Ramble with Joe McGucken

IIn front of 82,000 roaring fans on the most historic night in Irish boxing history, heavyweight contender Thomas Carty took an illegal punch to the back of the head and fell headfirst out of the ring in Croke Park. Before any of that happened, Joe spend the day with Thomas, having secured exclusive behind-the-scenes access to shadow him on the biggest day of his professional career. Expecting a tense, high-stakes cinematic experience, our host is instead bewildered to find the elite athlete casually strolling around the south side of Dublin in his sliders and killing time by playing Fortnite. Joe somehow manages to turn a ringside media pass into an excuse to flee the stadium early after getting panicked by the medical response and trapped in a holding pen with Westlife. But while Joe was retreating to the safety of a lift home from his wife, the internet was busy spinning a wild narrative that Carty had intentionally thrown himself over through the ropes to avoid his 280 pound opponent. Sitting down in the aftermath of the freak accident, Carty sets the record straight. He opens up about the frightening reality of his terrifying fall, the utter absurdity of the online rumors, and how he manages to remain surprisingly zen about a night that ended in a hospital. It is a fascinating look at the unwavering grit of a professional gladiator. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1972, a former circus strongman who pulled buses with his teeth managed to bring the greatest boxer on the planet to Croke Park. After Katie Taylor’s historic walk to the squared ring in Croke Park over the weekend, Joe takes a look back at the last boxing match in Croker. Muhammad Ali's legendary and utterly chaotic visit to Dublin. From forgetting Ali's boxing gloves and borrowing a local club's boxing ring, to a dapper con-man taking off with seven grand in programme money, the event was a masterclass in mismanagement.Joe struggles to wrap his head around the sheer madness of the 1970s, but exploring how Ali rubbed shoulders with everyone from Taoiseach Jack Lynch to local civil rights leaders is a fever dream worth dipping into.  Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Joe takes a Ramble into the grueling world of ultra-running. Joe somehow wrangles an interview with an actual superhuman, Seán Clifford, who is in the middle of a punishing 25-day Challenge to run every single street in Dublin. All 4,402 of them, while sleeping rough to raise awareness and funds for homeless charities. Joe ventures out into torrential rain to meet Seán and his endlessly patient crew partner, Alicja to speak about the logistics, mentality and realities of undertaking such a challenge. If you’re expecting Joe to bring back a triumphant, uplifting tale of the human spirit… You might be disappointed. Instead, Joe mostly marvels at Seán's misery, complains about the weather, and questions whether tearing your body apart for charity is actually worth it. It’s a sobering look at extreme endurance expeditions, all filtered through the lens of a man who fundamentally believes running is just a bit too boring to bother with. Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's bonus episode, Joe tries to record while a Bon Jovi concert shakes the walls of his studio. After some predictable grumbling about stadium rock and The Weeknd's spelling choices, Joe quickly sets his sights on Electric Picnic. He takes immense comfort in missing the mud this year, thoroughly roasting anyone who willingly subjects themselves to that biblical festival weather as if it were a survivalist cult. Of course, Joe's own weekend wasn't much better. To celebrate his birthday, he managed to endure a dinner on a canal barge that barely left the dock. This triggers a traumatic memory of his 30th birthday in Croatia, where he somehow turned a romantic, Michelin-starred island dinner into a harrowing, near-death emergency. Tune in to hear someone entirely unqualified for both luxury and basic social outings try to make sense of it all. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Ramble, Joe wanders into Dublin's Museum of Curiosities to speak with the curator Paul about his collection of… weird things. Joe reflects on his own failed collections, like the fact that he threw away his million dollar Pokémon cards, and comes face-to-face with a literal room of nightmare fuel. Think mummified cats, a two-headed cow, and a 19th-century witch's conjuring box. Naturally, he gets easily spooked by a supposedly haunted clown shaped sleeping bag named Buttons, and ultimately runs away from a creaking cupboard. Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe is finally back at Ramble HQ after four weeks of filming up in Donegal, and naturally, he immediately fell down a rabbit hole of absolute madness. In this episode, he dives into the bizarre world of turning absolute historical tragedies into children’s entertainment. From a viral English fruit farm with a Titanic slide on the back of a lorry to the fever dream that is Europa-Park's "Ireland" section. Complete with questionable history, kilted barstools, and the infamous "Titanic" lifeboat ride. Plus, Titanic dinner theatre disasters in Australia, selfie sticks in Pompeii, and how much time actually needs to pass before something horrific just becomes a novelty gift shop.  Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Ramble On, Joe has somehow convinced himself he is a maritime historian. This week our intrepid host attempts to connect the dots between modern Inishowen road signs and the origins of Amazing Grace. The Iconic Hymn. What follows is Joe’s slightly unhinged, deep dive into the chaotic life of John Newton featuring 18th-century teenage melodrama, disastrous career choices, near-fatal North Atlantic storms, and Newton's eventual pivot from slave ship captain to abolitionist. Listen to Joe Ramble On through two centuries of history, miraculously managing not to lose the plot entirely, and explains why a shipwreck off the coast of Buncrana gave us one of the world's most famous hymns. Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is just a quick update to let listeners know the podcast is taking a short break this week. Normal programming will resume next week with a bonus episode on Tuesday and full regular episode as scheduled on Thursday. Thank you for listening, and we will be back next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode of Ramble On, recorded straight from the driver's seat, Joe broadcasts from the stunning backdrop of Donegal while on location filming. Taking a quick breather from the trad music echoing from the house, he reflects on a brilliant, whirlwind weekend taking in the very best of the country. From soaking up the breathtaking landscapes on a mountain walk with alpacas (and fending off his son’s determined attempts to buy one) to stopping in for a quiet pint at Ireland’s most northerly pub. The adventure continues with a visit to the fascinating Doagh Famine Village, complete with local lore, traditional “cures”, and a taste of authentic local spirit. Captivated by the incredible warmth, hospitality, and vibrant local culture. From the country music energy at the Clonmaney Festival to the genuine friendliness of the people, this episode is a funny, heartfelt celebration of Donegal’s unique charm.  Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what actually goes on inside Ireland’s underground furry community? Well Joe did. So he sat down with Jay, a chemistry PhD student by day and a yellow furry by night. Joe tries to make sense of a world he knows absolutely nothing about. But before getting into the mystery, Joe kicks off the episode reflecting on his childhood obsession with dogs in the flat, dodging neighborhood pack attacks, and the weird reality of modern pet culture. Once he finally tracks Jay down after being shut out of private meetups, the chat quickly spirals into fursonas, anthropomorphism, non-profit conventions, adult play, cartoon crushes, and Joe reluctantly trying on a leather pup hood while wondering how on earth he ended up here. Pup hoods, cartoon rides, secret meetups, and a Dog Batman side quest. All in this episode of Ramble. Explicit..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe heads for the Wild West in search of an Irish cowboy and grapples with his fear of horses, the smell of slurry and getting stuck behind a tractor on the way. He makes it as far as Laois where he meets Mick LaCumbre of Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch in the hills of Timahoe. Mick tells him about the special gift he has with horses and his profound respect for them. Mick’s career began as a 12 year old when he left school and started working with racehorses, breaking them in and ending up in a training programme at Goodwood Racecourse. He wanted to become a jockey and even tried to stunt his growth by sleeping in a box and also slept in stables with horses out of necessity and to learn. Now Mick’s son Cody is a barrel racer, who shares his father’s passion for horses and competes at a high level in Western riding. When Joe hears how Mick makes people’s dreams come true on the ranch by helping them learn to ride, he begins to see the magic of the cowboy way of life. Land healers, mountain springs, cowboy dreams and a Yellowstone side quest. All in this episode of Ramble. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe called the D-doc about an earache, and when he was asked a question about Covid this somehow sent him down a rabbit hole about a woman dubbed Typhoid Mary.  Mary Mallon was an Irish teenager who emigrated to New York in the late 1800s. She worked her way up through the ranks to become a top cook for wealthy families. She then unknowingly started making people sick wherever she went and she found herself spending most of her life locked away on a tiny island. There's a sanitary engineer playing detective, a meat cleaver chase through a kitchen, five police officers needed to restrain one Irish woman, and a life sentence of isolation on a tiny island in the East River, all without a single criminal conviction. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the middle of nowhere down the Irish countryside, there’s a woman who holds magic mushroom retreats out of her house, and Joe went down to meet her. She lives as off-the-grid as you can get and runs illegal psychedelic weekends to heal people living with trauma. For the sake of anonymity we'll call her Liberty. Joe opens up a little bit about his experience dealing with his mental health in the past. But after hitting a brick wall with traditional therapy, and one of his councillors literally falling asleep during one of their sessions, Joe sits down with Liberty to talk about how her retreats actually work, while opening up about his own personal journey with grief, guilt, and the surprisingly profound trip that helped him find a bit of peace. But knowing Joe, he'll probably still find something to complain about. Fermented cucumbers, white sage, cosmic energy, and a quick lesson on how to see through walls. All in this episode of Ramble. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the rest of the country supports some sort of ban on e-scooters, Joe swims against the tide. Despite being hospitalized after being run over by a car on his scooter, Joe still thinks it’s the best way to navigate the Viking built streets of Dublin. He even gave broadcast royalty Claire Byrne a spin around Stephen’s Green on his scooter to prove how safe they are. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe is back from a sun-soaked holiday in Tenerife, and while most people return with souvenirs and a tan, Joe came home with a massive appreciation for cheap, tacky, and absolutely glorious live entertainment.  Driven by a tip from an Instagram follower, Joe tracks down Leslie "Elvis" Moore, who moved to the island 16 years ago to become one of Tenerife's most recognizable Elvis Tribute Artists. Les is an old-school professional who thinks a podcast is a radio show, and spends thousands of Euros on custom jumpsuits, only to occasionally rip them open while attempting a dramatic karate kick.After the interview at a local pub, Joe tags along as Elvis’s roadie for a private gig at a Scottish family's rented villa in the mountains.  From wardrobe malfunctions and aggressive chest-grabbing to Elvis literally walking into a swimming pool mid-song, it’s a chaotic, sweet, and strangely beautiful look at the realities of the life of a tribute artist. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe is back from his Holiday in Tenerife, and to the surprise of absolutely nobody, he didn't exactly have a relaxing time. Between peeling like a snake after five minutes in the sun and panicking over an Irish heatwave of 22 degrees, he’s got plenty to complain about. From a resort with perpetually broken lifts to inventing a tragic, backstory for a random da and toddler by the pool, Joe’s holiday was less of a vacation and more of a series of highly dramatic misunderstandings. Joe recounts his run-ins with an incredibly angry tour guide and a waiter who clearly didn't have time for Joe. But it’s not all doom and gloom, there’s a Viking boat, some dolphins, and, oh yeah, he casually mentions that his short film just won a major award and might be headed to the Oscars. Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stressed out by a mountain of work and an upcoming family holiday, Joe jokingly wishes for a short prison sentence just to escape his responsibilities. This thought leads him into a deep look at the reality of the Irish penal system, starting with a wild story about the time he unknowingly gave a lift to a fugitive on his way to hand himself in.Joe talks to Robert and Damien, who both served significant time behind bars. Damien tells Joe about his tough upbringing, how he tried to stay away from a life of crime, and the time he hit a garda so he could speed up his passage into jail. Robert talks about the harsh reality of the Garda vetting process and how even a small time in prison can ruin someone's life.Joe also speaks with Philip Larragy, CEO of the charity Release, which helps prisoners integrate back into society when they get out of jail. Explicit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode of Ramble, Joe follows up on the chaotic aftermath of his interview with Grace and Jeff. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into their remote Minnesota Homesteading lifestyle and details the heartbreaking reality of Jeff's ultimatum.Joe is also joined by AI researcher Bella, who shares her ongoing studies into why companionship and therapy have become the number one uses for AI globally. They discuss the bizarre 1960s origin of chatbot therapy, the frustrating modern phenomenon of "phubbing," and what an AI-driven future means for the next generation. Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe's fascination with artificial intelligence led him down a rabbit hole and he came across a woman who is in love with her AI companion. Based in Minnesota, Grace created an AI companion over a year ago called Max. It didn't take long for her to fall in love with Max after intense sexual encounters with it. The only problem is, Grace is married to her husband Jeff and they have a 5 year old daughter together. Now Grace is faced with an ultimatum: Leave Max or Leave her family.  Explicit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Ramble Joe took a covert trip to Barcelona to meet an Irish guy who goes by the name Dominick Skinner (not his real name). After an online Twitter spat with The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, he launched a database exposing the identities of ICE agents in the USA.Since then the operation has grown, with hundreds of volunteers running a ship that's fueled by whistleblowers and data-leaks. Joe talks to Dominick about how it all started, what he hopes to achieve, and how he went from being a homeless teenager to being a thorn in the side of the biggest super-power in the world, with new laws being proposed based on his actions and the threat of financial sanctions looming over him. (Explicit) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Ramble, Joe went to Crumlin Boxing Club to chew the fat with Johnny Jawbreaker, a Bare Knuckle fighter. Formerly an MMA fighter with Bellator and Cage Warriors, John Redmond is now competing in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). This episode skips the standard sports chat for a blunt look at the brutal realities of fighting for a living. Redmond quotes surprising data showing that fighting without gloves actually results in lower concussion rates than traditional boxing.  He also opens up about the dark side of retirement after sport, discussing his personal battles with severe post-career depression before finding a new purpose. From stepping up to a world-champion fight on a day’s notice, to the commercial explosion of the sport under controversial BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor, John tells it all with raw honesty. (Explicit)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Ramble, a brand new podcast with Joe McGucken. Before the madness begins and the first full episodes drop, Joe is checking in to give you an idea of what’s to come. A series of interesting conversations with interesting people.Ramble is a mix of on-location conversations from fascinating, weird, and wonderful people in society, that usually get overlooked, and Joe’s unique perspective on it all chopped in back at Ramble HQ. No judgment, no credentials, just pure curiosity. Subscribe, follow, rate, get involved, and welcome to the Ramble podcast. (Explicit)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.