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.

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.

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.

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.

According to a new study, almost 4 in 10 members of Generation Z are considering leaving their job, with mental health identified as a “major driver” of this. Why is this happening and what can we do about it? 

Also, the author of the new book, “Why I Would Never Fight for My Country”, argues that ordinary people should never be sent into battle. The 27 year old German states that he’d “rather be occupied than dead.” Why is he wrong?

And, I speak with Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent for the Voice of America (VOA), which has had almost all of its staff placed on administrative leave after Donald Trump signed an order to dismantle it.

This episode was recorded on the 17th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Sir Kier Starmer announced yesterday his intention to abolish NHS England to bring the healthcare service back under government control to reduce bureaucracy and costs. Today, James searched for the lived experiences of those who have worked with NHS England, to highlight why the abolition may be welcome.

 Following Monday’s focus on online safety, James also returned to this topic as the UK Schools Leader announced that social media platforms must be held accountable for their role in bullying and the spread of “deepfakes.” He asked his listeners a unique question, how much damage has social media done?

Furthermore, as reported by The Times, creative subjects such as art, music, and drama are at risk of being removed from the school curriculum. Listeners gave their testimonies that reflect the impact access to arts has on individuals, when exposed at a young age.

This episode was recorded on the 14th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

United Nations experts have accused Israel of committing genocidal acts and sexual violence in the Gaza Strip, citing Israel’s systematic destruction of women’s healthcare facilities during the conflict. However, this raised the question of whether the world has ceased monitoring the situation in Gaza. What implications does this have for global affairs?  

James also reflected on Jamie Oliver’s call for increased government support for individuals with dyslexia. As one of the most prevalent learning difficulties affecting approximately 1.2 million children in the United Kingdom, Jamie has criticised the current system as inadequate for dyslexic and neurodivergent children, highlighting the number of individuals who are falling through the cracks. Today, James heard from individuals who live with dyslexia and shared their experiences of receiving a diagnosis later in life.

James also spoke with Adam Ratner, a paediatric infectious diseases physician in New York City, who provided insights into the anticipated outbreak of measles in West Texas, given the recent spread of measles myths perpetuated by RFK.

This episode was recorded on the 13th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Donald Trump has intensified his trade war and implemented a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports to the US, while the EU has retaliated. The president also used the White House driveway to promote Tesla cars after shares in the firm slumped. Is there method in the madness? 

To help us digest Trump’s second term so far, James speaks with Donie O'Sullivan, Senior Correspondent at CNN, who’s recently interviewed Steve Bannon, stood amongst supporters of the January 6th Insurgent criminals pardoned by Trump, and visited the people of Greenland, which Trump has stated he wants to annex.

And, James speaks with Emma Holten, a gender policy consultant and the author of “Deficit: How Feminist Economics Can Change Our World”, and asks whether the world’s economies properly account for the contributions women make to them.

This episode was recorded on the 12th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Sir Keir Starmer has called the current benefits system unsustainable, indefensible and unfair. He’s vowed to cut £3bn over the next three years and is expected to announce billions more in savings from the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability benefit. How hard or easy is it to claim disability benefits, and how worried are you at the prospect of cuts?

Also, James speaks to Guy Shrubsole, author of “The Lie of the Land” and “Who Owns England”, for the details on the potential for Britain’s land registry to be opened to the public.

And, James speaks with Mohamed El-Erian, Former Deputy Director of the IMF, who explains why US shares fell sharply again on Monday and why President Donald Trump has refused to rule out a recession.

This episode was recorded on the 11th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

It’s Online Safety Day at LBC, as James asks whether the new laws to be implemented under the Online Safety Act will be enough to protect children. LBC polling has found that almost three-quarters of people in Britain back the idea of raising the minimum age of social media use to 16.

James speaks with with Ellen Roome and Lisa Kenevan, two mothers suing TikTok over their  TikTok for the alleged wrongful deaths of their children.

Also, LBC reporter Henry Riley shares all the details from the his investigation into what a 13-year-old girl can be exposed to on TikTok.

And, Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, UCL associate professor and author of the upcoming book “Smartphone Nation: why we are all addicted to screens and what you can do about it”, shares her expertise.

This episode was recorded on the 10th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.