Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
- Episodes
- 460
- Released
- several times a week
- Latest episode
- Nov 14, 2026
About the podcast
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 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 460
The history of Anti-Zionism with Benjamin Moser
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available here - https://bit.ly/FreeStateLive
The history of Anti-Zionism is not just about history. As a debate rages about what Zionism is, Benjamin Moser talks to Dion about his new book Anti-Zionism - A Jewish History
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Ulster Says Yes? Seriously?
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available here - https://bit.ly/FreeStateLive
Two years ago, there was a 10-point gap between those against a United Ireland and those who were in favour. The most recent Lucid Talk poll shows that the gap has narrowed to four points?
But in this environment where a United ireland seems inevitable, how should unionism respond? When the younger demographics are in favour of a united Ireland, what does it tell us about the main unionist parties and their relevance?
On Free State, Dion and Joe wonder how long people can ignore the inevitable? Well Joe does, Dion wonders if the inevitable is really inevitable right now.
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Simon Harris & the Welfare Queens
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available here - https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194.
When Simon Harris spoke at the Fine Gael Ard fheis he was pandering to those in his party who say it needs a clear identity.
But what was it really about? Was it about cruelty as a political manifesto? On Free State today Joe and Dion look at the reality of Ireland for those who are struggling, for those who get up early because they have no safe place to call home and for those who have been failed by the policies - or lack of them - of Simon Harris.
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Why Trump wanted to invade Greenland
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. The first (and probably last) Free State Live show will take place at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest, James McClean and much more. Tickets are available here - https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194.
On today's show we look at geopolitics. In the 19th century, the Great Game saw the British and Russian Empires tussle for supremacy in Asia. In the 21st century, there is a new great game and it explains much about Donald Trump's imperial ambitions. Rana Foroohar joins Dion to talk about why climate change has opened up the Arctic Circle to a new battle for supremacy on the high seas.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stewart Kenny. How the genius behind Paddy Power became gambling’s fiercest critic.
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean. https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194
Stewart Kenny co-founded Paddy Power. It was his marketing genius which grew the bookmaker into the giant it would become. But as it grew Kenny began to have his own concerns.
On Free State today Kenny talks to Joe and Dion about how he helped shape the betting giant, why he still loves gambling but not the isolating, poisonous addiction that is online betting.
He speaks honestly about his own role in creating Frankenstein’s monster and what he thinks when people say he profited from the very industry he now rails against.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Happy Lundys - The Protestant group shaming Micheal Martin
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean. https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194
On today’s Free State, Dion and Joe look at Micheal Martin’s newfound love of talking about unity.
He is ready to talk about a United Ireland. Up to a point. “What has concerned me about this push for a Border poll since Brexit is that it’s partisan, it’s a one-sided advocacy approach,” he said.
But is this better than his previous approach? Do the Happy Lundys, the Protestant group having new conversations about a way forward show a better more hopeful way?
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The priest who became a Celtic monk
Dara Molloy was ordained a priest but it was a trip to the Aran Islands that changed his life. He talks to Dion about leaving the priesthood, becoming a Celtic monk and why the world needs the spirituality of …
Show notes
Dara Molloy was ordained a priest but it was a trip to the Aran Islands that changed his life. He talks to Dion about leaving the priesthood, becoming a Celtic monk and why the world needs the spirituality of the Celtic way rather than the guilt imposed by the church that colonised Ireland.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Democracy for Scotland but not Northern Ireland? The reconciliation fantasy exposed.
Why does Andy Burnham talk differently about a border poll in Northern Ireland than when he talks about Scotland? Is he adopting a different tone and if so, why?On Free State Joe and Dion wonder what …
Show notes
Why does Andy Burnham talk differently about a border poll in Northern Ireland than when he talks about Scotland?
Is he adopting a different tone and if so, why?
On Free State Joe and Dion wonder what reconciliation means and if it should stand in the way of a border poll? If we were to avoid division would we have any election at all? Is there a difference between a routine democratic election and a referendum on subjects that might be divisive? Is the opportunity of bringing real democracy to the north of Ireland the most important consideration in bringing a border poll?
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Omen V. Is God a Protestant?
When the Tory grandee David Davis stood up in the House of Commons and said there were ‘IRA lawyers’ who were ‘more interested in drama than justice’, there was an understandable response. In 1988 a Tory …
Show notes
When the Tory grandee David Davis stood up in the House of Commons and said there were ‘IRA lawyers’ who were ‘more interested in drama than justice’, there was an understandable response.
In 1988 a Tory minister had said that some solicitors in the north were sympathetic to the cause of the IRA. Three weeks later Pat Finucane was murdered in front of his family.
On Free State we ask why there is a certain type of politician who persists with these dangerous and inaccurate terms. We look at what Davis said and why it matters in a world still fraught with danger.
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The Age of Anxiety and Anger with Elif Shafak
In 2006, Elif Shafak was charged with 'insulting Turkishness' because of words uttered by a fictional character in one of her novels. She had been born to Turkish parents in France and grew up in Ankara but now …
Show notes
In 2006, Elif Shafak was charged with 'insulting Turkishness' because of words uttered by a fictional character in one of her novels. She had been born to Turkish parents in France and grew up in Ankara but now she lives in London. On Free State today, Turkey's most widely read woman writer talks to Dion about exile, the age of anxiety and reaching out for home.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Late Stage Capitalism of Arsenal and the Premier League is coming for you
When Arsenal announced they were cutting 60 jobs at the home of the Premier League champions, the manager Mikel Arteta said he had been told it was to "achieve the success we want to create".With the help of …
Show notes
When Arsenal announced they were cutting 60 jobs at the home of the Premier League champions, the manager Mikel Arteta said he had been told it was to "achieve the success we want to create".
With the help of management consultants, Arsenal identified savings while simultaneously awarding Arteta a new contract worth £20 million a season.
On Free State today we look at what this story of a sporting club tells us about capitalism and inequality. Dion and Joe look at how sport was sold as everything else was sold and they wonder what happens next. Sport has been sold not just to the highest bidder but to those who believe in a version of society which is the opposite of community. What will be next?
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Why we talked to Jamie Bryson
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean. https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194
There was an extraordinary response to Jamie Bryson’s appearance on the podcast.
What does that tell us about what people want in the north and what people are talking about in the south?
On Free State today we ask if these are significant days for the future of unionism. What does it mean when the Belfast Newsletter, the paper of the unionism, says that Bryson is leading unionism down a dead end.
Dion and Joe talk about how communities have emerged that challenge how people felt things would be and they ask the important question: would you surrender to a sea border?
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Football's tribalism and why it matters
Damien Pearse is a psychologist and he is also a football fan. Why does it affect him so much when his side loses and what does it tell us about the modern world? On Free State today he talks to Dion about why …
Show notes
Damien Pearse is a psychologist and he is also a football fan. Why does it affect him so much when his side loses and what does it tell us about the modern world? On Free State today he talks to Dion about why we want to belong and why we identify with the tribes we do.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie Bryson vs Joe Brolly: A Free State Special
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean …
Show notes
Free State is going live this Christmas. Get your tickets here for the first (and probably the last) Free State Live show at Vicar Street on Dec 14th, with special guest James McClean. https://www.ticketmaster.ie/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning-tickets/artist/5770194
Who is Jamie Bryson and what does he want?
On Free State today Jamie Bryson talks to Joe and Dion about Garvaghy Road, the Orange Order and a United ireland.
His conversation with Joe is heated and contentious as they talk about these and other issues.
What aspects of his cultural identity does he share with people in England and what would his view be if there was a violent response to a border poll being called?
Let us know what you think - [email protected]
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Zombie Drumcree and the march that died of shame
Anne Cadwallader covered the Drumcree events in the late 1990s. She remembers the tension of those days and the work Rosemary Nelson did at that time. On Free State today she talks to Joe and Dion about …
Show notes
Anne Cadwallader covered the Drumcree events in the late 1990s. She remembers the tension of those days and the work Rosemary Nelson did at that time. On Free State today she talks to Joe and Dion about Rosemary Nelson's murder. She talks too about Lethal Allies her book about collusion and the Glennane Gang. She explains how she first arrived in Northern Ireland and how as a 'well brought up girl' from London, she had one view of what was happening which changed with time and experience. She also tells us how Tina Turner's intervention led to her receiving death threats from loyalists.
Anne's novel Crossing Over is available here - https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/crossing-over/
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Iran, Erectile Dysfunction and the Cold War
“This man's issue and the reason why he did what he did changes the world,” Ben MacIntyre says. “He changed the world that we now live in. Without this person we would probably be living in a different …
Show notes
“This man's issue and the reason why he did what he did changes the world,” Ben MacIntyre says. “He changed the world that we now live in. Without this person we would probably be living in a different world.”
On today’s Free State we learn the story of Vladimir Kuzichkin, a Soviet spy working in Iran whose codename was ‘Redwood’.
Redwood had a problem, a sexual problem and the author Ben Macintyre tells us of this problem and why this spy and what he did might have changed the course of history. He explains what drew him to the story and the key ingredient in delivering a book as compelling as this.
More details on Redwood can be found here https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739964/redwood-by-ben-macintyre/
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Does Drumcree spell the end for William Ulsterman?
Drumcree is now a peace dividend. Where once the attempt to march led to violence, destruction and death, now it leads to court wranglings, endless negotiations and the support for the Garvaghy Road residents …
Show notes
Drumcree is now a peace dividend. Where once the attempt to march led to violence, destruction and death, now it leads to court wranglings, endless negotiations and the support for the Garvaghy Road residents from Noel Gallagher.
On Free State, Dion and Joe look at this death rattle for anachronistic unionism and what it means for a new Ireland. Joe and Dion argue about whether calling a border poll would help.
Let us know what you think, email [email protected]
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Will Garvaghy Road lead to a United Ireland?
Thousands gathered on Garvaghy Road determined that there would be no going back. A new generation, confident and assured, are determined that the north chooses a different road.But what is it about a parade of …
Show notes
Thousands gathered on Garvaghy Road determined that there would be no going back. A new generation, confident and assured, are determined that the north chooses a different road.
But what is it about a parade of elderly orange men that causes these emotions?
On Free State today Joe explains why Garvaghy Road represents a new and confident community.
Joe and Dion discuss what it means for a United Ireland. What that Ireland would look like might be even more important than a border poll.
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'I was annoyed for a long time about how a lot of Southerners other Northerners'
Louise Kennedy's first novel Trespasses was a beautiful and heartbreaking story of the Troubles. In her new novel Stations she deals with the loss and sacrifice of emigration. Louise talks to Dion about moving …
Show notes
Louise Kennedy's first novel Trespasses was a beautiful and heartbreaking story of the Troubles. In her new novel Stations she deals with the loss and sacrifice of emigration. Louise talks to Dion about moving from the north to Naas when she was 12 and the truth about emigration and why Ireland has yet to acknowledge it.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nasty Fucker. The obsession of Peter O’Mahony
In November 2023, Peter O’Mahony sat down for a meeting with his coach at Munster Graham Rowntree where the reality of a professional sportsman’s life became brutally clear.On that same day, Peter and Dion met …
Show notes
In November 2023, Peter O’Mahony sat down for a meeting with his coach at Munster Graham Rowntree where the reality of a professional sportsman’s life became brutally clear.
On that same day, Peter and Dion met for the first time to begin work on his autobiography. Peter is the guest on today’s Free State where he talks about why having an obsession with winning was essential to his career and his brief time as a Gaelic footballer.
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Ireland’s Shame? From Bazunu to Drumcree
In Drumcree and in Debrecen, we were forced to consider different Irelands last weekend.The determination of the Orange Order to parade down Garvaghy Road brought back memories for so many of the dark days in …
Show notes
In Drumcree and in Debrecen, we were forced to consider different Irelands last weekend.
The determination of the Orange Order to parade down Garvaghy Road brought back memories for so many of the dark days in the north.
But does it really show how much has changed?
On Free State today, Dion and Joe discuss what happened at Drumcree and in Hungary where Gavin Bazunu told his team mates he didn’t want to play against Israel. Should his team mates have stood with him? What does beating Israel mean for Ireland? Is there any merit in it or are Ireland just participating in the sports washing of war crimes?
Email us at [email protected]
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Jon Ronson on the manosphere and saving Ulster from sodomy with Ian Paisley
Jon Ronson joins Dion on today's Free State to talk about the manosphere, his time with Ian Paisley and his new book, The Castle. Learn more about Jon's new book here …
Show notes
Jon Ronson joins Dion on today's Free State to talk about the manosphere, his time with Ian Paisley and his new book, The Castle. Learn more about Jon's new book here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455289/the-castle-by-ronson-jon/9780241754771Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why are Ireland playing against genocide (Israel)?
‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.’With these words, Irelqnd’s manager Heimir Hallgrimsson tried to rally support for …
Show notes
‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.’
With these words, Irelqnd’s manager Heimir Hallgrimsson tried to rally support for his players before they play their first game against Israel.
The Israeli Fa responded by saying, ‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, We’re playing against the coach who embodies them."
With these words, the Israeli FA would seem to be in step with their government and those who attack anyone who criticises the genocide in Gaza.
On Free State today, Dion and Joe discuss what should happen next. They disagree about what it says about the players if they play this game against Israel but not about what should happen next.
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‘Yabba-dabba-do, any taig will do’ : The true story of Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair
‘Three things come with taking a man’s life. The first one is the easy bit – going into a room and shooting somebody… The second is preparing yourself if you get caught coming or going and getting life in …
Show notes
‘Three things come with taking a man’s life. The first one is the easy bit – going into a room and shooting somebody… The second is preparing yourself if you get caught coming or going and getting life in prison – could you do it? And the third and final and most important is can you live with it for the rest of your life? And that’s where a lot of people fail.’
Aaron Edwards is the great chronicler of loyalism in this time. His new book details the life of Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair who spoke those words to Edwards and gave a glimpse into the world that made him feared across the north.
On Free State Edwards talks to Joe and Dion about Adair. He explains how he got to know him and he discusses the broader loyalist mindset and how it would approach a border poll.
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'Trotsky would have said we are in a classic pre-revolutionary period.' Robert Harris on how democracies die.
Robert Harris's book have always been about power. His latest Agrippa tells the story of the close friend of the Emperor Augustus as they take power folloing the assassination of Julius Caesar. Harris talks to …
Show notes
Robert Harris's book have always been about power. His latest Agrippa tells the story of the close friend of the Emperor Augustus as they take power folloing the assassination of Julius Caesar. Harris talks to Dion about how power erodes and all empire die as he looks to the modern world and how democracy is failign. You can learn more about Robert's new book here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/463350/agrippa-by-harris-robert/9781529154412Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Macklemore, the cowardly Ed Sheeran and the new world order
‘I am not complicit’ Ed Sheeran said in his statement after Macklemore was dropped as a support act on his US tour.Macklemore had been dropped because he said the words ‘Free Palestine’ on stage. Sheeran blamed …
Show notes
‘I am not complicit’ Ed Sheeran said in his statement after Macklemore was dropped as a support act on his US tour.
Macklemore had been dropped because he said the words ‘Free Palestine’ on stage.
Sheeran blamed the promoters and the billionaire Robert Kraft said he put pressure on Sheeran to drop Macklemore.
On Free State today we ask what lies beneath the pressure to silence Macklemore .
What does it tell us about the world that is being shaped by billionaires? Does the response by those including Sheeran’s other support acts tell us something too about a resistance to this world order? Is there a determination to do something about the helplessness so many people feel about a genocide and much more?
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Donald Trump. The orange man uniting Ireland
What a weekend for Ireland. Donald Trump flew in and across the land, people whooped and hollered as if these were the greatest days of their lives.Before he left, Trump had presented the Irish Open trophy to …
Show notes
What a weekend for Ireland. Donald Trump flew in and across the land, people whooped and hollered as if these were the greatest days of their lives.
Before he left, Trump had presented the Irish Open trophy to Shane Lowry, removed tariffs on Irish whiskey and united Ireland.
On Free State, Dion and Joe consider the significance of Trump’s comments and whether it brings the prospect of a border poll closer.
Who was in more discomfort from his words, Micheal Martin or the unionist politicians who believed Trump was an ally.
But there are no allies as far as Trump was concerned. Will those cheers at Doonbeg ensure Ireland and unity are looked on favourably? Or will they, as is so often the case with Trump, be viewed as just another transaction which only has significance until the next payment is due?
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All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace?
The great historian Jill Lepore joins Dion on today's Free State to talk about the history of the artificial state and what we can learn from past movements which attempted to advance the cause of machines …
Show notes
The great historian Jill Lepore joins Dion on today's Free State to talk about the history of the artificial state and what we can learn from past movements which attempted to advance the cause of machines. Jill takes us on a journey from the Technocracy movement through to today's AI evangelists.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ed Miliband, the war on truth and the truth about Israel
When Ed Miliband announced that the UK would take action and sanction illegal Israeli settlements, the response was swift. Britain had lost its moral compass, these moves would only aid Benjamin Netanyahu, the …
Show notes
When Ed Miliband announced that the UK would take action and sanction illegal Israeli settlements, the response was swift.
Britain had lost its moral compass, these moves would only aid Benjamin Netanyahu, the real victims were the Palestinian people were among the lines of attack.
Miliband, who is Jewish, was called a ‘Jew hater’ by Mike Huckabee, the US’s ambassador to Israel.
On Free State today we look at how Israel went on the attack and why it is not a pariah but a model for the future.
We examine the range of the criticism for anyone who deals in the reality of life in Gaza and the West Bank and details the ethnic cleansing and war crimes that have been committed.
Will Israel’s approach be viewed dimly in time or will it be seen as a template for the post democratic apocalypse we’re entering?
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Free State: Live in West Belfast
What will it take to unite Ireland? In a live Free State we took that question (and Dion) to West Belfast. We were joined by Paul Howard, author of the brilliant new novel ‘A Nation Once Again’ about the …
Show notes
What will it take to unite Ireland? In a live Free State we took that question (and Dion) to West Belfast.
We were joined by Paul Howard, author of the brilliant new novel ‘A Nation Once Again’ about the government department secretly planning for a United Ireland.
In front of a packed crowd, Paul took us through the absurdities of the situation and why bureaucracy says no even if the people say yes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
These are the latest 40 of 460 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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