
The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack
Ireland’s original independent left leaning news, politics, and culture podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously and still punches well above its weight. Join critically acclaimed & derided hosts, Martin McMahon and Tony Groves as they delve into the news of the day, pull apart the spin and challenge you to be an activist. This is the non-corporate, ad free, non-plastic-podcast reality that the medium is made for. There will be shenanigans!
Latest episodes

Feb 16, 2025 • 32min
1418. Post-Election Blues with Adam – SpiceBag – Doyle
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Activist-artist, Adam SpiceBag Doyle has done some amazing things over the last few years and he will, no doubt, continue to do so. But in this podcast he talks less about art and more about his fundraising for Gaza, Trump 2.0, the apathy of our new-yet-ever-present Irish government and the state of the opposition as the Dáil pantomime ramps up again and the worsening Irish housing crisis. Have a listen. It's more fun than it sounds.
The Latest Reboot Pod with Rory Hearne on the Rent Pressure Zones is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-122261383
Get your Palestine Jersey here:https://spicebagmerch.bigcartel.com/product/ireland-palestine-solidarity-jersey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZfVWQL3yo7JO2Ay1m5gfN9_FJLpIhRGMj9bMvn_Qv03WXGc988gJLbkmk_aem_wW5Bo8_iH2VdHYt8m4-PxA

Feb 13, 2025 • 33min
50. Support Gazan Doctors
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Rajeh Al-Kahloot is a Gazan medical student who is currently in Istanbul. His medical studies were disturbed by the genocide when his parents lost their home and businesses. Now, so close to completion, he is forced to look for support himself to survive. Rajeh will return back to Gaza to contribute to his community when he is qualified, and he highlights the role of medical workers and students in sustaining the community and in the rebuilding of Gaza.
Please, if you can, donate directly via PayPal to anas.kassab.2000@gmail.com

Feb 10, 2025 • 60min
1415. The Gist with Simon McGarr
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2025 and Speaking Power to Truth
In this Echo Chamber Podcast, solicitor, Data Protection expert and writer of thegist.ie 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, lot more.
Thanks Simon for coming over. We always appreciate your time and insights.
The SpiceBag Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121574544
The Gaza fundraiser is here:https://spicebagmerch.bigcartel.com/product/ireland-palestine-solidarity-jersey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZfVWQL3yo7JO2Ay1m5gfN9_FJLpIhRGMj9bMvn_Qv03WXGc988gJLbkmk_aem_wW5Bo8_iH2VdHYt8m4-PxA

Feb 7, 2025 • 34min
1410. Beating the Billionaire Broligarchy
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
While the billionaire class rushed to bend the knee to Trump 2.0, another group of gatherings were 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 economic impacts the billionaire class are having on people’s lives and how we need to stop rewarding the arsonist with lucrative contracts to put out fires. The biggest danger to societal stability is inequality and it's time to give the red line to billionaires.
The Spice Bag Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121574544
The Gaza fundraiser is here:https://spicebagmerch.bigcartel.com/product/ireland-palestine-solidarity-jersey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZfVWQL3yo7JO2Ay1m5gfN9_FJLpIhRGMj9bMvn_Qv03WXGc988gJLbkmk_aem_wW5Bo8_iH2VdHYt8m4-PxA

Feb 5, 2025 • 37min
49. This is Gaza – Trump’s Clownish Ethnic Cleansing Plan
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this PalCast 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 Dr Refaat Alareer's body was given a proper burial, the Palestinian people will persevere despite the absolute madness coming out of Donald Trump. This is Gaza. They aren't leaving.
Gareth Browne in Damascus podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121472788
Stream This is Gaza here:https://www.channel4.com/programmes/this-is-gaza

Feb 2, 2025 • 52min
1413. I Was Always Me with Jenny Maguire
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
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, realise that I can still learn something. Enjoy.
The Simon McGarr - Gist Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-120956141

Jan 31, 2025 • 42min
48. Gaza – The Returning
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
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 Intifada's Ali Abunimah and yes, even the ridiculous “condoms for Gaza” story.
As always, Muhammad is erudite, concise and historically honest in his analysis.
The Soc Dem Deputy Leader Cian O'Callaghan podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121106933

Jan 28, 2025 • 32min
1406. The Bike Shed Economy
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Poverty Pay on the Government Payroll
In this Echo Chamber Pod we are joined by national organiser with the Independent Workers Union (https://www.union.ie/) Alex Homits, to discuss how the State and many State services are currently outsourced to largely untaxed and unaccountable companies at a cost of tens of millions to us and very much to the detriment of workers. This is an eye-opening conversation about how "middle-man" Ireland works against workers. Please give it a listen.
Reboot Republic is Back Here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/120879302
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489

Jan 26, 2025 • 34min
1414. International Co-operation, Not Militarisation with Senator Alice-Mary Higgins
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
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, her determination to put society and environment before market interests in our political decision making process and her ambition to work for better international outcomes in a world that seems to be moving towards militarism. Vote for her ASAP if you can. (Yes, the Seanad is anti-democratic)
The TCD SU President, Jenny Maguire podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-120571174

Jan 22, 2025 • 47min
1403. The Housing Crisis in 2025
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this podcast housing expert and lecturer, Dr Lorcan Sirr, joins us to talk about the housing bubble in the affordable housing market, the issue of homelessness as an acceptable feature (and not a bug) of the current market and so much more. I'd argue this is as good a 'The State of Housing Going Into 2025' chat as you'll hear anywhere. Please listen.
The Deprogrammed for Govt podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-120395618
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