performances led to a stellar career, while touching on the personal challenges that shaped him along the way. Insightful, raw, and full of laughter, Brian’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of finding your true calling.You can buy tickets to The Prat Pack tour here

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 father’s refugee story, to his pivotal role in shaping international human rights advocacy.Kenneth reflects on the strategies he employed to push oppressive regimes into compliance, from leveraging international pressure to navigating the complex geopolitics of the world’s most powerful autocrats. He offers a candid look at the personal and professional challenges he faced while battling dictators like Putin, Xi Jinping, and Assad, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.Insightful and unflinching, Kenneth shares stories of victories and setbacks, the evolution of the human rights movement, and how he remains motivated by the belief that positive change, however incremental, is always possible. This episode explores the sacrifices, triumphs, and complexities of a career dedicated to exposing injustice and holding the powerful accountable. Righting Wrongs: Three Descased on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments, by Kenneth Roth. Available to order now.

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, including the unexpected path that led him to comedy and the challenges he faced along the way.In this episode of Full Disclosure, Ash opens up about his early years, including contracting polio when he was just a baby, and how his parents decision to move from Egypt to Belfast in the 1970s impacted his life. He reflects on the lessons his father instilled in him, his rise from a failed stockbroker to a major figure in the TV industry, and how he helped bring The Office to life against all odds.Thoughtful, candid, and full of wit, Ash discusses his work, his family, and what drives him to create stories that resonate deeply with audiences.

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 finding magic in the most unexpected places. From overcoming bullying and a challenging childhood to battling a life-threatening illness, Steven shares how these personal struggles led him to redefine what magic truly means.James O'Brien speaks with Steven about his path to success, the emotional complexities of his public persona, and his decision to step away from the Dynamo name to embrace his true self. Touching on themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reinvention, Steven reflects on how magic has helped him navigate life's obstacles and find purpose.Engaging, introspective, and filled with wisdom, Steven’s journey offers a poignant look at how embracing one’s vulnerabilities can lead to extraordinary transformations.You can buy tickets to Steven Frayne’s Up Close and Magical show here

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 in mathematics to navigating the world of television, her deep passion for education, and her outspoken activism in politics. With strong views on social justice and a fearless approach to calling out inequality, she shares how she found her voice.Unfiltered, passionate, and refreshingly honest, Carol opens up about the power of speaking out and the causes closest to her heart.This episode was recorded at Leicester Square Theatre to raise money for charity Make Some Noise. You can find more information about the charity here

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 outlook- from growing up in Cardiff to embedding himself with fringe groups and conspiracy theorists around the world. They discuss the emotional weight of documenting turbulence and the personal moments that led Jon to seek out the humanity in the most unexpected places.Insightful, sharp, and deeply empathetic, Jon reflects on life at the margins, the characters he’s encountered, and what it truly means to understand those who challenge the norm.You can buy tickets to Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night here 

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 and how he's become first black president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada).This episode deals with issues of race and racism and strong language is used from the outset and throughout.

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 days, his warm upbringing in Evesham and to the moment where he got his big break at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The pair discuss the nuance of a great impression, why Gen-Z may struggle to understand the humour and what 2025 and beyond has in store for Alistair too. We will give you a hint, it's busy, very busy.You can book tickets for on of Alistair's many ventures here

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 ultimately shaping her own unmistakable sound.KT shares the story of her breakout Later… with Jools Holland performance, the moment that catapulted her to stardom, and how she has navigated the challenges of hearing loss and living with tinnitus as a musician. She also talks about her latest passion- musical theatre, including composing the original score for the West End musical Clueless.Funny, inspiring, and deeply honest, this conversation explores how KT Tunstall keeps pushing creative boundaries, proving that reinvention isn’t just possible, it’s essential.You can buy tickets to Clueless The Musical here