Read this: Feedback's Interview of the Year 2025

Sounds music Radio podcasts BBC sounds music Radio podcasts and welcome to feedback today.

I'll be Revealing the winner of the 2025 feedback interview of the year over the past 12-months you've been listening out for those emotionally charged in those Incisive insightful interrogations or just magic moments of audio when two people come together all the interviews and nominated by and voted for by the feedback listener, so in no particular order.

I'll give you the 10 shortlisted nominees for 2025.

They were judged by a panel of listeners who scored each one of them for impact inside and the interviewer skills later available to tell you who are the two runners-up and and the overall winner for the feedback interview of the Year let's get going we start with a revealing and spontaneous.

You on p.m.

In August the Bell Hotel in Epping was being used to house asylum seekers and it become a focal point for protests over the summer Evan Davis managed to get through to one of the people inside hotel and for 20-minutes we listen to the conversation or many of you.

Never dated this interview including Janet Phillips from Ware in Hertfordshire it was really interesting to hear his experiences.

Just come to the UK is English very good and you can buy the difficulties that people experience with migrants face in terms of the dangers of crossing the Channel in small boats and the corruption of the gangs arranging is crossings IG11 handle the interview with patience and empathy when you just walk around that's most of the time when you feel about the 20th 27th areas and they will come across to the scan this you dad people do say that you've had that person you've had that experience.

Yeah, and the protests that the actual protest outside.

Are you aware that you feel? What do you feel when there's a large number of people outside testing at the hotel being used for four people like you the red English flag up around town people putting those up.

Do you see that is hostile to you or do you think look people and they should put up the flag telling me this is because I cannot do it.

I cannot be British they can only just telling me out.

This is for only like people this.

That's what I think.

I mean.

I'm like I cannot justify had that if I just can't go back go back.

The BBC's relationship with US President Donald Trump has been a subject of a lot of scrutiny in recent months but back in July the chief, North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue pulled off a late night after he received a call.

He wasn't expecting from the white house.

It's nominated here by Marshall Cooper from the Wirral president.

Thank you very much for spending some time out set Gary headset a very calm Direct and polite tone to which I thought Donald Trump responded very well you mentioned that Russia was one of the things that was still problematic.

You said you were 4 times close to a deal with Putin are you are you are you done with him? I mean I know that sounds a simplistic thing.

You go home in just a text to stop the blood because I know you said repeatedly the bloodshed is the thing when working at garage so far of the British appointed will have a great conversation.

I'll say that's good.

I think we close to getting it done and not there a building in Kiev when it got to the the question.

Do you trust him there was a very pregnant pores which in itself is very interesting his answer was to you trust him.

I just almost now.

Bye.

Be honest with you very very professional extremely well done congratulations Gary Radio 4 live chat with Dr Sian Williams is a regular favourite with feedback listeners in October an interview with Falklands war hero just received multiple nominations Jefford and decades of post-traumatic stress manifesting in his case in a very particular to the smell of meat is nominated here by Laura Crichton from Devon starts with tears running down my face listening is Shawn expertly and gently help Jeff tell his story of complex PTSD what's really clear my head is the moment of the explosion and then something that happened a little while afterwards there a lot of sheep in the in the chefs produced roast lamb and instantly migraine-associated a joint of lamb with this unfortunately.

Upper thigh you can tell Jeff felt deeply listen to and was hard for him to be counted difficult times you could also here he felt autotrust insurance when your brain and body telling you you need to get out of somewhere because it's dangerous that basic survival Instinct which happened every time you smell mate.

What were you doing? I would do anything to get away again.

My understanding is the amygdala shut down everything that it doesn't need yes.

I'm that kind of drain on Resource and one of the things that the psychiatrist memory is something it doesn't need so I usually remember the trigger and there often nothing until I wake up music in hospital usually quite because you've done what I've done whatever it takes to get away.

I run across the M1 motorway to get away from the smell of the year of swan.

Swollen Rivers I've broken my neck.

I've dislocated my shoulder been severely hyperthermic and I won't know anything about that all wake up using hospital and there'll be a day is the current prime minister and I don't know in May Sarah Montague On the world at one was King to find out the US official position on the current situation in Gaza interviewing White House adviser Sebastian gorka here.

It was a x an extremely difficult listens, but doesn't give you praise Sarah from entertaining her calm and seeking to shed light not Heat what must surely rank as one of the spiciest Encounters Of The Year Foster from Reigate in Surrey is one of many who contact us as in my car and although parked outside my house.

I couldn't leave until the interview attended.

I've heard rude people interview before but I don't think I've ever heard someone in such a position of responsibility being so unspeakably and not just before only one thing.

He is a master of the art of the deal.

If anyone can do it.

It's President Trump is probably the only person I can do it ok.

What's a good? So what does he in visit when you talk about the rebirth of I'm not Nasser silly question sorry it's not hypothetical.

You've talked about Muslim Nations to invite it's bad simple ok, and is that is that a prospect as a result of this trip.

Oh my god ask me a question, please Cheryl's a model of restraint in the face of barrage of insults whilst not allowing him to escape the questions.

Is there a response to question is a response to my question.

I'm asking the questions here.

We are more interested and what you have.

True professionalism on the fire in the category difficult concept simply explained comes an interview on the Life Scientific in October Jim al-khalili interview professor apt about his groundbreaking research into the molecular photos centres in Maidstone this but it's all about the delivery Natalie Harvey was Blinded by the science.

Could you please pass on my company to professor Jim al-khalili for a captivating interview with extraordinary interesting and humble AP dasilva what a lovely man.

He was to listen to have not got a sign my last lesson chemistry wasn't 1978 but the interview was so well conducted.

I could understand what they were disgusting and the social aspect was fascinating to capturing and measuring the light that comes off that tells you something about the molecule.

That's giving it off not only about the molecule that is giving it off but the environment of the molecule so this is a l.

Stuff like all out photosynthesis have a little bit of James Bond about them which is to go into inaccessible places like a small-volume like inside yourself out and then gather information remember him can't go there because she's too old so he sends off Mr testosterone and you'll find out soon small biocompatible so we could send them to places where humans can't go in June Jonathan Anderson became one of the world's most influential designers when he was appointed creative 2-year old fashioned highest Dior a Far Cry from his upbringing in Northern Ireland he talked moving with John Wilson on this cultural life.

I've got his background shaped by Lesley McColl from Portstewart it is not off my hair storage for my part of the world included an interview like this so I found this particular.

Fascinating and relatable John Wilson interviewing skills got Jonathan to open up about his thoughts growing up in The Troubles and the profound moment that the could have almost cleaned his mother's life just devastation the all the shops and ripped off and I think this was probably a Turning Point in my life with it.

I remember very visually I remember the kind of a motion of that moment on I think it's the first time that it was like not just a blown out Street or car bomb or a shooting.

It was very different because it was a kind of time place to be gone or not gone and she could've been 1.

She could she was missed it by the minute.

I loved hi John got Jonathan to explain his thought process in design.

Collection especially human Jonathan said it has to turn you on and on a personal level at the top of the program.

I build you was probably the most important fashion designer in the world right now that pinnacle what drives you on creatively that you'll never get there come home.

I from me what tries me every morning.

Is that it can always be better.

I have to keep filling am learning.

I have to keep feeling that it can be better in 2020 - Mormons daughter's Biba and Nicole murders as they celebrated beavers birthday in a country in North London it then came to light that two policemen have posed for photos with their bodies a retard Anglican priest has gone on to become a vocal activist against violence on women and men's for police reformed in February Mina Smallman joined Lauren Laverne Desert Island Discs is a hatful of nominations for this Susie stain from North London to lose two door.

Grateful circumstances and with such a police inactivity and looking for them followed by the valve behaviour of the police guarding the scene and to be able to talk about this was such a humanity in love with deeply moving the days that followed Mr Bean to supply and it was then just a few days later that the police told you that to Constable you've been ordered to guard the crime scene her taking photographs of your daughters and share them with colleagues in WhatsApp messages.

How did you begin to prove that news on top of what you're already dealing with you've got nothing in the tank.

You have nothing to give we've gone to London to start preparing for the funeral and even Graham he was personally person on from the iopc when he was telling me his chin was trembling.

He said I don't actually know how to tell you this because I have two daughters myself my god, what is he gonna tell us and when he told us completely lost it my language was so blue when they left they must have said did you say she was a priest said I found myself constantly thinking about this interview on this remarkable woman 4 months after the program.

I have no words for them and I I will take them down and I was celebrating when those two were sent to prison rosca.

Onya a Congolese born rapper who came to the UK as a refugee Chris Hawkins on 6 Music in October to talk about his story many of you were really moved by what you had this is Bruce from Warrington in Cheshire wasn't really prepared for the touching story.

This life and how is singing leader League Live in the Congo small child with his siblings about me catch up with you to see me and the rest of my sister's went into refugee camps get his food delivered and it was running to get food in everyone scavenging for food was times when we didn't eat those x where you normally didn't even always doing and we'll just have to cuddle up and have a look after one and it was involved in a gang and sentenced to prison at the age of 17.

Can you went to prison for a very long time? Didn't you yeah? Yeah, I did too shy off 10 years.

I did 9 1/2 years in prison and while incarcerated images mental Jack Merritt University graduate who became a significant figure in his life.

He was taken away from us both had a last London Bridge terror attack which just frazzles my brain everytime.

I think about it and he became a mental anyone need to manage me.

Go to Cambridge and study and chill out and you'll get me like a room in Cambridge or when I'm not studying and I don't have to be able to Dawn's will get me a ring and we'll go on till when running Ryan United just saw the talent.

It was a heartfelt expose of his life to date how the Welcome be complicated place to live and how protected are in our country conversations on the test match special podcast often via Interiors way beyond cricket, but when 12-year olds visually impaired player and Jonathan Agnew at Headingley the entire commentary box spellbind with his sheer joy of the game studio from Kidlington in Oxfordshire with the nomination.

It was gentle kinda musing moving but I love listening to cricket on test match special because it describes everything were well like

But they don't describe every single thing that happens time to amaze us with his knowledge of cricket England cricketer.

Ben Stokes came back from that.

You know 2016 Carlos brathwaite remember the name that quote when you got hit 4 sixes.

It was good to hear cricket and how he plays I can play out the reverse sweep sweep as well.

Do you know I think you might be the only bad accident in the world ever to reverse sweat Mark would interview children can't be easy, but this was still fully done.

Wait optimising data win but what I'm thinking about wanting to play for England because it's going to be easier for me so I decided to play for England you got the feeling well.

He was really enjoying himself such a joyful interview in the Radio 4 Series behind the crime forensic scientist stopped at Sally till and Dr kerensa hocken talk to Kieran he was 17 when he was sentenced for knife crime at 22.

He was given a 25-year sentence after shooting a man.

It was an interview that was nominated by a number of listeners including Martin scherer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Sociology and behavioural science but Kieran's still had things to teach me was a truly remarkable interview.

I don't often have reasons to say it but there goes a better man than me.

Thank you for bringing Kieran to my knowledge, and thank you Kieran for teaching me I think.

We've got into a dispute over the money.

I've gone to his house is come running out with a bulletproof vest on and then he's ended up getting shot some time ago, but it's always like you still talk about like it's the third person that caused it happened.

I don't older people talking about offering l.

Lol yeah.

I haven't experienced this ok.

It just feels uncomfortable going into detail right and I don't think so say I'm in a closed room with my friends.

I'll be the same but they wouldn't be asking the question, so it's not because it's you lot it's not because we are my this is just answer it even if no one was there and I thought everyone was it did happen and you did shoot him and I guess that's what we're talking about and we're not like glorifying it or changing it.

Just didn't practice it probably worth.

What happened but I just not the detail I think the details a bit.

I'm just really interested about this sense of discomfort with talking about the details like embarrassed congratulations to everyone has been nominated and here are the winners in third place the judging panel said this interview was an incredible story very well told and humbling the Answer ask questions and was obviously totally immersed in his interview that presenter was Chris Hawkins on 6 Music interviewing rapper rosca on you place an interview which the judges brought back to vividly the harsh conditions of War reminding us that although conflict seem so impersonal its effects of a day.

Personal impact on individuals that goes to Dr Sian Williams interview with Falklands war veteran Gareth steer on Radio 4 life-changing so finally it comes down to 1 winner the judging panel said this interview was an absolute must listen episode of a well-loved programme showing one person's coping reckon in the overwhelming grief.

It was utterly gripping the winner of the feedback 2025 interview of the year is Lauren Laverne's into with Mina Smallman on Radio 4 Desert Island Discs mean and Lauren don't know they've won yet, but they do know they've been nominated and they're about to join me on the line to Lauren and Nina thank you so much for joining me on feedback.

I think that you both know that I listened as removed and inspired by the interview that you did on.

Island Discs earlier this year it was an extraordinary listen and I'm delighted to tell you that not only way your nominated but in fact you have won the 2025 interview with the Year congratulations Lauren and Nina oh my goodness.

You are naughty.

I had no idea you just explained what it was blown away because I've been nominated and you explain what it was all about just to be selected for this but people could have voted for anything.

I'm not I'm not he actually I can see I could see you on the same colour mean is so emotional that that's that.

I mean, I'm incredibly grateful, but that it is absolutely a testament to Mina and her ability to tell her story and her incredible compassion and strength.

I mean I was so moved and talking to you and hearing about your your story and and also your girls you know your willingness to share that is connected with people and that's such a beautiful thing.

I'm so grateful.

I have to give you know over credit two lines ability to make me feel relaxed and at home and I felt we click together feel like I was being interviewed and that was in the studio.

I felt like I was talking to my mate and we were laughing between oh yeah the team who were holding it and the producer just made me feel completely at home.

Lauren the judges said that it was deeply personal and address of the universal issues of love and grief as well as racism and violence of wonder if when you were doing the interview you realise that this was something really special.

Oh, yeah, I mean well you can't no you talking to me.

She is a special person and the way that she tells her story in the way that she conducted herself in the world.

Is is just actually I've got Goosebumps now.

Just thinking about it and also you can feel it in the room.

You know that there's a moment when when I said to me your hands are shaking and I listen back to feel that I feel power of your emotions, but you mentioned grief and I think the the other thing that really struck me on the day which actually I thought I've taken away into my life.

Is you know the way that mean hand.

Live with her grief you know which in in different ways we all have to In Our Lives learn to live with with grief and lost and you mean he chooses to live hopefully I think that's how you you and your episode major and and I just found out so powerful and inspiring and it's something I've tried to carry into my own life as well.

It was and it really helped me you know that it's actually been echoed by some of the judges.

They said that they took quite a lot of way from the interview and particularly the references that you gave about the Cherry Tree can you just give us a little bit yeah, it was the first time we were asked that they would like to plant a tree was I think by the way they they were murdered.

I said I'd cherrytree because you want to think about it and I said no and we had the privilege to go to Japan to go through to see the seasons.

Blossom and hearing the story of what the cherry blossom tree means to the Japanese just felt so appropriate and clean.

It's the cycle of life the birth about girls.

You know the height of their beauty and who what they meant to us and then when the leaves fall you know it's that kind of transcendence into the end of the cycle, but then it lives again and I'm not I couldn't think of a better way too kind of celebrate their lives and someone asked me about Christmas you know how do you feel about Christmas and I am going to miss them terribly and that is never ever going to change and I want people to understand that even in the darkest times.

Don't let bad people bad offence stop you from living because they win they win if we do that.

Thank you so much Mina Smallman and Lauren Laverne winners of the feedback 2025 interview of the Year thank you.

Thank you.

You caught me there.

Thank you.

What kind of course that interview as well as many of the other nominations is available on BBC signs that hope you agree that that was really a worthy winner and a crusty keep listening and letting us know about interviews that you think I could make a 2026 as interview of the Year nominations are now open but from me and the team.

That is all this year.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and as ever.

Thank you for your feedback and it sounds from BBC Radio 4 and History podcast this is the arrest.

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