Rephonic
Artwork for Free State

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes285Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsSports NewsNews

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Artwork for Free State

Latest Episodes

When Mary Lou McDonald announced a ‘game changing’ candidate many eyes looked to Joe Brolly. But was he ever in the running and would Dion have voted for him?

On Free State today, Dion and Joe look at what Sinn Féin’s backing of Catherine Connolly m... more

What happens when a man tries to take up hurling at 41?

What does he learn about himself and Ireland’s relationship with its fabled national game.

On Free State today, Second Captains co-host Ciaran Murphy tells us what he learned about Ireland whe... more

At the age of 45, Leo Varadkar decided to resign as Taoiseach. Many people wondered why.

In an extraordinarily frank interview on Free State today, Leo Varadkar talks about how finding peace in his personal life dulled his political ambition.

He sp... more

Who was Charlie Kirk and what had he got to do with Ireland?

On a heated episode of Free State, Dion and Joe argue about how to respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk. Is it right simply to commiserate or do the ideas he advanced need to be challenge... 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

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.
Dave Hannigan
Author of 'The Big Fight: When Ali Conquered Ireland'
Episode: When Ali met Ireland
John Williams
Author of 'Heatwave', exploring the summer of 1976
Episode: A summer on the brink
Phoebe Greenwood
Journalist and author of the novel 'Vulture', which explores themes of war and conflict.
The Currency
Episode: A War Correspondent in Gaza
Eugene Reavy
Survivor of the Reavy brothers' murder, contributing to the discussion about loss and community reconciliation.
Episode: Blocking a cross-community cricket camp. Unionists are draining the pool so no one can swim

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
  • 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
    Australia2 months ago
  • Had enough

    Having listened to a few episodes I have had enough. Enough of Joe Brolly not caring to listen. He loves the sound of himself so much that I don’t understand why Dion bothers to be part of this show. Joe’s a smart guy, worth listening to for the most part, but his sense of self importance has ruined a good podcast. Goodbye

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ta.keane
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Tone it back Joe

    The Saturday podcasts with Dion only are a joy the Roddy Doyle episode was excellent The weekday podcast are almost unlistenable as Joe just ramrods Dion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Outside knockmore man
    United States3 months ago
  • Frustration

    Although I enjoy both hosts and generally agree with their stance I am becoming increasingly frustrated with Joe’s inability to let Dion speak. Joe is such a poor role model for young people especially by not listening to any viewpoint but his own and talking over Dion ALL the time. By the time Dion is allowed to talk he is too flustered to make a coherent point and feels rushed. I also find that , when interviewing guests, Joe does not ask questions but rather gives his own opinions - statement... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Stewie19640
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Let Dion Speak

    I did enjoy the show. I enjoyed the topics. We all know the knowledge and strong opinions joe Brolly has on matters but his reluctance to let Dion speak or finish a sentence is really annoying so frankly I find the show hard to listen to anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Toffee4Life
    United States3 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
#45
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#93
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#120
Australia/News/Politics
Spotify
#39
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#156
Ireland/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#38
Ireland/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Fantasy Land of England’s far right - The great David Goldblatt on what football tells us about U.K. society
Q: How do you feel Brexit relates to football in terms of interpreting it and also its response to it?
Football's economics and structure reflect the marginalization of communities and the inequalities exacerbated by global capitalism and Brexit.
Replacing the shit with something better. Tim McGabhann on his journey from addiction to salvation.
Q: What do you think about the freedom that comes from being sober?
Tim describes the paradox of powerlessness in addiction leading to a new kind of freedom in sobriety, where he gained back decision-making ability and a sense of trust in his judgment.

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?

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

How many episodes of Free State are there?

Free State launched 3 years ago and published 285 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?

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What guests have appeared on Free State?

Recent guests on Free State include:

1. Leo Varadkar
2. Niall Stanage
3. David Goldblatt
4. Thomas R. Weaver
5. Tim McGabhann
6. Dave Hannigan
7. John Williams
8. Phoebe Greenwood

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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