The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

In this episode, Niamh talks to Elizabeth (Liz) Kiely, senior lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, about her book, co-authored with Katharina Swirak, The Criminalisation of Social Policy in Neoliberal Societies, that was published by Bristol University Press in 2022. The criminalisation of social policy refers to the growing intersection between social policy and crime control, and, more broadly, to the ways in which social policy can stigmatise, exclude and penalise social groups deemed to be problematic.

Niamh and Liz talked about the relationship between the disciplines of social policy and criminology; the link between the criminalisation of social policy and neoliberalism; the penalisation of lone parenthood; the rise of the ‘squeezed middle’ discourse; the significance of interventions to address ‘adverse childhood experiences’; the role of the social professions, and, finally, the potential for alternative forms of social policy that are grounded in equality and social justice.

Here's a link to the article on the ‘squeezed middle’ which was mentioned during the show: (Neo)Liberal Populism and Ireland’s ‘Squeezed Middle’.

In this podcast you'll hear about Martin's ongoing health issue and experience of the crisis in our health service.

Then Sinn Fein TD for Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan, joins me to discuss the dire situation in University Hospital Limerick and why the government's inadequate response is not new and is putting patient safety at risk.

We also discuss moves on drug and alcohol in Limerick, Maurice's views on decriminalisation and how serious is Sinn Féin's climate policy.

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In this, Part 2 of our 2022 Review& 2023 Look Forward, Martin, Shamim, Emma, Harry, Sam and Tony, discuss the year ahead, reasons to be hopeful (and there are many) and what they want to see in the days and months ahead. We also chat about challenges and lessons learned from 2022, if any!

You'll also hear from James and Timmy of the Two Norries, Rosie and Niamh of Múscailt, Mick O'Toole, Seana Grant, Luke Ming, Lynn Boylan, Blind Boy, Colin Harvey and more.

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Inequality in Ireland in 2022, homelessness record levels; finding hope in a values shift.

In this Reboot Republic, Rory and Tony provide a review of the highlights and lowlights of 2022 and look forward to 2023. They discuss the record homelessness and rents, rising inequality and the cost of living crisis, but also find hope in a value shift that can force major change in 2023 including an extension of the eviction ban and a referendum on the right to housing.

Thanks to everyone who listened, shared and supported us in 2022. Please join us in 2023 at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

I hope you're all enjoying few days off or at the very least, taking some time for yourselves. This is the tortoise shack review of (some of) 2022. Joining Martin, Sam and myself to look at highlights, lowlights and a lot, lot more were Shamim Malekmian, Emma DeSouza and Harry McEvansoneya.

You'll also hear from listeners and contributors like Rose Marie Maughan, Graham Merro Merrigan, Amanullah De Sondy, Emma Langford, Sharon Lambert, Chris De Burgh, Grace Dyas, John Gibbons, Colin from Portsmouth and Gav Casey. Hope you enjoy.

Part 2 is available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack - Please join us in 2023.

In what was a genuine highlight of 2022 for me to have former European 400 meters champion and the best broadcaster in Irish Athletics, David Gillick, come over to the tortoise shack.

We discuss he career as an elite athlete, how he struggled to transition to a post-running life, his mental health struggles and the love he has for his family, the sport and the athletes he now covers. David opens up about the low points and is searingly honest about how he, like us all, are only ever a work in progress. I loved this conversation.

Please join us in 2023 and help keep this podcast going at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Please join us in 2023 and help keep the mic on at patreon.com/toroiseshack

In this very special podcast, Martin chats to his Da about being a city farmer in the 40s and 50s in Drumcondra. They talk about floods, cows, what a 'tilly' of milk is and driving cows 9 miles from the Ward in North County Dublin to Smithfield. It's difficult to imagine that Drumcondra was once the edge of the city, Joe puts manners on his son and brings that period to life in this heartwarming podcast. Enjoy.

The new Survey on Income and Living Conditions is out and the data is very revealing. Rejoining us to dive into the data is Economist with NERI, Ciarán Nugent.

We discuss the deprivation levels that are rising while the economy is booming, the staggering growth (up 60% in one year) of working poor and the very real impact on mental health and social participation that dependency on crumbs from the tax haven table is having on hundreds of thousands of people today.

Please join us in 2023 and help keep the mics on at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

This special Reboot Republic Podcast, was recorded as part of the Mental Health Reform’s Coalition Conversations and discusses how housing and mental health are connected, how the housing crisis is impacting on mental health and how a secure home is essential for wellbeing. Rory facilitates a conversation with Martina Smith, Chief Executive Officer, HAIL (Housing Association for Integrated Living), Aodhan O’Heineaháin, HAIL Tenant, Dr Suzanne Denieffe, Head of the School of Humanities, Waterford Institute of Technology and Sarah Hughes, Mental Health Programme Manager, Union of Students in Ireland.

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Rejoining us on the tortoise shack is Spanish-based journalist, Eoghan Gilmartin. The last time we spoke with Eoghan, he'd covered the massacre at Melilia and he gives us an update on this as well as his take on the Spanish cost of living crisis and why they are the least impacted country by inflation in the EU.

Another great chat.

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