Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

The phrase Calm The Jets has a special meaning for Joe Brolly. So when he saw a horse with that name was racing on Friday evening, he decided to follow a hunch. On a Free State Special, Joe and Dion look at those with an independent mind and how they are needed more than ever in the media and public life. They recall the day they spent with Peter Taylor and how it led to a friendship between the great journalist and Joe.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

In two weeks, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as president in Washington. There is a new order in America but where does it leave those close to the old establishment? Many are scurrying to be onside. Meta are abandoning fact-checking, Jeff Bezos is censoring cartoonists at the Washington Post and Elon Musk might be outstaying his welcome at Mar-a-Lago. “In America, the land of the free, we saw in the past election that freedom is universally valued but not universally defined,” Bono said as he received the medal of freedom from Joe Biden.What does this even mean? On Free State, Joe and Dion look at how the world is changing and how Bono will change with it. Few serious people would claim that freedom was universally valued by everyone at the last presidential election but does this tell us something about how Bono has operated in the US and around the world? In Ireland, in Derry, there are families of those who lost loved ones in Bloody Sunday who are angry with Bono for U2’s song and who were angry again when he received the medal of freedom. But does it just prove that when it came to ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, Alan Partridge was right?Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Last weekend at the White House, Joe Biden bestowed America’s highest civilian honour on a group of what he called “truly extraordinary people”. "Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done to help this country,” he added. Shortly afterwards, he placed the Medal of Freedom around the neck of one of those “truly extraordinary people” - Bono. But is there a parallel universe where Bono would have turned down the medal, appalled by the US’s support of the genocide in Gaza? Would that not have been the act of a truly extraordinary person? On Free State today, Joe and Dion look at why Bono would never have done that, why he has operated more often in tandem with the powerful rather than confronting them.His career has been about making the billionaire class comfortable with their wealth rather than upending the system. Has this worked out well for the causes he has championed or has it worked out even better for Bono and those who follow his version of entrepreneurial capitalism?The boys also consider the latest developments in the case of Enoch Burke and why even a snow day couldn’t stop him.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

We’ve reached that special time of year when Dion tries to get Joe interested in cricket. He opens with a hard sell this time but will Joe, who recently revealed his in-depth knowledge of the great Australian side of the 1990s, bite? Dion recalls a night watching Peter O’Toole in the West End with Jeffrey Bernard. The boys also look at Luke Littler’s pursuit of a world title and ask where are the great writers on darts? This leads them to reflect on the time the great Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Ford joined them. They recall his lessons about life, boxing and loss.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

It is a time of resolution and new beginnings but what do you do when your resolve shatters immediately? Joe wonders about a spectacular resolution fail and what led to the person giving up what clearly gave her and others pleasure. The boys also look at the qualities needed to succeed in sport as they remember two of the most compelling guests they’ve hosted, Philly McMahon and Ger Brennan. While Joe’s mother also has some words of encouragement for Dion.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

On New Year’s Eve, Dion and Joe call a temporary ceasefire. Joe talks about Lola’s christening and they look back on the extraordinary life of Jimmy Carter.  During a time of year when many people wrestle with drink and addiction, Dion also reflects on his own struggles. They also go back to an episode from their early podcasts which will resonate with many at this time of year.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Colm Tóibín is one of Ireland’s greatest living writers. He joins Dion on this Free State Special for a wide-ranging chat on Ireland today, what he believes is keeping Sinn Fein out of government and the time he spent with Alan Black, the only survivor of the Kingsmill Massacre. He considers happiness and introspection, the rise of Ozempic and the reason why you can’t talk about it with users in America. He also talks about becoming one of Oprah Winfrey’s favourite writers as well as a Tik Tok sensation and why he wouldn’t be on any social media site owned by a fascist.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Lola is enjoying her first Christmas but Joe breaks away to look back on another Free State highlight. In another crucial history lesson, Dion educates Joe on the origins of Spiced Beef and the boys wonder when is it ok to call it Boxing Day.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

On Christmas Eve, Joe and Dion reflect on the meaning of Christmas and if that meaning can include calling someone a c***? Joe remembers a memorable Christmas Eve in Dungiven. They also look back on how they began the podcast and why Dion brings out the worst in Joe.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/