

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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 3, 2026 • 0sec
This Feels Like a World War
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
CEO of Emergency Logistics Team, Will Holden has spent years in some of the most dangerous places in the world. From Yemen to Syria and the then ISIS run Iraq, he’s seen a lot. He joined me from Erbil, Kurdistan to talk about the current situation, the supply chain issues created by the war and why this situation has him more concerned than anything he’s encountered previously.
Iran, Shadow Banking, Shadow Fleets and the two week war podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154596249
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
SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Apr 1, 2026 • 0sec
Access to Justice – Planning to Fail
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
The Government has sought to limit Access to Justice via their public consultation on the regulation of costs payable in matters prescribed on foot of section 294 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Scale of Fees). But it turns out that the public are overwhelmingly (98%) opposed. So what now for the planning eejitry?
Solicitor Fred Logue joins me to talk about the report that has given the government the results it did not want and what the implications might and might not be for planning, climate action, bohs jerseys and access to justice.
I made up the bohs jersey bit, but would support a bill to ban them.
The Report is here:https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/c168d034/Report_Summary_-_Scale_of_Fees_Submissions.pdf
Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070
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
SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Mar 31, 2026 • 23min
Chasing My Dream
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Shahd Ismail Mahmoud Miqdad , is a PhD student from Gaza, who dreams of a life beyond the genocide where she will complete her education and life a an independent life safe, far from anything that hurts or touches her or her loved ones.
Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070
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
SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Mar 30, 2026 • 0sec
Does Cuba Have Any Allies?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this episode journalist with El Pais in Latin America, Nicholas Dale Leal talks Cuba and the impossible choice facing its citizens, the Trump regime’s mafia style bullying of its neighbours and the lack of support for Cuba from her traditional allies.
We also discuss the US-Ecuador attacks on “narco-terrorists” that killed innocent dairy farmers and what is happening in the Colombian presidential election.
Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070
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 28, 2026 • 27min
Boots on the Ground in Iran? – Former US Green Beret, Anthony Aguilar
Anthony Aguilar, former US Army Green Beret turned whistleblower and anti-war Senate candidate. He breaks down troop buildups and the real risks of ground operations in Iran. He critiques political rhetoric vs military reality and flags the wider geopolitical fallout. He also connects US policy to regional humanitarian harm and shifting veteran politics.

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 25, 2026 • 21min
Everyone Should Have a Home – Passing the Baton
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Martin Leahy is a real one. The dedicated housing protester, activist and musician shares his journey from housing struggles to completing a one-man a 200-week housing crisis protest. We talk about the power of activism, protest songs, community building, and the ongoing fight to make housing a human right.
Hope to see lots of you outside the Dáil on Thursday at 1pm!

Mar 24, 2026 • 50min
Are We Headed For Another Crash?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Prof of Economics, Constantin Gurdgiev, rejoins us from an unseasonably warm Colorado to talk US politics, global economics and polarising geopolitics.
We delve deeper into the cracks in the social contract and ask what it means for a world that is more war focused than solution oriented.
Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house
Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035
Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Mar 23, 2026 • 0sec
Game Over Israel, UEFA and FIFA?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
The campaign to kick Israel out of football got A LOT spicier this week when FIFA President Gianni Infantino disagreed with international law over the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.
Re-joining me to talk about this, the awkward Slovenian dinner table discussions and what is going to happen next is cofounder of #GameOverIsrael Ashish Prashar.
Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house
Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035
Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Mar 21, 2026 • 0sec
Hope, Overcoming Adversity and Staying in the Fight
Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Emma Ward is a disability rights activist, a freelance journalist, an Irish Traveller and a person with a disability. She is also unapologetically outspoken, mischievous, ambitious and just great to talk to.
She speaks about her struggles honestly and her passion to leave the world a better place than she found it. Her love of family, friends and community is obvious. As is her ability to get things done.
Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house
Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035
Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329


