I am Joe McGucken. This is BOLD! A podcast where I get to explore the stories and perspectives you don’t hear every day. Whether it’s sitting down with someone ...
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.
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30:27
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.
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27:56
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?
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33:11
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.
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37:11
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!
I am Joe McGucken. This is BOLD! A podcast where I get to explore the stories and perspectives you don’t hear every day. Whether it’s sitting down with someone who works as Santa Claus, chatting with a pigeon racer, or diving into the quirks of modern life. It’s all about conversations that are as entertaining as they are unexpected.
Some episodes, it’s just me sharing thoughts, unpacking interesting ideas, or telling stories from the week. Other times, I’m talking to people with jobs, hobbies, or life experiences that’ll make you stop and think - or at least make you laugh.
I’m not here to push boundaries for the sake of it. I just want to shine a light on things that are fascinating, funny, or maybe even a bit unusual. If you’re into comedy, good stories, and the kind of stuff you’ll want to share with your friends, give it a listen.
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