Advertise on podcast: The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Until we’ve done that, we don’t really have a choice about the way we live because the market is going to drive what gets built.” Architect and Queen’s University Belfast Marie Curie doctoral fellow Shane Sugrue joins us for the first time on the Tortoise Shack to discuss his recent piece, Unspoken assumptions: the Minister, the Central Banker. We dig into the problem of viability to examine how it shapes Irish housing policy, development finance and the homes that the system builds. Shane questions whether arguments over deregulation in planning and finance distract from land speculation, public subsidies, design quality and the need to create places people can actually live well. Shane's piece:https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/unspoken-assumptions-the-minister Simon Harris "long-term dole" podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-175035696 Documentary Maker, Hamed Sbeata, from Gaza pod:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174939385 The US midterms pod:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086 A.I Reality vs the Hype:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-175137971

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Paul Catafago is a first-generation Palestinian-Lebanese-American spoken word poet, independent journalist, and cultural organizer. Born and raised in Queens, New York City to political refugees, his raw, rhythmic poetry focuses deeply on memory, exile, identity, and the generational trauma of displacement. Nour O. El Borno is a Palestinian writer, educator, and professional legal translator from Gaza who contributed the short story "A Wish for Insomnia" to the anthology Gaza Writes Back. Paul and Nour are collaborating on translating Paul's work into Arabic, whilst keeping the heart of the prose. In this very special PalCast they joined us, Paul in the US and Nour in Gaza, to talk about their poetry of resistance and remembrance. Nour also shares her personal experiences of the last three-plus years. Do not miss this one. Simon Harris "long-term dole" podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-175035696 The Documentary Maker from Gaza pod:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174939385 The US midterms pod:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Common sense is often just biases and simplifications." In this (previously) member-only pod, Tony and journalist Philip O’Connor explore Ireland's political descent into fringe positions, media influence, social media dynamics, and the broader implications for democracy and society. They delve into the impact of social media echo chambers, government censorship, and the rise/normalisation of far-right views. Philip talks about the consent advert that boiled so many brains, via the prism of his work in self-defence classes and setting personal boundaries. Why Texas turned Blue podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174589890 How Mobilisation is the Antidote to Money:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "This is not a moment to be a bystander. Let’s think about this as an opportunity.” In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony speaks with Human Rights Law Professor at Queens University Belfast, Colin Harvey about the emerging and evolving discussion on Irish unity and the chance to shape a more equal, rights-based future across the island. They discuss recent attempts to drag us back, Northern Ireland’s political dysfunction, social needs that aren’t being addressed, the right to protest, and media narratives North and South. They discuss neutrality and the recent attempts to limit access to justice in the South. Then to finish, Colin talks about how civil society and progressive voices should help define what comes next. Housing - Viability vs Liveability:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174277006 US Mid Terms Rory and Philip O'Connor:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "It always looks hopeless, until it's not." In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony speaks with journalist Nicholas Leal of El País about Lula da Silva’s narrow and historic presidential-election victory in Brazil. (Isn't it great to have some good news for a change?) Nicholas outlines the grassroots mobilisation that overcame a first-round deficit, turned out an incredible extra 10m voters, and the deeply polarised political and economic constraints ahead. They also examine Meta’s campaign bias, Brazil’s place in regional politics, the unhappy markets, and the latest developments involving Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado. And yes, Lula's campaign grew a WhatsApp group that included 7% of the Brazilian electorate. Not bad, considering he only got his first mobile phone a week before the vote. Change is happening podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414 Rethinking Housing at an EU Level:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Tarak AlFarra is a Palestinian Digital Storyteller, Social Media Creator and Humanitarian Activist from Gaza, who was evacuated and is now in Italy. His work focuses on humanitarian storytelling, visual documentation, social media advocacy, and short-form creation related to war, displacement, identity, and resilience. Through photography, interviews, public speaking, and digital media, he's documented the lived experiences from Gaza and helped to amplify underrepresented voices through creative storytelling and his own empathetic style. The EU Housing Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727 The Unity Conversation:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony challenges Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, on his Party's new proposals on long-term residency and citizenship. They discuss the evolving (devolving?) conversation around immigration in Ireland, and the changing public perceptions of our current system. The conversation delves into the nuances of immigration policy, including the distinction between residency and citizenship, the criteria for good character, and the economic contributions of migrants to Irish society. It also touches on the issue of racism and the recent controversy surrounding Palestinian student visas, advocating for a more humane approach to immigration. Lula's Historic Comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419 Sigh for Change and our boiled social media brains:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173195588

Dr. Mahmoud Altarabin is an Associate Professor of Translation and Linguistics and Deputy Head of the Department of English at the Islamic University of Gaza. He is an author and scholar known for his textbooks and research on Arabic-English translation, media, legal, and technical translation. He joins us from his displacement tent in Khan Younis to discuss how he has maintained and diversified his teaching over the past three years; the need to support students' education and well-being; and his hope for greater solidarity with international academia. This is a must-listen podcast. Lynn Boylan vs The State:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173553999 Lula's historic comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Race hate crime is a year-long problem." In this episode, Tony speaks with journalist Luke Butterly of The Detail about recent developments in Northern Ireland, including the Drumcree court cases, cross-community tensions, and the challenges of addressing racial and political issues. They explore the impact of government policies, community responses, and the ongoing crisis of political inaction. Luke’s reporting has revealed some very uncomfortable facts about the racist pogroms and the weakness and or ineptitude of the Stormont government. Lula's Historic Comeback podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419 The piece: https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Permacrisis https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Ballymena report https://share.google/wxWzdmP63VNvlKfNA

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "If we don't acknowledge that change can be an improvement, change will be forced on us." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and thegist.ie writer, solicitor and Mr Data Protection, Simon McGarr, explore the troubling phenomenon of politicians listening to faceless bots on social media instead of the genuine voices of the electorate. They look at the influence that social media is having on government decision-making, eve as it erodes societal trust. They discuss how fake voices, confirmation bias, and systemic issues shape public perception and policy. Simon's Gists:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ No Go Zones in Northern Ireland - https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 The French Riots and the Broken Social Contract across the EU:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173108103

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Removing the triple lock means Ireland is no longer neutral" In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and Senator Tom Clonan delve into Ireland's military neutrality, ongoing government moves to abolish the triple lock, and the implications for Ireland's foreign policy and defense. They explore the systemic issues and risks associated with ending Ireland's historic peacekeeping role, in contrast with a potential future of a non-neutral role of peace enforcement. We also discuss Tom’s statement in the Seanad regarding St John’s Ambulance and his views on the cost of disability payments outlined in Budget 2027. No Go Zones in Northern Ireland podcast with Luke Butterly:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 Simon McGarr on the Ignored vs the Adored in Irish politics:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Build accessibility into everything from the ground up." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony is joined by activist, campaigner and Co-Founder of Equality Not Care, Ann Marie Flanagan and Senior Accessibility Lead and Daddy, Brian Dalton, to explore the recent budget's impact on disabled people, the true costs of disability, and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure equality and accessibility for all. We talk about the urgent need for the Government to create parity by giving working disabled people a €500 tax credit, and the way we've built a country that fails to see our disabled community as equal. "To hear that they were calling what is now a top-up to disability pay, a disability allowance, was hugely upsetting... Disabled people are treated as passive recipients waiting for the crumbs of government. This is just not good enough." The Ignored vs the adored with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259 Peace Keeping vs Peace Enforcement:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172888082

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Belal Adnan Abuiyada is a physician working in paediatrics in Gaza. Alongside his medical work, he writes on Instagram about life in Gaza, displacement, grief, memory, and the small moments of tenderness that endure. His writing offers a personal view of a place and a people too often described only through headlines. He joins us to talk about his patients, his experiences and his hopes for the future. The Ignored vs the adored with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259 Peace Keeping vs Peace Enforcement:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172888082

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Andy Burnham is a neoliberal to his very core. Let's be blunt about this." In this Tortoise Shack episode, listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy, returns to talk about how he's packing it all in because Andy Burnham has fixed everything without even putting together a budget. But while he's here, we might as well discuss the failures of neoliberalism, the urgent need for big, bold shifts, and the power of protest (see France and Spain) to shape a better future. They explore the current political landscape, economic control, and potential pathways for transformative change. Richard then gives us a "if I had 48hrs in charge, I'd do..." masterclass to describe what a better song might sound like. Don't miss it. The Public Sector Strikes vs Government Spin:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172328073 A Call for Fairness - Budget 2027 and the Real Cost of Disability:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172433910

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Will Pedro Sanchez win, but still lose? "Vox hates brown people" This Tortoise Shack episode jumps into a tumultuous few weeks in Spanish politics. It explores the complex political landscape, focusing on the runners, riders and far right nutters, who are all headed towards an election in less than two months. Is it a housing referendum? Is it an immigration election? Madrid-based guests, journalist Eoghan Gilmartin and Professor Joe Haslam, discuss the implications for Spain's future and the broader European context. Is a miracle comeback on the cards? Prof Richard Murphy on Burnham and Polanski:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801910 Dr. Belal Adnan Abuiyada in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171782366 The Public Sector Strikes Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172328073