Rephonic
Artwork for Free State

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes313Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSports News

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Artwork for Free State

Latest Episodes

When Donald Trump’s Education Secretary Linda McMahon called ‘AI’ ‘A-One’ it was treated as a gaffe that said a lot about the intellectual calibre of his cabinet.

But it told us something else too.

On Free State today we look at how the world has b... more

Sport is what sustains so many of us through the winter. Ireland is a sporting country but what does that mean?

On Free State today, we ask if Ireland is really a sports mad country or are we just a nation of bandwagon jumpers, willing fleeced by th... more

Colin Davidson is one of Ireland’s great artists.

In a raw and powerful conversation, he joins us on Free State today to talk about a childhood that saw him find an escape into art.

He speaks of how he approaches his subjects and what he is trying ... more

What are the things that matter in this world? What do we mean by the common good?

On Free State today Joe talks about the extraordinary beauty and grace he is witnessing in the Mayo Hospice at the moment.

When life and death visit us we understand... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Colin Davidson
Foremost portrait artist alive today
Episode: Colin Davidson - ‘There were moments of trauma in my childhood'
Anne Marie Allen
Author of 'Serve, My Lost Years at the Heart of Ireland's Opus Dei'
Episode: Learning to cross the road. A life ruined by Opus Dei
Linden MacIntyre
Author and journalist
None
Episode: Accidental Villain or State Sanctioned Murderer? The story of Sir Hugh Tudor
Michael Lewis
Author known for his works on finance and sports, including 'Moneyball' and 'The Blind Side'.
Episode: Michael Lewis & the lion on the pitch
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.

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
  • Ian Dale interview

    Charles Hockey ? I’m out after that.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dermot in Clare
    Ireland21 days ago
  • 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
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Former listener

    Lost me defending his buddy Jim gavin

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    That John esq
    Ireland2 months 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
    Ireland2 months 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
    Ireland2 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
#54
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#112
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#178
Australia/News/Politics
Spotify
#70
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#103
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#6
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Colin Davidson - ‘There were moments of trauma in my childhood'
Q: How did you interact with the troubles while growing up in Belfast?
Colin describes his experience growing up amidst the backdrop of the troubles in Belfast and how the normality of living with violence became apparent only later in life.
Colin Davidson - ‘There were moments of trauma in my childhood'
Q: Can you tell us about the artistic choices you make with your portraits?
He discusses celebrating humanity and equality in all his portraits, focusing on the essence of his subjects without the typical trappings associated with fame.
Colin Davidson - ‘There were moments of trauma in my childhood'
Q: What do you mean when you say you're a very shy, sensitive kid of your childhood?
Colin reflects on how his childhood was marked by a stammer and a lack of conventional confidence, using art as a means to communicate and gain confidence.
Accidental Villain or State Sanctioned Murderer? The story of Sir Hugh Tudor
Q: Can I ask you first, do you think an accidental villain is a little bit kind on Hugh Tudor?
MacIntyre discusses Tudor's motivation and concludes that it stemmed from a sentimental loyalty to Churchill rather than a deep-seated animosity toward the Irish.
Learning to cross the road. A life ruined by Opus Dei
Q: What helped in your recovery journey?
Connecting with other ex-members of Opus Dei and sharing experiences provided healing and a sense of community, fostering personal growth and recovery.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Free State?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Free State. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Free State and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Free State get?

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What are the audience demographics for Free State?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Free State, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 Football Pod
4. The Second Captains Podcast
5. OTB GAA

How many episodes of Free State are there?

Free State launched 3 years ago and published 313 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Free State?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Free State from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Free State?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Free State. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Free State?

Recent guests on Free State include:

1. Colin Davidson
2. Anne Marie Allen
3. Linden MacIntyre
4. Michael Lewis
5. Caoimhe Butterly
6. Stephen Walker
7. Dave Zirin
8. Ciaran Murphy

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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