https://tortoiseshack.ie/feed/podcast/

In this Reboot Republic (Reboot) Rory chats with producer Tony about his first few weeks in the Dáil, the new government's attempts at stroke politics, the opportunity for cooperation on the opposition benches and then he answers some of your questions. Editors Note: We didn't get to all the questions, but we will. And I promise Rory will not get a heads up on them.

In this podcast we are joined by two-term Senator (looking to be reelected on the NUI Panel) Alice-Mary Higgins. We talk about her work in scrutinising, amending and improving legislation, why she continues to try put society and environment before market interests into the political decision making process and her ambition to work for better international outcomes in a world that seems to be movi...

Jenny Maguire's journey to becoming Students Union President of Trinity College Dublin was far from ordinary. From attending an all-boys school, to running (unsuccessfully) for class president, to finding out that what may seem like setbacks at the time, were really only opportunities for her to grow and learn. It was a pleasure to chat with her and, as an old foggy who thinks that he knows it all...

Today was a good day. We witnessed a broad-left opposition work together to make sure that a "profoundly corrupt" TD couldn't just stitch up a government and "technical group" opposition without at least getting called out on their crony bullshit. Tomorrow the show will go on and the Govt will get formed, but they got a taste of what might be to come. So that's a good day and we don't get many on...

In this PalCast, host Helena Cobban and producer Tony Groves turn the tables on new father (congratulations) and PalCast’s resident expert, Yousef Aljamal by asking him to explain what is happening since the ceasefire was agreed, what it means on the ground and what Gaza needs now from the international community. We also talk about the media coverage of the ceasefire, the hostage exchange and the...

A short yet far too long shack-only podcast about the program for govt, Make Martin Great Again and the disaster that is unfolding regarding the Occupied Territories Bill. Send in your covers as this one was my own pick. I’m not Matchbox 20 sorry.

While the billionaire class gathers to bend the knee to Trump 2.0, another (more important our opinion) group of gatherings are happening across the world. Andrew Karamagi is a community organiser, lawyer, and principal political advisor to the Fight Inequality Alliance ( fightinequality.org ) and he joins us from one such gathering in Kenya. He outlines the negative political, societal and econom...

Ballymun native, Celine Burke, aka Lily, talks about her experiences with anxiety and severe agoraphobia during her teens and how she navigated her way out to the other side. Come on the journey.

In this podcast, Gulf of America/Colorado-based professor of economics, Constantin Gurdgiev, joins us to talk Trump 2.0, the Tariff wars, housing inequality as the key driver of political polarisation and the fires that swept California.

Late last night our friend, Gazan journalist, Mahmoud Mushtaha, joined us to talk about the details of the Ceasefire Agreement, that is almost word for word the same deal Israel rejected last summer, and what will likely happen next. He talks about the need for accountability for those who perpetrated war crimes, justice for those that have been killed and the sobering reality that a ceasefire wit...

In this tortoise shack exclusive we reveal that RTE Director General, Kevin Bakhurst told staff at a townhall meeting last year that despite In this tortoise shack exclusive we reveal that RTE Director General, Kevin Bakhurst told staff at a townhall meeting last year that despite acknowledging their rogue employer practices, RTE cannot repay them what they are entitled to because that would "bank...

As reports of a ceasefire deal were emerging, we are joined on the PalCast by Dr Ayesha Khan, who is an Emergency Medicine physician and has recently returned from Gaza, where she worked in trying to hold together the crumbling medical facilities. This is a first-person account of the reality on the ground by a remarkable woman who has helped build health system capacity in thirteen regions across...

In this Echo Chamber Pod we are joined by national organiser with the Independent Workers Union ( https://www.union.ie/) Alex Homits, to discuss how the State and many State services are currently outsourced to largely untaxed and unaccountable companies at a cost of tens of millions to us and very much to the detriment of workers. This is an eye-opening conversation about how "middle-man" Ireland...

Introducing new Echo Chamber Podcast cohost, Nartin NcMahon and his insights into all things news, politics, media and general disgruntlement.

In this special episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by his Fresh Batch cohost and lifelong friend Dean Scurry. It's all love. Listen in.

In this podcast two-term Senator and candidate in the upcoming Seanad election, Lynn Ruane, sits down to talk about her work in Leinster House, her dedication to the people of her community and the importance of not giving up. This is a broad conversation about class, politics, society and yes, even a little bit of philosophy. But I know Foucault about that.

First of all, apologies for the delay. Big problems still unresolved with the broadband provider. Should have everything resolved by Thursday. But I'm hotspotting from a phone at the moment. Anyway.. ..In this podcast housing expert and lecturer, Dr Lorcan Sirr, joins us to talk about the housing bubble in the affordable housing market, the issue of homelessness as an acceptable feature of the "ma...

In this, the first Sunday Show of 2025, Martin and Tony talk about the horse loose in a hospital, MAGA at war, the Govt in hiding, homelessness as policy, nepo babies and whether Jolene should just take my man...

Apologies for the delay, but this is Pt2 of the Harry McEvansoneya and Shamim Malekmian 2024/25 podcast wrap. Settle it for me, in Thunder Road does Mary's dress sway or wave?

In this 2024 wrap we talk with Economist with NERI, Ciarán Nugent about the widening gap between Ireland’s on-paper prosperity and the lived reality of so many households. We talk workers rights, economic literacy and a lot more. Happy New Year, folks. Thanks for all your support!

Dr. Nour Nafez Hammad is a Palestinian educator and scholar who is engaged in the fields of literature and education. In this episode of PalCast, she speaks of personal loss, the role of storytelling and literature in creating a Palestine away from the control of Israeli narrative. She explains how the use of literature, videos and social media posts are a way of maintaining some sanity in what is...

Spanish politics has had everything this year, lawfare, corruption, love letters, natural disaster mishandling and a hard left that is eating itself. Rejoining us on the podcast is Madrid-based Prof Joe Haslam and (also) Madrid-based journalist Eoghan Gilmartin. This is very broad and we get into the issues of immigration, housing and the rise of the far right in what should be a warning for us in...

In this short podcast Martin and Tony talk about the DCC plans for the soup kitchens that so many of our fellow citizens rely on, how the tender for 2,000 new "bed spaces" means that the Govt are planning on increasing homelessness and then we talk Media vs Gaza and RTE's ridiculous use of the IDF's narrative. Jelly Roll says Let Her Cry. Keep the cover recs coming!

In this wrap of 2025 special we are joined by Our Man in Stockholm, Philip O’Connor, to discuss how the missed opportunities of 2024 can be seen as learnings for 2025. We talk politics, media and the need for a more combative opposition within both areas. Then Philip makes the case for moving beyond solidarity to what he calls Active Compassion. Please have a listen. And get him a job hosting an I...

Listeners will know Palestinian journalist Mahmoud Mushtaha has the brave reporter who would update the world from Shifa Hospital during the Israeli attacks. You might also recall his reports on hunger and having to eat animal food. Today he’s in the UK, studying at University, still advocating for the end of the war and the rights of his people. He’s also now a published author and is working on...