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

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★★★★☆

4.1

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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

'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.

‘Yabba-dabba-do, any taig will do’ : The true story of Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair

2026/09/22

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

'Trotsky would have said we are in a classic pre-revolutionary period.' Robert Harris on how democracies die.

2026/09/19

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/9781529154412 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Macklemore, the cowardly Ed Sheeran and the new world order

2026/09/17

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

Donald Trump. The orange man uniting Ireland

2026/09/15

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

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace?

2026/09/12

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

2026/09/10

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

Free State: Live in West Belfast

2026/09/08

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.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Qatar & the unbribeable Mr Trump

2026/09/03

Joe and Dion look at the 'cruel and unknowable' Donald Trump, and how Qatar are regretting getting friendly with the 'hyena' in the White House. Meanwhile, the Man With Zero Political Convicton, Keir Starmer, is stepping down as a MP mere weeks after relinquishing his role as Prime Minister - in sharp contrast to Jeremey Corbyn who has remained on to serve his constituents long after leaving his role as leader of the Labour Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham announces border poll for 3026

2026/09/01

Should Andy Burnham have a say in the future of Northern Ireland? Could "Kitchen Appliances : The Musical" be the next big thing at the Fringe? And will Dion be shunned by the Dungiven whatsapp group when he heads to Belfast this Thursday with Joe to interview Paul Howard? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Nobody wants to be a Referee (and what it tells us about the world)

2026/08/29

Referees are abused and derided. They are mocked and pursued but what does their demonisation tell us about the world we live in today? William Ralston talks to Dion about his deep dive into the world of refereeing. He talks about his own attempts to referee at the lowest level and the lack of humanity shown to officials - people - at all levels of sport. 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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