BOOKED IN
A journalist hosts conversations with experts, mostly authors, to dive deeper into topics behind the latest news headlines. Each episode explores a subject that has been extensively researched and reported on by the guest. The tone is conversational and aims to provide depth beyond the daily news cycle.
Episodes
MIKE FINKEL: The Art Thief
Over the course of eight years, a man called Stephane Breitwieser stole more than 300 objects and pieces of art. In total, they were worth an estimated $1.4 billion. He is now widely considered the most prolific art thief in history, but he was never motivated by money - just a love for art. The fascinating true crime story was documented in the 2023 best seller, 'The Art Thief'. Author Mike
CHRISTOPHER LAMB: American Hope, Pope Leo, President Trump & A War of Words on Iran
Pope Leo is the first American Pope in history, yet remarkably he has not yet had a conversation with President Trump. They did, however, get into a war of words in April, after Pope Leo criticised the Trump administration's mass deportation policies. Things escalated further when Pope Leo said Trump’s threat to destroy “a whole civilisation” in Iran was “truly unacceptable”. CNN’s Vatic
PROF OMER BARTOV: Israel, What Went Wrong?
Professor Omer Bartov is a leading scholar on the Holocaust, and history of genocide. He is also a man who was born and raised in Israel, served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur war in 1973, and was raised in the country just a decade after the end of World War II and the Holocaust - in the beginning years of the establishment of the state. In July 2025, Bartov wrote a piece in The New York T
CHRISTINA HILLSBERG: Women in the CIA, Agents of Change
What is it like to be a female spy in the CIA? It’s a mysterious world we as members of the public have very little access to. However, Christina Hillsberg - herself a former agent - has written a fantastic book called Agents of Change. It explores the untold stories of some of the most revered and respected women to have worked for the intelligence agency despite the significant challenges a life
RICHARD CHAMBERS: Make Ireland Great Again
They say that about a tenth of Americans proudly claim Irish ancestry, but how do American lawmakers view Ireland these days? That’s the question journalist Richard chambers explored in his new documentary Make Ireland Great Again - a documentary that touches on White House visits, economic ties, geopolitical differences and questions around defence. It airs this Wednesday May 20 on Vir
ISABEL VINCENT: RFK Jr, The Fall & Rise
Robert F Kennedy Jr is undoubtedly one of the most polairisng political figures in the US right now - some say his comments on vaccines are dangerous misinformation, others applaud him for sparking a conversation about nutrition in America. From a political dynasty deeply intertwined with the Democrat party, to President Trump’s Health Secretary - RFK Jr has lived an unusual, extraordinary, colour
DOMINIC MCGREGOR: I'm Never Drinking Again
Dominic McGregor is the more private of a very successful duo. He and his co-founder, Steven Bartlett, set up the Social Chain and were immensely successful in their early twenties. However, it was also a time of huge pressures for Dom, who turned to alcohol to numb his emotions. In his book, I'm Never Drinking Again, he very bravely lays out some of the lowest moments that led to a lasting change
ELIE HONIG: Nixon to Trump, The White House & The DOJ
When you come at the king, you best not miss. Over the past decade it seems the US Justice Department has generated as many headlines as the White House. To understand the political landscape in America, it is vital to understand the law, and how it works. Elie Honig, CNN’s senior legal analyst, provides captivating insight to it all with a book that looks at each administration from Nixon to
DR BROOKE NEWMAN: The Crown's Silence, British Monarchy & The Transatlantic Slave Trade
Over the course of more than 350 years, an estimated 12 to 15 million people were forced on transatlantic slave ships from West Africa to the Americas. In a recent symbolic vote, the UN passed a landmark resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity”. I spoke to Dr Brooke Newman about her recently published book, The Crown’s Silence, a deeply researche
TIM LISTER: Nine Lives, Al-Qaeda and the British Spy
How did an Al Qaeda bomb maker who spent time with the mastermind of 9/11 end up as one of the most important agents for British intelligence? Tim Lister co-authored the fascinating book, Nine Lives, about Aimen Dean’s extraordinary life. In it, he documents everything from Dean’s respect for Osama bin Laden to the moral conflict he grappled with, while also delving into his own fascinat
JANE FERGUSON: No Ordinary Assignment
Jane Ferguson is without a doubt one of the most accomplished and respected war correspondents of our generation. In her memoir, No Ordinary Assignment, she documents with extraordinary candour how a difficult upbringing in Northern Ireland during The Troubles led her to some of the most dangerous front lines around the world. As The New York Times review noted, it is "a brutally honest exploratio
JAMES LONGMAN: The Inherited Mind
James Longman, as ABC's Chief International Correspondent, is used to telling the deeply personal stories of people from around the world. But last year he published his book, The Inherited Mind, and it hit much closer to home. In it, James explores the history and impact of mental illness in his family, including - and I must warn you - depression, schizophrenia, and suicide. It is an incredibly
ANDREW LOWNIE: The Entitled Former Prince
Andrew Lownie is the author of 'Entitled', a damning look at the former Prince Andrew. After four years of research, Lownie was one of the first to say the King's brother could be arrested for misconduct in public office - a point he was making about the disgraced royal months before the recent release of the Epstein files. During our conversation, he also made the explosive claim that Andrew coul
TRUMP WINS THE ELECTION
Donald Trump is on his way back to the White House, and I thought it warranted a special overview.Normally I chat to an author on this podcast about the book they've written - but I felt there is so much content, and so much information out there since Donald Trump was announced the winner of the election - that I felt the best use of an episode today would be to almost filter through the most hel
RASHID KHALIDI: The Hundred Years' War on Palestine
Rashid Khalidi is the author of a bestselling book called 'The Hundred Years' War on Palestine' - looking at the tumultuous century from the Balfour declaration in 1917 up until 2017. This book is not just a historical overview - it is also a deeply personal look at the author's family roots in the region. We spoke about his perspectives - as a Palestinian, an American, and a historian - on everyt
ANDREW LOWNIE: Lord Mountbatten
Lord Mountbatten was a great grandson of Queen Victoria and an uncle of Prince Philip. During his marriage to Countess Edwina, he famously said they spent all their married lives "getting into other people's beds". In 1979, he was murdered by the IRA off the coast of Sligo in one of the most significant moments of The Troubles. Yet, decades after his death, he made headlines once again in 2022, w
RORY CARROLL: Killing Thatcher
Last weekend marked 40 years since an IRA bomb very nearly killed the British Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher. The bombing of a hotel in Brighton during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference was one of the most significant moments during the Troubles. In a chilling line while taking responsibility for the attack, the IRA said "today we were unlucky, but remember we have only to be l
MARY BONNET: Selling Sunset, Sunshine & Strength
For eight seasons, Mary Bonnet has been one of the most popular members cast on the hit show, Selling Sunset. Always the one to stay out of the drama, it came as no surprise to me that she decided to name her newly published memoir, 'Selling Sunshine'. However, what I had not appreciated nor understood from the show, was just how many challenges Mary has faced throughout her life. She ha
FRED TRUMP III: All In The Family
Donald Trump is arguably the most famous person - and most polarising political figure - on the planet. Few people know him more personally, or understand his upbringing better than his nephew, Fred Trump III. Fred was kind enough to chat with me about his bestselling book, All In The Family, an intimate look at the Trump clan, and his own evolution of opinions towards his uncle. While having a pr
SATHNAM SANGHERA: Empireland
We've all heard the famous saying, that at one point in time the sun never set on the British Empire. But, what is its lasting impact and complex legacy? How much does reflecting back on the past assist in understanding the present? Author Sathnam Sanghera has explored the impact of Britain's colonial past - both within the UK through his book 'Empireland', and further afield assessing its global
VALERIE BAUERLEIN: Alex Murdaugh; Crime, Corruption, Cover-Ups & Murder
It is a gripping story of family dynasties, abuse of power, corruption, cover ups and murder. While on trial for the 2021 murders of his wife and son - Maggie and Paul - Alex Murdaugh spoke of the 'tangled web we weave'. Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein has masterfully untangled that web in her new book, The Devil at His Elbow, and - as someone who followed every detail of
DAVID MCWILLIAMS: Money - A Story of Humanity
David McWilliams hosts one of the most successful podcasts in Ireland - and it also happens to be my favourite. I had the privilege and pleasure of chatting to him this week about his new book called Money - A Story of Humanity. It is not a book about how to become an economist (I'm relieved to report), but rather a fascinating history book, exploring the idea of money and its
JESSELYN COOK: The Quiet Damage of Q Anon & Conspiracies
Out of 7,000 people who participated in my recent Instagram polls - 83% do not believe Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, just under half (49%) feel Diana, Princess of Wales, could have been murdered, and a third think it is possible JFK was killed by the CIA. I spoke with Jesselyn Cook about her book, 'The Quiet Damage', which takes a look at the world of Q Anon and conspiracy theories, and th
ALEX THOMPSON: The Book About Biden - An Unfinished Chapter
Back in 2021, reporter Alex Thompson signed a deal with Simon & Schuster to write a book about President Biden, which was expected to be published ahead of the election in November.Not busy enough, he was also a journalist covering the White House for Axios - and one of the few reporting on the growing concerns about the president's age and ability, particularly when it came to a possible seco
DIANE FOLEY: American Mother, James Foley, ISIS & The Power of Faith
In August 2014, the world was shocked and appalled by the brutal murder of James Foley. An American journalist, Foley was captured by ISIS in 2012 and ultimately beheaded on camera - with the barbaric execution uploaded to the internet. Ten years on, I spoke with his mother Diane about her extraordinary strength and compassion, even towards those who inflicted so much pain on her family.
LUNDEN ROBERTS: Hunter Biden, Pregnancy and the Presidency
Back in 2018 and during the throes of his addiction, Hunter Biden fathered a child with a woman from Arkansas, called Lunden Roberts. Despite a DNA test unequivocally confirming he was the father, the Biden family are yet to meet her in person - and the president and first lady only acknowledged their granddaughter last year following criticism in the mainstream media. Roberts has a
LAILA MICKELWAIT: Takedown, Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub For Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking
Pornhub has been one of the top 10 most popular websites in the world - with as many as 130 million daily visitors. At least 6.8 million videos are uploaded to the site annually - but what if I told you that amongst that content there were thousands of trafficking and underage victims?Laila Mickelwait's recently published book, Takedown, breaks down the cost of profit in porn, and is already on th
JESSICA WAITE: The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards
In November 2015, Jessica Waite's life was turned upside down when her husband Sean died suddenly. They shared a son together and had been life partners for twenty years.But within days of his passing her life was turned upside down once again, when she learned she was not just mourning his loss, but the loss of the marriage she thought they had shared.Jessica's newly released memoir, The Widow's
MAUREEN CALLAHAN: 'Ask Not, The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed'
One of the most quoted lines in American history is from President John F Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. 'Ask not, what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'In this explosive new book, 'Ask Not', Maureen Callahan examines the legacy of the Kennedy family through the lens of numerous women - both in and out of the family - and tells their harrowing tales. This book ha
KATRIONA O'SULLIVAN: Poor
A few weeks ago, I asked on Instagram what people's favourite memoir was and an extraordinary number of people mentioned a book called 'Poor' by Katriona O'Sullivan.The book made me laugh, it made me cry, and most of all it made me think everyone - EVERYONE - should read it.After listening to my chat with Katriona, I think you'll see why. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor
DICK LEHR: Whitey Bulger, Boston & The FBI
Following the death of Osama bin Laden, an Irish-American criminal called James 'Whitey' Bulger became number 1 on the FBI's most wanted list. The myth of Whitey Bulger even loosely inspired Jack Nicholson's character in the classic movie, The Departed. I spoke with author and journalist Dick Lehr about the stunning story he broke about Bulger while working on The Boston Globe's 'Spotlight' team,
CONOR NILAND: The Racket, The Realities of Professional Tennis
Conor Niland is a former tennis professional whose new book, The Racket, documents in raw detail his experience as a player ranked 129 in the world. With Wimbledon back on our screens, it's that time of year again where everyone loves tennis - but this book provides rare insight into the realities of the sport far from centre court. Niland is brutally honest, funny and real throughout, never afrai
SARA GLASS: Kissing Girls on Shabbat
Dr Sara Glass is the author of a newly published and powerful memoir called 'Kissing Girls on Shabbat'. Born and raised in a devout Hasidic community in Brooklyn, Glass knew for sure by the age of 32 that she was gay. For those who might be skeptical about listening, thinking 'how can I relate to a gay, Jewish woman?' Trust me. While this book documents her journey through religious identity and s
JUSTIN SCHECK: Blood & Oil, Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince
Justin Scheck is an investigative reporter and the co-author of the best selling book, Blood & Oil. We spoke all about his research on Saudi Arabia and the country's crown prince and de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman. Blood & Oil was the first book I read this year, and I absolutely adored it. With at least 7,000 Saudi princes and a de facto leader who could potentially rule the country
BILL BROWDER: Red Notice, Putin and the Magnitsky Act
Bill Browder is the best selling author of two books, Red Notice and Freezing Order. In them, he documents his time in Russia, the killing of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, and what led to him becoming one of President Putin's most outspoken critics. We spoke about all of this, plus the war in Ukraine and the impact of sanctions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
AVI SHLAIM: Memoirs of An Arab Jew
Emeritus Professor at Oxford University and renowned historian Avi Shlaim has written many books over the years about the Middle East. His most recent release is much more personal. 'Three Worlds, Memoirs of an Arab Jew' is an intimate look at the Shlaim family's journey from upper class Jews in Baghdad to their reluctant move to Israel two years after the state was established in 1948. We had a t
TRAILER
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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