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In this 2024/2025 tortoise shack special we are joined by journalist and Our Man in Stockholm, Mr Philip O’Connor, to discuss how the (sadly many) missed opportunities of 2024 can be seen as learnings for 2025.

We talk politics, media and the need for a more combative opposition within both areas. Then Philip makes the case for moving beyond solidarity to what he calls Radical Compassion. Please have a listen.

(And get him a job hosting an Irish tv show)

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In this wrap of 2024 we skip over the Irish Sea to talk with listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy, about the UK’s year of turmoil and the stability of having a politics of not very much ambition.

Richard talks about how the Labour Party had continued to impose rules upon itself under the guise of fiscal prudence, whilst offering a seat at the table to some of the biggest capitalist predators in the world. Global Britain in 2025? We will see.

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Listeners will remember Ann Marie Flanagan from our 'No on the Care Referendum' podcast. Well she’s decided that the best way for to see the promises made after that failed referendum is for her to be at the table where the legislation gets written and negotiated. So she’s running for the Seanad and joins us to talk all about her ambitions for the work and representing the disabled community as a member of it in national politics.

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Banias is a wonderful a 8-year old child living in Gaza, now displaced in Al-Zawayda. She joins us to speak of the dreams that she still carries and the life that she left behind in her home, now destroyed, in Gaza city,

Banias shares her hopes for the new year, talks about rebuilding Gaza, wanting to visit New York, her favourite Christmas film, Home Alone, and how much she wants to see an end to the war. Her mom, Maram, also joins us towards the end of the conversation. Banias likes Christmas, and she lit up this podcast. Let’s hold her and the people of Gaza in the light during this holiday season. Tune in for more

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In this wrap of 2024 we are joined by the dream team of Shamim Malekmian and Harry McEvansoneya, to look back over 2024, share a few laughs and worry about the direction of travel in too much of global politics. We talk heroes, villains and the stories that included both of those. All Hail the Bike Shed.

Happy Christmas from Donna and Blitzen!

The Child's Wish from Gaza Pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/118607091

Prof Richard Murphy on the UK's 2024 is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/118100221

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(Editors Note: Recorded Dec 12th)

Martin vs RTE at the WRC

Martin went to the WRC to represent RTE worker Joey Kelly vs Arthur Cox who are representing RTE. It was standing room only and despite the attempts to have the case dismissed, what was revealed shows that RTE is not taking steps to resolve its mistreatment of workers. If anything the company is speaking out of both sides of its State-Funded mouth.

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I won't lie, I wanted to see PBP Cllr Conor Reddy get into the Dáil. But that's the democratic process and his (and my) disappointment is, as Conor outlines, a waste of time when the work on the ground continues. We look at the opportunity of real Left Unity in the next Dáil and in street-led activism and we also discuss his important scientific work with Inclusion Services and his PhD which first brought him to my attention. You don't need a Dáil seat to make a difference.

The Wrap of 2024 Specials are available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

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Human Rights Lawyer, Saoirse Brady is the Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (https://iprt.ie) and she kindly sat down with us in the tortoise shack to talk about our prison system, restorative justice, community sanctions, ending secondary punishments and much more.

We really got a lot out of this podcast. Please give it a listen.

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In this must hear podcast journalist and tortoise shack regular Gareth Browne joined us from Syria to describe what he has witnessed since being one of the first western journalists to enter Damascus as the Assad regime was collapsing.

This podcast includes descriptions that some listeners may find disturbing. But, and it is a big but, I think it’s ultimately a hopeful conversation. We all wish for better for the Syrian people into 2025.

Martin vs RTE at the WRC podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-117844335

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In this post GE2024 podcast we are joined by Sinn Féin poll topper and maybe short-lived head of the Public Accounts Committee, Mairéad Farrell, to discuss her party's disappointment and or satisfaction with the general election results, her term as a first time TD, working hard for her constituency, the need for better domestic violence supports, the chances of a female led broad left opposition and plenty more.

Gareth Browne and Will Holden on Syria podcasts are available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

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