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

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

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

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode we dive into the "Cut Taxes" narrative that is dominating our economic and political media at the moment with NERI Economist, Ciaran Nugent. We dig into Ireland's topsy-turvy fiscal policies, the reality of our personal tax system, Ireland's tax (avoidance) system, the housing crisis, our weak energy transition, and the impact of international policies on Ireland's future. We also look at the current prominent economic debates, tired old government strategies, and the importance of resilient planning for sustainable growth. There's also some patreon-only predictions at the end... James Leonard on Building Community interview:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146 Mohammed Isdodi in Gaza report:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157949546

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Writer, columnist and political commentator Elaine Crory rejoined me on the tortoise shack to talk Stormont and the mood music of a managed decline. She breaks down why the politicians MUST stay the course and not betray their constituents and the reasons for the latest opinion poll data that shows a 60%+ lead for the Irish unity with EU membership question. This is a belter of a chat with a great voice we need to hear from. The Hope, Courage and Community podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157607730 James Leonard in the Shack podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146

Malak Hijazi is an English Literature graduate, writer, historian of displacement and journalist from Gaza. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, describe life under the ongoing genocide and explain why she is compelled to record what is happening to her people despite the danger to herself. A remarkable young woman. Don’t miss it. Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108 The Hope, Courage and Community podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157607730

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

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/

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/

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/