James O'Brien Daily
Do boys need male role models?
The number of men becoming secondary school teachers has plummeted to a record low, while conversations about the effects of online misogyny and healthy role models are being had more than ever. Do boys need male role models specifically, and if so, why? NHS bosses have decided to shut the maternity unit at a major London hospital in response to a dramatic fall in the birthrate in its area in recent years. If you’re child free - why? And how do people react when you tell them? This episode was recorded on the 31st March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
31 3月 2025 - 01 hr 01 min 14 sec
Did Just Stop Oil succeed?
Labour has come under fire from its welfare cuts, with affected families forecasted to lose £1,720 on average a year. James and his listeners look to identify exactly who Labour is trying to appeal to right now. Also, mid show, Keir Starmer’s director of communications quit - after just 9 months in the job. LBC’s Political Correspondent Aggie Chambre shares the details. And, Just Stop Oil is to cease its campaign of civil resistance after 3 years of climate action. The group stated that its initial demand to end new oil and gas is now Government policy. Did it succeed in its mission? This episode was recorded on the 28th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
28 3月 2025 - 58 min 54 sec
What do women think of Netflix’s Adolescence?
More than 3 million UK households will lose out as a result of the government’s cuts to welfare, according to official analysis, with an extra 250,000 people forecasted to fall into relative poverty by the end of the decade. How will this impact you? And, the Netflix drama Adolescence has brought much needed attention to toxic masculinity and dangerous online influences such as Andrew Tate. James speaks to women about their thoughts on the show and the conversations it's opened up. This episode was recorded on the 27th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
27 3月 2025 - 52 min 07 sec
Does the Trump administration hate Europe?
As well as plans to bomb Yemen's Houthis being leaked in the US security breach yesterday, messages also revealed a contempt toward America's European allies. One of US Vice President JD Vance’s messages stood out: "I just hate bailing Europe out again". Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth replied: "I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It's PATHETIC". Why does JD Vance have this attitude towards Europe? James also speaks with Phillips O'Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, who explains why yesterday’s US-negotiated "Black Sea Ceasefire" is a betrayal of Ukraine. This episode was recorded on the 26th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
26 3月 2025 - 58 min 37 sec
How did the Trump administration leak its war plans?
A journalist was accidentally added to a group chat on which the US Government was planning the bombing of Yemen's Houthis. The chat included US Vice President JD Vance, Defence secretary Pete Hegseth and the leaders of US national security and intelligence. When questioned this morning, Donald Trump said he knew nothing about it. Is this indicative of the incompetence of the Trump administration? And, the Palestinian director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” has been arrested by the IDF after being attacked by Israeli settlers. James speaks with Raviv Rose, a jewish activist of the Centre for Jewish non-violence, who witnessed the attack. This episode was recorded on the 25th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
25 3月 2025 - 58 min 04 sec
Why do Brits love working from home?
The UK’s first live facial recognition cameras, intended to make fighting crime easier, are being set up in south London. Would you be comfortable with these cameras arriving on your street, or is this an invasion of privacy? Brits spend less time in the office than workers in every other country bar the Philippines, research claims. Why are Brits resisting the call back to the office? Elton John, Stormzy and Coldplay are among a group of artists backing Ed Sheeran’s call for Keir Starmer to commit £250m to music education. Would you be the same person you are now without having been introduced to music? This episode was recorded on the 24th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
24 3月 2025 - 01 hr 47 sec
Should smartphones be banned in schools?
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is considering a smartphone ban in England schools. Pressure mounts from MPs to act on the effect of social media on teenagers, encapsulated by the viral Netflix drama, Adolescence. Is totally banning phones from schools possible? Also, there’s been a huge rise in women working beyond the state pension threshold simply in order to survive. Simple question here - will you ever be able to retire? And, James speaks with LBC’s Scotland Political Editor, Gina Davidson, for the details on Nicola Sturgeon’s clearance of wrongdoing in regards to the case investigating alleged embezzlement of SNP funds. This episode was recorded on the 21st March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
21 3月 2025 - 50 min
What does the future of the West look like?
Donald Trump has suggested the US takes over ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of a truce between Ukraine and Russia. Is Trump’s second term changing the West beyond all recognition? Also, James speaks with LBC’s Political Editor Natasha Clark, who shares the highlights from her recent interview with the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey. Also, James speaks with Jerusalem-based journalist Noga Tarnopolsky, who details why Israeli protestors are saying that Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest bombardment of Gaza is ‘cover’ for his campaign to retain power. And, Labour’s long-awaited curriculum review would see UK pupils sitting fewer GCSE exams, with an increased focus on applied skills. Does our system currently put too much emphasis on academic subjects? This episode was recorded on the 20th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
20 3月 2025 - 53 min 10 sec
Do Labour's cuts to welfare go too far?
Over 1 million disabled people could be set to lose thousands of pounds under the government’s welfare overhaul. James asks his listeners if these changes go too far. Also, Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate says that young men are suffering from a lack of positive role models and are being influenced by toxic online figures, gambling and pornography. Why are young men so susceptible to these dangers? And, James speaks with Suzanne O'Sullivan, neurologist and author of “The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health and Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far”, to ask whether we’re being over diagnosed by doctors in today’s world. This episode was recorded on the 19th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
19 3月 2025 - 59 min 46 sec
Will Netanyahu ever stop the destruction of Gaza?
Despite the ceasefire, more than 400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli air strikes overnight, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Humanitarian organisations have expectably been overwhelmed. James speaks with Rosalia Bollen, spokesperson for Unicef, who is in Southern Gaza and asks listeners what the likelihood is that Benjamin Netanyahu will continue this war until Gaza is entirely destroyed? Also, millions of people in England and Wales should have their BMI checked regularly to curb obesity, an NHS watchdog is recommending. What was your wake up call to lose weight and what does it feel like to have loved ones refuse to hear that wake up call? And, James speaks with LBC’s Washington Correspondent Simon Marks, who shares the latest on Donald Trump and the US. This episode was recorded on the 18th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
18 3月 2025 - 59 min 57 sec