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The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Tortoise Shack Media 150 Episodes Sep 4, 2026

Ireland's original independent left-leaning news, politics, and culture podcast, hosted by Martin McMahon and Tony Groves. It unpicks the day's news, challenges spin, and encourages listeners to become activists. The show is non-corporate, ad-free, and doesn't take itself too seriously, often leading to shenanigans.

Episodes

Let Them Study – Roaa’s story: A Medical Student in Gaza
Let Them Study – Roaa’s story: A Medical Student in Gaza Sep 4, 2026 33:05 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.
Sharing Art, Culture and Languages during the Genocide -Roa’a Abuaser
Sharing Art, Culture and Languages during the Genocide -Roa’a Abuaser Sep 3, 2026 24:40 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.
You’re Not Angry Enough with Pearse Stokes
You’re Not Angry Enough with Pearse Stokes Sep 1, 2026 51:11 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 power
Ulster Says Maybe – A Border Poll is Not Off the Table
Ulster Says Maybe – A Border Poll is Not Off the Table Aug 29, 2026 46:55 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
Gaza and the Israeli Elections – It’s Not Just Netanyahu
Gaza and the Israeli Elections – It’s Not Just Netanyahu Aug 27, 2026 24:40 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
The Dan’s vs The Geography Teacher
The Dan’s vs The Geography Teacher Aug 25, 2026 36:44 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 discour
The Trick is to not take the Serious Stuff Seriously – Zain’s Story
The Trick is to not take the Serious Stuff Seriously – Zain’s Story Aug 21, 2026 45:03 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
Freidreich’s Ataxia and SkyClarys – Emily and Niamh
Freidreich’s Ataxia and SkyClarys – Emily and Niamh Aug 19, 2026 37:04 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 foc
Trump’s America: Hope Springs Eternal, Then it Kills You…
Trump’s America: Hope Springs Eternal, Then it Kills You… Aug 17, 2026 58:27 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 implica
I Don’t Want to Leave Gaza – Wining The Reverse Lottery
I Don’t Want to Leave Gaza – Wining The Reverse Lottery Aug 13, 2026 38:24 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
The Ceuta Crisis: Spain, FIFA, Ryanair, The Odyssey, Meloni, Trump and the Abraham Accords.
The Ceuta Crisis: Spain, FIFA, Ryanair, The Odyssey, Meloni, Trump and the Abraham Accords. Aug 11, 2026 32:21 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 br
And The Jellyfish Shall Inherit the Earth
And The Jellyfish Shall Inherit the Earth Aug 7, 2026 35:06 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 n

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