How anyone can listen to s whole episode is beyond me

Started this series because of Mr. O'Brien - one of the best contemporary journalist. Particularly enjoyed this episode due to Ms. Meaden. I was not aware of her humble beginnings, also hats off to her humility! Ms. Meaden is a role model for our generation.

I would like to voice a tiny feedback just so we can enjoy future episodes. Forty five minutes for a podcast such as this is far too less. An hour and a half or perhaps two hours would be a good time to engage and understand the personality of the guest fully. It just felt like Mr. O'Brien was under time pressure all the time.

Find Janes a bit pompous and patronising on his radio show. Podcast same with extra helping of poor humour, talking over guests, sycophancy and faux profound insight. Not a fan. Shame, guests deserved better.

As a big fan of James O’Brien’s last podcast series Unfiltered (check it out) was waiting for this project! Loving it so far but it’s at its best with some building up of now the guest got to be where they are now, especially enjoyed hearing Meaden backstory for example. Would have loved to hear Gervais one.

Great selection of guests and some very incisive questions in a laid-back atmosphere. Easy to listen to and enjoy.

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Mr O’Brien. He gets his guests to impart things that perhaps they otherwise wouldn’t and in order to do so he imparts a little bit of himself. I’ve learnt as much about him as I have his guests. Old fashioned honesty in a modern world.

Great so far, please keep it going.

Adverts.

But the following two are just stops on the ‘plugging circuit’.

As much as I like Ricky and Simon, they’ve already popped up on three other podcasts I listen to.

James is a brilliant interviewer, and the podcast doesn’t do that much justice. It could be better than just an advertising platform with a mild interview tacked on.

Fantastic interview whatever you think about TB. Good to listen to an interviewer keen to challenge and give the interviewee an opportunity to speak rather than do a Jim ( I’m the important one) Naughtie . And refreshing to hear a Politician with a high IQ, skills, views and experience as opposed to many of the current non-entities. But James!!! please spend a bit more on the sound quality. You and TB in some tunnel does a disservice to you both.

Only 3 episodes in but genuinely hooked. Great interviews and one where I definitely wait for the ‘new episode’ notification.

Get Herring on James so you can ask him some emergency questions :-)

It cuts off after 12.5 minutes.

I heard James talking to both Blair and Gervais and was impressed by his natural style and precise questioning. It is provocative and friendly but gets some important and interesting questions answered.

We all know James can be a bit of a pessimist, often smuggly pointing out failures of others in hindsight.

But he can also be insightful, interesting and open to others views.

This is him at his best. This is the first time in years that he has shown the best of himself as an interviewer.

I am impressed at how he can ask a question that would make most defensive and maintain the pressure to get answers that most other interviews couldn’t. He does it without being rude and always manages to keep things moving towards an interesting storyline. Its a combination of experienced skill and respect from the interviewee's. I've subscribed and look forward to more interesting guests.

Ricky makes sense to me. Thanks, good podcast.

Two of my favourite people in a wee chat. Nothing else matters today :). Thanks James O'B & Ricky G!

James gets the best out of his guests without any b...s..t. If his next interviewees are as good as these first two then fantastic news. I thoroughly enjoyed both.

John

Whether you like him or not it was really good to hear Blairs views on Brexit and politics. Some interesting personal reflections as well. Nice one.

Enjoyed the Tony Blair episode, loved the pace, it’s not rushed, even meditative

This man doesn’t need a platform ever...🤦🏼‍♂️

First class journalism. He cracks the interviews along at a good pace which ensures all of the interesting subjects are covered but also ensures all the right questions are asked. It all makes for a very interesting podcast. Looking forward to the rest of the season

Here’s hoping further podcasts will be longer and more in depth as James’ previous podcasts with Joe were. Too many intrusive ads too. Love James style of interviewing so will be listening with interest to the next one

Only based on one episode so far, and obviously can’t knock the calibre of the guests, but at half the length it simply cannot be as in-depth as it’s forerunner, and too many loud and intrusive ads. It’s a shame, but it really is a downgrade.

One word unbeatable

Admire and respect James O’Brian, another great piece of work. Keep them coming

James is a true crusader for all that’s right . Not afraid of asking the big questions . In his own words he has a face for radio

Always nice to hear someone go deep on issues with the people of the day!

Tony Blair speaking for me here on our EU membership. As James does daily. As Shelia does too!

Just so dispondant we don't have the Leaders we need at this monumental point in our history - Mrs May with her "pleases no-one withdrawal" and Corbyn still such a "failed fence sitter."

Looking forward to more Full Disclosures Mr O'BrilliantBrien! Thank you for all you do, clearly made of sterling stuff. We have been listening for about 2 years now - daily. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Despite the regrettable Iraq War, Tony Blair's government was otherwise one of the very best we've ever had.

Good, crisp interview. Direct and insightful. Made me realist how much I miss Tony Blair from mainstream politics...principled, articulate and a sense of leadership. All sadly missing now.

Great choice of guest, as usual. JOB is one of the best, as ever. However, disappointed with only 30mins plus, how (I think) it’s linked to Global i.e. bloody adverts. Was a much better format with JOE.

If only we trusted in James these last 3 years the world would be a better place. I trust his judgment on everything he does so this latest podcast just adds to his great portfolio. Keep up the good work sunshine.

30 mins? Surely Podcasting is the perfect opportunity to unshackle the interviewer and guest from a strict and formulaic radio/TV time slot and allow the interview to just flow naturally and almost become conversational. Guests then tend to relax more and take their guard down. I was REALLY excited about this podcast when it was announced having already been a big fan of James’s Unfiltered Podcast series, but a 30 min interview with Tony Blair barely skims the surface.

Fingers crossed there’s longer and more in depth podcasts to come. Just take a look at the most popular podcasters in the world (basically the US have it sussed), your “Joe Rogan” types who do fantastic 3 hour conversation/debate.

James - you’re an excellent interviewer so please, take away the time restraints if you can?

Great conversation with Tony Blair. I’m looking forward to future episodes, although not so much with celebrities.

I listen to LBC everyday because of James O'Brien, this interview shows what a great talent he is. As for Blair, we will never see such brilliance in Government for a long time. The war decision and subsequent character assassination from the appalling Dacre and friends has indeed cast a long shadow. Great interview.

A master interviewer who can tackle anyone.

Too short, and didn't tell us anything we didn't know. Blair was his usual evasive self. James was not nearly as challenging as he can be when talking to people he disagrees with. Really a missed opportunity, considering the number of people who would love to have the chance to ask Blair some tougher questions. But he picks his interviewers carefully.

James as always is superb. Can’t wait for the next one

As always James doesn’t shy away from the hard questions and in the Brief time he had with Tony Blair he managed to cover so much ground and obviously hit a nerve with some of the questioning. Top work

Mr. Blair came across as erudite and concise. Iraq was a massive gamble that ended in a horrendous mistake. People forget that Harold Wilson ( The most socialist prime minister we’ve ever had ) was PM during height of the troubles in Ireland, many people considered to be a war.

Mr Wilson is never castigated it from every angle, The Prime Minister’s job sometimes is to make decisions but not many people are going to agree with. Mr Blair was and always will be right on the issues of Brexit

Tony Blair is controversial but totally suitable first candidate for MrJamesOB’s new podcast series. James asks him the questions you would want him to and Blair is largely open and articulate in his explanations. The current Labour Party is clearly unrecognisable from the one Blair led but he is honest and recognise some of his failings. Very clear on Brexit and worth listening to just for the first 5 minutes. Highly recommended.

Tony Blair’s thoughtful, honest answers allow James OB to stick to posing intelligent, unflinching questions. Such a refreshing change from today’s evasive, clueless politicians, forcing frustrated interviewers to resort to aggressive interruptions.

It surely doesn’t matter if you’re a lefty, James is a great presenter, (I spotted him 9 years ago).

I think this has done better than Nick Hewer already.. haha

There’s a joke with fewer/Hewer, but I’ve not spotted it.

Great, as anything by Mr JO’B. Really enjoyed it!

Sound is quite echoey for a podcast, described as a long form interview but is less than 30 mins long and questions feel a bit rushed and quickfire also has advertisements randomly interrupting the interview.

James is definitely not afraid to ask the tough questions most interviewers dodge. Great questions and a great first guest. Keep up the good work James your a breath of fresh air in today’s world of news.

The advert that was rammed in at around 8 minutes... but then the rest was 👍👍👍👍

This is the first time I’ve listened to James, his tone and ability to be thorough with his question set is perfect. Looking forward to Ricky Gervais.

The colour magnolia describes this interview. Comfortable. Love James O’Brien and Blair and happy they love each other too.