The Echo Chamber Podcast

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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

Tortoise Shack Media

Ireland


    • Aug 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 39m AVG DURATION
    • 979 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Echo Chamber Podcast

    A Ballymun Blend

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Adam Mohamed is someone who we love and admire in the tortoise shack. His new project, A Ballymun Blend, is a written, spoken and sung history and stories of the much maligned area that we love. He is having a launch in the Axis, Ballymun on August 29th. Go. Tickets:https://axisballymun.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Writing our Stories – Taqwa Al-Wawi

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 36:52


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Taqwa Al-Wawi is a 19-year English literature student at the Islamic University of Gaza. She is also writer out of Gaza, who has published dozens of articles across the globe in the span of 6 months. She speaks of the importance of telling the story of the ongoing genocide, the empowerment of writing, the famine fatigue and how many people are barely surviving on water and maybe some bread. A powerful first person testimony. Tune in for full story The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    You Can’t Hate Up Close

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 36:29


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Daniel Ennis is what you might call an accidental life-long politician, even if what he works on is not typically part of the political curriculum. He's also 7ft 15", so I had to be careful in my criticisms. This was fun. Not all podcasts with Cllrs are fun. The Christy Moore Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/135485064 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Gaza and Loss on Every Level

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dima Al-Madhoun is a translator in Gaza and joins us from her displacement tent in Al-Mawasi. She speaks of losing her home, moving from place to place, the heartbreaking loss of some members of her family and how she is greatly concerned that the current generation of children have now lost two years of their education. The occupation is all about brutality and destruction on every level, as she keeps repeating. Tune in for the full story. Note: We had a lot of connection issues here, so please be patient with the audio. The Daniel Ennis Against the Hate Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134926894 Support to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Fighting Class War is Proper Climate Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It's a lot at the moment. So rejoining us to wallow in the misery is lecturer at TUD, Dr Ciarán O'Carroll, and to be honest this assessment of where we are and what needs (must) be done was clarifying and somehow hopeful. The latest SWF with Black 47's Chris Byrne is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135125057 To support Dignity for Palestine click here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Gaza versus Western Journalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2025 39:57


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The Self-Critical Columnist - Colin Sheridan Colin Sheridan is a writer, journalist and columnist with the Irish Examiner. He is also a former Irish Army Officer and it is perhaps this lived experience that shapes his writing in ways that you don't read too often in our opinion pages. This is the first of what we hope will be more conversations with a person who it turns out has a lot of interesting views on a lot of topics that we care about. Enjoy. Dr Ciarán O'Carroll on how Class War and Climate Action is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134927168 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    They Are Deliberately Starving Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmed Al-Najjar is a Palestinian journalist and academic based in Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip. He is reporting on the ongoing Israeli genocide and rapidly growing famine. He joins us on the PalCast to discuss the latest developments on the ground, his own heartbreaking personal loss and why those “who slaughtered with their weapons, and those who slaughtered with their silence” are equally guilty. Please listen. Irish Examiner's Colin Sheridan podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134353764 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Gaza and the Cracks in Western Imperialism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber Pod we're joined by economist, author and editor of the Irish Marxist Review, Dr. Brian O'Boyle to discuss how, even now, in the depths of despair during the ongoing genocide and famine in Gaza, we can see the cracks developing in the settler colonial project. There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in... Irish Examiner's Colin Sheridan podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134353764 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

    Gaza and a Smile of Hope

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Huda Skaik is a writer from Gaza, who was displaced 12 times during the ongoing genocide. After being under siege in Gaza City for 9 unrelenting days, the Israeli Military forced her and her family to move to the south. She started writing in a tent and returned to her home a year later to find it in rubble. Despite these conditions, Huda remains hopeful, and she continues to tell Gaza's story. Tune in for the full story. Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    Fast Fashion and the Bonfire of Human Rights Regulations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber podcast Soc Dem Senator, Patricia Stephenson joins us to discuss the EU's ongoing drive to undo the human rights and environmental protection policies that they signed up to in the last EU parliament term. Read more here:https://eeb.org/omnibus-a-trojan-horse-for-aggressive-deregulation-say-ngos/ And here:https://corporatejustice.org/news/joint-press-release-scrutiny-over-omnibus-proposal-grows-as-eu-ombudsman-opens-inquiry-after-ngos-complaint/ Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1481. Starmer’s Annus Horribilis and Why Democracy is a Participatory Sport

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber Podcast, the peerless Emeritus Prof Richard Murphy rejoins us to talk about the Labour Party's first year in Government in the UK, the lack of a plan, the dearth of ambition and how the political polarisation means the need for real radical change is becoming more urgent by the day. Another great conversation with one of our listeners favourite guests. Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    69. Israel Killed my Mother Twice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Journalist Ahmed Aldremly joined us from Gaza to discuss the latest massacres at the so-called Humanitarian Zones, Israel's latest concentration camp plan, the daily search for food and to talk about his own experiences of the last 20+ months. The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1480. Gaza, Glastonbury and Cultural Capital with Lexi Alexander

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was an fantastic to be rejoined by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, former stuntwoman and fellow troublemaker, Lexi Alexander, to discuss the role of art, acts like Kneecap, Bob Vylan, the use and misuse of cultural capital and the distraction theatre that Govts use in order to not address the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Lexi is the best of us! The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1477. President Luke Ming Flanagan?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special podcast Martin sits down with MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, in a place that is now dear to them both. This is a conversation about politics, the personal and potentially the presidency. That's far too much alliteration. Enjoy. The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    68. My Guitar vs Genocide – Gaza’s Birdsong

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 38:20


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined from Gaza by musician, teacher and father, Ahmed Abu Amsha, to discuss his experience of the ongoing genocide and how he and some of his musician friends are using song as therapy for those carrying far too much trauma. A wonderful man who will light up your day. Thank you, Ahmed. His own fundraising details are here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/hello-peace-help-innocent-people-to-survive?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer The Lexi Alexander Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133114376 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1478. RTE points the blame at Revenue!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this echo chamber podcast exclusive Martin chats with employment rights activist Matt McGranaghan about Martin and Joey's big day out last Thursday at the WRC. Step behind the curtain and listen to how RTE, the State and Arthur Cox all got their asses handed to them by someone who knows that he has truth on his side. Glastonbury, Cultural Capital and Gaza with Lexi Alexander is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133114376 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1472. Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places – The Government's Housing Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 62:05


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack For weeks now we've seen housing experts, industry insiders and academics try and fail to make sense of the Government's new on/off housing plans. So in this podcast, housing expert and academic, Prof Lorcan Sirr, attempts (and fails) to decipher the chaos and put some shape on the entire crisis that has ssen homelessness rise to almost 16,000 people in this "wealthy" country of ours. I think it's really good and that Lorcan almost gets there. Almost. My sincere apologies to Orla and Mel. Martin vs RTE at the WRC podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-132760206 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

    1476. Free Sarah McInerney!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The news keeps coming and it don't stop coming. In this member-only pod Martin explains in proper detail why even the highly paid broadcaster, Sarah McInerney is a victim of RTE's rogue employment practices and then we look at the Leo Varadkar vs Keir Starmer, Kneecap situation, as well as some thoughts on the troubling US-Israel attacks on Iran and the devastating results of the US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1470. Your Illegal Public Services Card

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 41:30


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “In 2015, while at home looking after our new baby, my wife received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling her that she needed to attend a social welfare office to be photographed for a Public Services Card or have her child benefit payment cut off. As she did not want to drag an infant out to a government office she solved this problem the sensible way. She handed me the letter and said "Deal with that."” These are the opening lines of the latest Gist with friend of the shack, digital rights expert, solicitor Simon McGarr and he joins us now to discuss a good day for our rights. Simon has threatened to take away my collection of Spicy Sauces unless I add the link to his always must-read Gist:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    67. Gaza and the People vs Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef talks to Tony about the latest news and events in Gaza, the cost of famine, Israel funding a proxy militia and the hope that comes from even the seemingly failed people-led initiatives like the Freedom Flotilla and the Global March to Gaza. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1471. Race Riots and a Lack of Leadership in Loyalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 47:43


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be rejoined in the shack by writer, commentator, activist and mammy, Elaine Crory. It's just a pity that it was to discuss the (bullsh1t) “protect our women” race-riots that have taken place in Ballymena, Larne and in other parts of the North. Elaine breaks it down in her brilliant way and explains why this is something that goes beyond flags and into deprivation, inequality, poverty and a lack of leadership in the politics of these areas. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1469. The Global March to Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On June 12th, 2025, people from around the world will participate in the Global March to Gaza, from Cairo to Rafah crossing marchtogaza.net, in an apolitical, peaceful, coordinated, civilian action, demanding immediate humanitarian intervention in Gaza. Joining us on the podcast are two of the remarkable people who are participating from Ireland, Maureen Almai and Geraldine Murphy. Please listen to hear why they are going, what is planned and how we can all help. Dr Michael Byrne and Rory Hearne on the new Housing Plan is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131305435 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    66. PalCast in Belfast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 24:08


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast, Yousef Aljamal, as part of his book tour is joined for the first time in-person ever by PalCast producer Tony Groves. They discuss the latest news from Gaza, the horrendously militaristic "humanitarian aid" program and the need for more action from civil society. The March to Gaza podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131207390 Please support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1464. RTE’s Deliberate Dishonesty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 26:16


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Martin is joined by RTE worker Maebh Keary and his workers rights comrade, Matt McGranaghan to discuss RTE's latest day in the Oireachtas. Whilst there seems to be media consensus that they emerged unscathed, Maebh, Matt and Martin pick out some of the most interesting moments and go a little deeper into what some statements actually mean for workers at RTE, the govts comfort levels with rogue employment practices and for the public purse. An exclusive interview with Liam Cunningham on Displacement in Gaza is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 The Des Cahill Top Talent podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131076785

    1467. Colonial Outcasts with Greg Stoker and Liam Cunningham

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2025 51:13


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On this episode we are joined in the tortoise shack by activist, podcaster and former US army veteran, Greg Stoker and actor and activist Liam Cunningham to talk Gaza, the military industrial complex, the freedom flotilla and the intersectionality between all struggles for human rights and freedom. We also discuss international law, the occupied territories bill and more. The Yousef Aljamal in Belfast podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130618100 The Frances Black podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130406374 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1461. Not Everything is the Spanish Civil War, Eoghan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 34:09


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this echo chamber pod Martin and Tony are joined by Madrid-based journalist Eoghan Gilmartin to discuss the huge power blackout in Spain, how it's been weaponised by the far right, what impact it and similar events are having on politics and ask if the last lefty leader standing, Pedro Sanchez, can navigate his government through it all. Check out Eoghan's podcast Sobremesa here:https://open.spotify.com/show/7ogRBLVUKaIUahKnlbkJsz The Liam Cunningham podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129443800 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    65. Israel’s Deadly Humanitarian Aid Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025


    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast hosts Yousef and Helena are joined by producer Tony to talk about the cruel and disastrous "aid plan", the ongoing genocide, the change in rhetoric from some western leaders and why even in a week of unbearably devastating news there are some reasons to feel hope. Music at the end is a new song by recent Sparks Will Fly guest Tadgh Conroy. Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

    1463. We Need to Fight Anti-Trans Lawfare

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 51:04


    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

    64. ‘I Saved Him Only For My Taxes To Pay For The Bomb That Then Killed Him’

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 46:53


    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

    1459. Gaza, Hollywood and Cork with Lexi Alexander

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 42:15


    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

    389. Finding Hope and Community when Everything Is Broken – Abubaker Abed

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025


    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

    1458. Electric Picnic for Trade Union nerds!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025


    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

    63. Banyas the Storyteller.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 37:29


    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.

    1460. “Keir Starmer came out as a full-on racist”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 34:51


    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

    1457. Ireland’s One Trillion Euro Tax Mirage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 33:35


    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

    62. I’m Not a Beast with a Horn, But a Freedom Fighter with a Stone

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025


    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

    1455. Everyone Should Have a Home – 3 Years On

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 26:42


    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

    61. Goodbye from Genocide

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 46:50


    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

    60. My Smile is Resistance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 37:32


    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

    1452. Maybe I’m Amazed with John Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 43:30


    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

    1443. An Post vs Your Local Post Office

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 40:31


    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  

    59. One Day in Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 40:56


    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

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