Episoder
-
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Alexa Moore is the Policy Campaigns and Communications Manager at the Rainbow Project in Northern Ireland. She's also an LGBTQ activist and a formidable Trans woman. She joins us to talk about Trans Rights on the island of Ireland, the UK Supreme Court decision, the turbulent politics of this time and why Brexit is actually a good thing for LGBTQ people in the North.
Exclusive RTE Media Committee Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130160241
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
US-based Dr. Feroze Sidhwa has travelled to Gaza over the course of the ongoing Genoide to heal the wounds of many, many Palestinians. As a trauma surgeon, he has witnessed many multi-fatality events, including the bombing of the surgery department of the Nasser Hospital and an airstrike that killed a patient, a young boy, whom he saved only a few days earlier. He joins this PalCast episode to speak of why he went to Gaza, what he saw there, the US's complicity and the strength of the Palestinian people who he worked alongside.
The Gaza Food Aid-Concentration Camps Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130001829
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 -
Mangler du episoder?
-
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Lexi Alexander is the daughter of a Palestinian father and German mother; she is also a former World Kickboxing Champion and close-quarter-combat instructor, who worked her way up from stunt woman to Oscar-nominated director. In fact you've probably watched a few episodes of that kickass show that she directed. (Tony was a big Arrow fan)
But when the genocide in Gaza continued and barely any of her peers spoke out, she decided to walk away from Hollywood and move to Ireland. So you know we had to chat with her and this is what we hope will be the first of many conversations with the talented, smart, steadfast, outspoken and kickass, Lexi Alexander.
The Spanish Blackout Inquisition Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129598733
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic Rory & Tony talk to the incredible young Gazan journalist Abubaker Abed about his journey from Gaza to Ireland, the importance of solidarity and speaking up, the daily reality of surviving a genocide, and what Ireland can do to show a common humanity when the world turns its backs on the Holocaust of the 21st Century.
Liam Cunningham on Gaza and the cost of speaking out:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129443800
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
You asked us to look closer at the Trade Union movement in Ireland, so consider this an opening conversation with two Union stalwarts, Scott Miller and Paddy Cole, who are also two of the main organisers of the Tressell Festival. Some mild disagreements. Talk soon again, lads.
Limited tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-robert-tressell-festival-2025-tickets-1270717663739
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641
The Abubaker Abed podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129356565 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this podcast we are joined from Gaza by teacher, storyteller and mother, Banyas Abu Harab, who focuses on educating, comforting and inspiring young learners in Gaza, even as the bomb blasts are audible above her voice. This is a very different insight into the reality of the ongoing Genocide in Gaza. Thank you, Banyas
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641
The Abubaker Abed podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129356565
English Translation of the story Banyas tells in Arabic below
The Woodcutter and the Three Wishes
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there was a poor woodcutter.
Every day, he went into the forest to cut wood. He sold the wood to people in the village, just so he could feed his children at the end of the day.
One afternoon, while he was chopping wood, he suddenly heard a loud, strange noise.
He stopped, looked around, and saw a big, glowing blue light.
He didn’t know what it was, and he thought maybe it was going to rain.
Then, out of nowhere, he heard a deep, scary voice:
“Ask for anything you wish—I will give you three wishes!”
The woodcutter was surprised, but he quickly made his first wish.
“I want food for my children,” he said.
And just like that, a table full of delicious food appeared!
For his second wish, he said, “I want lots of money!”
The genie brought him piles of gold and coins.
For his third wish, the woodcutter said, “I want a big house for my family.”
In the blink of an eye, a beautiful, large house stood in front of him.
The woodcutter ran home happily and told his children the whole story.
But his children didn’t believe him.
He took them to the forest to show them the genie—but the genie was gone.
The woodcutter felt sad that his children didn’t see the magic.
Still, they all went back to their new home, ate the delicious food, and were very happy.
But as time passed, they spent all the money.
Soon, it was all gone, and the family became poor again.
The woodcutter went back to the forest to look for the genie and ask for more money—but the genie was nowhere to be found.
That day, the woodcutter learned a very important lesson:
Instead of asking for money, he should have wished for a good job, something that could help him earn and care for his family for a long time.
And that’s why we should never depend on magic or other people’s money.
We should work hard, believe in ourselves, and build our future with our own hands.
The woodcutter was kind—but he had been a little greedy.
Next time, he would make wiser choices—not just for himself, but for his children too. -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this extraordinary podcast, Prof Richard Murphy pulls no punches in addressing Keir Starmer's recent speech on migration and the so-called "island of strangers."
He outlines how these new policy positions are also contrary to the Labour promise that Growth will underpin all of their actions in government. He also discusses the major flaws in First Past the Post relative to Proportional Representation.
The Lexi Alexander podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129134515
The Tressell Festival pod is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129099555
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
"Ireland, once a proud republic of ideas and insurgents, now resembles a serfdom for supranational capital. It is time – long past time – for a reckoning. The question is not whether this gilded scaffolding will crumble. It is whether we will have the courage to build something real in its place." Business Post editorial May 2025
That's not a paragraph we expected to read from the SBP, so we had to dig into what was behind it. Joining us to do so is one of the authors of the Tax Mirage report, UCD Professor, Aidan Regan, and he breaks it down brilliantly. Don't miss this episode.
Read the report here:https://democracychallenged.com/2025/05/07/irelands-1-trillion-mirage-how-a-nation-became-a-vault-for-global-profits/
Prof Richard Murphy on Keir Starmer - "Keir Starmer came out as a full-on racist" interview out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129009639
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Dr. Akram Habeeb is a professor of English at the Islamic University of Gaza. He taught and inspired many academics including Dr. Refaat Alareer. He left Gaza after 45 days of displacement in Rafah, where he did his best to care for his family. In this episode, he talks about his special relationship with Refaat Alareer, education and his own experience of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He also shares a wonderful poem that you should stay tuned for.
We want to express our condolences to Tony and his family on their loss.
The Brendan Ogle Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-128733772
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this echo chamber podcast you'll hear from writer, musician and activist, Martin Leahy, whose weekly one-man housing protest outside the Dáil is coming up on 3 years next Thursday May 15th. A real one. Everyone Should Have a Home!
The Brendan Ogle Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-128733772
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Shrouq Alaila is a journalist from Gaza. She won the Freedom of Press Award in 2024 for her journalism work in Gaza. She speaks to us from Gaza on the challenges of reporting, securing food and caring for a baby whose father, also a journalist, killed by Israel as he shielded them from Israeli bombing. Tune in for this powerful episode.
Editors Note: I’ve recorded over 2,000 podcasts and this is maybe one of the most important and impactful episodes I’ve ever had the privilege to be involved in.
The Housing Tzar Debacle podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127977984
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Soliman Hijjy is an award winning visual journalist from Gaza. He’s also the fella in the group who keeps everyone smiling, even in the most difficult moments. He joins us from Khan Yunis only 7 minutes after another deadly Israeli attack. We talk about his work, the role of journalism beyond telling stories and how making jokes in moments of danger is an act of resistance.
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Listeners know tortoise shack regular John Harris as that fella who writes about politics and hosts one of them podcasts for the Guardian. Many of you will have seen his award winning series Anywhere But Westminster. So when he told me a few years ago that he was working on a book about his neurodivergent and autistic son James, I knew it would be a great read. I was wrong, it's a brilliant read.
John joins me know to discuss the book, autism, family ups and downs and how music not only helped James find his voice, it opened up the conversation between their entire family. Thanks, John
Maybe I'm Amazed is published by John Murray and is available in bookshops across Ireland.
Dave Hingerty podcast out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127569343
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Workers Rights Champions, Matt McGranaghan and Martin McMahon discuss the An Post Bogus self-employment case that is dragging along (delayed again) in the High Court. This is potentially another seismic case on the abuse of employment status by yet another semi-state business. The historic nature of the (alleged?) wrongdoing means that An Post has everything to lose, and its not great for the Revenue Commissioners either. The Echo Chamber Pod is the only media with full access to the legal arguments in advance. Here they are outside the paywall.
The Kneecap Hurty Feelings podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127435973
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702
-
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Ruwaida Amer is an award winning film-maker and producer from Gaza, yet she trained as a teacher. War has a way of turning everything upside down.
She now dedicates her time to telling the stories of people in Gaza and the children who she cares deeply for. She joins us to speak about how the destruction of her family home as a child by Israel made her the journalist she is now and how the ongoing genocide motivates her to tell more stories.
Please watch One Day in Gaza here:https://youtu.be/SxgZsNb7z4o?si=v19PiOmpiTtr6vZV
The John Harris podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127125764
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
"Disappointed my concerns have been compounded by Govts misrepresentation. They claim no dissent was raised, yet multiple voices spoke in favour of removing the Traveller committee from d’Hondt. This erasure of support mirrors the disregard for Traveller voices in their decision."
Senator Eileen Flynn, April 14th 2025.
When our guest, Senator Eillen Flynn, wrote this a few days ago we immediately reached out to see what had happened and what can still be done to fix it. She, as always, was gracious enough to join us to break it all down. Is 'nothing about us, without us' just a meaningless slogan? Time will tell.
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
We've been desperately disappointed by the mainstream western coverage of the genocide in Gaza since it began over 559 days ago. So when we read the piece Omissions, caveats and false balance: How media is failing Palestinians, the international order and our profession, by reporter with The Currency, Niall Sargent, it felt like FINALLY!
The piece which has since been shared by Francesca Albanese is here:https://thecurrency.news/articles/184892/youre-scared-of-doing-the-right-thing-because-the-right-thing-comes-with-a-price/
Niall rejoins us for the first time in a good while to talk about why he wrote it, what he learned while putting it together and his feeling that journalism, with some notable exceptions, has let itself down over the last 18 months.
The Senator Eileen Flynn podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-126781341
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Echo Chamber Podcast we are rejoined by economist with NERI, Ciarán Nugent to discuss the Trump Tariffs, our Pharma vulnerability, the potential impacts on the tax haven and killing false economic narratives like "austerity saved the economy."
Senator Eileen Flynn podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-126781341
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Echo Chamber Podcast we have something very rare for you all. Apparently it’s called “good news.” We won’t spoil it. We’ll let Technological University Dublin (TUD) lecturer Dr Ciarán O’Carroll do that.
Kidding COC, thank you for all you have done!
The Austerity Agenda podcast with economist Ciarán Nugent is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-126205978
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702 -
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Matt McGranaghan joins Martin on this Echo Chamber podcast to discuss ongoing bogus self employment cases they are representing in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the implications for RTE workers and pretty much all of us as taxpayers. Martin and Matt lay bare the corruption, the criminality and the gargantuan cost of decades of bogus self employment in RTE and how the process that is effectively illegal state aid has been allowed by Revenue and the Department of Social Protection.
The latest on An Post's battle to misclassify Postmasters is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-126277711
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/shoutout-to-mr-126186702 - Se mer