The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Chris Andrews is a Sinn Féin Senator and he's taking part in his fifth Gaza Flotilla. His ship was struck four times last night by Israeli drones. Despite this he and his fellow Sumud Flotilla shipmates, including over 20 Irish people, remain undeterred and committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He joins us from his ship to talk all about it. Yousef also covers the latest news from Gaza City, where the relentless destruction and bombing drives thousands out in what many fear is a permanent exodus. There's also an update from Ty Gickey ;) The Argentina Bailout podcast with El Pais's Nicholas Leal is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139738780 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Paddy Maguire is the (mad?) man behind the viral RareWitch-PetalReaction videos that excoriate the media, politics, racist movements and liberal doggies of Northern Ireland. In a rare interview with a Free-Stater he talks to me about his process, his inspiration/frustration and the artistic dysfunction of trying to shoehorn messages of solidarity into 90 second animations about the Belfast Live House. The Catherine Connolly Hamas "controversy" podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139542482 The Flotilla Attack Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139635747 Support Dignity for Palestine: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Belfast Green Party Cllr and Community Worker, Brian Smyth has never been shy about calling a spade a spade. Unfortunately the rise in racist attacks (including an attempted lynching!) has meant that he has had to be even more vocal than he’d like. He joins me to talk about the failure of politics, the grimness of inequality, the fraying of societal norms and the things that can be done to reverse the decline. The RareWithch Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139267100 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Senator Patricia Stephenson has just returned from the West Bank, Palestine and she joined me to discuss the apartheid regime she witnessed, the sanitising of settler violence and how any declarations about a two state solution falls apart in the face of the reality on the ground. And yes, we also discuss the latest Eoin Hayes controversy. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmad Abushawish is a 19-year-old writer and activist from Gaza. He has successfully conveyed his voice and the stories of his people through several prestigious platforms, including Al Jazeera, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Electronic Intifada, Prism Reports, and We Are Not Numbers. He is also an alumnus of the Access 16 program. Ahmad aspires to pursue higher education abroad and earn a scholarship at a prestigious university, where he hopes to further develop his skills and amplify the voices of his community. He joins us from Nuseirat, Gaza, hours after he completed his final high school (Leaving Cert equivalent) exams. What a fabulous young man. May he live to fulfill his dreams. Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr Niall Conroy is a consultant in public health medicine and adjunct professor of public health in UCC. He's also a person who has fought epidemics and pandemics in Sierra Leone, Australia and Ireland. He joins me to discuss the chainsaw that RFK Jnr is taking to the US's Human Health Services, the CDC and the impact globally this might have. Inequality, wellness, homelessness and standing on your head at Electric Picnic all feature. Honestly, the lad from Tallaght is top notch. The Child Poverty Podcast with Children's Rights Alliance is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138724146 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We Tell Our Stories Hani Mahmoud decided 23 months ago to shift from academia and to stand in front of the camera in order to tell the story of Gaza and its people. He works as the Aljazeera English correspondent in Gaza, becoming one of the most important journalists alive, sharing with the world a story that would otherwise go untold or manipulated. Tune in to learn about Hani, his work and the people of Gaza, from whom he takes his strength to continue. Tadhg Hickey on the Drone Strike on the Global Sumud Flotilla:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138604625

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nour Abo Aisha is a writer, journalist, and translator from Gaza. She writes about living under the siege, memory, displacement, and survival; from her own life and the lives of those around her in Gaza. For Nour, writing is a form of resistance against erasure and a voice that breaks through imposed silence. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Prism Reports, Mondoweiss, and Al Jazeera Net, and she is also a member of We Are Not Numbers. She joins us from Gaza City as the Israeli military rains both bombs and paper warnings to leave now or perish. The Flotilla Drone Attack Pod with Tadhg Hickey is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138604625

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Late last night an incendiary device was fired at the Global Sumud Flotilla's Steering Committee's ship (full video podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138492264) The final departure as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla is due (overdue?) to leave Tunis in the coming days. Professional troublemaker and longtime Palestinian Rights activist, Paul Murphy is there now ready for the off and he joined me for a chat about what is happening there and what is like to be part of this incredible people-led movement that is trying to fill the void left open by Western Governments. Public Health Consultant Dr Niall Conroy on RFK Jnr and the war on vaccines is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138145272 Paul Murphy in Tunis part 2 video podcast out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138492264

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Greg Stoker is a US army veteran with a Special Operations background. He's also an anti-imperialist activist, podcast host (Colonial Outcasts) and shipmate on the US Veterans Ship as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, that is attempting to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza. He joins us from off the coast of Tunis to discuss the colonial boomerang we all need to be paying attention to, the need for a global media campaign to support the flotilla, the threat from Israeli Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, to lock the humanitarians up in "terror prisons" and life on a small boat when you are a six foot five inch giant. The RFK Jnr Podcast with Public Health Consultant, Dr Niall Conroy is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138145272 The latest Reboot Republic podcast with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138016359 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Lynn Boylan is an Irish MEP for Dublin, who serves as the Chair for the EU's Relationship with Palestine Committee, and she is one of many (alongside international law experts, human rights lawyers and academics) people who are joining a Legal Monitoring ship that is shortly setting sail from Italy to accompany the Global Sumud Flotilla, that is attempting to break the near 20 year siege of Gaza and deliver aid to people experiencing both the ongoing genocide and a manmade famine. The RFK Jnr Podcast with Public Health Consultant, Dr Niall Conroy is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138145272 The latest Reboot Republic podcast with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138016359 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast we are joined by Imad Qudaih, who is a 22 year old visually impaired student at the Islamic University of Gaza, majoring in English translation. Another accidental genocide correspondent, he’s been working as a freelance journalist with BBC News since June 2024. He joins us from Al-Mawasi to speak of displacement and his cat, who was killed by an Israeli sniper. Tune in for more from this remarkable young man. The Global Sumud Flotilla Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138024067 The latest Reboot Republic podcast with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138016359 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sara Awad is an English literature student, writer, and storyteller based in Gaza. Passionate about capturing human experiences and social issues, Sara uses her words to shed light on stories often unheard. Her work explores themes of resilience, identity, and hope amid war circumstances. I contributed to The Intercept, Truthout, PRISM, The Electronic Intifada, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and We Are Not Numbers. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, discuss the most recent events including the "double tap" bombing of Nasser Hospital and her hopes for the future. An absolute must listen. Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this podcast we are joined by two School Secretaries, Luisa Carty and Noreen O'Callaghan, to discuss the reasons for their upcoming indefinite strike action and why it is a workers rights issue that all of us have a stake in. They discuss the inequality in the current system, the impacts the lack of entitlements have had on them and their colleagues and they are calling on us all to support them as the look for what is only fair. Up the Workers. Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Journalist and now author, Tommy Greene, rejoins us to talk about the plucky coalmine that is using the investor courts (remember CETA folks?) to sue the British Govt for messing with their profits. Read more here:https://www.desmog.com/2025/08/11/uk-government-to-be-sued-in-secret-corporate-court-by-coal-firm-represented-by-tory-mp/ We also go deep into the green slime that is Lough Neagh, the worsening environmental disaster, the political panto in lieu of action and what, if anything, is likely to happen next. No eels were injured in the making of this podcast. Book Preorder:https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/troubled-waters/ Recommended Coal Long read:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/features/2024/12/15/the-bitter-final-showdown-over-british-coal-as-sun-sets-on-dirtiest-fuel Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nadera Mushtaha is a poet and writer from Gaza and a former student of Dr Refaat Alareer. She talks of losing her family home in Shujayia, her friend Malak Arafat, whose murder she discovered 7 months later because of the rolling internet blackouts in Gaza. In the background, we hear Israeli drones and tank shells as Israel continues to attack the Zaytoun and Sabra neighborhoods threatening another wave of mass expulsion. Tune in for more. Editors Note, I have cleaned the audio up so we can hear Nadera, but I also have the audio with the shells and explosions. Let me know if you want a release with the reality as well. Tadhg Hickey on Displaced in Gaza is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-136539838 Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We've just seen Keir Starmer's government threatening Irish writer, Sally Rooney and many western governments have decided to take more action against people protesting against the genocide in Gaza than against the Israeli regime that is committing it. You'll also have seen hundreds of people arrested on the streets of London for peacefully protesting while holding signs saying 'I Support Palestine Action.' This is absolute madness. Joining me on the podcast is another brave Irish woman who was one of the people who arrested at the recent protest, Sinéad Nic Shiacais. She is a longtime activist, environmentalist and all round goodie. She tells her story here. Thank you, Sinéad. For the news that wasn't newsy enough podcast click:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-136760557 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be joined by Shahd Alnaami, who is a 21-year-old writer, poet, and translator from Gaza, Palestine. In this PalCast episode, she speaks of losing her sister Rahaf, 13, and her friend Eman 19. She tells us how two houses belonging to her family were also destroyed and how her family was displaced multiple times. She speaks of the children of Gaza and their big dreams now consist of simply having a piece of bread, while still trying to cling to their childhood. Tune in for her story. Yousef on grief:https://afsc.org/news/grief-and-being-only-survivor-your-family-gaza The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack without doubt the maddest, but best chat we've had the best-maddest US-Based Irish-Russian economist there is, Prof Constantin Gurdgiev. Tariffs, Trumpism, immigration, Irish pharma, BRICS and Martin’s viagra economic development plan. A belter. The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Adam Mohamed is someone who we love and admire in the tortoise shack. His new project, A Ballymun Blend, is a written, spoken and sung history and stories of the much maligned area that we love. He is having a launch in the Axis, Ballymun on August 29th. Go. Tickets:https://axisballymun.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846