Best Helen OHara Podcasts (2024)

1
#613 — Dan Stevens, Ed Skrein & Fra Fee, Alex Garland 1:54:22

36m ago1:54:22

1:54:22

Phew! After last week's single-guest situation, we're back to our bumper-sized best on this week's Empire Podcast. One of our favourite interviewees, Dan Stevens, returns to the pod after a brief hiatus, to tell Chris Hewitt all about his new film, Abigail, and his all-timer of a character intro in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. Warning: Chris an…

1
Episode 13: Helen From 13 to 31 years sober and the shots along the way 25:38

2d ago25:38

25:38

Join this funny and candid conversation about addiction and finding hope amidst challenges. https://www.choicesgifts.com/ "You Always Have Choices" PODCAST Season 1 - Episode 13By Jay DePaolo

1
#612 — Marisa Abela 1:21:34

6d ago1:21:34

1:21:34

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perhaps less jam-packed and bumper-sized than normal, as we only have one guest. But what a guest, as Marisa Abela — terrific as Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson's Back To Black, the biopic of the iconic singer — talks to Chris Hewitt about the role, from the moment she got it to the gift she received…

1
#611 — Jordan Peele, Rufus Sewell & Philip Martin, Nell Tiger Free & Bill Nighy 2:00:30

13d ago2:00:30

2:00:30

This week's Empire Podcast has more guests than the Overlook Hotel, all chatting to Chris Hewitt about their new movies. First, producer Jordan Peele tells Chris why he was so taken by Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, that he came on board to help it get a theatrical release. Plus, they also talk why Peele is no longer acting. [15:40 - 30…

1
Episode 12: Paulette Kranjac Navigating Grief: A Journey in Forgiveness 28:00

13d ago28:00

28:00

Discover how to forgive and thrive not just survive. https://www.choicesgifts.com/ "You Always Have Choices" PODCAST Season 1 - Episode 12By Jay DePaolo

1
#610 — Cynthia Erivo, Luke Evans 1:39:16

20d ago1:39:16

1:39:16

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is brought to you by the letter E, as Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans join Chris Hewitt to talk about their new projects. First up, Erivo talks about her astonishing performance in Drift, which she also produced, and in particular one harrowing scene, and its impact upon her. It's an incredibly intense and hon…

1
#609 — Sydney Sweeney, David Dastmalchian, Ernie Hudson 1:55:45

27d ago1:55:45

1:55:45

Halloween isn't for another few months, but this week's Empire Podcast delivers a hat-trick of horrors nonetheless, as Chris Hewitt has spooky sitdowns on Zoom with the stars of three scary fillums that are all out this week. First, Sydney Sweeney, star and producer of nun-more-black horror, Immaculate, talks about sticking the landing and possessi…

1
Episode 11: Kevin O'Hara Tips in Recovery Coaching 26:03

29d ago26:03

26:03

Kevin shares his journey from a 30-year drinking 'habit' to aiding others through sobriety coaching, offering an alternative perspective. https://www.choicesgifts.com/ "You Always Have Choices" PODCAST Season 1 - Episode 11By Jay DePaolo

1
#608 — Ethan Coen & Tricia Cooke, Phillip Noyce 1:42:44

1M ago1:42:44

1:42:44

While we're waiting patiently for Joel and Ethan Coen to reunite as the filmmaking entity known as the Coen Brothers, can we interest you in the Coen Brother and Sister-in-Law? For Ethan Coen and his wife, Tricia Cooke, have teamed up to make the rambunctious road trip comedy, Drive Away Dolls, and on this week's episode they tell John Nugent about…

1
#607 — Robin Wright, DeWanda Wise 1:40:10

1M ago1:40:10

1:40:10

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer cram into the podbooth just minutes after returning to London from a live show in Norwich, which was part of the pod's March tour (tickets still available for Sheffield, Dublin, and Salford via empireonline.com/podtour!). And, despite their exhaustion, they thr…

1
Talking About The Star Wars Prequels: An Empire Podcast Special 54:21

2M ago54:21

54:21

The new issue of Empire — on sale now at all good, evil and intergalactic newsagents — is something of a celebration of 25 years of the Star Wars prequels, George Lucas' trilogy of movies that began with The Phantom Menace in 1999 and concluded with Revenge Of The Sith, Order 66 and all that, in 2005. Since then, the prequels have generated more de…

1
Smash Hits - 4-17 October 1979 with Simon Price 2:22:50

2M ago2:22:50

2:22:50

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by pop critic, author, DJ and Chart Music podcast regular, Simon Price. The carousel spins us back to October 1979, Simon's very first issue, and inside we discover punk, mod, disco and a wh…

1
Episode 10: Dr. Connie QuinnThe layers of Sex Addiction 25:07

2M ago25:07

25:07

Discover insights on sex addiction, relationships, and finding healing in a sex-positive environment. interview! https://www.choicesgifts.com/ You Always Have Choices Podcast Season 1 - Episode 10By Jay DePaolo

1
#606 — Josh Brolin, Adam Sandler & Paul Dano 1:37:28

2M ago1:37:28

1:37:28

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perfectly balanced, as all things should be. In the first half, Chris Hewitt sits down with ol' Thanos himself, aka the one and only Josh Brolin, for a wide-ranging conversation that takes in birthday parties, Brolin's growth as an actor, his aversion to compliments, and his return as the indefatigable G…

1
FX's Shōgun: An Empire & Pilot TV Podcast Special, In Association With Disney+ 1:03:01

2M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

There can be only one thing more exciting than James Clavell’s Shōgun getting a brand new TV adaptation on Disney+, and that’s a special Pilot TV/Empire crossover podcast recorded to mark the occasion! Join Chris Hewitt, James Dyer and Nick de Semlyen as they get together to talk all things Japanese, Nick’s epic read of Clavell’s 1300 page book, an…

1
What happened to Lilt (and why?) 14:37

2M ago14:37

14:37

What the hell happened to Lilt? If you were blindsided over its reincarnation as a Fanta drink in 2023, then consumer journalist Rob Brown is here to tell you what happened and why. Plus, cocktails that taste like Yankee Candles (bad) and Blue WKD's reinvention as a 0% drink (erm, good, we guess?) and a lovely mailbag of listener stories and feedba…

1
#605 — Jessica Chastain & Peter Sarsgaard, Wim Wenders, Fernando Meirelles 1:54:49

2M ago1:54:49

1:54:49

It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks. Our guest cup certainly overfloweth, as Olly Richards sits down on Zoom with Memory stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard (21:17 - 37:40 approx.), Ian Freer talks Kurosawa, Columbo, German goalkeepers and Japanese toilets with the legendary director Wim Wenders (58:36 - 1:…

1
Episode 9: Seth David Branitz Transcending Despair in Recovery 21:06

2M ago21:06

21:06

Finding meaning amidst trauma - a journey of recovery and resilience.By Jay DePaolo

1
Everything Coca-Cola with Chris Hewitt 1:04:28

2M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

After last week's Fat Duck episode where we learned that fine restaurant had created its own cola in part to tempt Coke-addicted diners into trying something familiar but different, we are thrilled to welcome Helen's colleague from the magnificent Empire Film Podcast, and podcasting's number one Coke fiend, Chris Hewitt, onto the show to talk about…

1
Episode 8: Bob Mladinich Insights from NYPD Detective to Author to Therapist 24:49

2M ago24:49

24:49

Insights on transformation, struggles, decisions, love, and fulfillment. interview! https://www.choicesgifts.com/ You Always Have Choices Podcast Season 1 - Episode 8By Jay DePaolo

1
#604 — Kingsley Ben-Adir, Tahar Rahim 1:44:10

2M ago1:44:10

1:44:10

This week's Empire Podcast brings you a double bill of wonderful actors, nattering away about their latest projects. How lovely. First up, Kingsley Ben-Adir talks to Amon Warmann about Bob Marley: One Love, the film that shines the spotlight on two pivotal years in the life of the legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley, and the madness of being part o…

1
Episode 7: Carol Graham A Recovery Murder Mystery - Fun, Cozy Read! 13:24

2M ago13:24

13:24

Unveiling the 'Brooklyn Murder Mysteries' series based on a delightful character in Recovery.By Jay DePaolo

1
Getting curious at The Fat Duck with Melania Bellesini 55:31

2M ago55:31

55:31

The Fat Duck is one of the most creative restaurants in the world – we've paid to go, twice – and since 2018, Head Sommelier Melania Bellesini has made sure its soft drinks have measured up to its vast wine list. We were invited to get the gossip on their non-alc drinks and, unsurprisingly, jumped at the chance! From Melania's attempts at perfectin…

1
#603 — Jeffrey Wright, Sean Durkin & Zac Efron 1:47:41

2M ago1:47:41

1:47:41

Another week, another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, and once again we're joined by some cracking guests. First, Jeffrey Wright, the freshly Oscar-nominated star of American Fiction, joins Chris Hewitt to talk about that movie, his working practices, the film's unusual original title, and more. (30:37 - 48:53)Then Alex Godfrey sits down on Z…

1
The lowdown on sugar 1:01:22

2M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Listener Richard Kirke emailed in to offer us some explanation of how decisions are made around sweeteners and sugar in soft drinks, and how companies balance them out – especially post-sugar tax. Why Richard? Well, as well as being a composer, Richard glories in the job of beverage technician – he is one of the people who designs drinks and recali…

1
Episode 6: Jeff R Funny, Inspirational Recovery Journey 22:48

3M ago22:48

22:48

Jeff's Recovery Journey: Sobriety, Service, and Self-Discovery. Visit our store: https://www.choicesgifts.com/By Jay DePaolo

1
#602 — Henry Cavill & Sam Rockwell, Kumail Nanjiani 1:44:59

3M ago1:44:59

1:44:59

The greater the spy movie, the bigger the guests. That's the motto of this week's Empire Podcast, as Chris Hewitt sits down with Henry Cavill and Sam Rockwell, stars of Matthew Vaughn's new spy caper Argylle, for a fun chat about dancing, fighting, and novelists. (23:46 - 40:04) Chris is also joined by the wonderful Kumail Nanjiani, who returns to …

1
Phew, Eh Readers? The Life and Writing of Tom Hibbert with Jasper Murison-Bowie & Caroline Grimshaw 51:14

3M ago51:14

51:14

Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, we take a trip to the Carousel's reading room to talk to find out all about Phew, Eh Readers?, a new book collecting selected works of Smash Hits and Q scribe Tom Hibbert, with the book's co-editor Jasper Murison-Bowie and designer (and former Smash Hits staffer) Caroline Grimshaw. We also hear…

1
Cartoon Saloon: An Empire Podcast Special 51:00

3M ago51:00

51:00

We love the Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, at Empire. And we're not alone — the Kilkenny-based marvels behind the likes of Song Of The Sea, Wolfwalkers, and The Secret Of Kells recently had a BFI season devoted to their exploits, and to mark the beginning of their 25th anniversary. And in this very special edition of the Empire Podcast, He…

1
Why we love a buzz with Professor David Nutt 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

Hello if you've come here from Grazia! If you're listening before Feb 1st, your two favourite pop enthusiasts have written about all things soft and you can read our piece in the current issue. Our guest today is Professor David Nutt, the renowned neuropsychopharmacologist and all-round science legend, who has dedicated much of his career to unders…

1
#601 — Blitz Bazawule, Paul Giamatti & Alexander Payne, Andrew Scott & Paul Mescal 2:08:23

3M ago2:08:23

2:08:23

After last week's triumphant live show to mark episode 600, the Empire Podcast team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann — return to the safety of the podbooth this week to kick off the road to 700... but we're not exactly skimping on the guests. First, Blitz Bazawule, director of The Colour Purple, tells Helen all about how h…

1
Episode 5: Twins Tammy & Lyssie Nutritional Experts, Authors 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

Get inspired with nutrition and fitness tips from dynamic twin experts Tammy & Lyssie Lakatos.By Jay DePaolo

1
Episode 4: Exploring meditation, spirituality, and life choices: A conversation with David Harshada Wagner 22:06

3M ago22:06

22:06

Join us for an insightful conversation about meditation, spirituality, and life choices with David Harshada Wagner, an experienced meditation instructor, author, and guide in conscious living. Explore the transformative power of meditation, the journey towards spiritual fulfillment, and navigating life's decisions in this engaging dialogue. Informa…

1
#600 (Live At Kings Place, London) — Tom Hiddleston, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Ray Winstone 2:42:11

3M ago2:42:11

2:42:11

Another landmark live show for the Empire Podcast saw a capacity crowd cram themselves into Hall One at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London, to celebrate Episode 600. And we brought along some exceptional star guests as well, as Tom Hiddleston — Loki himself — popped in for an extended chat about the God Of Mischief, and other animals, with C…

1
Sober clubbing with DJ Paulette 1:02:36

3M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

There's quite a lot of literal pop culture in this episode, with a lot of talk about film – Helen has a new Shakespeare buddy in Tom Hiddleston and a glorious story involving Coca-Cola from Mia McKenna-Bruce – and of equity and equality in the entertainment industry. Our guest is DJ Paulette: international DJ, legend of the Haçienda, author of Welc…

1
The Holdover 43:18

3M ago43:18

43:18

It's not often that you see a Christmas film with Oscar buzz, nor one that the studio for some reason decide to release in the second half of January. Yet here we are, with the excellent cast and crew of The Holdovers. The reunion of Sideways' director and Star, Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti respectively, sees them tackle the story of a depress…

1
Why are non-alcoholic spirits expensive? Chris Bax of Bax Botanics explains all 33:52

3M ago33:52

33:52

We're all about spirits this week – not just because both of us went to see My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican (squee!) but because Helen chatted to Chris Bax of Wetherby craft sprit, Bax Botanics, (those delicious drinks we tried on our New Year episode) about the hows, whys, and whats of making a non-alcoholic spirit. And yes, this includes why …

1
#599 — George Clooney & Callum Turner, Kevin Hart & Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Dan Levy 2:05:40

3M ago2:05:40

2:05:40

We have a veritable guestapalooza this week as George Clooney and Callum Turner join us to talk The Boys In The Boat, Kevin Hart and Gugu Mbatha-Raw give us the lowdown on F. Gary Gray's heist movie Lift, and Dan Levy chats about his directorial debut Good Grief. Other than that, it's another fireside chat with just Helen and James this week as the…

1
Echo Preview Special ft. Sydney Freeland 20:49

3M ago20:49

20:49

Echo, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe show to debut on Disney+, continues the story of Maya Lopez, the deaf, Native American vigilante whom we met back in Hawkeye. And in this very special preview interview with Sydney Freeland, the Navajo filmmaker who is one of the show's directors, Chris Hewitt discovers just what we can expect from this fi…

1
Creativity in beer with Mash Gang's Michael Baggs 44:28

3M ago44:28

44:28

Yes, that is indeed a can of cereal milk pale ale – because when you run a craft nolo (no or low alcohol) brewery, you can do anything. We're talking about all things beer this week, and Mash Gang, co-founded during lockdown by our guest, Michael Baggs, has explored where beer can go more than almost any company we can think of. Helen met Michael t…

1
#598 — Joel Edgerton, JA Bayona 1:37:11

3M ago1:37:11

1:37:11

Happy New Year! With just two shows until 600, The Empire podcast crashes back into your feeds this week. Well, two thirds of it does because Chris is on holiday, leaving Helen and James to hold down the fort. And by that we mean have a cosy fireside discussion about all the fantasy books they devoured over Christmas, along with assorted stories of…

1
Dry January drink recommendations from Helen McGinn (@knackeredmother) & our listeners 55:33

4M ago55:33

55:33

Happy New Year and welcome to the show! Helen and Kat share their Christmas drinks and New Year's resolutions (spoiler: don't do them in January, it's miserable enough) before welcoming the genuinely divine Helen McGinn, wine expert, author, and star of Saturday Kitchen (and, as of Saturday night, Celebrity The Weakest Link!). Helen was a supermark…

1
#597 — Michael Fassbender, Adam Driver 1:35:50

4M ago1:35:50

1:35:50

The final Empire Podcast of 2023 is here, folks, and it's a belter, with two incredible guests. First up, Michael Fassbender returns to the pod after an absence of a few years, and in an extended interview with Chris Hewitt, he talks about returning to the big screen with the double-whammy of David Fincher's The Killer and Taika Waititi's Next Goal…

1
Pop Culture: with Helen O’Hara 21:45

4M ago21:45

21:45

SHOW BLURB Welcome to Pop Culture, the podcast that puts soft drinks at the top of the menu. Helen O'Hara and Kat Brown are arts journalists who don’t drink: Helen's a life-long teetotaller, and Kat is four years sober. Join us as we explore the culture lifting soft drinks out of the dark ages, hear from guests about their favourite non-booze optio…

1
Meet your hosts! Kat interviews Helen about being teetotal 19:15

4M ago19:15

19:15

What's it like growing up teetotal in Northern Ireland? Or studying (and working) in England with booze everywhere you go? In our second bonus episode before the series launches on New Year's Day, Helen tells Kat about her background with not drinking alcohol, having your drink spiked "for a laugh", secrets to getting through boozy celebrations wit…

1
Review Of The Year 2023: An Empire Podcast Special 2:50:44

4M ago2:50:44

2:50:44

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! Here's a little Christmas bonus for you all: the Empire Podcast's Review Of The Year. 2023 (for that is the year in question) was a year that gave us so much, cinematically speaking, from Barbenheimer to Empire's official number one film, Past Lives, and everything in-between, including the first signs of weakne…

1
There's Something In The Barn 58:32

4M ago58:32

58:32

Folklore: not just a Taylor Swift album. In this Norway-set horror / comedy, an enraged barn elf just ruins a family Christmas in revenge for being fed fish instead of cookies. It may be a relatable beef, but it's taken to extremes in a sort of Gremlins-esque romp through Norwegian folklore. Director Magnus Martens joins us to talk about the levels…

1
Silent Night 35:28

4M ago35:28

35:28

John Woo is back, and he's brought a Christmas movie: now that's the kind of present we like to see under the tree. Or is it? To discuss this new Christmas-set tale of revenge and voicelessness starring Joel Kinnaman, your host Helen O'Hara (@HelenLOHara) is joined by Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) to delve into questions of action, representation and…

1
#596 — Rosamund Pike, Bradley Cooper & Carey Mulligan 1:46:27

4M ago1:46:27

1:46:27

The last Empire Podcast before Christmas brings you a pair of lovely interviews as our gift to you: first, Mike Muncer sits down on Zoom with Rosamund Pike to talk about class warfare and the challenges of starring in Emerald Fennell's Saltburn, which is now streaming on Prime Video. Then, Chris Hewitt has a lovely audience with Bradley Cooper and …

1
TOM DYCKHOFF - Lost in the Hall of Mirrors 41:48

4M ago41:48

41:48

Joining TOM JACKSON to discuss the postcards from his past is writer and broadcaster TOM DYCKHOFF. In a flex to the usual format, Tom opens up his precious childhood scrapbook and shares the postcards that as a seven-year-old he lovingly stuck in as souvenirs of family holidays and day trips. Maps, memories and mysteries. Wish you were here? Hosted…

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