
Reboot Republic - Rory Hearne by Tortoise Shack Media
Reboot Republic is the innovative Podcast that delves beyond the headlines and soundbites and pulls up the roots of our Social Crises to unearth progressive solutions.
Episodes
Reading the feed…

Reboot Republic is the innovative Podcast that delves beyond the headlines and soundbites and pulls up the roots of our Social Crises to unearth progressive solutions.
Reading the feed…
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic episode, Rory is rejoined by Louise Bayliss from St. Vincent de Paul to discuss Ireland's rising cost of living, energy arrears, food inflation, the deepening housing crisis, and the deepening inequality that leaves many households feeling pessimistic about the future. They explore the systemic failures, the impact on vulnerable populations, the urgent need for policy reforms, and the solutions that are workable. They also briefly discuss the Waterford Shark. See more:https://www.svp.ie/ The Dan's vs The Geography Teacher:http
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Podcast, Rory talks with Michael Taft, SIPTU economist, about the current tax-cutting agenda, a wealth tax, making our economy safer through state-led investment and actually affordable through public service provision, and responding to AI disruption through economic democracy and employee driven decison making. A progressive economic feast of solutions for summer listening. The Cancel Culture Dan O'Brien Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/mamdani-left-and-166467069 Musician and Artist Trick Mist podc
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory speaks with Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland, who discusses Ireland's economic position, social justice issues, the impact of political and ideological policies, and the importance of building a society focused on the common good. Michelle emphasises the need for real investment in community, building public services, and growing indigenous industry to create a fairer and more resilient Ireland. for more see:https://www.socialjustice.ie/ The Catch and Kill, Whistleblower podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Poet and teacher Mikey Cullen about his experience on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to break the siege of Gaza. He explains the illegal actions of Israel in kidnapping EU citizens in International waters, the violence they inflicted, and the hope and humanity the Flotilla carried. We also discuss why Ireland cannot play the Israel soccer match #Stopthegame CW: Listeners should note some of this maybe be triggering. For support contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: https://www.drcc.ie/support/ The J
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Reboot Republic Podcast, is a deep dive into the environmental and societal impacts of data centres and AI development in Ireland. Rory and Dr Ciaran O'Carroll analyse the rapid expansion of data centre infrastructure, its economic benefits (if any?), and the urgent need for sustainable and equitable strategies. This podcast outlines the finance chaos of Data Centres and why the bill for them keeps falling on the public to pay. Mikey Cullen from the Gaza Flotilla podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Support the Hind R
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by Economist with SIPTU, Michael Taft, to discuss the global economic outlook, the impacts the various crises are having on Ireland and the steps our Government (in housing, energy and health) can take to protect people from the worst of a worsening situation. Michael also delves into the issues facing the low and middle-income workers and has a quick-win progressive suggestion for how to address their genuine needs. The Left Unity Debate with Sinn Féin's David Cullinane:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exc
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Tony about the massive rent increases caused by the Government's new rental policies, Micheal Martin's thinskinned replies in the Dáil and the disturbing killing of Yves Sakila on Henry Street in Dublin. Join CATU: https://catuireland.org/ Black and Irish:https://blackandirish.com/ Philip O'Connor on violence podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158808490 Adam SpiceBag Doyle podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158702753
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hope, Courage and Community This Reboot Republic episode explores public attitudes towards migration, the rise of hate and far-right mobilisation in Ireland, and how communities are responding. Experts from the Hope and Courage Collective, Niamh McDonald and Edel McGinley join Rory to discuss the findings of their new report 'Ireland in Focus 2025, Mind the Gap,' which highlights the influence of online hate, shifting narratives, the gap between perception and reality and the importance of community resilience. https://hopeandcourage.ie/ireland-in-fo
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with economist and Director of NERI, Tom McDonnell about the current energy crisis, its global implications, and practical solutions for Ireland. The conversation covers energy security, renewable infrastructure, housing, and the need for a state construction company to address Ireland's housing crisis. It's all about inflation. We also discuss why a state construction company is needed, its benefits and why we wouldn't be in this housing crisis if it was set up a decade ago. Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.p
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic episode, Rory interviews Joe Guinan about the current geopolitical turbulence, the economic implications of the war, and the potential of community wealth building as a transformative alternative to the current financial system. Joe Guinan is President of The Democracy Collaborative. His focus is on political economy, strategy, and economic system change, and he is co-author (with Martin O’Neill) of The Case for Community Wealth Building (Polity, 2020). Bohemian's Cooperatives is launching this week. The Bohemian Cooperatives:
In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Poet and teacher Mikey Cullen about his decision to join the new flotilla heading to break the siege on Gaza. We talk about history repeating itself - how genocide continues in Gaza by Israel despite international law, our common commitment to never again, and finding meaning and purpose in a world where social media tries to commodify us into turning against each other and blaming the other instead of the billionaires destroying our societies and the planet. Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288 Trump's Board
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory and Tony discuss the costs of Trump's war - Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon, the fuel protests, the need for societal solidarity and how they reflect a deep distress amongst people struggling with the cost of living and where this is all headed. They draw the parallel between government arrogance and lack of compassion on Homelessness and evictions, which are at record levels, to their dismissive response to the scenes on our streets. Hubris? Maybe. But not unfounded until now. Prof Richard Murphy on the glob
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory discusses with Dr Phil Lawton of Trinity College the Government's latest housing proposals to remove planning restrictions on living in back-gardens & allow them to be rented. Phil sets out the international experience of back garden/lane dwellings - and the key differences with Ireland. He sets out real concerns with what the Government is proposing in terms of bad planning and what may become of these in the future. We discuss the intensification of the financialisation of housing with the Minister for Housing, in part
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Louise Bayliss of the St Vincent De Paul about what they are hearing and seeing from the 260,000 people contacting them looking for support. We look at child poverty, and ask why is it still so bad - almost 1 in 5 children go hungry at some point. We also discuss normalising homelessness and what needs to change. Louise Bayliss is Head of Social Justice and Policy at the St Vincent de Paul. The Shed-sit podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154676562 Iran, Shadow Banking, Shadow
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Reboot Republic again delves into Ireland's housing crisis, government policies, and the influence of international investment on the economy. Rory and Tony analyse the systemic issues, the role of private sector interests, the government fund festival vs the mass evictions that are occuring and the potential solutions for sustainable, green and public owned development. Cuba podcast with El Pais journalist in Latin America, Nicholas Leal here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153943715 Former US Green Beret, Anthony Aguilar podcast
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Keire Murphy, policy officer with the ESRI about their recent research on public attitudes on immigration in Ireland and how that compares to the reality. We also discuss what factors influence people's views, and how this can be changed, from tackling disadvantage to local communities working to engage new communities. We also have a chat with Keire about her own experience as a renter in her 30s and her views on the new rental measures. Will supply ever bring down rents??? Latest Reboot Pod on the Ri
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory speaks to Joan Carthy of the Irish Wheelchair Association about the cost of living crisis facing disabled people and their campaign for an emergency cost of disability winter payment. Joan explains how disabled people feel like they were pawns in the election after promises were made by Government but then their supports were cut in Budget 2026. Joan talks about the reality of having to choose between heating and eating and their campaign and determination to change things. Editors note: The campaign has received support
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats to producer Tony about the biggest changes to Ireland’s rental market in a generation, the Government’s response (or lack of) to the recent floods and the need for the opposition to make the public believe that it doesn’t have to be this way when it comes to the current politics of mediocrity. The Epstein Files and the dearth of good reporting:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150004285 Poet Paula Meehan pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150317193 Support Dignit
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with activist, campaigner and commentator Jenny Maguire about her recent column that laid out the need for the broad left to focus on building a coalition that is based on a more hopeful vision and less prone to infighting around identity politics. This is a great conversation with a great voice and The Flash even makes a guest appearance. The Irish Spy Deel (sic) podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149241136?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats with UCD Professor Aidan Regan about the gap between Ireland’s global leading GDP and the average person’s economic outlook. Aidan argues that this imbalance contributes to the growing polarisation in our society and politics and he also talks about how exposed our economic miracle is to the whims of the man in the White House. Read more here:https://democracychallenged.com/2025/12/17/irelands-gdp-is-a-mirage-household-living-standards-tell-the-real-story/ Comrade Mark Carney, Davos and Inequality podcast i
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by producer Tony Groves to talk the reality of our homelessness crisis, the horror of AI/X Grok's CSAM, Simon Harris joining Jim O'Callaghan on the anti-immigrant bus, Climate Action getting binned by government and why the Left needs to focus on kitchen table issues in 2026. Editors Note: Rory subsequently abandoned his twitter/x account. Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291 The Immigration "Debate" Podcast with Lawyer
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland about what are real reasons for the ongoing rise in homelessness, finding hope in solutions like a ban on evictions, and is it fair to call out landlord greed to get the market rent & the HAP trap. Venezuela Podcast with el Pais journalist Nicholas Dale Leal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146527115 Support Simon here:https://www.simon.ie/donate/
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with leading author and researcher Conor McCabe about the Irish economy - is this really record economic growth? How does foreign direct investment mislead what is really going on, how it shapes our policy and leaves us wondering why are things so difficult for so many if this is record economic growth. We also talk about how Governments turned housing into a global asset class and created our housing disaster. Constantin Gurdgiev's Christmas Special is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-14
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Podcast, Rory chats with tortoise shack editor Tony Groves about the government's new housing plan, that is so impressive that the Minister for Housing, James Brown, didn't even bother hanging around to answer questions on it in the Dáil. This is a short insight into what is and more importantly is not in the "plan." The Philip O'Connor in Stockholm podcast is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143333372 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by tortoise shack editor and producer, Tony Groves and Mr irishelectionprojections.com, Harry McEvansoneya, to talk about the Presidential Election, the broad Left-unity movement that may emerge and the far right in Ireland. We also pit Rory's enthusiasm against Tony's cynicism and Harry looks at what lessons might be learned from what was a bit of a mad campaign. Harry's latest:https://irishelectionprojections.com/2025/10/21/2025-presidential-election/ Bloody Sunday, Soldier F and British Justice with Tony Doh