BOLD with Joe McGucken

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
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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.

EPISODE 5: The First Irishman To Climb Everest With No Oxygen

James MacManus is a Tipperary man with an extraordinary goal: to summit Mount Everest without oxygen! Twice he’s attempted this near-impossible feat, and twice he’s been turned back by the sheer brutality of the mountain. But undeterred, James is gearing up for a third attempt at one of the most dangerous and demanding challenges in human history.
Only 229 people have ever accomplished this, while many others have tried with a large percentage ending in tragedy. So, what drives someone to take on such a monumental risk? I sat down with James to ask him... WHY?

EPISODE 4: The Irish Pub In Uganda

There's something special about Irish pubs when we're on holiday. They’re our little piece of home from home. No matter where we go, from Salou to Timbuktu, we're always sniffing out the Molly Malones, or Danny Boy. But what happens when you try to create that magic in… Uganda?
This week, I talk to Nigel Sutton, an Irish entrepreneur who decided to bring the craic to Kampala. In 2003, after Mulligan’s in Drogheda shut its doors for good, Nigel bought the contents of the entire pub. Bar stools, doors, rails, the works. And shipped it all to Uganda to build his very own Irish pub named Bubbles O'Leary's. But as you'd probably expect, It wasn't easy, fun, or profitable.
From power cuts and dodgy scams to government interference, theft, and some seriously shady police antics, Nigel’s dream of pints in paradise quickly turned into a cautionary tale. But there’s plenty of laughs, madness, and unexpected twists along the way.

EPISODE 3: Irish Mad Lad Goes To War

Imagine having zero military experience, a slight drinking problem, and deciding to head straight to the frontline of the war in Ukraine... for the craic. That’s exactly what self proclaimed Lord Mayor of Leixlip did.
In this episode, I sat down with this absolute mad lad in the corner of the only pub in Leixlip where he’s not banned. We got into his wild story: from his controversial GoFundMe campaign to almost getting blown up on his first day, losing friends on the battlefield, and eventually coming back home.He joined the foreign legion as a civilian, which is rare. He soon realized he was placed in a Nazi unit and swiftly transferred to a new unit consisting of Latino soldiers. He learned Spanish drinking with Colombians. After 18 months he climbed the ranks and begrudgingly accepted the position of commander. He also earned himself 3 medals along the way for his bravery.Well I now bestow upon him a medal for the Maddest Bowzie in the whole of Ireland!

EPISODE 2: Pursuit Of Happiness

Michael Zervos is an American film director currently attempting to break a world record by travelling to every country in the world in the fastest time. Along the way he has been interviewing people from every country and asking them one question - "What is the happiest moment of your life"During his brief stop in Ireland I caught up with him for this episode. Anyone who knows me will know how miserable I can be. So I thought this would be an interesting person to discuss the concept of happiness with, and hopefully pick up some tips on how to achieve it.

EPISODE 1: Bold Santa Claus

In this festive episode of BOLD, we sit down with Michael J Sullivan, a Dublin actor who steps into the big red suit every Christmas to become the man, the myth, the legend - Santa Claus!But there's a lot more to Michael's story than I expected from when I first sat down to interview him.