Episodes
172
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
I’m Matt Stadlen and for 20 years I’ve been talking to and interviewing public figures from around the world. In this series I’ll be interviewing famous names from every walk of life and with a broad range of views, politics and perspectives. Every guest will get 20 questions, and the plan is for you to have a better sense of each of them by the end of their interview.
Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP for almost 30 years and counting, explains why he thinks Keir Starmer should be replaced as Labour leader and Prime Minister, and why he has faith in the British public that they won't vote in a Reform government.
Opera sensation Danielle de Niese charts her rise to worldwide fame as the daughter of Sri Lankan Burgher immigrants to first Australia and then America. Debuting at the Met as a 19 year-old Barbarina in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, she has gone to star in opera houses around the world, including at Glyndebourne, where she now lives with her husband. Hailed as "Opera's Coolest Soprano" by the New York Times in 2009, de Niese takes us behind the scenes of her success and offers insights into her art, as she embarks on her first directorial role.
Immigration Minister Mike Tapp explains the government's immigration and asylum policy, outlines his "firm but fair" approach, defends Prime Minister Keir Starmer and calls for stability - "Look, I don't give a sh*t - can I swear on here? - I don't give a sh*t if people think that Keir Starmer's boring. We need boring, because that goes hand in hand with stability" - celebrates the Union Jack, describes British culture, calls out antisemitism and Islamophobia, advocates for the Labour government's record, reveals his interests outside of politics, and shares his love of his dog, Scooby.
What was it like being Chancellor of the Exchequer during the mini budget crisis under Liz Truss's brief Prime Ministership? Kwasi Kwarteng takes us back to the fateful days in the autumn of 2022 with his insider's view. He explains why he was filmed smiling during the Queen's funeral and offers a human perspective on politics. Taking partial responsibility for the economic turbulence during the second shortest Chancellorship in British history, he reflects on the impact of his and Truss's choices. He also looks ahead to the next election and offers his prescription for a Tory recovery and his verdict so far on Kemi Badenoch. And he gives his view of Nigel Farage, who has invested in a bitcoin company Kwarteng is involved with. This is a rare chance to go behind the scenes of power and to better understand one of the most dramatic periods of British political history. * Reform’s predicted national share of the vote from the local elections is 27%
Former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke outlines his vision of a route back to power for the Tories amid the headwinds from Reform.
Clive Tyldesley's voice is one of the most iconic in sport. The soundtrack to some of the most dramatic moments in football history, it is recognised up and down the country and beyond. Here Tyldesley takes us behind the scenes of the commentary box and lifts the lid on an art form that has helped shape tens of millions of memories. From Rooney to Gerrard, Hakimi to Kane, from the old Goodison Park to the revamped Camp Nou, from United's heroics in '99 to the current Champions League semi-finals via Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005, Tyldesley takes us on a glittering journey of modern football history.
The youngest editor of Wisden for 72 years when he was appointed in 2012, Lawrence Booth gets under the skin of the game and its challenges and thrills in this conversation at the Oval on the cusp of the Test summer. The Bazball verdict, Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes, white ball v red ball, Virat Kohli, Kevin Pietersen, the state of women's cricket, Ashes success and failure, the power of India, The Hundred, the English summer, journalism, making headlines, and a passion for the sport - this is the perfect episode to whet the appetite ahead of a vital few months for the English game.
One of the greats of ballet, Ed Watson takes us behind the scenes of his time as a Principal at the Royal Ballet, exploring the physical and emotional demands of being a global star.
Shirt-maker Emma Willis tells the remarkable story of her rise from door-to-door selling to a shop on Jermyn Street and another in Mayfair. Based in Gloucester, Emma's team sell 13,000 - 14,000 shirts a year, both bespoke and ready to wear, and here she takes us behind the scenes of her factory and reveals the secrets of her success. Offering insights into her entrepreneurism and commitment to British manufacturing, Emma explains her passion for fabrics and design. She also describes her charity, Style For Soldiers, which she set up in response to the casualties sustained by British service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maurizio Bragagni is Chairman and CEO of Tratos Ltd, a multinational company that sells cables around the world. Born and raised in Italy, Bragagni is a champion of British manufacturing. Here he tells the story of his third generation family business, now based in the UK, that makes billions of metres of cables a year. Honoured by both Italy and San Marino, Bragagni has been awarded an OBE and is a Freeman of the City of London. He is passionate about both British and Italian culture, an admirer of Renaissance art and a lover of the English pub. What's it like to run an enterprise with a turnover of hundreds of millions of pounds? How does he lead? How does he inspire? How does he manage his time? How does he care for his staff? Why did he choose to manufacture in Britain? And what's the story behind the bid to make the longest Tiramisu in history? This is a chance to hear from one of Britain's leading manufacturers.
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