Best Sam Van Ryder Podcasts (2025)

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It Sucks to Be First with Robert Hansen 42:11

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3d ago42:11

42:11

We’re back with another keynote speaker, Robert “RSnake” Hansen! He chats with Michael and Sam about his new book, AI’s Best Friend (and how to get a free copy!), how he started hacking, and his upcoming HOU.SEC.CON. presentation around his research on the CVSS framework. Things Mentioned: · HSC User Group on June 26, 2025 – https://www.hscusergrou…

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Monica Lewinsky - ‘I would have liked a more normal life’ 49:50

3d ago49:50

49:50

Monica Lewinsky is an activist, podcaster and producer. At the age of 24, Lewinsky, a White House intern, found herself in the eye of a global scandal. She was subjected to a mass public shaming - losing her livelihood, her anonymity and the future she had once imagined for herself. Now, 51 Lewinsky has garnered a new generation of admirers, who wi…

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AJ Tracey - ‘Buying my mum a house will always be my proudest achievement’ 52:48

10d ago52:48

52:48

Rapping phenomenon and Tottenham Hotspur superfan AJ Tracey joins us this week to talk about supporting his mum through her cancer journey, the pressures of staying an independent artist and what football has taught him about failure. AJ Tracey has been rapping since the age of four. He dropped out of his Criminology degree at London Metropolitan U…

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How To Cope With A Friendship Break-Up - with Cynthia Nixon - Special Release 28:28

16d ago28:28

28:28

Cynthia Nixon joins Elizabeth to answer YOUR questions and failures including: whose failures would you most like to hear (dead or alive) how to cope with a friendship break up and how to know when to have kids. Elizabeth then takes a moment to reflect on meeting Cynthia, and everything they covered. To hear Cynthia tackling your failures join our …

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The Never-Ending Cat and Mouse Game with Dmitri Alperovitch 36:12

17d ago36:12

36:12

Michael and Sam are back with another HOU.SEC.CON. keynote speaker – Dmitri Alperovitch! In this episode they talk about his new book, what he’s been up to since CrowdStrike, and what will be covered in his opening keynote. Things Mentioned: HSC User Group on June 26, 2025 – https://www.hscusergroup.com TAB Cyber Foundation Scholarship Closing July…

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Cynthia Nixon - ‘Being brave is feeling scared and doing it anyway’ 53:44

17d ago53:44

53:44

Whilst Cynthia Nixon’s versatility is beyond question, it's fair to say that she has become permanently associated with one character, Miranda Hobbs, in Sex and the City and its companion piece, And Just Like That. She won an Emmy for her performance and a generation of fans who identified with the ambitious type-A lawyer whose cynicism disguised a…

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Christine McGuinness - ‘I don’t want to hold back anymore - I date women! So what?’ 52:31

24d ago52:31

52:31

TW: discussions around anorexia and sexual abuse. In an incredibly powerful episode (and a How To Fail first), Christine McGuinness speaks publicly about her sexuality for the first time. She reveals she had a long-term relationship with a woman before her marriage to comedian Paddy McGuinness and that she’s now dating women again. She refuses to l…

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Vicky Pattison - ‘You don't become old and wise if you haven't been young and daft’ 55:32

26d ago55:32

55:32

Vicky Pattison was 22 when her life changed and she was cast in reality TV show Geordie Shore. She was on the show for nine seasons between 2011 and 2014, during which time the cameras followed her falling in love, becoming engaged, then breaking up. Now 37, Pattison has rarely been off our screens - whether it’s as a finalist on Celebrity Masterch…

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Forcing Innovation with Jeremiah Grossman 43:19

1M ago43:19

43:19

HOU.SEC.CON.'s first keynote speaker is returning for our 15-year anniversary! This week Michael and Sam are talking to cybersecurity legend Jeremiah Grossman about his start in cyber at just 19 years old, what we can learn from cybersecurity insurance companies, and what to expect at HOU.SEC.CON. 2025! Things Mentioned: · What Works in Cybersecuri…

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Dannii Minogue - ‘I hit low points where I thought: “I just can’t take this any more.” 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

In her most revealing interview to date, Dannii Minogue talks openly about the pressures of fame, the relentless comparisons with her sister, Kylie, and navigating a divorce that left her broke. It’s an extraordinary conversation with a woman who found fame as a 10-year-old in her native Australia. As a teenager Dannii, signed a record deal and act…

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Julia Stiles - ‘I ran in the other direction from fame’ 55:26

1M ago55:26

55:26

For many of us who grew up in the the 90s, Julia Stiles was an integral part of our coming of age. Her portrayal of the clever, acerbic Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You was a radical reinvention of the blonde teenage female rom-com lead. Her roles in Save The Last Dance and Mona Lisa Smile spoke to our adolescent feminist awakenings and catapulted…

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OT Security with Watch Mr. Wizard Star Sean Curry 32:13

1M ago32:13

32:13

Michael and Sam are catching up with Principal Consultant and Co-Founder at Cavalry Solutions, Sean Curry! Sean talks about his transition from the military to the private sector, the importance of standards like IEC 62443 for OT security, and the best way to align IT and OT teams. Things Mentioned: · New study reveals 92% of industrial sites at ri…

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John Bishop - ‘I’ve always wanted someone to say: you’re good enough’ 56:44

1M ago56:44

56:44

John Bishop has been a hugely successful stand-up comedian for 25 years. Yet that wasn’t his first dream, which was to play football. We discuss his failure to do so professionally, his challenges at school, the working-class upbringing that shaped him and how comedy saved his marriage when he and his wife were at the ‘decree nisi stage’ of divorce…

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Simon Cowell - ‘I often think: what gives me the right to judge people?’ 1:01:58

2M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Simon Cowell has built an entertainment empire on his ability to say exactly what he thinks and an uncanny ability to judge the public mood. From launching Pop Idol in 2001, The X Factor in 2004 and the cultural behemoth Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, he has been at the helm of primetime around the world for over a quarter of a century. His TV shows…

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Predicting the Future of Malware with Dr. Marcus Botacin 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

In this episode Michael and Sam are talking to malware researcher Dr. Marcus Botacin. Dr. Botacin discusses his journey from early work in sandboxing to advanced malware detection through machine learning, his recent efforts combining LLMs with GANs to create an iterative malware generation system that enhances evasion capabilities, and the importa…

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Celeste Barber: the FUNNIEST woman on the internet 53:37

2M ago53:37

53:37

My guest today has been an integral part of my feminist awakening. Celeste Barber’s instagram posts - which parody the unattainable standards of the fashion and beauty industry - are both hilarious and revolutionary. Her work has helped a generation of women to feel better about their bodies - and made her a star in the process. (Plus she’s been bl…

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Emma Dabiri - ‘We are still so obsessed with how we look’ 45:00

2M ago45:00

45:00

This episode of How To Fail was recorded in front of a live audience at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy theatre. Emma Dabiri is a broadcaster, historian, and bestselling author whose work delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and race through art history and current affairs. She's now written a number of books - culture shifting works which …

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All about YOUTH.SEC.CON.! 46:18

2M ago46:18

46:18

Today’s episode looks a little different as Michael and Sam are talking to the entire YOUTH.SEC.CON. team! Arthi Vasudevan, Reynaldo Gonzalez, and Mary DiFiore-Smith joined the podcast to discuss all aspects of our first event focused on 9th – 12th grade students. Listen now to learn about the talks and activities, eligibility, registration, safety…

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Sally Phillips - ‘I saw Colin Firth and thought - he’s mine!’ 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

This episode of How To Fail was recorded in front of a live audience at London’s Barbican Theatre. Sally Phillips has appeared in a string of the most influential and hilarious comedy series of all time - from Smack The Pony, Miranda, The Thick of It and Veep. Not forgetting, of course, her star turn as Bridget Jones’s best friend, Shazza, in the h…

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Mae Martin - 'Everything I do is about proving those high school bullies wrong.' 53:01

3M ago53:01

53:01

Over on Failing with Friends this week, Mae Martin talks about self-care, how to stop pushing people away and we tackle a listener’s failure to be messy in their twenties. To hear Mae Martin's brilliant advice, join our community of subscribers: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Canadian comedian, writer, producer and singer/songwriter M…

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Definitions of Pen Testing with Darin Fredde 35:33

3M ago35:33

35:33

Sam and Michael are joined by Offensive Security Advisor, Darin Fredde! They discuss the need to move beyond compliance checkboxes, the importance of continuous pen testing, and the disconnect between marketing claims and real-world security implementations. Things Mentioned: Having trouble with your OT.SEC.CON. or EXEC.SEC.CON. ticket? Reach out t…

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Jonathan Van Ness - 'I was one wrong thing away from losing everything' 50:13

3M ago50:13

50:13

Over on Failing with Friends this week, JVN and I get into relationship therapy and the perfect length of shorts on a man. To hear JVN tackling your failures, join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Jonathan Van Ness, one fifth of Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, three-times New York Times bestseller, podca…

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How To Date: BONUS EPISODE - Your dating questions answered… 41:49

3M ago41:49

41:49

For this bonus episode, Elizabeth and Mel open up the post bag to answer the burning questions YOU have when it comes to dating… And, let’s just say, we cover A LOT of ground. After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating…

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Sam Ryder - ‘Fame is like giving a dog a treat every single day. You get used to it.’ 56:13

3M ago56:13

56:13

Over on Failing with Friends - Sam Ryder talks about panic attacks, how to forgive, and (in a How To Fail first) why he likes to cut his toenails outdoors. To hear Sam tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Sam Ryder is a British singer-songwriter who started posting covers on Tik…

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How To Date: The most important relationship you’ll ever have 59:48

3M ago59:48

59:48

For the final episode of How To Date (sob!) Mel and Elizabeth look at the most important relationships any of us can have in our lives: the one with ourselves. We unpack what this means in practical terms. How do we nurture a healthy sense of self-respect - and why can this sometimes feel so challenging? How can we ensure interdependence rather tha…

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AppSec Fish in a Barrel with Steven Schmidt 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Michael and Sam are joined by Field CTO, Steven Schmidt! They discuss the early days of application security, the evolution of AppSec tools and processes, and challenges in balancing developer speed with security requirements. Thank you to Snyk for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about building secure applications at https://snyk.io and chat wi…

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Olivia Attwood - ‘It’s either vodka and a gay club until 5am, or hyperbaric oxygen’ 51:48

3M ago51:48

51:48

Olivia Attwood first appeared on our TV screens in 2017 as a contestant in the third series of Love Island, and instantly became a star due to her dry humour and gobby relatability. You might also know her as a regular panellist on Loose Women or from her hit documentaries for ITV. Last year, she launched her podcast, Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s…

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How To Date: How to cope with heartbreak and rejection 46:43

3M ago46:43

46:43

Elizabeth and Mel face one of the most challenging parts of dating: heartbreak and rejection. We are joined by life coach and author Michelle Elman who went through a devastating, public break-up after being notified via an Instagram DM that her fiance of 24-hours had been cheating on her. Michelle, Mel and Elizabeth explore the impact an experienc…

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Erin Doherty - ‘Lean Into Your Truth’ 48:41

4M ago48:41

48:41

To hear more of Erin offering advice on listener failures, join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Erin Doherty’s big break came playing Princess Anne in The Crown. She’s now back on our screens as Mary Carr, the leader of a real-life Victorian female crime gang, in A Thousand Blows (written by Peaky Bli…

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How To Date: Taking it to the next level 51:15

4M ago51:15

51:15

Things are going well… So Elizabeth and Mel are taking it to the next level where they are getting just that little bit more serious. In this episode, Mel and Elizabeth look at exclusivity and commitment and what it takes to build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship. Plus: how a partner’s past plays into your future together. After you’v…

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Network Monitoring in OT/ICS Environments with Stuart Bailey 31:05

4M ago31:05

31:05

In today’s episode Michael and Sam are catching up with Security Consulting Manager, ICS/OT at Accenture, Stuart Bailey! Stuart shares his journey from a career in social work to cybersecurity, the challenges of working on OT environments, and the importance of network monitoring for critical infrastructure. Things Mentioned: · Romanian energy supp…

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Gugu Mbatha-Raw - ‘Have I ever worked with an awful co-star? Maybe one or two’ 49:02

4M ago49:02

49:02

Friendship advice: ‘Are you a radiator or a drain?’ To hear more from Gugu tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actor who firmly resists typecasting: her West End debut was as Ophelia in Hamlet; while on-screen she has tackled everything from Belle, to a vi…

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How To Date: Red and Green Flags 59:04

4M ago59:04

59:04

Mel and Elizabeth look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that can help us understand whether a potential partner is right for us. That’s right, we’re exploring the red flags that should have us running for the hills, the green flags that signpost a healthy relationship and the amber or pink ones that lie somewhere in-between. We are joined by…

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Kate Hudson - ‘Fame is a tumultuous machine’ 1:01:10

4M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Kate Hudson’s comedic turn in How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days made that movie one of the greatest romantic comedies of the noughties, and her performances in everything from Bride Wars to Glass Onion have each been totally scene-stealing. This month, she stars in Running Point, a new Netflix comedy from Mindy Kaling, and she has just released her firs…

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How To Date: Communication - dating dos and don’ts 55:25

4M ago55:25

55:25

The first date has gone well for Elizabeth and Mel (the chemistry was sizzling, quite frankly) so now we turn our attention to the murky waters of early-stage communication in dating. Psychotherapist, author and podcaster Emma Reed-Turrell joins Elizabeth and Mel this week to break down how to communicate with clarity and kindness, without ever los…

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Defending Farmville with Trey Ford 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

This week Michael and Sam are catching up with Bugcrowd CISO, Trey Ford. They chat about his evolution from consulting to the C-Suite, how to know if the CISO role is right for you, and what alignment between security leadership and the board should look like. Things Mentioned: · Key strategies to Enhance Cyber Resilience - https://www.csoonline.co…

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Simon Callow: ‘Scottish reeling almost killed me.’ 44:12

4M ago44:12

44:12

Simon Callow is a critically acclaimed actor, director, author and star of classic movies such as Room with a View, Shakespeare in Love and Howards End. However, it’s his part as Gareth in Four Weddings and a Funeral that many took to their hearts. Callow’s failures include a childhood rejection that still haunts him, a play he directed which was s…

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How To Date: The first date 54:22

4M ago54:22

54:22

Mel and Elizabeth continue their dating journey and today, we’ve reached one of the most nerve-wracking, yet potentially thrilling, milestones: the first date. Our guest is the fabulous Ryan Lanji, cultural producer, winner of Netflix’s Big Flower Fight and all-round icon. Ryan joins us to break down everything from the lead-up to the date, how to …

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Jessel Taank - ‘Real Housewives? It’s like Game of Thrones’ 53:58

5M ago53:58

53:58

Jessel Taank is the first South Asian housewife and the breakout star of her debut season of The Real Housewives of New York in 2023. In this episode we speak openly about the challenges of conceiving her twin sons through IVF and the misplaced shame she felt at not being able to have children naturally. Her failures include failing to overcome Ind…

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How To Date: How to meet someone 53:56

5M ago53:56

53:56

Elizabeth and Mel get into the exciting, terrifying and sometimes overwhelming world of how on earth to meet someone. We discuss online dating and IRL encounters and how to navigate it all without losing our self-esteem. Our guest this week is the brilliant Sharmaine Lovegrove, whom many of you might already know as one of the hosts of our previous…

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Special, Special, Special Guest – Marco Ayala 31:01

5M ago31:01

31:01

Michael and Sam are gearing up for OT.SEC.CON. with keynote speaker, Marco Ayala! Marco is an ISA Fellow, and President of InfraGard Houston with over 30 years of experience in industrial automation controls and OT/IT security. They chat about some exciting OT Cybersecurity initiatives in Texas, the incident that led him to cybersecurity, and what …

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Nick Grimshaw - 'I told The Guardian I was gay before I told my parents' 52:56

5M ago52:56

52:56

Broadcaster and author Nick Grimshaw joins Elizabeth to talk about failing his maths GCSE, failing his business and communications degree, his failure to be present, and failing at New Year’s resolutions. Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Coordin…

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Introducing How To Date: Am I ready to date? 52:01

5M ago52:01

52:01

Elizabeth and Mel look at one of the most important yet daunting questions: “Am I ready to date?” Whether you’re returning to the dating world after divorce, heartbreak, loss or simply wondering if it’s the right time to put yourself out there, this episode explores what it really means to be ‘date ready’. After you’ve listened, you can get all the…

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Dame Harriet Walter - ‘I wish I’d had all this attention when I was 40’ 55:42

5M ago55:42

55:42

Olivier and Emmy-award-winning Dame Harriet Walter must have acting in her blood: her uncle is the legendary horror star Christopher Lee, she turned down a place at Oxford in favour of drama school, and began her career at the Royal Shakespeare Company. On screen you’ll know her from Killing Eve, Ted Lasso, The Crown or as Lady Caroline in Successi…

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HIPAA with Two A’s with Stephen Alexander 34:32

5M ago34:32

34:32

Hosts Michael and Sam are covering another HOU.SEC.CON. 2024 presentation, this time with Security Architect Stephen Alexander! They discuss how audits, while annoying, can provide significant value by offering insights for organizational improvement, help ensure compliance, and educate companies on how to strengthen their security operations. Thin…

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Sharon Horgan - ‘My marriage failed but it had such a positive impact on my life’ 48:43

5M ago48:43

48:43

Sharon Horgan is a writer, actor and director. She has an uncanny ability to craft complex, compelling and heartfelt characters who find comedy even in the darkest of situations: just like in her hit series Bad Sisters - which has won a Peabody Award and four Emmy nominations. You’ll also know her from the BAFTA-nominated show Pulling, plus starrin…

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Stephen Merchant: ‘Most famous people are f**cked up’ 50:33

5M ago50:33

50:33

Actor, writer and director Stephen Merchant joins How To Fail this week and is reflective, fascinating and - yes - even funny. We talk about what he learned from Ricky Gervais when co-writing The Office, on feeling rattled turning 50 and how it’s hard to fail as a stand-up comedian (but he got over it). Have something to share of your own? I'd love…

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Taupe Hat Hacking with Len Noe 41:08

6M ago41:08

41:08

We’re kicking off season 3 with our good friend Len Noe! Len wears many hats, including whitehat hacker, technical evangelist, international speaker, podcast host, and most recently, author. In this episode, Michael and Sam chat with him about his new book, transhumanism, and his upcoming projects. Things Mentioned: · Google's AI-Powered OSS-Fuzz T…

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Failure Throwback: Geena Davis 1:01:46

6M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

The final episode in our run of throwback episodes is the one and only Geena Davis - this one went out on 9th November 2022. This is what I wrote at the time: I am obsessed with today's guest and I'm not even going to pretend otherwise. Geena Davis, the star of such seminal movies as Tootsie, Beetlejuice, Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own and …

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Failure Throwback: Jamie Dornan 1:10:19

6M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

I’m revisiting some of my favourite episodes this Christmas. This week it’s Jamie Dornan, whose episode went out when we were in deepest, darkest lockdown, on 24th November 2020. This is what I wrote at the time: You’ll know Jamie from starring on our screens in The Fall, Fifty Shades of Grey, and more recently The Tourist. He joins me to talk abou…