Natasha Kaplinsky started her media career in the typing pool, and became one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters. 

In this deeply personal and candid episode, Natasha sits down with Dermot Murnaghan to revisit the defining moments of her career.

• From her early work with a then-unknown Sacha Baron Cohen to her breakout role on BBC Breakfast, Natasha reveals how she built a career without industry connections—writing daily letters just to get her foot in the door.
• Natasha opens up about being told exactly when (and if) she could speak on air, why she was so reluctant to join Strictly Come Dancing, and how she managed the spotlight after unintentionally winning it.
• Plus, a life-threatening accident at sea, the emotional cost of media intrusion during personal struggles, and why she eventually stepped away from prime-time roles to focus on what mattered most.

This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes moments, unfiltered insight, and a powerful reminder of the human side of public life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s faced down Russian special forces, slipped into Chechnya disguised as a refugee, and shared a room with Nelson Mandela just days after his release. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the frontlines of Iraq, Jonathan Charles has seen history unfold—often from just feet away.

In this gripping episode, the legendary foreign correspondent reveals:

• The moment Putin emerged—and the chilling change it signalled

• Why missing the fall of the Berlin Wall by hours still haunts him

• What it’s really like to report in a firefight—and the moment he knew it was time to stop

• How meeting Mandela overturned all his assumptions

An honest look at what it truly means to witness history up close.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Sergeant has reported from 25 countries, covered the Vietnam War and The Troubles, served as the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent for over a decade, and became ITV’s Political Editor before turning to documentaries and popular television. With bestselling books, acclaimed series like Britain’s Flying Past, and that unforgettable Strictly stint, his voice remains as distinctive—and entertaining—as ever.

In this candid and often hilarious conversation, John reflects on:

• How he wanted to write jokes for a living
• His chaotic encounter with Margaret Thatcher moments before her resignation
• How reporting during The Troubles and Vietnam shaped his journalism
• The Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon and why it made him a national treasure
• And the unexpected joy of leaving Westminster for barges, bombers, and boats

From political satire to reporting on the frontline, John takes us on a journey through his career and offers surprising insights into the craft of broadcast news in its heyday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.