The Trick is to not take the Serious Stuff Seriously – Zain’s Story

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of the Echo Chamber Podcast, Tony dives deep into the evolving/devolving immigration landscape and its implications for the Irish health system. The discussion centres around the right wing political shift and how they threaten to reshape the fabric of our health service. He’s joined by four Medical Professionals who are at various stages of their careers, from trainee to hospital consultant, to dig into the impact the lengthening citizenship process will have on patients, medical staff, their families and the public. No one should be reduced to their economic utility, but no one who was asked to come here should be told that they aren’t really wanted. The Case for Left Wing Populism:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168936278 Dr Sharon Lambert on Empathy, Inequality and Social Cohesion:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168594354

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This episode contains subjects that listeners/viewers might find disturbing. Abdulkhaliq Burnat is a Palestinian law student from the village of Billin in the West Bank. He was jailed for a total of 5 years in Israeli jails, four of them were under administrative detention, without charge or trial. He joins us to share his prison experience and describe the abuses he suffered and witnessed there, and why he now wants to become a lawyer who will help legally dismantle the illegal Administrative Detention System. Dr Sharon Lambert on Empathy and Inequality:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168594354 The case for left populism:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168936278

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack (Note: Recorded for members Aug 28th) In this Tortoise Shack episode, NUI Lecturer in Criminal Law, Policing and Criminology, Cian ó Concubhai, rejoins us to discuss his report, The Role of Crime and Security Journalism in Irish Democracy. We explore recent (and not so recent) cases, the relationships between crime correspondents and Policing Authorities, surveillance issues, and the influence of funding on journalistic independence. Cian discusses systemic challenges, legal protections, and the risks faced by journalists in Ireland and Northern Ireland. They also discuss the Justice Minister's reaction to the tragic events on the M9. Report is here:https://www.iccl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-Role-of-Crime-and-Security-Journalism-in-Irish-Democracy-MU.pdf The Case for Left Wing Populism:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168936278 The Fagersta School attack:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168854108

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roa'a Abuaser is a 19-year-old medical student from Gaza. Alongside her studies, she is a poet, creative writer, and musician, she speaks 4 languages. Driven by a passion for cultural exchange, she founded PolyVera, the first language and cultural community in Gaza. She had the temerity to tell Yousef and Tony that there's nothing interesting about her. We disagree. Former Palestinian Child Prisoner, Abdulkhaliq Burnat podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168488833 The Bookmarks Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168199727

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roa'a Abuaser is a 19-year-old medical student from Gaza. Alongside her studies, she is a poet, creative writer, and musician, she speaks 4 languages. Driven by a passion for cultural exchange, she founded PolyVera, the first language and cultural community in Gaza. She had the temerity to tell Yousef and Tony that there's nothing interesting about her. We disagree. Former Palestinian Child Prisoner, Abdulkhaliq Burnat podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168488833 The Bookmarks Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168199727

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The best way to improve our biodiversity is to support, protect and when necessary, rescue the wildlife we already live among. Joining us for the first time is Animal Rescue Coordinator with Kildare Wildlife Rescue, Pearse Stokes. We talk about his journey into this work, his sense of duty to the environment and why he believes finding purpose is a powerful antidote to the toxic masculinity that is present in our society. We also discuss why we seem stuck in the politics the past and how that is going to help us mitigate the climate collapse of today. See more at:https://www.kwr.ie/ New Bookmarks Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-168199727

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Self-described former Unionist, TIK Tok, Irish-Northern Irish-British identity content creator, Claire JC, joins Tony in the Tortoise Shack to talk about her journey, identity-wise, politically and even geographically. We discuss the United Ireland movement, the Happy Lundy community and why she is building Ulster Says Maybe. A cracker of a chat, and no Andy, a border poll is not off the table. Find Claire at https:https://www.patreon.com/UlsterSaysMaybe and at //www.tiktok.com/@clairejc_official The Police Surveillance of journalists podcast is out here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167637329 Roa'a in Gaza podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167819316

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef Aljamal talks to cohost Tony Groves about the latest news on Gaza, the current worseninig reality on the ground and the truth behind the ceasefire and the Hamas position on surrendering their weapons. Then they look at the upcoming Israeli election and the polling that shows that the problems with the actions towards Palestinians extends beyond the current Netanyahu government. Medical Student Roa'a Abuaser in Gaza podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167819316 Ulster Says Maybe podcast with Claire JC:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167578305

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony is joined by author, lecturer and neutrality campaigner, Dr Patrick Bresnihan, to discuss Ireland's neutrality, climate change, military spending, and the influence powerful (and often vested) interests have on Irish policy. They explore the political landscape, societal debates, and the importance of informed discourse. They also get into the social media attacks on Patrick by prominent mainstream commentators that dragged into question freedom of expression and academic freedoms. The Gardai and the Crime Correspondent:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167637329 Ulster says Maybe podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167578305

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined from Gaza by Zain Abu Tawela, a brilliant 10yr old who enjoys crafting, designing clothes, and creating art with playdough. She tells us about her dream of owning a bookshop and becoming a pottery artist. She also recounts her experience of displacement, food insecurity, school and how her sense of humour makes the serious times lighter and sometimes the lighter moments more sad. The Geography Teacher vs the Dan's:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167005633 Pearse Stokes System Change podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-167184601 Yousef and Tony break down the Israeli election:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-166571088