Rephonic
Artwork for Free State

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

Gold Hat Productions
Kneecap
Gaelic Football
Frontex
GAA
Northern Ireland
UNHCR
Corruption
Human Rights
Refugees
Mediterranean Sea
Dublin
Croke Park
Irish Language
Libya
European Union
Migration Crisis
Resistance Movement
Ireland
Sierra Leone
JP Mcmanus

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 ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes295Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsSports NewsNews

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Artwork for Free State

Latest Episodes

Is Donald Trump right for once? Is this the deal to end all deals? And could anyone else have pulled it off?

On Free State today, Donald Trump’s role as the last American emperor is examined.

Is his Gaza peace deal an example of how his ego and sel... more

Ian Paisley Jr says he might be open to persuasive arguments over a United Ireland. The DUP says it is not interested in engaging or being persuaded on ‘the so called merits’ of a United Ireland.

On Free State today, we ask what does this tell us abo... more

Is there any point to the presidential election anymore? 

Maria Steen who failed to get on the ballot has called for the presidential election to be cancelled and run again following Jim Gavin’s withdrawal.

On Free State today, we ask why Maria thi... more

What was Jim Gavin thinking? What was going through his head when he decided he would like to be Fianna Fail’s candidate for president.

On Free State today Joe talks about the conversations he has had with Jim Gavin and why he was a good man, going ... more

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Recent Guests

Caoimhe Butterly
Human rights activist involved in the flotilla to Gaza
Episode: The Freedom Flotilla - Sailing serenely on dangerous tides.
Stephen Walker
Author of David Trimble Peacemaker
Episode: The Hot-Red Forge of Life: David Trimble from Sectarian to Nobel Peace Prize
Dave Zirin
American sports commentator and author
The Nation
Episode: Sportwashing US Imperialism: The great Dave Zirin on the NFL in Ireland, Charlie Kirk and Kneecap
Ciaran Murphy
Hurling enthusiast and author of 'Old Parish', documenting his experience with the sport at the age of 41.
Author, 'Old Parish'
Episode: Never too old - Finding Ireland, and yourself, in hurling
Leo Varadkar
Taoiseach of Ireland and author
Formerly of Fine Gael
Episode: Leo Varadkar, United Irishman.
Niall Stanage
Respected commentator in Washington, part of The Hill
The Hill
Episode: Our Man in Washington: Niall Stanage on Epstein, Trump and Down football
David Goldblatt
Football historian and author of 'Injury Time, Football in a State of Emergency'
Episode: The Fantasy Land of England’s far right - The great David Goldblatt on what football tells us about U.K. society
Thomas R. Weaver
Author and thinker who explores technology and society.
Episode: Would you vote for an AI politician?
Tim McGabhann
Author and recovering addict
Episode: Replacing the shit with something better. Tim McGabhann on his journey from addiction to salvation.

Hosts

Joe Brolly
Co-host and a barrister with a background in transformational social issues, known for his original thinking and engaging delivery.
Dion Fanning
Co-host, an award-winning interviewer and author, known for his insightful conversations and strong presence in the media landscape.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Joe blows

    Disgusting behaviour while talking about the Presidential election, Joe disses women and Dion doesn’t say a word, he’s Joe’s willing sidekick. I’ve listened to a few episodes now, but I won’t listen to any more. I can live without the misogyny lads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PaganLearner
    Ireland9 days ago
  • Former listener

    Lost me defending his buddy Jim gavin

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    That John esq
    Ireland9 days ago
  • Jim Gavin

    Joe has long told us that Gavin is a saint but now when it turns out he’s a crook who wouldn’t pay back a tenant 3.3k Joe doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal “ only 3 thousand “. Well Joe I’d say for most people getting stiffed out of 3k is a big deal and at this stage you have cowed Dion into being afraid to question your views and he let continue on today with the “ Saint Jim “ narrative. Jim is as crook and that’s what he’ll be remembered for.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    e.n.d.a
    Ireland11 days ago
  • The Bully & The Mouse

    This is a deeply depressing podcast which will only attract dedicated listening from masochists. It is basically a vessel for a self righteous narcissist to spew his unfiltered bile unchallenged. Occasionally his co host gets to mumble and bumble his sentences for eight seconds before said self righteous narcissist rudely interrupts him. Rinse and Repeat.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    POSROSS
    Irelanda month ago
  • Spirit Animals

    My favourite podcast in my library.

    As a London-born 41 year old with Irish heritage and passport / citzenship (and 17 years in Australia), Joe is my spirit animal at my most bullish and Dion you are the writer / calming presence in me.

    Equal parts hilarity and going to the places that many won't go to.

    Keep up the superb work gents 👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Terry Cornick
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews commend the variety of guests and topics, enjoying the unique insights and experiences shared during episodes.
Feedback indicates a desire for more balanced dialogues, especially in discussions dominated by one host, with some expressing frustration at interruptions.
Listeners appreciate the mix of humor and thought-provoking discussions, highlighting the hosts' ability to engage with complex topics while remaining relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#124
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#129
Australia/News/Politics
Spotify
#43
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#107
Ireland/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#59
Ireland/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Freedom Flotilla - Sailing serenely on dangerous tides.
Q: What is the expectation for your safety as you approach Gaza?
Caoimhe explained that there is a very real possibility of interception, and they are preparing for potential arrest or deportation while remaining committed to their mission.
The Freedom Flotilla - Sailing serenely on dangerous tides.
Q: I want you to tell me, so since the Italian naval vessels arrived, there have been no attacks?
Caoimhe confirmed that no attacks have occurred since the arrival of the Italian naval vessels, indicating that action from states mobilizes a shift in circumstances.
Our Man in Washington: Niall Stanage on Epstein, Trump and Down football
Q: Does Epstein threaten that because it was, and more importantly, does Trump understand somewhere within himself that this actually threatens him in a way that none of those other things like January the 6th or anything did?
Yes, the Epstein matter has the capacity to disconcert the Trump base, as many of his supporters took his claims of draining the swamp seriously, and the Epstein saga undermines that narrative.
The Lord of the Áras? Is Michael Flatley about to make an áras of himself?
Q: Would you consider throwing your hat into the ring yourself?
Joe Brolly humorously acknowledges the prospect but notes he finds the idea of living in a big house unappealing.
The Fantasy Land of England’s far right - The great David Goldblatt on what football tells us about U.K. society
Q: Do you see any movement further in the nativist element in British football?
Racism still exists in football, but there is also a strong voice of anti-racism and multiculturalism that challenges it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free State

What is Free State about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A stimulating and provocative podcast that blends humor with deep discussions on a broad range of topics, from politics and sports to personal life experiences. It features a diverse array of guests, including politicians, athletes, and unique personalities, who share their insights and stories, making it relatable and dynamic. The hosts, known for their distinct perspectives and candid discussions, encourage listeners to think critically about societal issues while providing entertaining content. Topics often cover significant cultural and political challenges, along with personal growth narratives, which likely resonate with an audience eager for both entertainment and enlightenment.

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How many listeners does Free State get?

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How many subscribers and views does Free State have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Free State has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Free State?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Free State:

1. Indo Sport
2. Indo GAA
3. The Second Captains Podcast
4. The David McWilliams Podcast
5. The Indo Daily

How many episodes of Free State are there?

Free State launched 3 years ago and published 295 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Free State?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Free State?

Recent guests on Free State include:

1. Caoimhe Butterly
2. Stephen Walker
3. Dave Zirin
4. Ciaran Murphy
5. Leo Varadkar
6. Niall Stanage
7. David Goldblatt
8. Thomas R. Weaver

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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