BOLD with Joe McGucken

EPISODE 15: The Not Very Secret Service

On this week's episode of the BOLD podcast I'm still stuck in Trumpland. The city of Hash shops on every corner. But you can't find a shop for a bottle of water! I was parched wandering around this swamp looking for something to drink.I’m halfway through my run of Waiting for Godot here, which is going... Betterish. considering half the audience doesn’t realize they’re allowed to laugh.
Between shows, I’ve been gallivanting around, getting shouted at by Secret Service, chatting with 75 year old pornstar bartenders, ex-CIA killers, and trying not to pay $20 for orange juice. America’s a weird place, lads.
No big interviews this week. Just me rambling about the things I’ve seen, the people I’ve met, and why I feel the need to run for President of Ireland when I get home. 

EPISODE 14: Garron's Gone & Trump Protests

On this episode of the BOLD podcast we touch on the disappearance of Garron Noone after a controversial video about immigration in Ireland landed him in some hot water after Conor Mcgregor's visit to the White House.Also I go down to a protest outside the Department of Education that Donald Trump is dismantling to speak to one of the organizers of the protest.

EPISODE 13: Keeping up with the Burkes

In this BOLD episode, I’m recording from a strangely deserted apartment building in Washington DC, where I’m rehearsing for a production of Waiting for Godot that’s been… an experience. Cast members are dropping like flies, the production team are falling sick, and I’m starting to wonder if I should’ve stayed in Ireland. 
I’ll also take you on a tour around the gentrified streets of DC, pubs that smell like Dervish and Philly cheesesteaks that aren't that impressive. Somebody send me over a Spicebag.
Let’s not forget the Enoch Burke saga. His family caused a scene at a fancy gala dinner in DC. I’m half-tempted to track them down for an interview.
And then I have a little update on the dinosaur in my garden back home.

EPISODE 12: The One Arm Ping Pong Champion - Colin Judge

On this weeks BOLD podcast I'll give you a little update on my journey to America for a show I'm performing in. I've been rehearsing for just a couple of weeks back in Ireland, and after one of the rehearsals I went to a pub for a pint. In that pub I met a very interesting character. Colin Judge. He's an Irish Ping Pong Paralympian. He has a rare condition which led him to be born with no legs and only one arm. After sparking up a conversation with him at the pub I took his number and arranged to meet him for a chat on the podcast to talk about his journey. This is that conversation.

EPISODE 11: Going To America

On this week's episode of the BOLD podcast I'm flying solo. It's been an eventful week. I was presented with an opportunity to play the Co-Lead in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting For Godot. The only issue is that It's a 5 week run in the Land Of Opportunity - USA.I'm making my way over to the Crime Capital, Washington DC on a week were Zelensky was roasted in the White House for not wearing a suit. Exciting times to say the least. It wasn't an easy decision to make. But after careful considertion and a bus with a Captain America poster I came to the conclusion that I would take the opportunity. Despite having 2 weeks to learn the entire script. I'm also a fan of Abraham Lincoln's assassination story, so I want to go and check out the Ford Theatre where he was shot.I talk about all of this and more in this weeks episode. 

EPISODE 10: Ireland's Biggest Pornstar

In this week's episode of the BOLD podcast, I went to a hotel bedroom to meet Ireland's most successful pornstar, Andy Lee.He talks about his time growing up in Dublin's inner city, getting evicted from his home by the drug marches as a child, Losing his ma, and struggling to settle. Eventually he ended up in London where he would start his porn empire.He talks about it all in this episode and his book Smelly Kid. 

EPISODE 9: The Medieval Re-enactors In Dublin

"Hear ye! hear ye!" On a cold Thursday night in the backyard of Synge Street National School, a group of people gather together to train for Armoured Combat like the knights of olde. Wearing full metal armour and swinging heavy-ish Swords at each other they practice to win a grand battle at a huge event with hopes of one day becoming king of one of the many kingdoms across the world.They are part of a global organization dedicated to recreating the middle ages. But there's a lot more to it than battling one another. It's a lifestyle. People can get involved in the community, the same way anyone from the middle-ages might. Cooking, Sewing, Blacksmith, Carpentry, Calligraphy, even singing.In this episode I went to one of the training sessions to speak with Aodh, one of the chief organizers of the Irish branch. He's been involved in the community for almost 13 years and is incredibly passionate about the work they do.If you're interested in anything you hear in the podcast, they're a very welcoming bunch. They have training, classes and regular events that you can attend.www.facebook.com/duninmarawww.duninmara.orgwww.instagram.com/duninmara

EPISODE 8: Will You Have A Cup Of Tea?

In this episode of the BOLD podcast, I took a trip to the Dublin Wellbeing Centre to meet Debora for a tea leaf reading. I was hoping to get some lotto numbers or maybe an insight into the next crypto boom. But what I left with was a little bit more profound than I expected from a cup of tea.I also talk to her after about her other experiences with shamanic practices, medicines and how grateful she is to help keep Irish traditions alive.I explain how my skepticism around psychics and mediums have evolved around a weird experience under the Salty Dog at electric picnic.Check our Cisnear Holistics www.cisnear.com
www.instagram.com/cisnearholistic
 
 

EPISODE 7: You've Been Tagged...

This episode explores the evolution of social media, from the innocent days of Bebo and MSN to the toxic outrage culture, clickbait, politically driven, divisive social media landscape of today.
I talk with Irish musician Nealo about his habit of stepping away from social media, and Plugging Out for weeks at a time, the impact it has on his mental health, and his concerns about his autistic son growing up in an online world.
I also speak with my brother Josh about a moment from his childhood that was caught on camera and posted online, destroying his confidence and shaping his youth in ways he never recognized.
I also look at other people who have been unwillingly thrust into the public eye through viral videos, including KPMG girl and Slane girl, and the long-term effects of sudden online scrutiny.

EPISODE 6: Midnight Walks And How To Find Love

I've been abandoned by my guest in this episode of BOLD. It's brought up traumatic childhood memories of summer trips to Cavan with my youth club. Getting bullied on the regular. And how I learned to stand up for myself, but received a broken jaw for my efforts. I try to ask myself 36 scientific questions that are designed to ask your partner to make them instantly fall in love with you. And by the end of this podcast you can find out how you can find true love. Because Tinder doesn't work, and I'll explain why in this episode of the BOLD podcast.