Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
Gold Hat Productions
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 19, 2023 • 41min
POSH: The tongue twisting world of Dublin 4 with Paul Howard, Ross O’Carroll-Kelly & Roddy Collins
Roddy Collins and Paul Howard join Dion and Joe for the 'Free State' Christmas special.They explain how Medjugorje is a good place to go on the lash, their time on the road together with Steve Collins and the rise of the D4 accent. And Joe is surprised to discover that a place he thought was a figment of Ross O’Carroll Kelly’s imagination actually exists.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 14, 2023 • 43min
Deep Fake, The Many Masks Of Al Foran: Part 2
On today’s episode, Al Foran recalls the good and bad in the celebrities he has encountered. He takes us inside the mechanics of creating an impression and talks about the movie greats from Brando to Denzel Washington. Dion also recalls a day in Barnsley when Roy Keane went full Joe Pesci.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 12, 2023 • 39min
Deep Fake, The Many Masks Of Al Foran: Part 1
This week's Free State welcomes figures from politics, sport and entertainment. From Donald Trump to Katie Taylor to Tyson Fury, Al Foran has an unparalleled ability to make people feel as if they are listening, not to an impression, but to the person themselves. Al joins Joe and Dion to talk about making it in a new media world, how he has to inhabit the people he mimics and what links Christopher Walken to Eamon Dunphy.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 7, 2023 • 41min
Fantasy: Ireland is in flames. Reality: Ireland is not in flames
Why has Ireland caught the attention of Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk? In today’s Free State, Joe and Dion look at how the stability of the state can be threatened by the powerful preying on the public’s irrational fears. And, as Conor McGregor continues to rain hate down on innocent people, Joe considers if there is a different path.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 5, 2023 • 38min
The Twilight Zone (An Imaginary World Where Ireland is At War)
What attracts people to conspiracy theories? In an uncertain world is it certainty or do they offer excitement missing in their lives? In today’s Free State, Joe and Dion enter the twilight zone, the fantasy land where Ireland is at war with the other.They look at what drives these theories, the anger of those who believe them and discuss one previously unknown fact uncovered by the conspiracy theorists: Did you know that Joe Brolly wanks dogs?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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 30, 2023 • 45min
In Dublin's Fair City
The podcast discusses combating hate, using Finland as an example. They also explore racism in sport and the importance of inclusivity. The role of education in combating hate and xenophobia is highlighted. The concept of reaching out to people and the role of Twitter behavior are discussed. There is strong criticism towards 'Connor' for inciting violence in Dublin.
Nov 28, 2023 • 39min
God save Ireland, said the heroes - Dublin Riots
Last Thursday, Joe Brolly was returning to the Stardust Inquest when he witnessed the events unfolding on Parnell Square.On Free State today he talks about what he saw and how humanity and courage revealed themselves at this most frightening moment.Dion and Joe reflect on the riots that followed, how the hate movement needs to be dealt with and why Conor McGregor has nothing to offer 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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 23, 2023 • 37min
Derry Girls
Five Derry girls went to the Stardust nightclub. Only four came home.How do people keep going when their lives change tragically in a moment? What is it that defines the human spirit?On today’s Free State Joe talks about the Stardust Inquest, the resilience of people in the worst of circumstances and the quiet heroism that has been revealed. Dion and Joe talk too about Hillsborough and the fight for justice when the British establishment tried to smear them. They look at the state of the British establishment today where Brittania can only waive the rules.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcGFor more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 21, 2023 • 50min
The Thick Of It
What is more mind altering, a trip to Amsterdam or trying to track the lies and deception of the Tories in Britain?On this week’s Free State, Joe has all the information on a hallucinogenic trip - maybe too much information - in Holland. The Covid Inquiry, Suella Braverman’s propaganda and the return of David Cameron tell us everything about the British establishment. Joe also can’t tell the difference between Dion and a humanoid just out of its box.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 16, 2023 • 54min
Wounded Child No Surviving Family - Part 2
When did ‘ceasefire’ become a dirty word?In the second podcast this week on the destruction of Gaza, Dion and Joe look at how language has been weaponised during the conflict. How did a desire for a ceasefire come to mean that you are, at best, hopelessly naive and, at worst, a Hamas sympathiser? The barbarity of what has been inflicted on the people of Gaza by the Israeli government is changing that view but too slowly. Is this why those like Barack Obama who speak in riddles prosper. Joe offers his own version of a Barack Obama speech, even if Dion is now ready to embrace Michelle Obama’s solution for world peace.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/To get in touch with the podcast: info@freestatepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
