Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Common sense is often just biases and simplifications." In this (previously) member-only pod, Tony and journalist Philip O’Connor explore Ireland's political descent into fringe positions, media influence, social media dynamics, and the broader implications for democracy and society. They delve into the impact of social media echo chambers, government censorship, and the rise/normalisation of far-right views. Philip talks about the consent advert that boiled so many brains, via the prism of his work in self-defence classes and setting personal boundaries. Why Texas turned Blue podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174589890 How Mobilisation is the Antidote to Money:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "This is not a moment to be a bystander. Let’s think about this as an opportunity.” In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony speaks with Human Rights Law Professor at Queens University Belfast, Colin Harvey about the emerging and evolving discussion on Irish unity and the chance to shape a more equal, rights-based future across the island. They discuss recent attempts to drag us back, Northern Ireland’s political dysfunction, social needs that aren’t being addressed, the right to protest, and media narratives North and South. They discuss neutrality and the recent attempts to limit access to justice in the South. Then to finish, Colin talks about how civil society and progressive voices should help define what comes next. Housing - Viability vs Liveability:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174277006 US Mid Terms Rory and Philip O'Connor:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "It always looks hopeless, until it's not." In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony speaks with journalist Nicholas Leal of El País about Lula da Silva’s narrow and historic presidential-election victory in Brazil. (Isn't it great to have some good news for a change?) Nicholas outlines the grassroots mobilisation that overcame a first-round deficit, turned out an incredible extra 10m voters, and the deeply polarised political and economic constraints ahead. They also examine Meta’s campaign bias, Brazil’s place in regional politics, the unhappy markets, and the latest developments involving Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado. And yes, Lula's campaign grew a WhatsApp group that included 7% of the Brazilian electorate. Not bad, considering he only got his first mobile phone a week before the vote. Change is happening podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414 Rethinking Housing at an EU Level:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Tarak AlFarra is a Palestinian Digital Storyteller, Social Media Creator and Humanitarian Activist from Gaza, who was evacuated and is now in Italy. His work focuses on humanitarian storytelling, visual documentation, social media advocacy, and short-form creation related to war, displacement, identity, and resilience. Through photography, interviews, public speaking, and digital media, he's documented the lived experiences from Gaza and helped to amplify underrepresented voices through creative storytelling and his own empathetic style. The EU Housing Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727 The Unity Conversation:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony challenges Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, on his Party's new proposals on long-term residency and citizenship. They discuss the evolving (devolving?) conversation around immigration in Ireland, and the changing public perceptions of our current system. The conversation delves into the nuances of immigration policy, including the distinction between residency and citizenship, the criteria for good character, and the economic contributions of migrants to Irish society. It also touches on the issue of racism and the recent controversy surrounding Palestinian student visas, advocating for a more humane approach to immigration. Lula's Historic Comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419 Sigh for Change and our boiled social media brains:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173195588

Dr. Mahmoud Altarabin is an Associate Professor of Translation and Linguistics and Deputy Head of the Department of English at the Islamic University of Gaza. He is an author and scholar known for his textbooks and research on Arabic-English translation, media, legal, and technical translation. He joins us from his displacement tent in Khan Younis to discuss how he has maintained and diversified his teaching over the past three years; the need to support students' education and well-being; and his hope for greater solidarity with international academia. This is a must-listen podcast. Lynn Boylan vs The State:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173553999 Lula's historic comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Race hate crime is a year-long problem." In this episode, Tony speaks with journalist Luke Butterly of The Detail about recent developments in Northern Ireland, including the Drumcree court cases, cross-community tensions, and the challenges of addressing racial and political issues. They explore the impact of government policies, community responses, and the ongoing crisis of political inaction. Luke’s reporting has revealed some very uncomfortable facts about the racist pogroms and the weakness and or ineptitude of the Stormont government. Lula's Historic Comeback podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419 The piece: https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Permacrisis https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Ballymena report https://share.google/wxWzdmP63VNvlKfNA

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "If we don't acknowledge that change can be an improvement, change will be forced on us." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and thegist.ie writer, solicitor and Mr Data Protection, Simon McGarr, explore the troubling phenomenon of politicians listening to faceless bots on social media instead of the genuine voices of the electorate. They look at the influence that social media is having on government decision-making, eve as it erodes societal trust. They discuss how fake voices, confirmation bias, and systemic issues shape public perception and policy. Simon's Gists:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ No Go Zones in Northern Ireland - https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 The French Riots and the Broken Social Contract across the EU:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173108103

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Removing the triple lock means Ireland is no longer neutral" In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and Senator Tom Clonan delve into Ireland's military neutrality, ongoing government moves to abolish the triple lock, and the implications for Ireland's foreign policy and defense. They explore the systemic issues and risks associated with ending Ireland's historic peacekeeping role, in contrast with a potential future of a non-neutral role of peace enforcement. We also discuss Tom’s statement in the Seanad regarding St John’s Ambulance and his views on the cost of disability payments outlined in Budget 2027. No Go Zones in Northern Ireland podcast with Luke Butterly:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 Simon McGarr on the Ignored vs the Adored in Irish politics:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Build accessibility into everything from the ground up." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony is joined by activist, campaigner and Co-Founder of Equality Not Care, Ann Marie Flanagan and Senior Accessibility Lead and Daddy, Brian Dalton, to explore the recent budget's impact on disabled people, the true costs of disability, and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure equality and accessibility for all. We talk about the urgent need for the Government to create parity by giving working disabled people a €500 tax credit, and the way we've built a country that fails to see our disabled community as equal. "To hear that they were calling what is now a top-up to disability pay, a disability allowance, was hugely upsetting... Disabled people are treated as passive recipients waiting for the crumbs of government. This is just not good enough." The Ignored vs the adored with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259 Peace Keeping vs Peace Enforcement:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172888082