Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

Gold Hat Productions
  • 0.0 (0)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

Free State is a podcast for the curious that stimulates, provokes, challenges and entertains, while never taking itself too seriously. Free State covers topics from sport to politics, love to loss, the human condition and how to fix the world, with guests from across the planet including Nigerian princes, former Prime Ministers, ex convicts, footballers, boxers and extraordinary people from every walk of life.  Free State is presented by Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning. Brolly is a barrister, an original thinker with a fascinating backstory, who donated a kidney to a stranger and then led a crusade to transform organ donation on the island of Ireland, and Fanning is an award-winning interviewer and author.  They are not motivational gurus or life coaches. They will never try to sell you a penis scented candle. They are two people from very different worlds, with one core belief uniting them - this is not a high performance podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Free State St Stephen’s Day (or is it Boxing Day?) Special

    Lola is enjoying her first Christmas but Joe breaks away to look back on another Free State highlight. In another crucial history lesson, Dion educates Joe on the origins of Spiced Beef and the boys wonder when is it ok to call it Boxing Day. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Free State Christmas Eve Special

    On Christmas Eve, Joe and Dion reflect on the meaning of Christmas and if that meaning can include calling someone a c***? Joe remembers a memorable Christmas Eve in Dungiven. They also look back on how they began the podcast and why Dion brings out the worst in Joe. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 31m

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Eoghan Murphy: From Idealist to Fine Gael’s Minister for Homelessness. A Free State Saturday Special

    When Eoghan Murphy became minister for housing, he wanted to change everything. He wanted to declare housing an emergency. He wanted a constitutional right to housing. He got neither as the conservative elements won out. Instead he became the face of the housing crisis, the minister for homelessness. On a Free State Weekend Special, Eoghan Murphy talks to Dion about failure and dealing with pressure. He breaks down as he remembers the darkest moment when politics turned him into someone he didn’t want to be. Dion asks him about his recent book event at the Irish embassy in London with Ryan Tubridy. Murphy also remembers an encounter with Joe Brolly in O’Donoghue’s pub but his version has one key difference to Joe’s. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 6m

  4. 19 DEC

    Fantasemitism. Israel, Ireland and why when everyone is an antisemite, no one is.

    In 2018, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned Ireland’s ambassador in the country to their offices. Ireland was debating the Occupied Territories Bill so the ambassador was ‘reprimanded’ and told the legislation was ‘hypocritical and antisemitic’. This week Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar described Simon Harris as ‘antisemitic’ as Israel closed their embassy in Dublin. On Free State, Dion and Joe look at what this slur is designed to do and why it has been so effective in silencing the criticism of the genocide in Gaza. They examine how a society can become so blinded to the horrors being committed by their government. They also look at how Israel’s government has used anti-Irish tropes in the past and tell the truth about De Valera, Hitler and the book of condolences. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  5. 17 DEC

    Tax Breaks, Horseracing, Greyhounds and the GAA: Where Do Ireland’s Priorities Lie?

    How important is the GAA in Irish life? How important is it to our politicians? Is it something they cherish or does it provide merely a photo opportunity and a chance to act as if they care? On Free State, Joe and Dion look at the Revenue Commissioners’ probes into county boards. Everyone should be tax compliant but what does the treatment of small sums of money tell us about how the GAA is really valued. Joe looks at the tax breaks given to other sportspeople and the money that has come the way of horseracing and greyhounds over the last 20 years. The GAA is a cultural colossus whose importance is immeasurable. Those who provide the glory enrich the nation in a way those who fumble in the greasy till never could. It is time for Gombeen Ireland to recognise what goes on in the real Ireland. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min

  6. 12 DEC

    The moral dilemma of Luigi Mangione, CEO killer. Hero or villain?

    Luigi Mangione was eating a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania when an employee recognised him and called the police. Mangione was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson. Google had to take down bad reviews of the McDonald’s where he was turned which flooded the internet. Mangione has become a folk hero to many, a social bandit taking up the cause of the oppressed and exploited in a world where they are forgotten. In the US, half a million people a year go bankrupt because of medical bills, often after insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare have denied their claims.  What does the response to the killing tell us about a society fractured like America’s? In a world where Benjamin Netanyahu is on the shortlist for Time’s Person of the Year, is it any wonder if people’s moral compass directs them to cheer a murder? Dion and Joe look at the staging posts on the way to the murder of a CEO. Have the last twenty years created the conditions where people feel that justice does not serve them, only the elites? There is also another update from the Dungiven GAA Whatsapp and their love-hate relationship with Dion. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  7. 10 DEC

    Rebel without a clue. The curious schizophrenia of Michéal Martin

    Micheál Martin will be Ireland’s next Taoiseach. He returns to the most important position in Ireland at a critical time in Irish life. But during the election campaign he spoke about how the IRA waged a war ‘on its own people’. What does this tell us about his worldview and how he views the north?  On Free State, Joe and Dion disagree about Micheal Martin’s comments and what they reveal about the man. Joe looks at why the origins of the Troubles dispute Martin’s statement. Dion reveals a family connection to Liam Mellows which only leaves Joe more disappointed in him but still extends an invitation to the Kevin Lynch’s GAA club. Joe also reveals why he never considered joining the IRA Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  8. 7 DEC

    The true cost of being Conor. Conor McGregor & the race for our young men.

    In the court where he faced Nikita Hand, Conor McGregor had money but he didn’t have power. On the streets where some continue to idolise him, McGregor still has power. On a Free State Weekend Special, Joe and Dion look at the fight for those who are influenced by McGregor and the work being done by many to offer another way. The decision to award costs to Nikita Hand following the verdict in the high court case was another blow to McGregor. Joe considers the judge’s ruling and why there is little hope for McGregor in the courts. He is now being ostracised in Irish society. But does that matter when around the world he can be lauded by the same people who hail Donald Trump or Andrew Tate? Does it matter when he has supporters in Ireland among those invisible to the political classes? McGregor offers easy answers. Dion and Joe look at some of those offering other solutions. The race is on and the outcome has huge implications for Ireland. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG. For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
See All (171)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

About

Free State is a podcast for the curious that stimulates, provokes, challenges and entertains, while never taking itself too seriously. Free State covers topics from sport to politics, love to loss, the human condition and how to fix the world, with guests from across the planet including Nigerian princes, former Prime Ministers, ex convicts, footballers, boxers and extraordinary people from every walk of life.  Free State is presented by Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning. Brolly is a barrister, an original thinker with a fascinating backstory, who donated a kidney to a stranger and then led a crusade to transform organ donation on the island of Ireland, and Fanning is an award-winning interviewer and author.  They are not motivational gurus or life coaches. They will never try to sell you a penis scented candle. They are two people from very different worlds, with one core belief uniting them - this is not a high performance podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada