Reflecting on the reaction to the killing of Henry Nowak, James examines how parts of the media and public life seize on race, policing and grievance - and asks what they really want when they sideline the truth.

Later, he also speaks to Labour MP Jess Asato about taking legal action over the sexualised images of her created and published on X using the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, and what that says about the toxic state of social media.

This episode was recorded on the 4th of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James contrasts the dignified plea from Henry’s father not to use his son’s death to fuel “division, hatred or tension” with Nigel Farage’s inflammatory intervention, asking why so many were willing to ignore the family and the judge’s remarks... and why in the world is Kemi Badenoch drawing comparisons with the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James reflects on the killing of Henry Novak, the appalling police response in his final moments, and the anguish of a family now forced to watch their son’s death turned into a weapon of divison by Nigel Farage. James takes passionate contributions from listeners, including the former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

This episode was recorded on the 2nd of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James unpacks the fallout around Nicola Sturgeon and asks the million dollar question: do you actually believe she knew nothing about her husband’s embezzlement of SNP funds?

Later, the focus shifts to recent reports of NHS maternity care failures - from understaffed wards to traumatic postnatal experiences, callers share heartbreaking stories that reveal where the system is falling short.

This episode was recorded on the 1st of June. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

James tries to make sense of a week in which the White House line on Iran seemed to change by the day: ceasefire, threats, victory, retaliation, then talk of a "deal". James asks how Donald Trump has taken us here.

Later, James turns to figures showing tens of thousands of school suspensions in England linked to racist, homophobic and ableist abuse. Parents share heartbreaking accounts of what happens when their kids come home carrying hatred they’ve experienced in the classroom, and James explores what this says about the UK more broadly.

This episode was recorded on the 29th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As new figures show more than a million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training, James opens the phones to hear from the people living it: young jobseekers, parents and employers. What actually happens to young people when they leave educattion and try to find work?

Later, James speaks to Carol Vorderman after she called for an apology from Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon over abusive online comments, in a wider discussion about misogyny, political accountability and the treatment of women in public life.

This episode was recorded on the 28th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Tony Blair has stuck his neck back out, warning that Labour risks "relegating Britain" from the premier league of nations. Do you care what Tony Blair has to say any more? If you do, how do you explain the 180-degree change in his politics? And… is he right?

And, as climate scientists sounded the alarm, the UK experienced its two hottest ever May days over the bank holiday weekend. The European heatwave even took the lives of seven people in France. This is not normal - so why aren’t we more worried?

This episode was recorded on the 27th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Today, top doctors warned that social media may be as harmful to young people as smoking — but what actually is the worst thing about it? Is it addiction, anxiety, misinformation, vanity, or something even harder to define?

And after two boys avoided jail for rape because a judge feared prison would “damage” their futures, listeners try to make sense of a decision that has sparked outrage and confusion. How should justice balance punishment, rehabilitation, and the impact on victims?

This episode was recorded on the 26th of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Time for your bank holiday instalment of Mystery Hour, the game in which James invites his callers to ask and answer questions about absolutely anything. You are guaranteed to learn something new after listening to this (however please note James cannot guarantee the usefulness of any newly acquired knowledge).

The James O'Brien Daily podcast is back from the 26th May.

Immigration is plummeting - so why is the right-wing press screaming about a "brain drain"? James unpacks the ONS figures the Mail and Telegraph don't want you to understand.

Plus, the disturbing footage of Israel's Security Minister abusing detained British citizens — including a 72-year-old RAF veteran whose hands were tied around his neck. James asks: why did he film it, and why hasn't he been sacked? Callers from Belfast, Sweden, Muswell Hill and Islington deliver.

This episode was recorded on the 21st of May. James O'Brien Daily is a Global production, available every week day on Global Player, or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.