Episodes

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony dives deep into the evolving/devolving immigration landscape and its implications for the Irish health system. The discussion centres around the right wing political shift and how they threaten to reshape the fabric of our health service. He’s joined by four Medical Professionals who are at various stages of their careers, from trainee to hospital consultant, to dig into the impact the lengthening citizenship proces...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This episode contains subjects that listeners/viewers might find disturbing. Abdulkhaliq Burnat is a Palestinian law student from the village of Billin in the West Bank. He was jailed for a total of 5 years in Israeli jails, four of them were under administrative detention, without charge or trial. He joins us to share his prison experience and describe the abuses he suffered and witnessed there, and why he now wants to become a lawyer who will hel...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack (Note: Recorded for members Aug 28th) In this Tortoise Shack episode, NUI Lecturer in Criminal Law, Policing and Criminology, Cian ó Concubhai, rejoins us to discuss his report, The Role of Crime and Security Journalism in Irish Democracy. We explore recent (and not so recent) cases, the relationships between crime correspondents and Policing Authorities, surveillance issues, and the influence of funding on journalistic independence. Cian discusses sys...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roa'a Abuaser is a 19-year-old medical student from Gaza. Alongside her studies, she is a poet, creative writer, and musician, she speaks 4 languages. Driven by a passion for cultural exchange, she founded PolyVera, the first language and cultural community in Gaza. She had the temerity to tell Yousef and Tony that there's nothing interesting about her. We disagree. Former Palestinian Child Prisoner, Abdulkhaliq Burnat podcast is here:https://www.patre...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roa'a Abuaser is a 19-year-old medical student from Gaza. Alongside her studies, she is a poet, creative writer, and musician, she speaks 4 languages. Driven by a passion for cultural exchange, she founded PolyVera, the first language and cultural community in Gaza. She had the temerity to tell Yousef and Tony that there's nothing interesting about her. We disagree. Former Palestinian Child Prisoner, Abdulkhaliq Burnat podcast is here:https://www.patre...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The best way to improve our biodiversity is to support, protect and when necessary, rescue the wildlife we already live among. Joining us for the first time is Animal Rescue Coordinator with Kildare Wildlife Rescue, Pearse Stokes. We talk about his journey into this work, his sense of duty to the environment and why he believes finding purpose is a powerful antidote to the toxic masculinity that is present in our society. We also discuss why we seem st...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Self-described former Unionist, TIK Tok, Irish-Northern Irish-British identity content creator, Claire JC, joins Tony in the Tortoise Shack to talk about her journey, identity-wise, politically and even geographically. We discuss the United Ireland movement, the Happy Lundy community and why she is building Ulster Says Maybe. A cracker of a chat, and no Andy, a border poll is not off the table. Find Claire at https:https://www.patreon.com/UlsterSaysMay...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef Aljamal talks to cohost Tony Groves about the latest news on Gaza, the current worseninig reality on the ground and the truth behind the ceasefire and the Hamas position on surrendering their weapons. Then they look at the upcoming Israeli election and the polling that shows that the problems with the actions towards Palestinians extends beyond the current Netanyahu government. Medical Student Roa'a Abuaser in Gaza podcast:https...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony is joined by author, lecturer and neutrality campaigner, Dr Patrick Bresnihan, to discuss Ireland's neutrality, climate change, military spending, and the influence powerful (and often vested) interests have on Irish policy. They explore the political landscape, societal debates, and the importance of informed discourse. They also get into the social media attacks on Patrick by prominent mainstream commentators that...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined from Gaza by Zain Abu Tawela, a brilliant 10yr old who enjoys crafting, designing clothes, and creating art with playdough. She tells us about her dream of owning a bookshop and becoming a pottery artist. She also recounts her experience of displacement, food insecurity, school and how her sense of humour makes the serious times lighter and sometimes the lighter moments more sad. The Geography Te...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Tortoise Shack episode is a heartfelt and open discussion on Friedreich's Ataxia, its impact on young people, and the urgent need for accessible treatments. Journalist Niamh Ní Hoireabhaid and Legal Student, Emily Felix share their personal journeys, advocacy efforts, frustrations, struggles and hopes for the future. The conversation ends with a focus on the importance of societal support, the need for government action and the hope of medical adv...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, American-based Professor of Economics, Constantin Gurdgiev, joins Tony to analyse the latest US economic data, the job losses, NILF's and the newly emerging political landscape. Exploring the impact of populism, the economy's disconnection from society, geopolitics and global financial strategies. We delve into the implications of recent market movements, debt management, and potential solutions for economic stability. T...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Abdulrahman Al-Sheikh Khalil chose to leave Egypt to pursue his studies in IT. Less than a month later October 7th occurred and he’s spent the last almost 3yrs going through experiences he very much didn’t sign up for. He joins us from Gaza to tell his story. Don’t miss it. Note: This episode is clunky because of the nature of stable WiFi and electricity challenges in Gaza are as bad as they’ve been for a long time. But please stick with it. Constantin...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack episode, Tony is rejoined by Madrid-based journalist Eoghan Gilmartin to explore the complex geopolitical and humanitarian issues surrounding the Western Sahara conflict, migration crises at Ceuta, and Europe's strategic vulnerabilities. Eoghan and Tony discuss the influence of US and Israeli policies, the role of Spain, and the broader implications for European security and climate change. Constantin Gurdgiev on the US Economy a...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The Cooled versus The Cooked In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and climate advocate, activist and TUD lecturer, Dr Ciarán O'Carroll, discuss the catastrophic impacts of climate change on marine life, weather events, and global food security, emphasising the need for collective action and policy change. Ciarán outlines a way out of this mess, so it's not all doom and gloom. I swear. The Ceuta Refugee Crisis,FIFA, Ryanair, The Odyssey, Meloni, Trump a...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef is rejoined by long-time PalCast collaborator, Just World Educational's Helena Cobban and political analyst, commentator and Palestinian from Gaza, Muhammad Shehada, to talk about the truth about the situation in Gaza, the Trump regime's grift, the global response to the Board of Peace and much more. Wildfires and Ocean Heatwaves podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-165441358

Please join us at patreon.com/tortosieshack In this episode, UCD's School of Architecture Asst Prof Orla Hegarty, is back to talk housing. We dive into the current state of housing, planning regulations, and urban development in Ireland. Orla explores the race to the bottom in housing standards, deregulation impacts, and the importance and undermining of the democratic planning processes. The Saoradh not Syria podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-164958354...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dana Besaiso is a Gaza-born Palestinian LLM candidate, specialising in Public International Law. She is also a writer with We Are Not Numbers, and having "survived" the Gaza genocide, is now completing her studies in London. She joins us to share her story of hunger, displacement, loss and her hope to complete her studies and then play a role in holding those responsible for the many crimes committed to her people accountable. Orla Hegarty on the Housi...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Prof Richard Murphy joins Tony to discuss the flaws in the UK's tax system, the myths around wealth taxes, and practical solutions for tax reform to address inequality and fund public services. They talk about Piers Morgan quoting Richard to take down Gary Stevenson, and what, if anything, is changing for the UK under the Andy Burnham-led government. This is a deep dive into economic justice and policy reform. Orla Hegar...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack podcast, Tony is joined by MEP Luke Ming Flanagan to discuss the dangers posed to farmers and fishers by the upcoming EU budget, the work (regressive and progressive) of the last parliament, and even his admiration for Maria Walsh on one day of infamy in the European Parliament. Prof Richard Murphy on wealth taxes, Gary Stevenson and Andy Burnham:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-164447574

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Leila Warah is a Palestinian American multimedia journalist currently based in Palestine. Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, she holds a degree in Journalism and Media and has significant experience in reporting across digital platforms. Through her social media (@leila.shw on Instagram), Leila creates videos that stay true to the Palestinian question, breaking it down for an international audience to better understand what life under Israeli...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan joins us to talk about the EU Parliament, the rolling back of workers rights and environmental protections in the name of competitiveness and simplification and why Ryanair are flying to occupied territory. And yes, we also discuss her party’s position on hare coursing. The Right To Tell, whistleblower Special Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163159955

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony speaks with activist, artist and Cllr Noelle Brown, who is herself a survivor of the Mother and Baby Homes, about the ongoing issues surrounding mother and baby homes in Ireland, focusing on the recent planning permission granted for a development over the Bessborough site, where many children are buried and where at least 859 of their remains are still missing. They explore the historical injustices, the fight for ...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Asmaa Dwimah is a Palestinian writer, poet, artist and dentist from Gaza. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Public Health in London. In this PalCast she shares her experience of life in two worlds, her writings and exploring loss, resilience, identity and bearing witness. MEP Lynn Boylan podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163437304 The EU Presidency Podcast with Rory Hearne:https://www.patreon.com/tortois...