Sweeney Talks

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Vlad Demchenko, the Ukrainian soldier who arrested him on Day 2 of Putin's war on suspicion of being a Russian spy. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Last February, Putin launched his big war on Ukraine. Vlad Demchenko is a Ukrainian film-maker turned soldier who arrested John on Day 2 of the war on suspicion of being a Russian spy. Having sorted that, they’re now friends. Vlad tells John why he’s risking his life to defend Ukraine – and Europe. This is the story of an ordinary, extraordinary Ukrainian who is standing up to the Russian killing machine. This episode contains detailed descriptions of violence which some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by anything you hear in this episode and need support please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Samaritans helpline: 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Jackie Malton, a former senior police officer known for being the real-life inspiration for the character DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Known for being the real-life inspiration for the character DCI Jane Tennison in the Prime Suspect TV drama series, Jackie Malton always wanted to be a detective. She joined the police force in the 1970s, when male police recruits were given a truncheon and female recruits were given a handbag. Jackie rose through the ranks to become one of only three female detective chief inspectors in the Metropolitan Police. But then she made a complaint about another officer, accusing them of corruption. Her reward? To be treated as if she was a traitor.

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Aiden Aslin, the British-born former soldier who was captured by Russian forces whilst fighting in Ukraine. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Detained, tortured, stabbed, and sentenced to death. This is Aiden Aslin’s astonishing story, from the heart of the conflict in Ukraine. Aiden fought with the Ukrainians and was captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol. After a normal childhood in Nottinghamshire and ambitions to be a policeman, how did he find himself a prisoner of war? And how did he survive it? This episode contains detailed descriptions of torture and violence which some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by anything you hear in this episode and need support please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Samaritans helpline: 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.ptsduk.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ https://combatstress.org.uk/ https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/what-we-do/therapy-and-support

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with former Labour Home Secretary, Alan Johnson. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

To many, he’s the greatest Prime Minister we never had. Born into post-war poverty, Alan Johnson’s childhood was tough. Alan was orphaned when he was 12 and brought up by his sister, Linda. They fought to stay together and escape the slums. Alan became a postman at the age of 18 before becoming a politician, holding a range of ministerial posts including Home Secretary. He tells John Sweeney what it was like to be grindingly poor in 1950’s Britain and what he loves and loathes about the Labour Party.

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Neil and Christine Hamilton, one of the best-known double acts in British politics. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

One of the best-known double acts in British politics, the Hamiltons have been in and out of trouble their whole lives. In 1997, Neil lost Tatton, one of the safest Tory seats in the country to Independent candidate Martin Bell. Christine’s verbal attacks during the election earned her the nickname ‘Battleaxe’. After losing to Martin Bell, the Hamiltons went on to reinvent themselves as media stars and became famous for… well, being famous. After Neil's recent return to politics, how do they reflect on careers spent dividing opinion?

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Martin Bell, former war reporter and Independent MP. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

A much-loved war reporter and one of the best writers in the business, Martin Bell has seen it all. As a BBC reporter, he covered foreign assignments in more than 90 countries and 11 wars. In 1997, Martin quit the BBC to stand as an independent anti-sleaze candidate against the MP for Tatton, Neil Hamilton. The two candidates waged an increasingly hostile and public battle. It saw some of the most surreal scenes of the election, finishing with Martin winning one of the safest Conservative seats in the country.

Elgen Strait is an ex-member of the Moonies, better known as the Unification Church. Set up in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon in the early 1950s, the organisation has been accused by critics of being 'cult-like'. Elgen’s parents became members in their twenties and Elgen and his siblings were born into the Unification Church. Elgen tells John Sweeney what it was like to grow up as a Moonie and what led him to leave not once, but twice.

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with the former England Rugby player, James Haskell. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

A man often in the headlines for his antics on and off the field, James Haskell was a formidable flanker and even bigger character. Following an illustrious career in the game, James has gone on to become a best-selling author, podcaster and mental health advocate. His wife, Chloe Madeley, calls him ‘rugby’s answer to Donald Trump’ because of his tendency to speak his mind. James tells John Sweeney why his wife was being rude, how he turned his first rugby set-back into a success and what happened when he met former England Rugby Head Coach, Eddie Jones for the first time.

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Alison Bellamy, the reporter befriended by Jimmy Savile. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

In the early 2000s, Alison Bellamy was Jimmy Savile’s ‘good news girl’, writing the positive press stories on which he thrived. They became close friends, and she even went on to write his authorised biography, How’s About That, Then? But after Savile’s death, her world crumbled. Hundreds of accounts of his sexual abuse surfaced, and Alison was left devastated and betrayed. For exclusive bonus content visit Global Player: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Chris Atkins, the film-maker who ended up inside one of Britain’s most notorious prisons. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Chris Atkins was a film-maker at the very top of his game, creating critically acclaimed programmes that regularly made front page news. But after becoming embroiled in a dodgy scheme to fund a documentary, he landed in deep, deep trouble. Chris ended up in HMP Wandsworth, one of Britain’s most notorious prisons. How did he handle life on the inside? For exclusive bonus content visit Global Player: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with John McDonnell, Labour MP and the most left-wing Chancellor we never had. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.