Loading...

PODCAST

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!

news politics

All Episodes

1:11:12

The Gaza Grift and the Geopolitical Reality

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/08/04

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn 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

en-GB

36:39

Luke Ming Flanagan: The Next EU Budget, Farming,...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/22

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

en-GB

37:09

The EU, Ryanair, Hare Coursing, Data Centres and More...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/17

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

en-GB

23:08

Justice For The Children – No Building Over Bessborough

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/15

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

en-GB

50:19

Venezuelan Earthquake, Mexico’s World Cup and...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/09

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Mexico-based Colombian journalist with El Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, discuss the recent natural disasters in Venezuela, the political landscape in Colombia, and the economic reforms in Cuba. They explore the impact of these events on local populations and the broader implications for Latin America. They also discuss Nicholas's visit to the Azteca Stadium. The Whistleblowers - In Their Own Words out

en-GB

Breaking the Silence: Jeffrey Donaldson, Sexual...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/07

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by Writer, Commentator and Community Advocate, Elaine Crory to discuss the Jeffrey Donaldson case, sexual violence, challenges within the justice system, and societal issues across the island of Ireland. They explore the impact of political power, rape myths, and systemic failures on justice and social progress. The Whistleblowers Podcast - In Their Own

en-GB

37:30

Jim O’Callaghan’s Criminally Ignorant ‘Cost Saver’

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/07/03

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, solicitor Cathal Malone discusses the impact of proposed (resulting in dozens of solicitors walking out) changes to Ireland's criminal legal aid fee structure, the long-time underfunding of the justice system, and the broader implications for access to justice. The conversation highlights the disconnect between policy intentions and real-world effects on vulnerable populations. Minister Jim O'Callaghan's run of doing Crazy

en-GB

44:03

Drug Use – Harm Reduction vs State Snobbery

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/30

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Senator Lynn Ruane returns to talk about the cross-party Oireachtas Committee Report on Drug Use. She discusses the report's recommendations, harm reduction, decriminalisation, and trauma-informed care, emphasising the need for evidence-based policies and community-led initiatives to reduce drug-related harm. We also get into the Government and Garda response. Do not skip this one. Petro Speech:

en-GB

48:56

The Housing Crisis and a Broad Left Government with...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/29

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Eoin Ó Broin is back to discuss Ireland's housing crisis, recent legislative changes, and strategic solutions to address homelessness and housing affordability. We also get involved in cross-party efforts (or lack thereof), policy reforms, quick wins, and urgent actions needed to improve housing conditions. There’s also chat about his role on the Sinn Féin front-bench and Eoin’s feelings about the new Barak Obama centre. Lynn Ruane

en-GB

52:00

I Want to be in Government – Paul Murphy

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/26

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode, Tony is joined by PBP TD Paul Murphy to dig into the lay of the land in Irish politics, the current left-wing strategies for change, future coalition possibilities, and the influence of global corporations on our current political realm. Paul explores and gives his take on the challenges and opportunities for building a progressive government in Ireland that does not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Contantin Gurdgiev on US politics and

en-GB

23:46

Jim O’Callaghan’s Humpty Dumpty Biometric Bamboozlement

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/21

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack"This week Jim O'Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, stood up and explained why his plan to give the Garda Síochána powers to use AI to surveil the public didn't need the safeguards set down in EU law." Tony and solicitor Simon McGarr jump into the recent legislative proposals and developments surrounding biometric data and AI law in Ireland. Simon examines the implications of new bills, what these mean in terms of EU regulations and laws, and the

en-GB

Mexico’s World Cup and Colombia’s Day of Reckoning

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/19

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Nicolas Dale Leal, a Mexico-based journalist with El País, discuss the intersection of politics, football, and current events in Latin America and beyond. They examine the impact of protests during the World Cup in Mexico, the political landscapes in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, and the influence of global figures such as Bukele and Lula. Nicholas gives his assessment of the Colombian Presidential Election and the

en-GB

49:07

Protect Our Neutrality – The People’s Forum

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/17

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack“The People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality has been organised in a context where the EU policy of rearmament, with an increased reliance on weapons production, calls in to question its origins as a peace project and its commitment to UN authority, diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.” Joining me this evening from the Neutrality Roadshow is Rory Rowan and (legend) Niamh Ní Bhrian to discuss the even this weekend that’ll feature the likes of

en-GB

27:15

The Gaza in my mind is not the Gaza I live in now

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/16

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackMohammed R. Isdodi is an English language student from Al-Azhar University whose studies were interrupted by the war. He rejoins us from a "hub" in Gaza City to update us on the latest situation on the ground, the struggle for basics like clean water and his work with others of telling their stories of the last almost three years. He offers a poignant insight into something he has written about the Gaza he walks through today and the one that exists now

en-GB

34:46

We Have an Extremely High Tolerance for Intolerance –...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/14

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by writer, commentator and activist, Emma DeSouza to analyse the recent riots, racially motivated violence and social unrest in Northern Ireland. Emma explores the underlying causes, societal impacts, and the role of social media, political rhetoric and some mainstream media players. They try to emphasise the importance of community resilience, constructive dialogue and the need to improve the lot of

en-GB

41:03

The Belfast Pogroms – ‘There’s Always Embers. Leave...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/12

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack special, Tony speaks with writer, columnist, community advocate and Belfast woman, Elaine Crory about the recent riots in the city, community resilience in the face of political failure, and the complex issues surrounding violence and social cohesion in Northern Ireland. She explains how community members stepped up, showing solidarity while the State played the blame-game and they discuss the role of Loyalist Paramilitaries

en-GB

42:59

We Don’t Need a Rainy Day Fund When it’s Already...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/12

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Time and time again, the disabled and carer community are left behind. When the Government found over 700m for the fuel protests, while saying they couldn't pay out an emergency 145m cost of disability payment the message was loud and clear; you don't matter enough in our economic model. Joining us on the podcast to discuss the inherent unfairness of our divide and rule system, which means people compete for resources, are Head of Advocacy with the Irish

en-GB

24:57

‘We Just Ran’ – Mohammad’s Story

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/09

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammad AlTurk is a young English Translator in Gaza. He joins us from Gaza City to discuss the current situation on the ground and to tell his story of the past two and a half years. He also shares his hope for the future. Mikey Cullen from the Gaza Flotilla podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/

en-GB

41:54

‘Sinn Féin’s Left Wing Politics Are Not Up For Debate’

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/07

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIt's been a testing time for the broad left and the vote-left-transfer-left movement, and with the speculation swirling around about internal disputes within Sinn Féin, it was the perfect time to be joined by their party spokesperson for health, David Cullinane. We discuss the state of left unity, leadership speculation, and the tell-all book about the party, and we delve into their positions on immigration and the perception that they pivoted to the right

en-GB

So Jeremy Corbyn, Mary Lou McDonald and Roddy Doyle...

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack ·

2026/06/04

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackLongtime listeners would be well aware of the annual left-a-palooza that is the Robert Tressell Festival. This year, it’s going bigger by moving to the RDS. Joining me to talk all about the events and why this political and cultural space matters are two of the organisers, Trade Unionist, Claire O’Connor and Filmmaker Graham Seely. Tickets and details:https://tressellfestival.ie/ Liam Cunningham Ep 1600

en-GB

494 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

Kan Hourly News כאן רשת ב חדשות - מהדורת השעה

Mr. Mp3

City Cast Denver

City Cast

Sweden in Focus

The Local

Tulsa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

The Daily News Now!