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

In this episode Sparky chats with his dear friend who is also in recovery, Terry, about the experience of being orphaned, childhood trauma, football, reevaluation co-counselling, right through to recovery, giving back and helping others. A lovely chat.

No Sunday Show as Martin is still under the weather. So you’ll have to make do with MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan, who you may have heard has had a very interesting few days. Israel-Palestine, Fortress Europe, the Gone Green New Deal and trying to slow the worsening of our politics…

In this Reboot Republic episode Rory is joined by guest co-host and head of Social Justice and Policy at St Vincent DePaul, Louise Bayliss, for a discussion about the latest developments (or disappointments) in our politics, the widening poverty gap, the impact of the housing crisis on other parts of our society and then they answer some of your questions. Thanks as always for your support, questi...

The Sinn Féin reshuffle resulted in TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Matt Carthy, becoming the party's spokesperson for Justice, Immigration and Home Affairs. So given the problems they had pre GE 2020, we of course wanted to chat with him. So this is Matt on Bik McFarlane, Israel-Palestine, Lowry's Lackey's, Sinn Féin's mistakes in the last Dáil, the more cohesive opposition and a very broad conversation a...

In this PalCast - One World, One Struggle, Yousef and producer Tony are joined from Gaza City by lecturer, researcher and educator, Dr Ahmed Junina. Ahmed talks about his and his family’s decision not to joined displaced during the Israeli brutal campaign on Gaza. He describes the challenges and talks passionately about ‘home’, education, purpose and the need for the International education commun...

In this Echo Chamber podcast we talk with Ukrainian MP, Lesia Vasylenko, on the 3 year anniversary of the illegal Russian invasion of her country. Lesia could never be accused of being anything less than patriotic and dedicated. So she’s not happy with the new Trump administrations plans for her homeland, the slowness of EU support and the (let’s be honest) ridiculous idea that the ceasefire agree...

In this Sparky is joined in the tortoise shack by Aaron Sunderland Carey, who is a multi media socially engaged artist, who works with young people in Rialto and Ballymun. His work is motivated by conversations he has in the community and my god is he a great man for the chat.

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 ;)