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

Welcome back award winning journalist Shamim Malekmian and not so terrible Mr irishelectionprojections.com  Harry McEvansoneya. We had a lot to discuss. Read the piece here: https://dublininquirer.com/2025/02/19/a-kurdish-woman-asked-to-be-buried-in-a-handful-of-soil-in-ireland-but-her-body-was-sent-to-turkey-anyway/

In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined by educator, academic (from a longline of Palestinian educators and academics) and PhD in Sustainable Development, Dr Ahmed Nehad. Ahmed, as well as planning the reconstruction of the Gazan education system, was a friend and colleague of Dr Refaat Alareer. He talks about the obligation of universities and schools around the world to support Gaza’s educat...

In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by the voice of so many in Ireland's locked-out generation, the politically outspoken punk and thoroughly decent fells, Meryl Streek. They discuss his music, how anger can be directed into creative work, sobriety after life on the road and so much more. Yup! (Tony is also in the shack, but don't let that put you off)

In this special Echo Chamber podcast we are rejoined by adjunct professor of public health at UCC, Dr Niall Conroy. If you’ve been with us a good while you’ll know him as the public health expert who was helping Australia during the Covid pandemic. What you didn’t know is that he has spent years working in Sierra Leone building paediatric, maternity and neonatal care facilities. In this podcast we...

In this Reboot Republic pod Rory is joined by producer Tony to discuss the latest Dáil shenanigans, the government’s continued backpedaling on pre-election promises and to take your (excellent) questions. We will try to do a Question Time segment regularly, so please do send us in yours as well as any ideas, suggestions or feedback. Thanks

In this member-only podcast Martin and Tony discuss RTE’s rehabilitation of Angela Kerins, following her tough questioning by the Public Accounts Committee. Martin, as you may know, has his own experience of the Oireachtas Committee process and we dig into the rights, wrongs and responsibilities that are involved or overlooked in the name of Public Service.

As parts of the Israeli government seem intent on ending the ceasefire agreement in order to resume the genocide, US President Donald Trump continues to talk about Gaza as if it’s a hotel, casino and golf course opportunity. Grim. On this PalCast we are joined by Rajeh Alkahlout, who is a 23-year-old medical student from Gaza, Palestine, currently studying at Istanbul Okan University in Turkey. He...

The UK is, let’s face it, stuck in the shit economically and socially. The change of management from Sunak to Starmer hasn’t changed anything except for the branding. Rejoining us to talk about it all is listener favourite and now Professor Emeritus Richard Murphy. Enjoy.

In this special crossover pod Ray and his special-guest-sidekick, host of the Parting Glass Podcast, Niamh Ryan, chat with the amazing Seana Halpin who is a Special Needs Assistant who suffers with PMDD. Another open, informative and powerful conversation.

A Martin and Tony forever-behind-the-paywall podcast. There was a lot to talk about, from Smaug Donohoe to Food for Favours.

In this Echo Chamber Podcast, Solidarity-PBP TD Paul Murphy, talks Gaza and the Occupied Territories Bill, the Governments broken promises and lies to the public, his legal case against the junior-super-super-junior minister fudge and much more.

First of all, activist artist Adam SpiceBag Doyle has done some amazing things over the last few years and he will continue to do so. But in this podcast he talks Gaza, Trump, the new-yet-ever-present government and the state of the opposition. You’ll enjoy this. Get your jersey order in now: https://spicebagmerch.bigcartel.com/product/ireland-palestine-solidarity-jersey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAA...

In this episode BAFTA and Emmy award winning filmmaker, Yousef Hammash joins us to discuss his work during the genocide in Gaza, the role of storytelling in informing the world and how, on the day that Refaat’s body was given a proper burial, the Palestinian people will persevere. Please listen.

On Friday evening, journalist Gareth Browne, alongside his Economist Colleagues, sat down with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa for his first interview since he assumed the Syrian presidency. So you know we had to get him back on to talk about it all. Read the interview here: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/02/03/syrias-new-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-gives-his-first-interview

Joining us on this podcast is Soc Dem Deputy Leader, Cian O'Callaghan, to discuss the rollercoaster of the last few months, Lowrynomics, the broad left cooperation, Owen Hayes, topping the poll in his constituency and much more.

In this Echo Chamber Podcast, solicitor and Data Protection expert. Simon McGarr rejoins the shack for a chat about our data rights in the age of Trump 2.0, his terrifically observant Gists, the Sinn Féin conundrum and a lot more. Thanks Simon for coming over. We always appreciate your time and insights. You looper!

In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined by special guest, Gazan Political Analyst and Advocate, Muhammad Shehada. They discuss the return of over a million people to their destroyed homes in the north of Gaza, Trumps plan for ethnic cleansing, the arrest of Electronic Intufada’s Ali Abunimah and yes, even the ridiculous “condoms for Gaza” story. As always, Muhammad is erudite, concise and hist...

Writer, actor, comedian and podcaster, Joe McGucken sits down with Ray for a chat about vulnerability, bravery, recovery, love, people-pleasing, comedy, art and his new podcast series Bold. This is super. note: I left the joke in, Sparky. That's your fault ;)

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...