The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Stuart and William, your co-hosts, are  that friendly voice in your ear.  They guarantee they will be here every week, with a new release every Sunday, at 10am, plus extra material outside of this schedule too. There are no scripts, just genuine conversation between middle aged men.

In today’s episode, the last for 2024, Stuart and William mull over two questions sent in by listeners, with the first coming from Anne in Turlock, California, USA - “When making your podcast, how aware are you that someone will always say you are offensive if they don’t agree with you?”

The discussion off the back of this question begins with William’s assertion that both he and Stuart are aware that they could be offensive with every episode they record together. Stuart comes at it from a different angle though, noting the difference between being offensive and someone taking offence. A person taking offence doesn’t mean he and William are being offensive.

William brings up that often offense is felt when a person has an opposing opinion to you. Stuart follows on from this saying that he always tries to be respectful, but he gets frustrated not hearing certain topics being openly and honestly talked about, which he feels is the contribution that this podcast tries to make.

William goes on to talk about how the conversations Stuart and he have on this podcast is like a stream of consciousness, but he always has in his mind the potential impact of his words, and the motive behind them too. He concludes by giving you an action: Where in your life are you easily offended and why?

They next move onto the second question for this episode which comes from listener Dusan in Lahinch, Ireland - “Do we need to have a strong faith to give a damn and have a sense of identity?”

From this question, both Stuart and William assume that when Dusan refers to faith, they are talking about God, and for William he is categorical that we don’t need faith to have a sense of identity. He states that you are your physical being, nothing more, nothing less.

Stuart pulls him up on this statement. He goes on to talk about how during workshops he leads, he gets participants around a campfire to write down sixteen things about them. He gets them to cross off anything to do with work, anything to do with their physical body, anything to do with their hobbies, and then generally what you're left with is values. He sees that as being their identity.

Stuart and William then go onto discuss whether you need faith to have an identity? William feels that faith can bring structure to your life. He cites a close friend who is an evangelical Christian, and he sees how important their faith is to them, and how big a part it is of their identity.

 Stuart’s conclusion: he thinks some people do need a faith to give a damn, but he also thinks it's worth exploring giving a damn without a faith too.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities

Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friendspodfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast , support our work through Patreonpatreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Another Christmas is upon us, so here’s another Christmas Day message from your favourite podcast co-hosts. Wherever you are in the world Stuart and William hope you find a little peace.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities

Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friendspodfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast , support our work through Patreonpatreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Once again breaking from the more usual style of output for this podcast, today Stuart and William, your co-hosts, discuss how their collaborative talks away from this podcast have evolved.

More details here  https://speakernet.co.uk/speaker/149/stuart-mabbutt 

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: https://www.change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities

Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Crankstart Intern Suzi Darrington from Oxford University, who's with us for six weeks, is in the Listeners Chair. This is the third of eight episodes where she will reside in that seat.

Listener Heather in Ablington, Wiltshire, England, sent in the following question for discussion today:

“Some companies are suggesting climate protesters should actually go and work for them and help them be more sustainable, which is what many companies say they want to be. Is this an honest attempt at bringing in fresh energy and ideas to improve internal sustainability, or a cynical attempt at silencing protest?”

Suzi believes it's a cynical effort to stifle protest. For instance, if someone opposes the fossil fuel industry and is invited by someone within that sector to collaborate for improvement, it undermines the initial stance that the industry should cease to exist.

Moreover, suggesting that protestors' actions have minimal impact, and that joining the protested company would be more effective, often comes across as insincere. Companies frequently don't follow through on such offers, merely creating noise. Hiring individuals capable of creating real change, who are likely more skilled than protesters, would be more meaningful.

Suzi also delves into how protesters lobby governments for regulations on these companies, as opposed to relying on the free market. The free market, driven solely by profit, won't address social and environmental concerns. Suzi questions if a global agreement on regulations is necessary, as shifting a company to another country due to regulatory disagreements isn't always straightforward.

She introduces an action: reevaluating our perception and dialogue about protestors. Is the inconvenience they cause comparable to the existential threat of climate change?

William notes protesters' varied backgrounds and the risk of internal disruption if they infiltrate organizations.

He discusses legislative vulnerabilities. Companies seek lax regulations abroad if local ones are restrictive. Suzi agrees. William questions global legislation.

Stuart states that in some industries it is a cynical attempt, but can’t a polluting industry be allowed to become sustainable? If so, why wouldn’t it do that by employing people that were formally protesters? Stuart is playing devil’s advocate in this episode. He suggests there’s room to bring in fresh blood to make all these industries sustainable, and shouldn’t the most polluting companies be allowed to adapt, or should we be getting rid of them? There are protesters out there that are calling for the fossil fuel industries to end now, when some of those companies could alter what they sell, as well as already having the infrastructure and staff we need to make the mass transitions we need.

Stuart, William and Suzi all agree when it comes to the fossil fuel industry, there needs to be a serious reduction. Will we ever reach a point where we won’t have a fossil fuel industry though?

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Do you enjoy photography? Did you know that today, the 19th August, is World Photography day?

The primary objective of the day is to spark positive transformations globally, fostering connections among individuals and promoting awareness through the powerful medium of photography.

You can find out more, and how to get involved yourself through the following website: https://www.worldphotographyday.com/

Crankstart Intern Suzi Darrington from Oxford University, with us for 6 weeks, is in the Listeners Chair. This is the second of 8 episodes where she'll reside in that seat.

Today's listener question from Ash in Icomb, Gloucestershire, England reads, “I read that the clothing industry produces 10% of the world's carbon emissions, and some say this is more than the combined totals of the shipping and aviation industries. Which industry should we be focusing on to combat man's impact on the climate?”

William raises the question of who controls the switches behind processes propping up all industries? He feels having read this question and explored it through the conversation here, an action we can all take is to consume less throughout all aspects of life.

Suzi brings up that there are higher polluting industries, such as fossil fuel industries. She raises that the area in our lives we can all make what at least feels like a tangible difference is the clothing industry, because we have control over the clothes we buy, and the things we consume in general. She feels fast fashion is really bad for the environment, and discusses that the younger generations have partial responsibility when it comes to fashion, as they’re the group that consume most, as it’s part of who they are, and it’s also a time of figuring out who they are.

Stuart, on the other hand, thinks we all need to get our houses into order and brings the conversation back to the question by stating that we need to focus on all industries, but the effort in certain industries needs to be higher. The key industries include fashion, energy production, the aviation industry, and maybe you can think of more. Stuart talks about an article about the “right to drive” which he contests as it isn’t exactly a right if we are tested and given permission to do it. He also wonders why people want the right to do it when there's so much congestion and legislation around it. 

Stuart, William and Suzi then get into a conversation about the idiosyncrasies of the aviation industry, including empty flights and private planes.

During this episode Stuart and William talk about the WOW Effect / Wildman On Wheels where we are raising £24,000 to help fund two wheelchairs enabling Stuart to continue bringing nature into the daily lives of others, sharing a lifetime of outdoor wisdom.

Here is a link to that fundraiser: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels Through the Wow Effect (Wildman On Wheels) we aim to show that even if you have a green space you can enjoy within 15 minutes of where you live, is that space really accessible if you are in a wheelchair or have another disability and can't get in when you arrive? We want to reframe the understanding of accessible countryside.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Crankstart Intern Suzi Darrington from Oxford University, who's with us for 6 weeks, is in the Listeners Chair. This is the first of 8 episodes where she will reside in that seat.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. We don’t talk about the countryside as much as we used to as listener questions take us off into all sorts of different areas that are all worth considering.

Today's listener's question, from Peter in Ostergotland, Sweden, led to a conversation around what is it to be Russian as it is a very vast country, with a lot of different ethnicities? Behind it all though isn’t it true that ultimately we’re all the same?

Peter’s question runs as follows:

“Putin, the President of Russia drafted loads of male reservists to help in the Ukrainian war, yet it seems large amounts were targeted through this process amongst the minority groups in some far flung parts of Russia. Is this a hidden technique and a hidden form of ethnic cleansing within his own country, with the aim to assimilate everyone to look, sound and behave like he wants, who won’t rebel. Or is this a valid recruitment process?”

William feels that Putin was recruiting people from further away as they are more remote from the Ukrainians. This idea came from what he’d read about how the fighting during the 1st World War became less intense after the Christmas truce, with both sides meeting each other and realising they were similar. If you know who your enemy is, you’re less likely to want to fight them.

William feels we should all investigate the whole idea of what far flung means, as the phrase has been brought up a few times in this episode. He also raises that the conflict in Ukraine is still seen as a special military operation in Putin’s eyes, it is not seen as a war.

Suzi thinks that any kind of conflict does pick out minority groups. People with more power can find ways to avoid being drafted, whereas those with less power, and minority groups fall into this category, find it harder to avoid being sent into conflict.

She raises the question of whether the Russians in the east are less likely to assimilate than western Russians, and that maybe it is easier for Putin to commit people to conflict that are so far away from him?

Stuart points out that maybe we’re assuming that Putin has an agenda, maybe it is more that Russia is a vast country, and he needs to recruit from these far flung areas of the country? Stuart mentions that Russia is such a vast country that you are always going to get rebels, because it is uncontrollable. He also raises a potential void in connection between the Russian and Ukrainian people.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Should the UK monarchy consider promoting women within its ranks for a more consensual and relatable image? Is the slimming down of the monarchy just an illusion, or a genuine effort towards a more inclusive future?

In this off the cuff episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow dive headfirst into a thought-provoking listener question sent in by Mia from Western Australia. Mia’s question is: 

“Great podcast guys. Even though I don’t listen to often, when I do, I slip straight back in and get where you are coming from. Your podcast is like an old pair of comfortable slippers. Having a Queen seems more consensual than having a King, so the predicted slimming down of the UK monarchy needs to potentially factor in having some strong powerful women within its ranks, so as to be relatable and maintain wider relevance. 

It seems like old and middle aged men are going to have the role of monarch, unless young Prince George has a female heir. It's strange not having a female monarch as since 1837 we’ve only had a male monarch for 52 years as the other 134 we had a Queen. We’ve lost a Motherly figure, that happened to be a Queen, and that makes a transition to a male monarch harder for some, so the female influence needs factoring into Charles’s reign in my view”.

The discussion between Stuart and William centres around the future of the UK monarchy, and the potential benefits of having strong and powerful women within its ranks. With the recent transition to King Charles,your co-hosts explore the concept of a female monarch being more consensual and relatable. They also ponder whether having a female monarch is the only way to introduce a positive female influence within the monarchy. They consider the possibility of having female presence around the leader, which could be equally significant in shaping the institution's image.

During this episode Stuart and William talk about the WOW Effect / Wildman On Wheels where we are raising £24,000 to help fund two wheelchairs enabling Stuart to continue bringing nature into the daily lives of others, sharing a lifetime of outdoor wisdom.

Here is a link to that fundraiser: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels Through the Wow Effect (Wildman On Wheels) we aim to show that even if you have a green space you can enjoy within 15 minutes of where you live, is that space really accessible if you are in a wheelchair or have another disability and can't get in when you arrive? We want to reframe the understanding of accessible countryside.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 
Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Why did the world witness such an overwhelming outpouring of emotion, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II? Whether or not you think that emotion was hyped and whipped up by the media, does this response indicate a broader yearning for stability, belonging, direction, and meaning in our lives? Is it possible that we seek something beyond ourselves to fill a void, bringing a sense of purpose?

In this thought-provoking episode, your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow delve deep into the heart of a matter raised via a question sent in by Maria in Catalonia, Spain. Maria's question is, "Did the outpouring of emotion shown after the death of Queen Elizabeth II indicate many of us are missing something from our lives, and in need of something outside of ourselves to bring stability, direction, and meaning?"

During this episode Stuart and William embark on an exploration of human emotions,and our inherent need for something greater than ourselves. They delve into the universal human need for stability, and meaning, they then examine how society may sometimes seek external sources to anchor itself, amidst turbulent times.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

What are some concrete ways in which we can rethink the term "indigenous", to acknowledge the diversity and complexity of these cultures, rather than viewing them under a broad umbrella term? In what ways can we learn from indigenous peoples' deep connections to the natural world, applying their wisdom to create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with our environment?

In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow delve into the intricate and critical issues surrounding the integration of indigenous people of the rainforests into the mainstream economy. The inspiration for this discussion comes from a profound question sent in by Kadonkechi from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Kadonkechi:

“In Brazil the government states it wants to integrate the indigenous people of the rain forests into the mainstream economy, lifting millions out of poverty. That seems to assume these cultures are poor, don’t you think? 

If we realised the potential of valuing the rain forest in new ways, it could also mean we all can become richer without destroying cultures. Billions of pounds worth of medicines, largely potentially undiscovered currently, can be surely found in the forests, why can't we explore and culture those, instead of clearing forests for short term cash crops or oil? 

The rain forest could house the cure of the next pandemic or even Cancer. There's so much to be learnt from indigenous peoples. Millions of indigenous people lived in South America, then the Europeans colonised the coast 500 years ago, and viruses like flu and measles spread that killed up to 90% of the indigenous people. 

Numbers are recovering but these people are at threat from deforestation and we need to learn from them before it's too late. I feel the next pandemic could come from Brazil if we keep encroaching on the forest as we are, allowing viruses to jump from wild animals to humans more easily. 

Covid is thought to have come from bats and Pangelins, or from living too close to rain forests etc, and Measles is thought to have originated from cattle, so we really need to think about the future, whether or not you feel Covid escaped from a laboratory”. 

During this episode Stuart and Wlliam tackle pressing questions such as whether we should put a monetary value on these ancient cultures, and what the real ambition of integrating indigenous cultures into ours is. Maybe we should really be thinking about how we should integrate ourselves into their culture too, it's a two way street after all..They question the pursuit of eternal growth in a society driven by profit margins, and discuss the importance of valuing aspects of life beyond the monetary system.

Throughout the episode, they explore the potential for mutual learning and growth between cultures and ponder whether the term "indigenous" is an umbrella term that oversimplifies the vast diversity among these groups. So we ask you to think about whether it’s true that for us to learn from someone who is different from us culturally we have to accept them for being different in the first place. And if we don’t accept that, we don’t accept what they say.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 
Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends https://bit.ly/45vuCPP , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠ or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside