Episodes

  • Gaza: My Students Keep Me Going – A Teacher Speaks

    Gaza: My Students Keep Me Going – A Teacher Speaks
    May 30 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Palestinian teacher, academic and plain-talker, Arwa Alzraiy was a PhD Student in Durham before October 7th. She had returned to Gaza to collect data as part of her studies just before the genocide began. She joins us now from Gaza to talk truthfully about the reality of the current situation, the plight of the students she teaches and how even the subjects discussed in the makeshift classrooms are controlled by Israel. This is a must-listen episode with a young woman who knows right from wrong in a world gone very wrong. The King Charles - Sperrin Mountains pod is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158877807 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/
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    45 mins
  • Adam SpiceBag Doyle – You Can’t Let Apathy Win

    Adam SpiceBag Doyle – You Can’t Let Apathy Win
    May 27 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Activist, artist and creator, Adam SpiceBag Doyle, has made waves in Irish media and politics. But his biggest challenge is building and sustaining a centre for displaced children in Gaza, Ionad Hind Rajab. He joined me to discuss the latest Sumud Flotilla, his journey from fundraising to becoming the Director of a school in Gaza and more. The latest on Lough Neagh podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158877807 For more visit:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org
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    17 mins
  • The bye-bye, By-Elections Special-ish

    The bye-bye, By-Elections Special-ish
    May 25 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Tá an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch, so of course we're inside looking at what just happened in Dublin Central and Galway West. And to do so, I am delighted to be joined by Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya and Data and Digital Rights expert, solicitor, Simon McGarr, to dig into the results, the data, the party positions and what can (and won't) be learned from the outcomes. This is a bumper podcast with two of the best guests and one very underwhelming host. New Cost of Living podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158316794 The SpiceBag Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158702753 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/
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    36 mins
  • On Violence and Justice for Yves Sakila

    On Violence and Justice for Yves Sakila
    May 24 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Journalist in Stockholm, Philip O'Connor, is a long-time Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioner. So when he wrote his piece below, On Violence, and outlined the hard reality of what took place on Henry Street, we decided we'd have a wider conversation about it all. Philip ties together all of the strands from policing, to security, to media framing and to systemic racism. Do listen. Philip's piece:https://philipoconnor.com/on-violence/ The SpiceBag Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158702753
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    44 mins
  • James Leonard – Building Community from the Bottom Up and Getting a Seat at the Table

    James Leonard – Building Community from the Bottom Up and Getting a Seat at the Table
    May 22 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack James Leonard is no stranger to the tortoise shack. Yet this is his first-ever appearance in the shack, and it is, like the man himself, really great. We talk about his post 2 Norries work, including collaborating internationally to raise awareness about the carceral experience, his work in Cork in building life-long learning initiatives and his work in Local Govt where he sees the friction between politics and community development. Thanks for the chat, James. The SpiceBag podcast is out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158702753 #JusticeForYvesSakila podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158808490
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    51 mins
  • Being a Father is My Most Important Role

    Being a Father is My Most Important Role
    May 19 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hussam Tannera is a teacher, father and a survivor of the Gaza genocide. He shares his experience taking care of his two children while trying to live as best a life is possible in Gaza today. He tells us an uplifting and ingenious story about starting a coffee brand despite the lack of coffee beans. Many of us take eating meat for granted, but Hussam tells us an entirely different personal story during a prolonged period of starvation. Tune in for full details. James Leonard podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146 Mohammed Isdodi in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157949546
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    Less than 1 minute
  • The Byelection Special-ish

    The Byelection Special-ish
    May 18 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack As promised, Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya is back to make sense of the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections. Sense (from Groves) is maybe a bit of a stretch. Will Fine Gael's Ray McAdam get Soc Dem's Dan Ennis elected or will Gerry Hutch's transfers turn everything upside down? Will Labour pull of a shock in Galway? Enjoy or endure. There is no in between. Read the latest Projections here:https://irishelectionprojections.com/2026/05/19/dublin-central-and-galway-west-by-election-poll-analysis/ James Leonard podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146 Mohammed Isdodi in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157949546
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Starmer, Burnham, the Hapless Horserace and the Need for a New Recipe

    Starmer, Burnham, the Hapless Horserace and the Need for a New Recipe
    May 17 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It's been another clown-show in UK politics over the last couple of weeks. Re-joining me to wade through the mud is Prof Richard Murphy. He analyses the recent Local Elections and the state of the Labour Party. We discuss the attacks on the Green's Zack Polanski and explore the need for a vision beyond the politics of mediocrity. This is a great example of Richard's ability to cut through the bullshit and it's why he's a listener favourite. Don't miss it. The By-election Special Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158481974 James Leonard podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146
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    40 mins