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Episode 1: The Rural Town Divide, Social Media, Charlotte’s screen time, farming life & the next generation

Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetically honest….some might say blunt. 

Welcome to the very first episode of The Wilson & Ashley Podcast hosted by Charlotte Ashley and Rebecca Wilson. We’d like to think that we are strong, no-nonsense farming women with deep roots in the countryside and a passion for tackling big issues.  Recording from our unique mobile podcast studio, we are also on YouTube so if you fancy watching the whole thing unfold, jump on over and witness the carnage.

In this debut we dive straight into the growing rural-urban divide, using a thought provoking video by shepherdess Emma Grey from the Isle of Bute as our starting point. We feel it demonstrates perfectly the reason for us starting a podcast.

We explore how social media portrays farming life, the misconceptions it can create, and how digital culture is reshaping even the most remote communities. Prompted by Rebecca watching the super hit Netflix show, Adolescence, the conversation turns to children, mobile phones, and the internet. Are we losing the real-world connection that children once had? Is Charlotte just a terrible parent and a huge hypocrite? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 

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Episode 2: Chlorinated Chicken, Trade Deals, Charlotte & Rebecca Take London, Does the Women in Agriculture Movement Really Matter and is There a North-South Divide?

Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetically honest….some might say blunt. Again.

We're back — this time fresh from a trip to the capital for the National Women in Agriculture Awards, with one of our hosts bringing back the Influencer of the Year crown! Don't get us started on the word 'influencer' though, that needs its own episode! Of course there was a sense of power, pride, and passion in a room full of many incredible women shaping the future of farming... but has the women in agriculture movement gone too far? This is a topic our listeners definitely had some opinions on!

Now we don't have time in less than an hour to fully dissect the UK-US trade deals going on at the moment but we do dive into the chlorinated chicken debate. With mainstream media frothing over the trade talks and what this means for consumers and farmers, we’re asking what’s really at stake? Because spoiler alert: it’s not just about chlorine and chicken. It’s about food standards, consumer trust, and the slippery slope that starts with one deal and ends with a broken food system.

At the moment, it seems like policy is made in Westminster but the consequences land squarely in our farmyards - who actually benefits from importing cheap food? And who’s left picking up the pieces when trust in British farming takes another knock?

Yet again, we're reminded why podcasts like ours matter - real farming voices are essential. We tell the stories from the farm and beyond, as they happen, combining opinion and fact. 

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We’ve absolutely loved hearing from our listeners in previous episodes—so this week, we’re handing over the mic (sort of) and sharing your takes on the biggest myths you’ve heard about farming. From dinner table debates to downright daft questions, it’s all in here. But should we be judging consumers for not knowing, or should we, as farmers, take more responsibility for bridging the knowledge gap?

In this myth-busting episode, Wilson and Ashley wade into the world of food and farming misconceptions. From the rumour that brown cows produce chocolate milk, to the real facts behind milking cows—not because they're forced to, but because they want to—we’re setting the record straight.

We also chat about the vegan narrative, tractor girls and Only Fans and why some animals have horns. Whether you’re a curious consumer or a fellow farmer, this episode is packed with laughs, logic, and a few eye-roll moments.

We've done our research and we're clearing the air with facts, humour and a fair few opinions!

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If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.

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In this episode of the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, we’re talking about the weather. Yes, we know that farmers are always complaining about it being too wet, too windy, too cold...but why does it matter?

With dry, cracked fields and brown fields becoming the norm across the UK, we want to explore the reality of farming through the extremes. Inspired by a recent post from the Funky Farmer, and the flood of comments that followed, we reflect on what drought actually means on our farms — not just in terms of grass growth and yields, but also the emotional toll.

Some parts of the country might have been blessed with some recent showers, but we ask: is it too little, too late? We hear from some of our farming listeners who share their honest thoughts on the topic. But do consumers understand any of this? Does drought, and everything that comes with it, make any real difference to what ends up in people’s shopping baskets — or is it business as usual in the eyes of the public?

That question leads us straight into the world of plant-based branding, and a new marketing campaign for oat milk.

We talk about Olly Harrison’s recent collaboration with Alpro, where he speaks as a British farmer about the sustainability of UK-grown oats. It's caused a bit of a stir online, with some people confusing Alpro’s campaign with the more controversial tone of Oatly. We look at the facts — including the only advert the ASA has pulled recently (and why it wasn’t one of the aggressive anti-farming ones) — and we ask what this shift in messaging means for the future of food and farming.

Charlotte gives her gut reaction as a dairy farmer to oat milk: can we embrace plant-based products, and is there such a thing as a "good news" story for UK farming in the alternative dairy space?

We explore Alpro’s claims about sustainability, crop rotations, and regenerative farming, and weigh up the pros, cons, and consumer confusion around what it really means to “support local.”

Hold tight because this one is a jam packed episode! Part weather report, part industry analysis, and part marketing masterclass — all with that classic straight talking Wilson and Ashley.

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We’re back — and fresh from our very first outing with the Wilson and Ashley podcast trailer! We still can't believe that people came looking for us to have a chat after listening to our episodes! Sitting in our trailer, it really did bring home how we want the episodes to be like a chat between friends! One question kept cropping up… “How did you two even meet?” Well, in this episode, we get into the story!

Charlotte reveals why she initially hated Rebecca (yes, really!), how we went from this to a full on collaboration and why we’re so passionate about women backing women and saying YES to opportunities — even when they’re a bit scary.

In the second half, we're keen to get talking about the right to roam. We talk cattle, countryside code, and the chaos that can come with footpaths running through farms. We share our own footpath stories alongside as always some brilliant insights from our farming and townie listeners!

Expect honest conversations on:

• Safety around livestock
• Dogs on leads (or not?)
• Public access vs. private land
• And why a bit of common sense goes a long way

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If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.

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Disclaimer: This episode covers a sensitive and delicate subject, including practices around religious slaughter. We approach the topic with respect and aim to present balanced, factual information.

In this episode, we attempt to unpack the complex and often controversial world of Halal and Kosher slaughter in the UK. Triggered by a 100,000-strong petition calling non-stun slaughter “barbaric,” a recent Westminster Hall debate has reignited public and political scrutiny — but how much do people really understand?

We explore the reality behind Halal practices, with most Halal meat in the UK actually pre-stunned, and only a small minority falling under non-stun methods. Drawing on expert research from AHDB and the University of Huddersfield, we  highlight the real economic value of the Halal sector.

We draw on the views of the British Veterinary Association which calls for tighter regulation, labelling, and a permit system for non-stun slaughter and ask can we get the right balance between animal welfare, religious rights, and consumer transparency.

From the importance of the Demonstration of Life protocol to labelling reforms, international bans on non-stun methods, and the juggle between faith and welfare, we navigate this sensitive topic with facts, fairness, and the plain-speaking honesty you've come to expect from the duo.

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This week on the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, we’re tackling the conversation around Glastonbury... but we're looking beyond the music. Held on a 1,000-acre working dairy farm, we ask: are vegan festivalgoers being hypocrites? If ticket sales support farming, can you really separate the two?

We unpack the festival’s environmental impact, from solar panels on cattle sheds to a ban on body glitter, and debate whether farming can be part of the festival's sustainability solutions. 

We also get into the latest free speech controversy on the Glastonbury stage - has free speech gone too far?

We've been keeping an eye on Australian Tiktok creator, Indy Clinton, who recently hired a PI to track her trolls. As farmers who post our everyday lives on social media (with trolls to match sometimes) we're looking at this and asking what happened to 'be kind'. 

Interesting insights (hopefully!) and the usual Wilson & Ashley chaos!

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This week, we're talking about the real cost of food – and the true reality of many of the products that are on supermarket shelves. Inspired by a video from B FRANK Health, we unpack the rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), how they’ve warped our perception of value, and why real, nutritious food can feel “too expensive” – despite the fact it shouldn’t be.

Government policy, food affordability, and the staggering profits of retailers compared to plummeting farm incomes form part of the conversation – as we ask: are we valuing food (and farmers) properly?

In part two, we react to Will Evans’ tongue-in-cheek take on farming influencers. Are we all ego-driven disruptors, Only Fans shepherdesses, or sponsored content machines? Or is there room for something more authentic, honest, and impactful in the world of farming content creation?

From UPFs to perceptions, pricing to policy – it’s another episode of real talk from Wilson and Ashley... all with a few meanders off topic too!

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This week on the podcast, we’re tackling two big talking points in farming — one heated debate, and one devastating disease.

First up: children on farms. After Farmers Weekly ran a piece comparing farm kids to Victorian chimney sweeps, the backlash was fierce. 

We're asking are the clickbait headlines distracting from farming’s real health and safety issues? Do farm kids grow up safer and more risk-aware, or should children be kept away from farm work altogether? And is comparing supervised help to slave labour just a step too far?

Then, in part two: bovine TB hits Clarkson’s Farm. It’s an old story for farmers, but the Clarkson name has thrust TB into the mainstream. We break down what TB actually is, why farms go into ‘lockdown’, and the devastating financial and emotional toll it takes — with average costs topping £20,000 per farm and some losing hundreds of thousands.

We look at the testing system (and its failings), the need for better science, and the ongoing battle over badger culling. With more than 13,000 cattle slaughtered in 2024 — the highest on record — TB remains farming’s most painful, costly and controversial challenge.

Two topics, plenty of opinions, and the usual Wilson & Ashley honesty.

Thank you to our contributors on this week's episode:

Abi Coombes

Andrew Meredith

Charles Goadby

Steve Evans

Gareth Wyn Jones

Maria Warne

Sophie Bell

Hannah Jackson

https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/farm-safety-stars-free-e-learning-course-helps-protect-children-on-farms?fw_source=home_business

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This week, we’re de-briefing you on a couple of hectic weeks with a fair bit of time adventuring around the country! We're moving from the heart of Wales to the #Farm24, the UK’s biggest digital celebration of British farming.

We kick things off at the Royal Welsh Show, and trust us when we say it's seriously Welsh! There's definitely two sides to the show... From the iconic sight of Welsh cobs in the main ring to nights at Penmenau, plus Charlotte gives us the real insight on that pronunication! Amongst the proud tradition and full on party we chat about why we were actually there as part of a panel exploring the future of farming.

In typical fashion, the conversation takes a few side tracks and unexpected turns before we stop at The Game Fair... Schöffel, G&Ts and spaniels galore!

 We unpack the purpose of events like this, the surprising range of people they attract, and the big role field sports play in shaping rural life and landscapes. 

Then, it’s all eyes on #Farm24 — the UK’s biggest digital event celebrating British farming, in partnership with Farmers Guardian and Morrisons. You'll hear from Emily at Farmers Guardian before we hand the mic to a few of this year’s brilliant ambassadors:

• Amy Wilkinson shares a farming myth that drives her mad
• Frank from Leegate Farm talks about the deeper meaning beyond the hashtags
• Nigel Owens imagines farming as a sport (and reveals what would totally wipe him out)
• Coco Jalloh shares the daily rituals that get her through a busy farming day

We’d love you to get involved too — join in on Thursday 7th August by sharing your farming story using #Farm24. Tag us @wilsonandashley so we can cheer you on and spread your posts far and wide.

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This week, we're talking about the first ever and compeltely unique Borderline Challenge, being undertaken by Cumbrian brother-and-sister duo Hugh and Alex Addision. It's all in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and with a £10,000 fundraising target already smashed, their incredible journey not only pushes physical limits but also shines a spotlight on the growing mental health crisis in farming communities.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/the-borderline-challenge

RABI - https://rabi.org.uk/ or call 0800 188 4444 24 hours a day

We also tackle the wildfire raging across Langdale Moor in the North York Moors — 2,000 acres destroyed, critical habitats lost, and questions over why these fires are becoming more frequent. From controlled burning to the role of farmers on the frontlines, and from politics to public support, we ask: what does this mean for our countryside and for the people who live and work in it?

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In this episode, we're talking about the Love Island star, Farmer Will, and his new business venture.  It promises a behind-the-scenes look at British farming, exclusive workshops, and early access to new products. We explore whether this approach bridges the gap between farmers and consumers or oversimplifies the realities of farming life. We reflect on privilege and accessibility, asking: who really gets to have an opinion on how food is grown and sold? We also look at how Farmer Will compares to other initiatives, including Riverford, and discuss the complexities of transparency, sourcing, and pricing in modern British food boxes.

In the second section, we tackle cyberbullying in farming communities. What does it actually look like online, and why do anonymous platforms bring out harsher behaviour? We explore the online disinhibition effect, the role of group admins, and the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with accountability in the digital worlds. Plus, we share real messages and experiences from farmers navigating these tricky online dynamics.

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Is there any hope for farmers when it comes to political decision-making? We're fresh back from the Conservative Party Conference, invited by Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP and Shadow Environment Secretary, where it really did feel like farming took centre stage.

In this episode, we talk more about Victoria's declaration of the "food and farming emergency” that we're facing and what this really means for farmers, family businesses, and consumers. From scrapping the Family Farm Tax to putting food production back at the heart of policy, are we seeing genuine support for rural communities, or just political posturing?

Then, we turn to The Guardian’s recent piece on changes to Skilled Worker Visas threatening the future of UK farm labour. With many farms unable to recruit locally, could tightening visa rules cripple production — or is it time to rethink training, pay, and working conditions?

Featuring insights from Amy (@thedairydaughter), and your listener questions on how Westminster misunderstands farming, this episode brings politics and real farming life together in typical Wilson & Ashley style.

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Schooling. It’s something we’ve both talked about a lot beyond the podcast—mainly because our own experiences couldn’t have been more different. In this episode, we tackle the big question of: to school or not to school?

Prompted by a viral Stacey Dooley reel and plenty of conversations in our own new Podcast Community on Facebook, we explore the rise of home schooling in the UK, the realities of state vs. private education, and how farming children fit into the picture.

From resilience and life skills, to whether schools prepare kids for the real world—or whether that’s down to parents—we share our thoughts, your comments, and some surprising stats. We also get into whether rural kids are at a disadvantage, and why having farming families in school can shape more than just the rural community.

So whether you’re a parent weighing up the options, a farmer who’s been there, or just curious about how education fits into life on and off the farm, this episode’s for you.

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First up, we’re heading to Australia to ask: do they do it better when it comes to farm employment and training? From government-backed gap year schemes like AgCareerStart to hands-on training farms for short-term workers, we explore how the Aussies attract and upskill new people into agriculture — and whether the UK could learn a thing or two.  But is the cost really worth it and we can't help but touch on the weather in Aus versus the UK!

Then we turn to your social media feeds. How many of the people you follow buy engagement and followers or pay for promotions. What's the real value of viral videos and is it ever worth faking it online, or does authenticity always win in the end?

This episode was inspired by content from Gabby and Charlie Travels  and The Social Farmhouse

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