

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

Feb 7, 2026 • 0sec
From Novelty Socks to Reporting on a Genocide
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Hassan Abo Qamar is a journalist and writer from Gaza. He’s also a first-year engineering student at the Islamic University of Gaza. His work has been published in outlets such as The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Nation, The Electronic Intifada, and The New Arab, among others, with a focus on documenting the humanitarian reality in Gaza beyond traditional political narratives.
Not satisfied with just that, he’s also an entrepreneur and the founder of a small business called Socks Store in Gaza. Alongside his work, he is actively involved in community and volunteer initiatives, particularly those supporting children and humanitarian relief.
The Epstein Files and the dearth of good reporting:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150004285
Shrapnel's Sam Mcilwaine on deepening political polarisation:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149409039
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Feb 6, 2026 • 0sec
The Triple Lock and Active Neutrality
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Associate Professor and contributing member of the Neutrality Roadshow, Patrick Bresnihan rejoins us on the Shack to talk about the impending erasure of the Triple Lock, the ongoing erasure of our neutrality, the fallacies at the heart of the militarisation agenda and why there is so much hope in Irish peoples pride in our peacekeeping neutrality.
The Epstein Files and the dearth of good reporting:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150004285
Shrapnel's Sam Mcilwaine on deepening political polarisation:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149409039
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

12 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 35min
A Government that isn’t interested in Governing
Harry McEvinson, operator of irishelectionprojections.com and Irish polling analyst, provides sharp commentary on steady post-election polls and Sinn Féin’s continuing lead. He explores the Social Democrats’ surprising rise, vote transfers and local by-election dynamics in Dublin Central. They also debate political disengagement, the government’s avoidance of action and the role of consultants in policymaking.

Feb 2, 2026 • 0sec
Hope in Action with Jenny Maguire
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
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 28, 2026 • 29min
Carers and People with Disabilities left behind again
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Bernard Mulvany is a Disability Rights Activist, founder of Access for All Ireland and a carer to his daughter, Sophia.
He rejoins me just a few minutes after his latest meeting with the Government representatives where he outlined (again) the stark reality facing both Carers and People with Disabilities. So we got him at a good time. We are (on paper) a rich country. This doesn't need to be happening!
Access for All https://www.instagram.com/access_for_all_ireland/?hl=en
Ireland dropping the Triple Lock reaction podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149334686
A Palestinian refugee in Trump's America podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149237003

Jan 27, 2026 • 0sec
Comrade Mark Carney and Confronting Wealth Inequality
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Theses first few weeks of 2026 have been a hell of a decade. But we did not have technocrat Mark Carney joining the revolution on our bingo cards. To discuss this, the inequality at the heart of the polarisation, wealth taxes on the 1%, Ireland's role in Global Tax Abuse and more is economist with NERI, Ciarán Nugent.
The wealth inequality report is here:https://www.oxfamireland.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/wealth-inequality-report-final-version.pdf
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
Writing to Remember
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Reem Hamadaqa is a Palestinian translator and storyteller from Gaza. She uses her writing to remember and to keep her lost loved ones alive. In this very special PalCast she tells her story of semi-surviving the genocide in Gaza. Please make sure you listen to this remarkable young woman.
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 21, 2026 • 56min
Gilded Rage – Trump, Musk and the Broligarchy
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this tortoise shack special, Tony is joined by independent journalist and author of the brilliant book Gilded Rage: Elon Musk and the Radicalization of Silicon Valley.
Via the prism of the latest Trump madness, they dig deep into the themes of the book including class, oligarchy, the politics of tech, political corruption, illicit finance, the nihilism of forever wars and the depredations of an all too often clueless media and weak political opposition.
Buy the Book:https://bookstation.ie/products/gilded-rage-elon-musk-and-the-radicalization-of-silicon-valley?srsltid=AfmBOopVhT4bd54ygp_HyAZnaE5Od4lRmby1o3FVQ0YpNv6ViSg-wByI
Comrade Mark Carney, Davos and Inequality podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148762978
Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Jan 20, 2026 • 19min
Erasing Israeli War Crimes
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this short PalCast, Yousef updates us on what is happening in Gaza, the ever expanding Yellow Line, the destruction of what little infrastructure remains, the creation of new mass graves and how the Knesset plans to hang Palestinian "prisoners."
Semi-Surviving the Genocide with Reem Hamdaqa is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148679263
Gilded Rage with Jacob Silverman is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148385638
Support ‘Ocras’ here: https://chuffed.org/project/165535-ocras-hunger-striker-support-fund
Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Jan 18, 2026 • 59min
Cruel and Wrong – The Immigration Debate
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this tortoise shack special, Tony sits down with immigration lawyer and (sadly) Corkman, Cathal Malone, to talk about Ireland's immigration system, the hardening political rhetoric, the lived reality and lots more. This is a must-listen for anyone who is concerned by statements from our elected officials and even more so for those who think our Government are just talking "common sense."
Elon Musk podcast with author Jacob Silverman is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148385638
Support ‘Ocras’ here: https://chuffed.org/project/165535-ocras-hunger-striker-support-fund
Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542


