The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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

Aidan Regan, UCD Professor of Political Economy and author of the Tax Mirage report, delves into Ireland's complex relationship with multinational corporations. He reveals how intellectual property is reshaping the economy, highlighting the discrepancies in tax policies and profit classification. The discussion uncovers the illusion of economic prosperity, analyzing the risks posed by reliance on foreign investments. Ultimately, Regan calls for a courageous reimagining of Ireland's economic framework to prioritize local businesses and ensure genuine prosperity.

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