Episodes

  • One Million Homes

    One Million Homes
    May 8 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack special episode, Tony speaks with community development expert and big ideas guy, Rob Cass, about Ireland's housing crisis, the data-driven solutions, and the importance of measuring and implementing effective and proven policies to build a sustainable future for young people and communities. It's not Urban vs Rural - it's old locking out the young. For more see:https://onemillionhomes.ie/ Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108 Journalist Malak Hijazi on the ground in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157428448
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Journalism, Boxing, Daniel Kinahan and Why Everything is Upside Down

    Journalism, Boxing, Daniel Kinahan and Why Everything is Upside Down
    May 5 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It’s 2026, Gerry Hutch has left his second home of Lanzarote to run as a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central byelection and Daniel Kinahan is in a Dubai prison cell fighting not to be sent back to Ireland to face justice. Irish sports legend Katie Taylor is looking to book her swansong fight in Croke Park. all the while the Regency shooting hangs like a cloud over everything. It’s all a bit surreal. Joining me on the shack to discuss it all is sports journalist Kieran Cunningham. There’s no doubt in my mind that if it wasn’t for the work of Kieran, Daniel Kinahan’s rise and rise in the sport of boxing would have continued and things would be very different. May you live in interesting times. The Tax Cuts podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/tax-cuts-157332004 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    27 mins
  • What Sierra Leone tells us about DOGE, Trump and Overseas Aid

    What Sierra Leone tells us about DOGE, Trump and Overseas Aid
    May 3 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Infectious disease expert, UCC's Prof Adjunct and Hospital Consultant, Niall Conroy, recently returned from his second home of Sierra Leone, where he witnessed first-hand the impact of the cuts by the likes of Trump, Musk and others are having on some of the most vulnerable people in the world. This is both a necessary eye-opening conversation about epidemics, pandemic prevention and why we might be sleepwalking into more problems. Niall's children malnutrition ward fundraiser is here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/childrens-malnutrition-ward-bo-govt-hospital-sierra-leone Kieran Cunningham on Daniel Kinahan's arrest podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156664295 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • I think I should call the President

    I think I should call the President
    Apr 30 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode, Tony and Mr Judge Street Journal, Timmy Facciola, explore the first 100 days of Zoran Mamdani's NYC mayoralty, political strategies, and the evolving landscape of New York City politics. Timmy also breaks down his phone call with President Trump. They also touch on international issues, sports (NBA briefly), and personal passions (Timmy's fishing), providing current affairs and personal stories that get a little loose. We'll have to redial the President on the shack soon ;) The One Million Homes Project: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156658656 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Gaza bleeds as the world looks away

    Gaza bleeds as the world looks away
    Apr 28 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Khaled Al-Qershali is a writer and journalist from Gaza, focusing on personal narratives and reporting on the humanitarian impact of conflict. He has published articles and essays in outlets such as The Electronic Intifada, The Washington Report of Middle East Affairs, and The Independent. His work highlights stories of resilience, survival, and the lived experiences of civilians under occupation. He joins us from Gaza City to share his story and his hopes for the future. The case for Community Wealth Building Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156362917 NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Barry Heneghan – A Deal With the Devil or Right for the Country?

    Barry Heneghan – A Deal With the Devil or Right for the Country?
    Apr 27 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Independent (Govt) TD Barry Heneghan came over to the tortoise shack to discuss his decision to vote confidence in the government, his reasons and redlines for what he deems government stability and why he believes that his voters will understand his position even as the cost of living crisis continues to worsen. Editors Note: Recorded for members 17th April The case for Community Wealth Building Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156362917 NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Suspended for Seeking Pay Parity – We Don’t Care About Carers

    Suspended for Seeking Pay Parity – We Don’t Care About Carers
    Apr 24 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sonia Borwick has worked caring for people in their homes for over two decades. Now, like many of her Section 39 colleagues, she is paid less than she was almost 20 years ago. Worse still, she’s been suspended from her workplace because, in my opinion, she has continued to raise the issue. She joined me in the tortoise shack to talk about her experience and need for workers to stand together. NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307 Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288 Khaled Al-Qershali with the latest from Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156249499 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • My Brother Was Food For Wild Dogs

    My Brother Was Food For Wild Dogs
    Apr 22 2026
    Please join me at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editor's note: This podcast contains details that you might find upsetting. Amira Attiya, a writer and a student of translation from Gaza, tells the story of how she lost her three siblings—one of them was kidnapped, killed, and even fed to dogs—and that of her father, who was burned with white phosphorus during the Cast Lead operation. Amira was displaced 12 times, and has spent the past two years in a tent. Despite this, she is about to graduate from her translation department and she has five offers to study abroad. Tune in for the full story. Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288 The Energy Crisis with NERI's Tom McDonnell:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/
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    25 mins