Advertise on podcast: Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

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★★★★☆

4.1

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51 reviews

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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.

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Check latest episodes from Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning podcast

Omen V. Is God a Protestant?

2026/10/27

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Age of Anxiety and Anger with Elif Shafak

2026/10/24

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

2026/10/22

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why we talked to Jamie Bryson

2026/10/20

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Football's tribalism and why it matters

2026/10/17

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

2026/10/15

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] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zombie Drumcree and the march that died of shame

2026/10/13

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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran, Erectile Dysfunction and the Cold War

2026/10/10

“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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Drumcree spell the end for William Ulsterman?

2026/10/08

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] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Garvaghy Road lead to a United Ireland?

2026/10/06

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I was annoyed for a long time about how a lot of Southerners other Northerners'

2026/10/03

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 F****r. The obsession of Peter O’Mahony

2026/10/01

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s Shame? From Bazunu to Drumcree

2026/09/29

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] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Ronson on the manosphere and saving Ulster from sodomy with Ian Paisley

2026/09/26

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/9780241754771 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are Ireland playing against genocide (Israel)?

2026/09/24

‘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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning podcast reviews

4.1 out of 5

51 reviews

★★★★★

Outside knockmore man 2025/06/16

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...

★★★☆☆

Toffee4Life 2025/06/11

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 spe...

★★★★★

You talkin to me.. 2024/07/21

End of Unionism

Joe nobody is asking when is the English Government going to put Unionist out of their misery and tell them the game is up, that they can no longer s...

★☆☆☆☆

Gero11:11 2023/12/19

Out of touch with reality

The two lads are so far removed from what's going on in the real world it's a little frightening. Joe, a once prominent Irish sportsperson, demonstra...

★★★★☆

Laggffy 2023/12/07

Good, bu-

Love the podcast, both hosts have insightful and thought-provoking things to say. For that reason, wish Joe didn’t roll over Dion so often

★☆☆☆☆

Gruffindoooor 2023/10/24

It’s Bleak

Just call it Joes Soapbox. Had to stop listening . Bleak . Everything bleak . Joe seems to be of opinion he is the deciding authority on all matters ....

★★★★★

Eamo1236 2023/10/16

Free State

This podcast about Norin Ireland, Southern Ireland USA breath of fresh air. Honest, no holds barred gets at the truth and the difficulties people of b...

★☆☆☆☆

s37erasmus 2023/09/28

Joe, can you ever let Dion speak?

And the few times he does speak, can you ever acknowledge when he’s made a good point? I don’t think he’s content to be there as just your straight m...

★★★★★

Catalpa Dutch Courage 2023/08/22

Great Listen

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everywhere that Dion and Joe have taken me. Highly recommended!!!

★★★★☆

fpscully 2023/08/08

Free State

Good listen but really should be named the Dion Fanning tries to get a word in edgewise podcast!

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