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Editor's note: This podcast contains details that you might find upsetting. Amira Attiya, a writer and a student of translation from Gaza, tells the story of how she lost her three siblings—one of them was kidnapped, killed, and even fed to dogs—and that of her father, who was burned with white phosphorus during the Cast Lead operation. Amira was displaced 12 times, and has spent the past two year...

In this April 12 conversation, JWE president Helena Cobban discussed with Prof. Rami Zurayk the impact on Lebanon of the violence that Israel has unleashed against the country for many months now. (Israel escalated that violence very notably on April 8, the day when it looked as if Washington was finally ready to sit down and negotiate a serious ceasefire with Iran.) Rami Zurayk is a researcher on...

Niamh Ryan of The Parting Glass podcast interviewed comedian, actor and cohost of the You Must Be Jokin' podcast in the toroise shack recently. So here it is now for youse all as a little treat. I got the tortoise back eventually.

Shahd Ismail Mahmoud Miqdad , is a PhD student from Gaza, who dreams of a life beyond the genocide where she will complete her education and life a an independent life safe, far from anything that hurts or touches her or her loved ones.

Former US Green Beret and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation whistleblower, Anthony Aguilar rejoined me to discuss the current situation in Cuba, Iran and the US. He outlines the military situation and, not to be all doomer, gives a stark assessment of where things are heading.

This week Sparky sits down with Fair City actress, Dancing with the Stars contestant and fellow Ballymunner, Stephanie Kelly for a great and fun chat in the shack about family, youth arts access, acting and dancing.

In this March 24 convo with Helena Cobban, Vijay Prashad, the director Tricontinental, drew on his extensive experience of the affairs of the Global South to assess the extent and roots of Iran's achievements in resisting the attack that the U.S.-Israeli alliance started on February 28. Prashad and Cobban also discussed the ties between Iran's achievements in their war against the alliance and the...

Martin Leahy is a real one. The dedicated housing protester, activist and musician shares his journey from personal housing struggles to leading a 200-week protest. We talk about the power of activism, protest songs, community building, and the ongoing fight for housing rights in Ireland. Hope to see lots of you outside the Dáil on Thursday.

Seems to be a problem with this morning's podcast. So here it is again in audio only format. Apologies if this hits your feed twice! You might let me know if it is a player issue or what apps you're using etc thanks Tony

In this March 5 convo with Helena Cobban, longtime Iran specialist Barbara Slavin noted the survival of Iran's central governance structures even after the early assassination by the Israeli and U.S. war machine of the Supreme Leader and numerous other figures in the country's military and political leadership, and surmised that its government is not likely soon either to crumble or to "capitulate...

Davy Adams has lived many lives, from becoming a loyalist paramilitary, to go on to contribute to the Good Friday Agreement and then to carry out humanitarian work in places like Syria, Sudan and Sierra Leone. He joined me to talk about his bottom-up view on conflict, his take on the US-Israel war on Iran and why despite all the horrors he's seen, he remains hopeful. Yes, I brought him to the Digg...

It’s all a bit mad (and we will be covering the madness) at the moment, so it was a salve for the soul to sit down and chat with the first ever Palestinian photo-journalist in Gaza, Eman Mohamed. She describes growing up in Gaza in a matriarchal household, going to a convent school and falling in love with photography. We discuss her life outside of Gaza, in the US and now in Ireland. I loved this...

In this very special conversation Sparky sits down with actor, singer, kind-of-definitely-not historian and thoroughly decent skin, Phelim Drew. They get into everything, from the lefty anarchic theatre scene to folk memory.

Shams Mazen Rajab is a Palestinian graduate in English Language and Teaching Methods from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and translator whose work conveys the resilience, struggles, and hopes of her community. Her articles and poems have been published in international platforms such as We Are Not Numbers, the collective blog Through Our Eyes, and the academic journal Brief Encounters...

Depending on the reporting Cuba has 2-4 weeks of oil left and despite Trump saying that he's not involved, my guest journalist with el Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, thinks the US has its knee on the throat of the small nation. We get into Cuba, the US, Mexico and Venezulea post Maduro. I know it's been a lot today, but there is a lot happening! #

Displaced in Gaza is a collection of personal testimonies from Palestinians in Gaza who have been repeatedly displaced within their homeland since 7 October 2023. These testimonies were collected in May 2024, commissioned by the Hashim Sani Center for Palestine Studies at Universiti Malaya. Displaced in Gaza aims to raise global awareness about the violent and forced displacement inflicted upon Pa...

This week Sparky sits down with internationally acclaimedpoet and playwright, Paula Meehan and their mutual good friend and local legend, Kay Foran. Paula shares some poetry and the conversation meanders from the importance of community to the carrots in Coddle debate. We're Back, Yup the Flats!

In this Echo Chamber Podcast, Tony is rejoined by Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya, to discuss the latest opinion polls, the Soc Dem rise, the upcoming by-elections and why we have a government who will do absolutely anything to avoid having to do something.

Karama Fadil is a teacher of Arabic language for non-Arabic speakers. She survived 5 months of the genocide in Gaza before being able to leave via "coordination services" to Egypt and eventually on to the US. In her new home, she is trying to start a new life. But the experience of a Palestinian a refugee, a stateless person in search of identity and community in this United States is not an easy...

In this tortoise shack special, Tony sits down with immigration lawyer and (sadly) Corkman, Cathal Malone, to talk about Ireland's immigration system, the hardening political rhetoric, the actual reality and lots more. This is a must-listen for anyone who is concerned by statements from our elected officials and even more so for those who think our Government are just talking "common sense."

Editors Note: The Guest this week couldn't establish an internet connection so we've rescheduled In this short PalCast, Yousef updates us on what is happening in Gaza, the ever expanding Yellow Line, the destruction of what little infrastructure remains, the creation of new mass graves and how the Knesset plans to hang Palestinian "prisoners."

Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way of living, feeling, and speaking the truth of the spirit, pain, and enduring hope of my people. In this very special episode Ali shares his story. W...

Riwaa Abuquta is a young woman from Rafah city whose life has been shaped by displacement, loss, and the constant search for safety. Alongside with her family, her elderly parents and 5 sisters, one of whom is disabled, she shares the story of life in a tent for a year and a half. Since the beginning of the war, she has been uprooted from her home, carrying her family and her memories to a tent. S...

Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way of living, feeling, and speaking the truth of the spirit, pain, and enduring hope of my people. In this very special episode Ali shares his story. W...