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What’s the Story? PodcastWTS 322: Hilary McGannSubscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Instagram and X (Twitter) where you'll find us - @WTSpod
This week, Hilary McGann returns to chat with us about the 2024 US Presidential Election results, surprises, fallout, and more!
🐾 Pup-date: We get the all-important update on Brie, Hilary’s puppy, and the real star of the show!
📊 Election Reflections: Hilary gives an inside look at how Americans are reacting post-election, discussing key trends and voter sentiment.
🎤 Media on the Move: We dive into how podcasts have become the go-to space for political ca...
2024-11-091h 18
BOOKED INTRUMP WINS THE ELECTIONDonald 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 helpful information I've come across.It looks at where the latest developments, historical...
2024-11-0624 min
BOOKED INRASHID 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 everything from the establishment of Israel, the unwavering bond it shares with America, and the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly those in...
2024-10-2937 min
BOOKED INANDREW LOWNIE: Lord MountbattenLord 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, when a man accused him of sexually abusing him when was an 11-year-old boy. Author Andrew Lownie has written the most comprehensive...
2024-10-2233 min
BOOKED INRORY CARROLL: Killing ThatcherLast 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 lucky once, you will have to be lucky always". Rory Carroll, author of 'Killing Thatcher', sat down with me to talk about the significance...
2024-10-1527 min
BOOKED INMARY BONNET: Selling Sunset, Sunshine & StrengthFor 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 has a tattoo on her arm that reads 'but the fighter still remains', and in a twisted sense of irony - she never kn...
2024-10-0838 min
BOOKED INFRED TRUMP III: All In The FamilyDonald 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 president in the family is not something most can relate to, the topics explored in the book are understood and experienced across the...
2024-10-0139 min
BOOKED INSATHNAM SANGHERA: EmpirelandWe'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 influence in his latest book, Empireworld. It was an absolute joy chatting to Sathnam about his books - I hope you find the conversation as...
2024-09-2438 min
BOOKED INVALERIE BAUERLEIN: Alex Murdaugh; Crime, Corruption, Cover-Ups & MurderIt 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 this case - I could not get over just how much I learned reading this book.I hope you enjoy re...
2024-09-1736 min
BOOKED INDAVID MCWILLIAMS: Money - A Story of HumanityDavid 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 impact on society. If you've any interest in the underlying message of The Wizard of Oz, where the name for Th...
2024-09-1038 min
BOOKED INJESSELYN 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 the impact they have had on American families and US politics in particular. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. Se...
2024-09-0331 min
BOOKED INALEX THOMPSON: The Book About Biden - An Unfinished ChapterBack 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 second term.But then, back in March - and long before the infamous June debate - Simon & Schuster announced the book deal was off.
2024-08-2732 min
BOOKED INDIANE 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. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-08-2030 min
BOOKED INLUNDEN ROBERTS: Hunter Biden, Pregnancy and the PresidencyBack 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 new book coming out later this month, and spoke to me about her experience of the pregnancy that was politicised the moment it became public. Get bonus content on P...
2024-08-1337 min
BOOKED INLAILA MICKELWAIT: Takedown, Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub For Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex TraffickingPornhub 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 the bestseller list - after listening to our chat I hope you'll understand why. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast...
2024-08-0635 min
BOOKED INJESSICA 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 Guide to Dead Bastards, is witty, candid, and deeply personal. We had a wonderful chat about her journey through paralysing grief, anger, despair and...
2024-07-3026 min
BOOKED INMAUREEN 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 has raised eyebrows, divided opinion and sparked debate about America's most famous political dynasty.Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Carolyn...
2024-07-2333 min
BOOKED INKATRIONA 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. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-07-1631 min
BOOKED INDICK 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, and the book 'Black Mass' which he wrote about the notorious criminal. PLEASE NOTE: Apologies about the echo at times. Hope you can forget it is even there! Get bonus content on P...
2024-07-0924 min
BOOKED INCONOR NILAND: The Racket, The Realities of Professional TennisConor 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 afraid to poke fun at himself or reflect honestly on his mistakes. Those familiar with my page know I'm no sporty spice, but I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and hope you enjoy listening!
2024-07-0425 min
BOOKED INSARA GLASS: Kissing Girls on ShabbatDr 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 sexual orientation, it also takes a deeply personal look at other universal topics - such as family trauma, grief, divorce and mental health. There's even a comparison drawn to...
2024-06-2528 min
BOOKED INJUSTIN 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 for decades, this book is not one to be missed! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-2232 min
BOOKED INBILL BROWDER: Red Notice, Putin and the Magnitsky ActBill 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. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-0432 min
BOOKED INAVI SHLAIM: Memoirs of An Arab JewEmeritus 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 timely conversation about division in Israeli society, his own journey of disenchantment, and his views on the unfolding situation in Gaza. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. S...
2024-05-2637 min
BOOKED INTRAILERGet bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-05-2600 min
House of Gossip‘And Just Like That'... It Was Glastonbury 2023Back from her heavenly journey to Glastonbury, Sophie floats back to Earth and beguiles Clara with tales from Worthy Farm. From Elton's historic set to Fatboy Slim's failures, to Fred Again's happy crowd of dancers to Lewis Capaldi's heart breaking live on stage, in a moment where the whole world wept together. Sophie then put on her Karen wig and has a list of helpful hints for Emily Eavis and next year's festival.The girlies then dive deep on the new season of 'And Just Like That', where they hone in on the fabulous fashion moments...
2023-06-2942 minHouse of Gossip‘And Just Like That'... It Was Glastonbury 2023Back from her heavenly journey to Glastonbury, Sophie floats back to Earth and beguiles Clara with tales from Worthy Farm. From Elton's historic set to Fatboy Slim's failures, to Fred Again's happy crowd of dancers to Lewis Capaldi's heart breaking live on stage, in a moment where the whole world wept together. Sophie then put on her Karen wig and has a list of helpful hints for Emily Eavis and next year's festival.The girlies then dive deep on the new season of 'And Just Like That', where they hone in on the fabulous fashion moments...
2023-06-2942 min