Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

By: Gold Hat Productions
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Gold Hat Productions
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Political Science Sports & Outdoors
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Episodes
  • Trump, Kamala and two nice Jewish boys

    Trump, Kamala and two nice Jewish boys
    Sep 12 2024

    Donald Trump was undermined by his own narcissism in his presidential debate. Kamala Harris took him apart with a lawyer’s precision. On Free State, Joe considers how he would deal with Trump in a debate but also how the genocide in Gaza is being normalised. Dion and Joe look at the story of the Two Nice Jewish Boys podcast and how they joked about ‘erasing’ Gaza. What does it tell us about the human condition when two ordinary Israelis can speak like this? What does it tell us about suffering when it can be dismissed in this way?


    This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20


    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.
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    49 mins
  • Poisonous Patriotism: Lords, Anthems & broken lives

    Poisonous Patriotism: Lords, Anthems & broken lives
    Sep 10 2024

    The Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned the booing of God Save The King by Irish fans before Ireland played England on Saturday. The Daily Mail called for England manager Lee Carsley to be sacked before the game because he said he wouldn’t sing the anthem.


    On Free State today, Joe and Dion wonder why this plastic patriotism is indulged and why real patriotism can transform a country. Dion was at the Aviva on Saturday. Joe can’t understand why he was there - or why he doesn’t get better seats. Dion has frustrations other than the pantomime booing.


    In the world where actions can make a difference, Joe talks about the visit by the DUP’s Gordon Lyons to Creggan GAA club. Joe also recalls the darker period in the club’s history. He tells the powerful story of Peadar Heffron, who became one of the first GAA members to join the PSNI, and how he was failed by his own community. A failure which should makes us ask questions of ourselves and dismiss those who peddle cheap nationalism.


    This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The coal man’s son

    The coal man’s son
    Sep 5 2024

    What is more rewarding? Winning or glory? If you are Donald Trump or the modern GAA coach then nothing matters except winning. But can we as Trump said, get tired of winning? Is the story of the coalman’s son, Tommy Loughran, the moment when people had enough? On Free State today, Joe and Dion talk about the decision to give a marking job on Tommy Loughran to two players in an U-14 match. Why has Gaelic football gone this way? Joe doesn’t believe the suggested rule changes will save it and makes some proposals of his own. Dion has a more radical solution and announces also that he has entered the c-suite.


    This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins

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Profile Image for Mr Nick McIvor

Excellent

A great insight to Northern Ireland life during the troubles
Very funny, well worth a listen.
Will be listening to the rest

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