

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack
Tortoise Shack Media
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 11, 2025 • 36min
1396. Out of, But Still in Gaza
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 he’s in the UK, studying at University and still advocating for the end of the war and the rights of his people. He’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 hope is ultimately an uplifting story of his determination. A remarkable man.
The Housing 2025 Pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/119510756
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489

Jan 9, 2025 • 60min
1400. Spain, We Love You, Awfully
Eoghan Gilmartin, a Madrid-based journalist and Sobremesa Podcast host, teams up with Joe Haslam, a local professor, to dive deep into Spain's fraught political landscape. They analyze the ramifications of the new amnesty law, the rise of the far right, and the significant housing crisis. With discussions on immigration and the challenges facing the left-wing government, they draw parallels with global trends while shedding light on the personal impacts of legal controversies. A compelling commentary that reflects broader societal issues.

Jan 4, 2025 • 0sec
1390. The Year of the Chainsaw
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 Milei’s anarcho-capitalist Argentina to Sheinbaum’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 didn’t know you needed to hear.
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489

Jan 2, 2025 • 44min
45. Gaza and the Heroism of Those Who Don’t Want to be Heroes
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/posts/118211557

Jan 1, 2025 • 51min
1393. We Need Radical Compassion in 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 O’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 doing amazing work, support them here:https://afsc.org/

Dec 30, 2024 • 35min
1392. UK 2024 Wrap – Labour’s Progressive Regression with Prof Richard Murphy
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 UK’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

Dec 29, 2024 • 26min
1395. Fulfilling Promises to the Disabled Community
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Listeners will remember Ann Marie Flanagan from our 'No on the Care Referendum' podcast. Well she’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 she’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

Dec 26, 2024 • 33min
44. Gaza – A Child’s Christmas Wish for Peace
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Banias is a wonderful a 8-year old child living in Gaza, now displaced in Al-Zawayda. She joins us to speak of the dreams that she still carries and the life that she left behind in her home, now destroyed, in Gaza city,
Banias shares her hopes for the new year, talks about rebuilding Gaza, wanting to visit New York, her favourite Christmas film, Home Alone, and how much she wants to see an end to the war. Her mom, Maram, also joins us towards the end of the conversation. Banias likes Christmas, and she lit up this podcast. Let’s hold her and the people of Gaza in the light during this holiday season. Tune in for more
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489

Dec 24, 2024 • 44min
1397. The Tortoise Shack Wrap of 2024
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In this wrap of 2024 we are joined by the dream team of Shamim Malekmian and Harry McEvansoneya, to look back over 2024, share a few laughs and worry about the direction of travel in too much of global politics. We talk heroes, villains and the stories that included both of those. All Hail the Bike Shed.
Happy Christmas from Donna and Blitzen!
The Child's Wish from Gaza Pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/118607091
Prof Richard Murphy on the UK's 2024 is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/118100221

Dec 22, 2024 • 22min
1389. No, No Happy Christmas to RTE. Up the Workers!
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
(Editors Note: Recorded Dec 12th)
Martin vs RTE at the WRC
Martin went to the WRC to represent RTE worker Joey Kelly vs Arthur Cox who are representing RTE. It was standing room only and despite the attempts to have the case dismissed, what was revealed shows that RTE is not taking steps to resolve its mistreatment of workers. If anything the company is speaking out of both sides of its State-Funded mouth.
The Tortoise Shack Wrap of the Year is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-118464623
Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489