The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

10 Episodes
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By: Tortoise Shack Media

The Irish independent news, politics and culture podcast that doesn't take itself too seriously. Join hosts Tony Groves and Martin McMahon and a wide range of guests as the tackle everything from twitter to the Taoiseach. There will be shenanigans! Cover art by @Ciaraioch

46. #GazaCeasefire ā€“ A First Step
Last Thursday at 8:28 AM

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack As reports of a ceasefire deal are emerging, we are joined on the PalCast by a very special guest, Dr Ayesha Khan, who is an Emergency Medicine physician. Dr Khan 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 the globe. Please listen. PalCast - One World, One Struggle. The Ceasefire Deal pod with Mahmoud Mushtaha is out now...


1408. ā€˜Bankrupt Overnightā€™ ā€“ Kevin Bakhurst admits that RTE is insolvent
#1408
Last Wednesday at 12:02 PM

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack 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 "bankrupt them overnight." Not only do we reveal it, but on this podcast we play you the audio of that meeting. You'll also hear from RTE's Head of HR, Emer Cusack. Tune in for the full explosive and damning admissions. The 2025 Housing Pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/119510756 Support...


1404. People Like Me, with Lynn Ruane
#1404
Last Monday at 2:30 PM

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack 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, the criminal justice system, society and yes, even a little bit of philosophy. But I know Foucault about that. The Housing 2025 podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-119510756 Please join us in 2025.


1396. Out of, But Still in Gaza
#1396
01/11/2025

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack 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 the famine sweeping Gaza and him having to eat animal food to survive. Today heā€™s in the UK, studying at University and still advocating for the end of the war and the rights of his people. Heā€™s also now a published author and is working on his second book. Mahmoud shares his thoughts on the situation and his journey in what we h...


1400. Spain, We Love You, Awfully
#1400
01/09/2025

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Spanish politics has had everything recently, 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 and host of the Sobremesa Podcast, 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 Ireland. Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489/edit


1390. The Year of the Chainsaw
01/04/2025

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this 2024/25 special we sit down with journalist with El Pais in Mexico City, Nicholas Dale Leal, who brings us on both a geographical and ideological tour of Latin America from Mileiā€™s anarcho-capitalist Argentina to Sheinbaumā€™s socially-democratic-with-a-side-of-cartel Mexico and everything in between. The great breakdown of Latin America and what the Trump presidency could mean that you didnā€™t know you needed to hear. Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489


45. Gaza and the Heroism of Those Who Donā€™t Want to be Heroes
01/02/2025

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack 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 an insane situation. Tune in for much more. Support the AFSC @ https://afsc.org/ Details for the Sameer Project are @ https://www.patreon.com...


1393. We Need Radical Compassion in 2025
#1393
01/01/2025

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this 2024/2025 tortoise shack special we are joined by journalist and Our Man in Stockholm, Mr Philip Oā€™Connor, to discuss how the (sadly many) 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 Radical Compassion. Please have a listen. (And get him a job hosting an Irish tv show) Please help the Sameer Project here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/118211557 Also the AFSC are do...


1392. UK 2024 Wrap ā€“ Labourā€™s Progressive Regression with Prof Richard Murphy
#1392
12/30/2024

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this wrap of 2024 we skip over the Irish Sea to talk with listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy, about the UKā€™s year of turmoil and the stability of having a politics of not very much ambition. Richard talks about how the Labour Party had continued to impose rules upon itself under the guise of fiscal prudence, whilst offering a seat at the table to some of the biggest capitalist predators in the world. Global Britain in 2025? We will see. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489


1395. Fulfilling Promises to the Disabled Community
#1395
12/29/2024

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Listeners will remember Ann Marie Flanagan from our 'No on the Care Referendum' podcast. Well sheā€™s decided that the best way for to see the promises made after that failed referendum is for her to be at the table where the legislation gets written and negotiated. So sheā€™s running for the Seanad and joins us to talk all about her ambitions for the work and representing the disabled community as a member of it in national politics. Donate to Dignity to Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489