Parenthood Journey: Parenting comes with challenges and joy, as new parents learn to manage baby behavior while balancing their interests, like sports. Connecting with others during this hectic time brings happiness and strengthens family bonds, creating lasting memories amidst the chaos of diaper changes.
Parenthood is a journey filled with unexpected surprises, especially when it comes to babies. New parents can find the experience overwhelming, as they learn to navigate changing diapers and unique baby behaviors. These young ones can act unpredictably, drawing all sorts of emotions from parents, ranging from joy to panic. Just like puppies, babies require a lot of patience and adaptability. While they may seem like they have no structure, they bring laughter and excitement into the household. Amidst the diaper changing chaos, parents try to keep up with their lives, including enjoying sports, reminiscing about past events, and connecting with friends. Celebrations, gatherings, and connecting with others, even during hectic times, remind parents of the joys outside the parenting world. Engaging both in child-rearing and personal interests is important for balance and enjoyment in life, creating memories that shape family bonds.
Irish Sports Culture: Irish culture is diverse, embracing local sports and social apps. The joy of a thrilling hurling match reflects community spirit and the thrill of unexpected moments in sports. This highlights how traditions and modern experiences intertwine, enriching identities and shared enjoyment.
Irish culture can be diverse, encompassing interests like sports and social apps. The conversation highlights a rich portrayal of local sports enthusiasm, with a dramatic match in hurling showcasing a team's resilience. Additionally, there's a lighthearted comparison between soccer strategies and a personal experience of watching games at home, revealing how modern life intersects with tradition. The excitement of local talent and the thrill of unexpected moments in games reflect the passion and connection people have with their community and sports, emphasizing how these experiences enrich Irish identity and collective enjoyment. This blend of humor and sports narrative showcases the vibrancy of local culture and the universal appeal of shared experiences, especially in the context of watching games together at home with family.
Evolving Excitement: Gaelic football has become less exciting due to predictability and lack of physical contact, leading fans to feel disappointed compared to the anticipation before the game.
Different sports evoke varying levels of excitement and anticipation from fans. For instance, Gaelic football once offered thrilling experiences, but now some find it quite boring due to the predictability and lack of physical contact orchestrated by managers. This leads to a noticeable decline in the thrill that fans used to feel, drawing comparisons with less dynamic sports like curling. Despite the excitement built up before the game, reality sometimes falls flat, highlighting how the build-up can be more exhilarating than the actual experience. Ultimately, sports can change over time, which affects spectators’ perceptions and enjoyment greatly.
Community Sports: Community-driven efforts are essential for improving sports facilities for children, as different sports face varying degrees of support and resources.
Richard Boyd Barrett’s recent remarks highlighted the issue of inadequate sports facilities for kids, particularly in certain communities. The conversation revealed a stark contrast between the resources available for Gaelic games versus soccer. Some argued that Gaelic teams are more self-sufficient, able to build their own facilities through community efforts. Others noted that soccer players may not have the same level of support. The discussion also touched on perceptions of socioeconomic status linked to surnames, suggesting that participation in sports should not be hindered by such labels. Ultimately, there was a call to prioritize community-driven efforts in improving sports infrastructure and ensuring that children have access to play, regardless of the type of sport they choose. Communities should take the lead in providing for their youth rather than relying solely on government funding.
Community Sports: GAA clubs excel in fostering community spirit and building facilities, unlike soccer clubs, which could improve by adopting similar principles of cohesion and collaboration.
Community sports clubs, especially in the GAA, focus on building facilities and fostering a strong local spirit, which unites people for common interests. This sense of cohesion is contrasted with soccer clubs, which, despite their volunteer efforts, often lack the same depth of community involvement and resource pooling. While the speaker appreciates the grassroots efforts in soccer, they feel the sport could benefit from adopting some of the GAA's organizational strengths. This could enhance facility developments and greater community integration through sports.
Community Loss: The heartfelt discussion centers on community loss due to violence, as families gathered around shoes symbolizing their murdered loved ones, spotlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and healing amidst their profound grief.
The discussion highlights the deep emotional impact of violence in communities, illustrated by powerful scenes at the High Court in Belfast. Families of victims gathered, surrounded by shoes representing their loved ones lost to violence, creating an impactful visual reminder of their grief. The conversation touches on ongoing legal battles over the legacy of such violence and the need for public inquiries to address historical injustices. Additionally, it remembers the story of Willie, a local pharmacist who was tragically murdered while responding to a call for help. This tragic event reflects the broader theme of community loss and the personal toll of conflict, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and the need for healing in society.
Resilience in Loss: Traumatic experiences can inspire growth and purpose. Kevin reflects on his father's murder, using it as motivation to live life fully, suggesting that tragedy can lead to resilience and transformation.
In a deeply moving conversation, two individuals reflect on their traumatic childhood experiences following violent events. They discuss the murder of a loved one, the emotional scars, and how it shaped their lives. One participant, Kevin, expresses that he uses his father's legacy to push himself towards achieving goals, believing that his father's untimely death inspires him to take full advantage of life. This sentiment highlights the resilience found in tragedy and the importance of remembering and honoring those lost. The connection to past pain helps them build a better future, showing how, amidst suffering, individuals can find motivation and purpose to strive for their dreams, leading to personal growth and meaningful lives. Ultimately, their stories demonstrate the potential for transformation through grief and loss, suggesting that personal struggles can lead to becoming a better person.
Growth Through Tragedy: Tragedy faced early in life can strengthen character and promote personal growth, leading to greater resilience and self-understanding.
Experiencing tragedy can be a pivotal moment in a person's life. When something difficult happens early on, it often shapes one's character and resilience, helping them grow into a stronger individual. Reflecting on such experiences can lead to understanding oneself better and appreciating the journey of personal growth, even if it was unexpected. By contemplating these moments, we can see how they contribute to our development and prepare us for future challenges.
Parenting with Joe Brolly
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
141 Episodes
Recent Episodes from Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
Making genocide respectable. How the Western media colluded with Israel.
Since the horrors of October 7, Israel has waged war on the people of Gaza with genocidal intent. The slaughter now has spread to Lebanon with the west offering little but hollow words and repeating the mantra that Israel has the right to defend itself. On Free State, Joe and Dion look at how it reached this point and how the media has failed not only Palestinians but the world. There’s also the latest in parenting with Joe Brolly and the tragedy of Aidan O’Shea.
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG Productions.
For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/
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Embracing Racism: Fine Gael’s Plan To Win the Election
If you are building a bike shed in the Oireachtas or the new children’s hospital, Ireland is a good place to live. But what about those marginalised who ask: what does Ireland stand for? Whether it is Gaza, Lebanon, housing or asylum seekers, the ruling elite recoils from action that would have meaning.
On Free State, Joe and Dion look at how Ireland is entering a dark place, unable to resist the impulse of right wing movements across Europe of blaming the country’s problems on immigrants and the most in need.
In a political culture driven by opinion polls and giddiness about election dates, will anyone provide the leadership Ireland needs?
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG Productions.
For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/
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Surviving a newborn, Lebanon burning & how Kristofferson beat the Devil.
How do you reason with a 13-day-old baby? On Free State, Joe deals with the after effects of a night trying to soothe an unsoothable newborn while Dion feels like he’s taken a role in Falling Down. They look at Israel’s attack on Lebanon. Israel is preparing for a ground invasion of the country. Will the west do anything to stop them after the sickening failure to stop the slaughter in Gaza? They reflect too on the death of Kris Kristofferson, a singer of integrity with a relentless commitment to justice, which he knew had to be justice for all.
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG Productions.
For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?
In one of the most personal episodes of Free State, Joe talks to Dion about his childhood growing up surrounded by violence and trauma. He talks about how it shaped who he was as a TV personality and a barrister who wanted acclaim and recognition. But too much was never enough so he reached a point where he knew it would have to change. He speaks honestly about the decision to seek help and how even then he wanted to manipulate the situation. Instead he found a new way of looking at life and viewing what he had endured.
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG Productions.
For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Parenting with Joe Brolly
Today’s Free State is the podcast you didn’t know you needed. Joe provides tips on nappy changing, getting babies to sleep and dealing with the unreasonable demands of a newborn baby. Joe was in Belfast last week. He saw the families protesting over the Legacy Act lay out the shoes of their loved ones. It was an act of memory and honour. It was a reminder of the trauma endured by so many. Dion and Joe also reflect on last week’s episode and an extraordinary message from the son of William Strathearn, who was murdered by members of the Glenanne Gang in 1977.
Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG Productions.
For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mona Lisa: John Finucane, the man behind the mask. Part 2
When the British government announced a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, the news was met with the same noises from the usual chorus. On Free State, Joe tells the real story of the Finucane family, a story of a mixed marriage and children raised to be non sectarian. Pat Finucane was murdered in 1989, a brutal time in what Heaney called ‘the man-killing parishes’ that Northern Ireland had become. Joe and Dion argue about what it means to speak honestly about those times. Joe accuses Dion of ‘IRAing’ and Dion wonders who Joe would actually vote for.
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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mona Lisa: John Finucane, the man behind the mask. Part 1
On Free State today we celebrate life. Joe spent the weekend on the maternity ward and he speaks with joy and wonder about the experience of being present as a new life come into the world. He is equally in awe of those who work in hospitals and provide guidance and inspiration during the darkest hours before the dawn. One of those who contacted Joe this week was John Finucane. John Finucane watched loyalist terrorists murder his father when he was eight years old in 1989. Joe reflects on his friendship with this remarkable man and the grace that comes from being around those who provide hope.
This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20
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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump, Kamala and two nice Jewish boys
Donald Trump was undermined by his own narcissism in his presidential debate. Kamala Harris took him apart with a lawyer’s precision. On Free State, Joe considers how he would deal with Trump in a debate but also how the genocide in Gaza is being normalised. Dion and Joe look at the story of the Two Nice Jewish Boys podcast and how they joked about ‘erasing’ Gaza. What does it tell us about the human condition when two ordinary Israelis can speak like this? What does it tell us about suffering when it can be dismissed in this way?
This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20
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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Poisonous Patriotism: Lords, Anthems & broken lives
The Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned the booing of God Save The King by Irish fans before Ireland played England on Saturday. The Daily Mail called for England manager Lee Carsley to be sacked before the game because he said he wouldn’t sing the anthem.
On Free State today, Joe and Dion wonder why this plastic patriotism is indulged and why real patriotism can transform a country. Dion was at the Aviva on Saturday. Joe can’t understand why he was there - or why he doesn’t get better seats. Dion has frustrations other than the pantomime booing.
In the world where actions can make a difference, Joe talks about the visit by the DUP’s Gordon Lyons to Creggan GAA club. Joe also recalls the darker period in the club’s history. He tells the powerful story of Peadar Heffron, who became one of the first GAA members to join the PSNI, and how he was failed by his own community. A failure which should makes us ask questions of ourselves and dismiss those who peddle cheap nationalism.
This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20
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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The coal man’s son
What is more rewarding? Winning or glory? If you are Donald Trump or the modern GAA coach then nothing matters except winning. But can we as Trump said, get tired of winning? Is the story of the coalman’s son, Tommy Loughran, the moment when people had enough? On Free State today, Joe and Dion talk about the decision to give a marking job on Tommy Loughran to two players in an U-14 match. Why has Gaelic football gone this way? Joe doesn’t believe the suggested rule changes will save it and makes some proposals of his own. Dion has a more radical solution and announces also that he has entered the c-suite.
This episode of Free State is sponsored by Manscaped. Visit https://www.manscaped.com/ and get 20% off and free shipping by using code freestate20
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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.