The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Tickets for Podcasts for Palestine:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/podcasts-for-palestine-tickets-782538141647?aff=oddtdtcreator

The genocide in Gaza is taking longer than planned by the Israeli military. But this is ok for Netanyahu, who wants to prolong the war because the last day of war will most likely be his last day in politics.

Israel is withdrawing more battalions and suffering heavier losses than anticipated. Palestinians too have suffered immensely with 30,000 killed including those under the rubble. The fact is that Palestinians will continue to be in Gaza and the world, despite the lazy narrative, is changing.

South Africa is taking Israel to the ICJ and more middle powers are emerging and forming new economic and political blocs, such as the BRICS. How will this affect Gaza? Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves discuss all of this and more.

Please help keep the mics on by joining us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

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Tickets for Podcasts for Palestine:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/podcasts-for-palestine-tickets-782538141647?aff=oddtdtcreator

We've seen in Ireland and indeed globally a rebranding of State failures to make real progress in Climate Action into so-called historic successes. Yes, there has been some good things added to plans, but surely we should have moved beyond worrying about what type of linguistic gymnastics is less offensive to the fossil fuel industry?

Joining Tony and Rory is Mr. Glass Half Empty himself, climate activist and commentator, John Gibbons, and he serves us a few shots of cold hard truth that would sober up even the drunkest drinker of Hopium.

Please join us in 2024 and help keep this show on the road: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

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Actor, comedian, satirist and activist, Tadhg Hickey, has had a very big 2023. Whether it was a sold-out tour, viral sketches or appearances in some controversial places, he's still, as he says himself, a work in progress.

In this podcast Tony and Tadhg talk about everything from Gaza to George Galloway and from recovery to helping others who have their own mental health struggles. I hope you enjoy listening to this chat as much as I did recording it.

Happy New Year to all of you and sincere thanks for sticking with us through what has been the most challenging year since the tortoise shack became an accidental platform. Love.

Tony

The Climate Action 2023 review with John Gibbons is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94993349

Tickets for Podcasts for Palestine:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/podcasts-for-palestine-tickets-782538141647?aff=oddtdtcreator

“Oops, we killed 50 by mistake,” said Refaat Alareer, in one his lectures, speaking of how the Israeli State from time to time justifies the killing of Palestinians in mass numbers.

Unfortunately this reminds us of Israel’s killing of 80 Palestinians in Al-Maghazi refugee camp to the south of Gaza, just two days ago, and saying oops, they used “inappropriate munition” and that they should have used smaller bombs. Helena Cobban and Tony Groves join Yousef Aljamal to discuss all the "oops" moments by Israel in Gaza, how everything, even a donkey, is Hamas" as more Palestinians are forced to leave their homes and at least 21,000 have been killed since October 7.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

The Climate Action Year in Review Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94993349

Help us keep going in 2024 by clicking on patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Tony Novosel is the author of 'Northern Ireland's Lost Opportunity: The Frustrated Promise of Political Loyalism' and has been a frequent visitor to NI since 1974. Over the years he has been recognised for his cross-community peace building work. In this episode he talks to the lads about the challenges facing progressive loyalism.

How better public services is the antidote to the far right podcast with Prof Catherine De Vries is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94992075

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Tickets for Podcasts for Palestine:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/podcasts-for-palestine-tickets-782538141647

Merry Ditchmas and a Happy New Media Landscape

The Ditch have had a year. From exposing political corruption to getting smeared by the Tanaiste and that's before we get to the Paddy Cosgrave stuff. But there's no doubt they've shook up people who were complacent and upset some parts of legacy media that needed to be reminded of what they're supposed to be about.

Rejoining us for a wrap of the year are the now 3 Snr Hurlers, Roman Shortall, Eoghan McNeil and 'Big' Paulie Doyle. Questions asked and answered. Support them into 2024.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

The Tadhg Hickey Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94992441

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When (now former) founder of Circle CI, Paul Biggar wrote his blog "I can't sleep' about the Israeli "war" on Gaza, and the fear of many in the tech and venture capital industry to speak up, he knew it would have repercussions. But he did it anyway because he believed it was the right thing to do and that silence was a form of complicity.

He joins us from New York to explain his reason, the overwhelmingly positive (if sadly privately expressed) response he's received and the maybe worse than expected reaction of his peers in an industry where he has build startups valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The piece is available here:https://blog.paulbiggar.com/i-cant-sleep/

The Echo Chamber 1 to 1 with comedian, satirist, actor and activist, Tadgh Hickey, is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94992441

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PalCast co-hosts Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and producer Tony Groves had a wonderful and uplifting discussion with Philip Farah, who is a member of the Christian Palestinian community and who lived in Jerusalem until the age of 27.

Philip still has family in Gaza, of whom some have been killed of during the current genocide, and his warmth for the land shines through. He recalls celebrating Christmas in Palestine, walking from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and visiting family in Gaza. He sang for us some of the songs he learnt from his mom, cracked some jokes and told us that baby Jesus would be under the rubble in Gaza today. While Christians across the world celebrate Christmas, they should remember Palestine that gave Christianity to the world and Gaza is home to one of the oldest churches in the world that is now sadly in ruins.

The podcast with Paul Biggar about speaking out about Gaza in the tech industry is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94993305

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Please click the link and help us keep going in 2024:patreon.com/tortoiseshack

As a political nerd, I'd heard of former Alliance Party candidate, Scott Moore. But I had no idea who Scomo was until Conor McGregor got into a battle rap with him on twitter or X as the Muskovite's call it.

So we decided to ask him who is the real Scott Moore? The answer is a lot more fun, complex and interesting than anything that had to be deleted by that other fella. Enjoy.

The latest Reboot on the psychological impact of Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-95051127

Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-safe-return-of-irish-citizen-zak-hania-from-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Ed Moloney is one of Ireland's most famous journalists and the author of a number of books about the conflict in Northern Ireland. In this episode he talks to the lads about legacy and reconciliation, oral history, notable characters that he has met over the years, what it was like reporting on subjects such as Kincora and how he avoided assassination by the UDA after a dirty tricks campaign against him in the early 1980's.

The Ditch wrap of 2023 podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94831589