

Reboot Republic - Rory Hearne by Tortoise Shack Media
Tortoise Shack Media
Reboot Republic is the innovative Podcast that delves beyond the headlines and soundbites and pulls up the roots of our Social Crises to unearth progressive solutions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 27, 2026 • 0sec
Evictions Up 41% – A National Emergency
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
This Reboot Republic again delves into Ireland's housing crisis, government policies, and the influence of international investment on the economy. Rory and Tony analyse the systemic issues, the role of private sector interests, the government fund festival vs the mass evictions that are occuring and the potential solutions for sustainable, green and public owned development.
Cuba podcast with El Pais journalist in Latin America, Nicholas Leal here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153943715
Former US Green Beret, Anthony Aguilar podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153986148
Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house
Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Mar 20, 2026 • 0sec
Immigration – Reality vs Perception
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Keire Murphy, policy officer with the ESRI about their recent research on public attitudes on immigration in Ireland and how that compares to the reality. We also discuss what factors influence people's views, and how this can be changed, from tackling disadvantage to local communities working to engage new communities.
We also have a chat with Keire about her own experience as a renter in her 30s and her views on the new rental measures. Will supply ever bring down rents???
Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035
MEP Lynn Boylan on Gaza, Iran and the EU: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153100794
Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Feb 22, 2026 • 0sec
Choosing between heating & eating: disabled people’s cost of living crisis
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic Rory speaks to Joan Carthy of the Irish Wheelchair Association about the cost of living crisis facing disabled people and their campaign for an emergency cost of disability winter payment.
Joan explains how disabled people feel like they were pawns in the election after promises were made by Government but then their supports were cut in Budget 2026.
Joan talks about the reality of having to choose between heating and eating and their campaign and determination to change things.
Editors note: The campaign has received support from Affordable Ireland.
The No Homes For Sale podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-151345772
The ICE and Forever War podcast with Greg Stoker is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150904626
Support the Ionad Hind Rajab here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ionad-hind-rajab-150782129

Feb 11, 2026 • 0sec
Floods of Optimism
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats to producer Tony about the biggest changes to Ireland’s rental market in a generation, the Government’s response (or lack of) to the recent floods and the need for the opposition to make the public believe that it doesn’t have to be this way when it comes to the current politics of mediocrity.
The Epstein Files and the dearth of good reporting:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150004285
Poet Paula Meehan pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150317193
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Feb 2, 2026 • 0sec
Hope in Action with Jenny Maguire
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In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with activist, campaigner and commentator Jenny Maguire about her recent column that laid out the need for the broad left to focus on building a coalition that is based on a more hopeful vision and less prone to infighting around identity politics. This is a great conversation with a great voice and The Flash even makes a guest appearance.
The Irish Spy Deel (sic) podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149241136?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Jan 23, 2026 • 0sec
Democracy Challenged – Ireland’s GDP is a Mirage
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In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats with UCD Professor Aidan Regan about the gap between Ireland’s global leading GDP and the average person’s economic outlook. Aidan argues that this imbalance contributes to the growing polarisation in our society and politics and he also talks about how exposed our economic miracle is to the whims of the man in the White House.
Read more here:https://democracychallenged.com/2025/12/17/irelands-gdp-is-a-mirage-household-living-standards-tell-the-real-story/
Comrade Mark Carney, Davos and Inequality podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148762978
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Jan 15, 2026 • 0sec
The 2026 Predictions Pod
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In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by producer Tony Groves to talk the reality of our homelessness crisis, the horror of AI/X Grok's CSAM, Simon Harris joining Jim O'Callaghan on the anti-immigrant bus, Climate Action getting binned by government and why the Left needs to focus on kitchen table issues in 2026.
Editors Note: Rory subsequently abandoned his twitter/x account.
Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291
The Immigration "Debate" Podcast with Lawyer Cathal Malone is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148191117
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Dec 27, 2025 • 34min
Homeless for Christmas with the Simon Communities
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In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland about what are real reasons for the ongoing rise in homelessness, finding hope in solutions like a ban on evictions, and is it fair to call out landlord greed to get the market rent & the HAP trap.
Venezuela Podcast with el Pais journalist Nicholas Dale Leal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146527115
Support Simon here:https://www.simon.ie/donate/

Dec 20, 2025 • 0sec
A booming economy & struggling society ?Ireland’s economy explained with Conor McCabe
Conor McCabe, a researcher known for his critical analysis of Ireland's political economy, delves into the complexities of the Irish economy. He questions the validity of the reported economic growth and explains how foreign direct investment does not represent the everyday experiences of most citizens. The conversation uncovers the impact of finance on housing policy, transforming it into a global asset class while eroding homeownership. McCabe argues for a state-led approach to housing and highlights the disconnect between economic statistics and real-life challenges.

Nov 14, 2025 • 32min
The Aspirations of a Plan
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic Podcast, Rory chats with tortoise shack editor Tony Groves about the government's new housing plan, that is so impressive that the Minister for Housing, James Brown, didn't even bother hanging around to answer questions on it in the Dáil. This is a short insight into what is and more importantly is not in the "plan."
The Philip O'Connor in Stockholm podcast is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143333372
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542


