As part of our ongoing coverage of the Assembly Elections, I was joined by Belfast Lord Mayor and the Alliance Party candidate for South Belfast, Kate Nicholl. We discuss why at 35 weeks pregnant she is campaigning for what she believes can be a "only way is up" future for her city. We discuss the opportunities in a working Stormont and what she would aim for if elected.

We also talk diversity, climate, the Protocol and more.

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Belfast City Cllr and Green Party candidate for East Belfast, Brian Smyth joined me to tell me why he was running and what he's hearing on the campaign trail. He talks about linking left-environmentalism to health, housing and social mobility. We talk about the media imbalance, the NI Protocol, cultural identity and much, much more.

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Martin got up long enough to chat with regular contributor Loyalist, Unionist and Lefty, Sam Mcilwaine about the upcoming Assembly Elections.

As always Sam gives a great insight into the concerns of the electorate and of his community. Interestingly while the NI Protocol is certainly a concern, it is far from the most important one. We also get into the latest polling on the appetite for a border poll and is this really Sinn Féin's election to lose. (recorded April 19th)

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I've just finished talking with Editor of Slugger O'Toole, Mick Fealty, about the upcoming Stormont Elections. Mick talks about the state of play, the "dreaded" border poll, where voters are looking beyond identity politics and what he sees as the outcome of what has been called the most important election in Northern Ireland's history.

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Madrid based Professor and long-time contributor, Joe Haslam was in Dublin for a few days, so he kindly dropped into the tortoise shack for an in person podcast.

We discussed the impact the war on Ukraine has had on the internal politics of Spain and what it has meant for their already EU leading ambitions towards structural climate action. We discuss the economic threats and the likely EU response to come. Joe outlines the need for more diversity in the policy making process and how thinking and acting globally is a better model for security and tackling inequality. We also grabbed a pint in the Diggers.

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If you knew that a train was steaming towards you, you'd get out of the way. So why are we so slow in acting to avoid the incoming climate crisis?

Joining me to discuss this and their new book, Supercharge Me, are Corinne Sawers and Eric Lonergan. They outline the steps that are viable now that will not only speed up the actions needed around renewable energy, buildings, food and transport, but actually benefit everyone who is not a member of a Theocracy, Thugocracy or the 1%.

Have a listen and get the book.

Tickets for Sunday:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tortoise-shack-live-easter-sunday-special-tickets-296620518957?keep_tld=1

(Recorded and released for members on Tuesday Apr 12th)

Today we witnessed an unprecedented international police action against the Kinahan Drug and Crime Group. Joining me to discuss this and the implications are two of the people who have done so much work on this story and helped make sure that the ugly facts were reported, no matter how much sportswashing occured, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star, Kieran Cunningham and Crime Correspondent with the same paper, Michael O'Toole.

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We're are backkkkkkk!!! After a long hiatus, we're coming back with another episode and are joined by the lovely Deborah. In this episode we talk about Deborah’s work with Youth Work Ireland , activism and as usual digressed into other topics such as first generation immigrants, being part of the LGBTQIA’s+ community and self image. Hope everyone enjoys the episode!!!!

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Earlier today Volodymr Zelenskiy addressed the Oireachtas and pleaded for EU States to do more. Joining me to discuss what that 'more' means is Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko.

Lesia, as a native of Kyiv, talks passionately about the heartbreaking details emerging from the towns and suburbs like Bucha and Iprin that she knows so well. Her anger and hurt is palpable. We discuss the faded hopes for peace talks, the prospect of a long drawn-out war and the EU's continued funding of the Russian war machine via gas and oil payments.

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