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

Have you ever wondered why Sir David Attenborough's voice resonates so deeply with people of all ages? What makes him such a timeless figure, spanning across generations? How does he manage to strike the perfect balance between relatability and authority when discussing the natural world? 

He's very relatable, but we don’t know that much about him as a person, and until we stop and think about that, many of us have never really appreciated that void in knowledge, which is an interesting thing to explore in itself. Some celebrities insist on knowing every little nuance of their character and life, yet we’re happy to not dig into what lies beneath Sir David's public profile.

In this episode your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow dive into the enigmatic persona of Sir David Attenborough, a man who has captivated audiences for decades. 

This was sparked by Mary from Gorse Hill, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, who sent in a thought-provoking question, asking, "Why do you think David Attenborough is so relevant across all generations?"

During the episode Stuart and WIlliam discuss how Sir David’s genuine passion for the natural world shines through every word, making complex concepts approachable to everyone without ever sounding condescending. They'll also explore his relatable nature, despite having a posh accent, and how this quality has endeared him to viewers worldwide.

They examine how Sir David Attenborough's on-screen presence and communication skills have allowed him to connect not just with individuals but entire families across different eras. His ability to bridge the gap between generations has turned his documentaries into shared experiences that can be enjoyed together. Every generation can relate as they’ve known him, which means a whole family can enjoy what he does.You get the impression that if you met him, he’d still be very relatable in person, and would be a good man to have a conversation with.

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

During this episode Stuart and William talk about the fundraiser of £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. You can donate today through the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

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

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 is our 450th episode! We ask though, what does 450 episodes really mean? Does it in itself mean anything?

Thanks for continuing to send in questions for us to discuss. We never planned to get to 450 episodes, our aim is always just the next episode.

So, todays question comes from Mia, in Western Australia.

“What’s your favourite piece of natural history footage?”

Stuart and William, your co-hosts share their favourite natural history footage. Stuart’s is David Attenborough being sat on by a Gorilla. William’s remembers seeing footage of a particular bird which could mimic any sound it heard.

The best natural history footage gives you an understanding of that creature’s environment, and where they live. Are we too squeamish about seeing animals kill and consume another? Isn’t this just the cycle of life?

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

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

Another listener question for your co-hosts Stuart and William to discuss, and todays is this one from Maria, Catalonia, Spain:

“How do you think King Charles 3rd will evolve the UK monarchy? It's been said the monarchy will be slimmed down, what does that mean? The people are struggling in so many ways, how will the new King show the monarchy and royal family understand and can relate to the people, and how the people can relate to the monarchy? Or will it all be lip service to show and prove royalty still has a place in modern society, and effectively just a ruse by the system to save itself?”

William thinks we should abolish the monarchy, do you agree with him?

That said, Charles 3rd is clearly evolving the role in a masculine way obviously, but you can see that he can’t be as open as he used to be, due to the protocol of the position. So, how much can he really evolve the monarchy with these restrictions?

Charles is finding it hard to bite his tongue, it isn’t the natural way, he’s used to speaking his mind. The monarchy has 100s of years of history behind it, so, even if the monarchy were slimmed down, they’d still be out there doing what they do.

Further, how can the monarchy really understand and relate to people in the general public? How can we as people in the general public relate to the monarchy? How can you relate to someone above you and how can you relate to someone below you?

The royal family are just another family, it’s just that they’re in the public, so does the royal family have a place in modern society? The royal family is motivated to stay relevant so we don’t revolt and get rid of them. Why do we follow each other and traditions like sheep? Isn’t life much more interesting when we don’t always follow traditions?

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

In this thought-provoking episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow tackle two pressing questions from listeners, about food labelling and the cost of helping combat the climate and ecological emergencies.

Whether you're curious about the future of food labelling, or seeking budget-friendly ways to combat climate change, this episode promises to inform, inspire, and perhaps even challenge your thinking about our role in preserving the planet.

Join us then, for an unscripted, relatable conversation that reminds us we're all part of the natural world, not separate from it.

Today’s journey begins with a question from Milica in Podgorica, Montenegro, who asks: "Why has so much changed in food labelling for personal health but not planet health?" 

Stuart and William unpack this thought-provoking query, examining the current state of food labelling and its effectiveness in influencing consumer behaviour. They draw parallels with cigarette warning labels and discuss the potential impact of similar approaches for environmental concerns. The hosts also explore the challenges of standardising planet health labels and propose innovative solutions, including a utopian vision where suppliers take the lead in sustainable practices.

The conversation then shifts to a question from Senna in Kidlington, Oxford: 

"What if I can't afford to change my way of life but still want to help combat the climate and ecological emergencies?" 

Stuart and William offer practical, cost-free strategies for making a positive environmental impact. They emphasise the power of mindful decision-making and challenge listeners to reconsider their assumptions about the cost of eco-friendly living.

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

The WOW Effect, is effectively the effect we’ll have by getting Stuart ‘The Wildman’ a wheelchair, so he can keep working. Wildman On Wheels = The WOW Effect.

Join us in this bonus episode, where Stuart and William discuss the fundraising campaign to help the former continue bringing nature into the daily lives of others.

The goal is to raise £24,000 to fund two wheelchairs, which will enable Stuart to continue sharing a lifetime of outdoor wisdom and breaking down disability barriers. 

A grant of £9k has already been secured from Access to Work, a government body that helps people get or stay in work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. However this won’t be paid out until both chairs are purchased in full. That generous 9k offer won’t be on the table indefinitely, so this Just Giving effort needs to gain good momentum and fast. The Access To Work 9k offer is on the table until November 2023, and though it can be extended, it can only be extended once.

In this bonus episode you will hear about the different ways to donate, including one-time and monthly options, and how your support can make a real difference.

Whether you’re an individual or a business, your support is invaluable.

You can find out more about the funding campaign on the following page:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

When we set out to make this podcast, our aim has always been just to focus on creating the next episode, nothing more complicated than that. Here we are 5 years later, carrying out that aim.

During the life of this podcast we’ve seen changes in its content. from the early days of having invited guests meeting us face to face, to having honest, in-depth conversations, through the COVID pandemic lockdowns where we then turned to you, the listener, to send us in questions for Stuart and William to discuss.

This podcast will continue to evolve naturally, it will never stay still, or get stale. Once again the questions that you’ve been sending inject a real freshness to each episode, as the themes vary widely from nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

Will the podcast still be around in another five years? We’d like to think so. But our goal will always remain the same, to get the next episode of this podcast recorded, edited, and released.

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 think if somewhere like Australia became a republic that it would start the ball rolling, and other countries would go the same way? Is the UK a republic under the veil of a monarchy? What is the reticence of becoming a republic?

Another interesting discussing arising from a listener question, this time Mia from Western Australia, here it is:

“Now Queen Elizabeth 2nd has passed, do you think there will be a surge of countries moving towards becoming a republic, like New Zealand? They might stay part of the Commonwealth, and new applications may be made to join the Commonwealth, but will more countries still become a republic?”

It’ll be interesting to see what happens after the ascension of King Charles III, though neither Stuart and William have really seen any news of New Zealand wanting to become a republic.

An example of the above not happening though is Brexit, because so far no country has followed the lead of the UK. This could be down to other countries seeing the perceived effects on the UK of leaving the UK.

There was a trust, and relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, but the new king gives those voices who want to break away from the commonwealth, an opportunity to get their voice heard.

Stuart and William mention a Just Giving page in this episode, here’s the link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels Without 'YOU' and your support we won't be able to continue to break down the disability barriers we face in providing our Wildman Environmental Learning service. We won't be able to continue to meaningfully take the benefits of being out in nature, and an awareness of the natural world around us, to wider audiences. This is particularly important at a time when we all know a connection with nature has benefits on multiple levels.

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

“If you could win an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would it be, and how would you get there?”

That is the question sent in by listener Jocelyne, from Grand Port District in Mauritius, and it fits in well with this podcast's overall themes of nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

Where are the places you wouldn’t want to go to? Where are the places you would want to go? 

Co-hosts Stuart and William suggest the greenest way currently is often the longest way, and that is something that needs looking at by society. Though on an all-expenses trip, the method of travel, and route, is often baked in with little flex for the itinerary to be changed to be made more sustainable.

They go on to say they themselves feel travel can very much be part of a holiday as well, and Stuart feels has been everywhere he’s wanted to go. So if won this trip being discussed, he’d give it to someone that he feels would benefit from the adventure more than him.

On the other hand, if William won it, he feels he’d go to Hamburg, but insist on taking slower methods of transit. So train, ferry etc. Making the whole thing as sustainable as he could.

This particular episode was again edited by Lukas Seifert, an Oxford University Micro intern, who worked alongside Stuart and William for a week on a variety of creative tasks, including the edit of this episode. We’d like to thank Lukas for his work, notably the high standard he brought to the role, great communication skills, and also the extra energy and impetus he gave us.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠
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

In another captivating episode, hosts Stuart and William delve into the enchanting world of the seasons, and their profound impact on our lives. Even if we don’t notice.

Join them as they explore this simple, yet deep question that listener Manon from Pays de la Loire, France, poses: “Which is your favourite season and why?”

During this episode Stuart and William contemplate the cyclical nature of time, and challenge our perceptions of the changing seasons. Can we truly imagine the transition from winter to summer, or vice versa, when immersed in one season's embrace? And with climate patterns shifting, is the traditional concept of seasons evolving before our eyes?

It’s always worth reminding ourselves that the environment isn’t just ‘out there’ somewhere, it’s all around us at any given moment in time. Enjoy the season you’re in, as each has its own value and merits.  Every season has its own feeling. 

What are the three words that reflect each season to you?

This particular episode was edited by Lukas Seifert, an Oxford University Micro intern, who worked alongside Stuart and William for a week on a variety of creative tasks, including the edit of this episode. We’d like to thank Lukas for his work, notably the high standard he brought to the role, great communication skills, and also the extra energy and impetus he gave us.

Lukas edited the next episode too, so check it out when its released, and see if his differing editing style brings a different vibe. 

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Are some people really content living their lives without aspirations and dreams? Does the absence of these goals devalue their existence?

Stuart and William, the hosts of this well established podcast, delve into the realm of ambitions and dreams, spurred on by the captivating question below, which was sent in by listener, Peter from Ostergotland, Sweden:

“What’s the point of a life without dreams and ambition?”

Together, Stuart and William navigate the winding paths of life's purpose. Discussing how dreams and ambitions can both enrich and restrict our experiences.

Join them on this nomadic journey of introspection, as they explore whether having aspirations truly imbues a life with meaning, or if it's merely a passing pursuit. Life, after all, is a constantly evolving tapestry, of unexpected twists and turns.

Your hosts remind us that there's no need to feel guilty or inadequate for not having dreams and ambition, and that we can also find solace in embracing the ebb and flow of life, away from those kinds of distractions, as dreams can be restrictive at times too.

Though it's true, some people need ambitions to drive them, it's also worth remembering, all any of us are really doing is, passing time.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Considering the debate surrounding the timing of protests, should certain occasions, such as periods of mourning, be considered off-limits for demonstrations, or can they still serve as powerful platforms for expressing dissent?

Stuart and William once again explore and chew over another great listener question, which was this time sent in by Molly from Oxford, England. Molly’s question was long and detailed, so would have exceeded the character limit in this description, so instead of including it here verbatim, we’ve copied it onto a Google doc, using the following link: Link to Molly’s full question

The crux of Molly’s question is “Please explore the right to protest, and right to grieve?”

During this episode Stuart and William explore the notion of self-censorship, and the complexities surrounding freedom of speech. Stuart and William feel freedom of speech isn’t always the right to say what you want, when you want.

They discuss whether protests should be separated from certain occasions, and whether the timing of a protest affects its effectiveness, positively and negatively.  Further exploring the question of whether a protest at the coronation would be better timed than during a period of mourning, like at Queen Elizabeth the 2nd’s funeral? 

Regardless of whether the media whipped people up into phantom sadness, with all the wall to wall mass coverage of her funeral, should the timings of the protests that happened there have been considered better? The protestors at this very public event were trying to get their message across and heard, but if timed badly, that message could have been lost. If any protest happens at the wrong point, it increases the chance of a higher percentage of negative feedback, and less time or opportunity for dialogue. There’s never a good time to protest, but shouldn’t we be highlighting some issues and having some conversations away from these kind of occasions?

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

How has the word "passionate" become overused and diluted in our everyday language, and what alternative ways can we use to express genuine enthusiasm and curiosity? What are the consequences of constantly labelling people, events, and things as “passionate” or “iconic," and how has this led to the loss of the true essence of these words?

Join William and Stuart as they engage in another captivating conversation, this time sparked by listener Justin's question from Nova Scotia, Canada. Their question is as follows:

“What are you both passionate about?”

During the episode William contemplates his own interests, and concludes that perhaps he is simply genuinely intrigued by them, rather than being truly passionate. Meanwhile, Stuart, driven by a deep aversion to the word and a fervent desire to refine language, passionately advocates for the removal of the word "passionate" from the everyday English lexicon.

Throughout the episode, Stuart and William Stuart contemplate the nature of passion itself, examining whether it is merely an emotion, that can blind individuals from perceiving reality, objectively. They pose questions about the importance of seeking balance in life, and challenge listeners to reconsider the role of measured expression, in a world saturated and impregnated with hyperbole. 

During this episode they also mention the talks they do together, and in particular mention the Speakernet link which lists the six talks they do together that you can book them for.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

TRIGGER WARNING!!! If you’re listening to this episode with your children, cover their ears! There’s a lot of swearing! We’ve not edited it out as the feeling behind the delivery, this time, really reinforces the point being made, and brings to life the story behind told.

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

Today's listener question comes from Colin in Saarland, Germany. It's short and concise, but enough meat on the bone for Stuart and William, your co-hosts, to survive on. Here it is:

“Who or what has let you down or disappointed you in recent times?”

They explore if a person actually lets us down, or is it our expectations of them haven’t been met? To be let down we need to have an expectation in the first place, is that always the case though?

Stuart and William are very honest with who they feel have let them down, and explore what that really means. A very personal episode for them both.

Who do you feel has let you down? Did they really let you down or did you have unrealistic or improbable expectations?

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠
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

This was a genocide.

It took a lot of courage for the Pope to come out with the word genocide. It’s a powerful statement, but now we need progression. We need to build a pathway forward. 

Does the fact the Pope has come out mean that what happened can no longer be denied though?

A way forward too is to keep talking about it, keep exploring the harsh truths, to be open about what happened. The problem won’t go away, it is part of all our histories. 

Bruce, who listens from Tampa, Florida, USA, certainly opens a can of worms with this question he’s sent in for discussion:

“Have you explored on the podcast that the Pope has said the treatment of Indigenous First Nation children, by the Catholic Church, amounts to genocide?”

In the last century, a lot of children were forcibly taken from indigenous first nation indian cultures in the US, and settled with white, English speaking families, or put in homes run by the Catholic church. Seemingly with the aim of diluting the influence and power of the first nation cultures. 

Many of the children's remains are now being discovered inside and outside these homes, so this can certainly be considered genocide.

Genocide is a very powerful statement. There are good people in history though, and there are bad people. There’s some good history, there’s some bad history. It’s easy to have vitriol against something, and you can turn yourself inside out and into a rabid dog about such things, but does that anger truly solve the issues fully? Speak to the person in front of you, see them as a human being, and see where the conversation goes. No issue in history has ever failed to ultimately be resolved by people coming together and discussing the harsh truths. That's what's needed here, well that's what your co-hosts feel.

Some of the most celebrated American celebrities are deeply rooted indigenous cultures, so let's keep talking and valuing those different to us.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Stuart and William are today marking the International Day for Rural Women 2024, with this bonus episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast.

Rural women account for about 22% of the global population. They play an important role in the health and wellbeing of their communities. Rural women can face challenges like higher rates of poverty (as both extreme and multidimensional poverty are higher in rural areas globally), as well as unequal access to education, health and other social services, and employment opportunities. Rural women can also experience gender inequality resulting from discriminatory social institutions, formal and informal laws, social norms and practices. Challenges can be even greater for rural Indigenous women and girls.

You can find out more about this day with the following link: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/10/15/default-calendar/international-day-for-rural-women

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

Hosts Stuart and William, mark World Refugee Day, in this bonus episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast.

World Refugee Day honours the strength and courage of refugees, and encourages public awareness and support of the refugees, people who have had to flee their home lands because of conflict or natural disaster.

Refugees are vulnerable and in need, and are often misunderstood and maligned. They can often have very little or none of their possessions and little food, because they’ve had to leave their homes with nothing or with what they can carry. They suffer cold, hunger, trauma, despair, disease, violence and loss. The awareness day is to help public understanding of refugees as well as raising support and help.

Across the world, agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, work tirelessly to help refugees. Yet with people being made refugees daily, more help and awareness is constantly needed, to ensure that refugees are treated fairly and provided for. rather than being neglected or shunned, which is why there are projects to re-settle and provide for refugees. So World Refugee Day highlights all of this. And now it also marks the launch of the ‘With Refugees’ petition, which will state the needs and potential rights of refugees.

You can find out more about World Refugee Day on the following website: https://www.unhcr.org/world-refugee-day

It’s a very powerful statement, blocking out the name of a Russian city because of the invasion of Ukraine, but 'is it really a wise, balanced and measured move? Wouldn’t it be better to just freeze the link? Twinning connects two towns, to share resources, culture etc., cutting ties is perhaps very final and overly excessive. 

Is the suspension of the twinning a PR stunt, shouldn’t we instead recognise that there is still a link? It’s very likely that the connections are still there personally on a human level, so what is this really about?

Listener Tony, from New Hinksey, Oxford, England, really gets things going with this question he’s sent in:

“You may have covered this but I see on the signs when entering Oxford, that the city is twinned with a large number of cities and towns across the world. The twinning with Perm in Russia has been blacked out, possibly because of the Ukrainian invasion? Is it right to walk away from this connection?”

Your co-hosts Stuart and William believe this is a bigger issue than it may appear at first glance. This podcast is about broadening out narratives and the narrative certainly needs exploring with this. So though the connection with Perm has been suspended and not cancelled permanently, these established and valuable connections are going to help rebuild bridges in the future.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

This episode explores that there are situations that we really should stick our neck out and speak up, and those when we shouldn’t. Sometimes though it's worth just putting your opinion out there, and see what comes back. 

The people who are willing to stick their neck above the parapet are those usually willing to state and have their opinion challegend. Listen twice as much as you speak and see what you learn. Just because you change your mind, doesn’t mean you’re admitting to being wrong, you're just open to change. 

Public speaking is in a way sticking your neck out, but it's a learnt skill, have you mastered it?

Listener Fran, from Liverpool, New York (State), USA, sent in this question which generated yet another conversation between your co-hosts Stuart and William. Here it is:

“Do you think people are more readily able and willing to stick their neck out and speak up if they truly believe in what they’re saying?” 

Stuart and William feel people generally like to go with the consensus, the people who like to stick their neck out are in the minority more often than not. They feel people can be more willing to speak up, if what they say is generally going to be agreed with. Is this true though?

If you truly believe in something, put it out there and see what comes back. It's worth considering though, do we all get an opportunity to speak up?

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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 the implications of renters knowingly overstretching themselves in the private house rental sector, particularly in competitive markets like London? How does the practice of selling council houses impact the availability of affordable housing and the council house stock? What are the benefits of repurposing empty buildings, such as shops and commercial spaces, into communal living areas, to address the shortage of affordable housing?

In this episode Stuart and William delve into a thought-provoking question sent in by listener Alec, in Angel, London, England:

“You may have discussed this before but wondered what your views were on the private house rental sector. Primarily the fact renters are knowingly over stretching themselves, and being allowed to. Here in London people are offering higher rent that is being asked so as to secure somewhere to live, even though they can't afford it. I saw a letting agent on the news the other day, working on behalf of a landlord who said it's up to the renters to ensure they are paying what they can afford, but if they want to get a property in a competitive market, they have to do this. I feel this is passing the buck of responsibility. Also, tenants are being kicked out after 6 months as they can’t afford to stay, so the landlord is left with a void period when the property is empty, and extra costs finding a replacement. This sticking the head in the sand makes no sense on any level really within modern society”.

During this episode they explore the consequences of tenants being evicted after just six months, due to their inability to sustain the high rental costs. Landlords are then faced with the challenge of finding replacements, resulting in void periods and additional expenses. This short-sighted approach seems counterproductive in modern society, raising concerns on multiple levels.

They also go on to examine the impact of council house stock not being replenished. The ability to purchase council houses at competitive rates, only to sell them to private landlords who charge significantly higher rents, which depletes the availability of affordable housing options. 

Ultimately Stuart and William approach the topic from a humanitarian standpoint, emphasising the importance of providing safe and secure housing for those who are homeless. In times of crisis, such as the one we are experiencing now, they also consider the environmental benefits of adapting empty buildings, rather than constructing new ones.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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 was the most controversial change in UK agriculture, according to Stuart, and what were the consequences associated with it? To what extent has Brexit impacted the UK agricultural industry, and what perspective does William offer on its significance?

Join Stuart and William in this engaging episode of their podcast, as they take a deep dive into a thought-provoking question from listener Les, from Marcham, Oxfordshire, England. 

Les poses a compelling query: "What do you think is the most controversial change in UK agriculture?"

Stuart suggests that the most controversial change in UK agriculture was the introduction of the threshing machine, as this innovation led to a little discussed countryside famine, as it left workers very little to do and earn during the winter months. William on the other hand cites the impact of Brexit on the industry. Do you agree with them?

Drawing parallels to the challenges of rapid transitions, they reflect on the difficulty people face in adapting to sudden changes, and the importance of creating a followable pathway, that ensures inclusivity and support for all affected parties.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

How does the concept of strikes extend beyond just wages? Should we rely heavily on the government to fill societal gaps, or should we seek alternative solutions? How does the lack of human connection and belonging in an era of easy connection impact society?

Join Stuart and William in this thought-provoking episode as they probe and delve into the complex issues raised in the question below sent in by listener Nigel from Blackbird Leys, Oxford, England. 

“Summer 2022 will be remembered for many things, but one of the things I’ll remember it for is the strikes in the rail industry and many other industries. Many of the strikes were about wages not keeping place with inflation and it being hard to navigate the cost of living crisis. 

Some industries never got a pay rise at all, and some of those didn’t strike I notice, but I'm not sure whether I think they should have or agree with them not striking. I’m not in their shoes so I'm not sure. Can I ask, do you think it's up to us as individuals to build in resilience to all aspects of our life, or is it fair to look at the government to fill the gap between pay rises and the cost of living/inflation? Also should the government fill that gap, some of the gap, or none of that gap? 

Maybe you think the government should flip flop between those 3 options depending on the situation, the industry involved, and the situation at play? Or maybe you feel this is the start of societal collapse due to the climate crisis, so the above mitigation measures are better suited to maintaining the status quo and business as usual, and we need a new and better range of support packages, transitional support, mitigation measures, personal responsibility and sense of community for us all to move forward as a society?”

During this episode Stuart and William navigate the complexities of strikes, government waste, societal collapse, and the need for a more inclusive and compassionate society. 

Acknowledging the existing gaps within society, they propose the exploration of different approaches to address them. They stress the need for better and more comprehensive support systems, particularly in the UK, where there's a significant imbalance exists between the haves and the have-nots.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

In what ways can we cultivate awareness of our habitual actions, and break free from potentially damaging behaviours? Is it possible to create widespread change by rallying everyone together on a transformative journey, or does true transformation require reaching a critical mass?

In this thought-provoking episode, join Stuart and William as they delve into the following captivating question, raised by listener Alivia from Ridgway, Illinois, USA:

“I was sat people watching the other day in a cafe, as they were sweltering in the heat. Heard them say the government, service providers and a range of other people should do something to secure food and water resources during drought like conditions. 

Not sure any of the people I overheard talking fully grasped this could be human caused climate change showing itself, they seemed content blaming others for badly managing the life support systems we rely on. 

At some point all individuals are going to have to stop the blame games and get their own houses in order, within a more localised community set up (thats still outward looking) looking within to fathom out how to live differently, and survive and let go of the attachments of the past and current systems and habits/expectations we need to distance ourselves from. 

When do you think this change will happen, has it started already, will it ever start?”

Throughout the episode, Stuart and William encourage personal growth and self-reflection, reminding us that embarking on a journey of change begins with questioning our own lives. They inquire whether it is possible to rally everyone together on this transformative path or if reaching a critical mass is the key to widespread change.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Is it a distraction to expect climate protesters to be whiter than white, and not drive, and not wear clothes made from plastic, as we’re all currently locked into the same systems aren't we? Isn’t it time to grow up and to move beyond these arguments? 

How do we know whether these clothes they are wearing are brand new or have maybe been passed along many times, and reused many times?

Debs, from Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, got a really interesting conversation going just by sending in this question below.

“Heard your episode about fast fashion earlier and you recommend buying secondhand clothes to extend the lifespan of oil and plastic based clothes, which avoids them going to landfill or recycling when they are still in good condition. I also see images of climate protesters on social media who have purchased second hand clothes, often get the criticism that people won’t listen to them as they are wearing oil based and polluting clothing (the production process) so are hypocrites. Are they hypocrites or helping reduce the carbon footprint of the garments by purchasing second hand? There's a ton of snobbery around buying second hand clothes, but that's down to peoples ego, not a reflection that the clothes are soiled or dirty”.

Your co-hosts Stuart and William discuss many things in this episode including that a lot of people get clothes from the sales, and then never wear them, and give them to charity, so often these second hand items have never been worn. 

There’s even a scheme that logs who has owned particular clothing, similar to car log books. So instead of throwing something out, the scheme is maybe prolonging the life of these items. It’s all about extending the lifespan of these clothes.

There is a snobbery when it comes to owning second hand clothes. Why is there a stigma around charity shop clothes? They're not charity for you, but sold to support good causes. You can choose the shops and charities you want to support, often in your local area too. So donate unused items to local charity shops.

Also plastic/oil in clothing isn’t the only material that is bad for the environment. How about cotton for example and the amount of water that is used in its production for the clothing industry?

If we do away with oil based clothing, there will be people who will lose their jobs. We need to offer these people guided pathways to help them change, and not be left behind if we transition too fast. There is an urgency to make changes, but there are also the practicalities to transitioning real lives, and we may have to accept we could have left it too long to quickly reverse the effects we’ve had on the climate.  You need to take people with you, so do we really need to be categorical when it comes to banning? It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it?

Is being dictatorial really a way to get someone on your side, and to a place where they feel they can make a change? There are people who want to ban the Grand National horse race overnight, but will happen to the 50,000+ racing horses? What will happen to all the people who are currently working within the industry as well? We need a way to properly transform our societal structures that takes people with us on guided pathways.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://bit.ly/425GXat

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

Regular listener Jack from Long Wittenham in Oxfordshire, England, sets Stuart and William another question to explore in this episode, and as they feel there are so many great villages in Oxfordshire, have a listen to this episode to find out what your co-hosts favourites might be.

They also mention County boundaries have altered quite a lot over the years with Abingdon for example being in Berkshire at one time. Other villages have been absorbed by the city of Oxford yet still maintain a village feel. 

Here’s Jack’s question: “Which are your favourite villages in Oxfordshire and why?”

Do you agree with what William and Stuart come up with? Regardless of if you do or not, maybe next time you go for a walk, try to hunt out and see the history around you, and what the buildings might be revealing about the  past.

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Is it a distraction trying to fully understand where the impacts of Brexit begins and ends, where the impacts of Covid begins and ends, where the impacts of the cost of living crisis begins and ends, where the impacts of the war in Ukraine begins and ends, where the impacts of the climate crisis begins and ends?

Quite a conundrum, which arose from today's listener question, sent in by Billy, in Saugus, Massachusetts, USA.

“I spent some time in the UK recently, and like many countries at the moment, the wheels seem to be coming off many aspects of your country and systems. Do you think this is caused by Brexit, Covid, Cost Of Living crisis, the climate crisis, or something else? Not sure where one issue begins and another ends currently, do you guys?” 

Your co-hosts Stuart and William feel it's potentially a mixture of Brexit, Covid, the Cost Of Living crisis, the climate crisis and much more, as Billy concisely states in his question. Though Covid could probably be more impactful than Brexit in some instances for example. Brexit is though a contributing factor in the UK, as we chose to do it ourselves.

They suggest maybe we should all do some research to try and fathom where all these things begin and end, whether it is Brexit, Covid, Cost Of Living crisis, the war in Ukraine, or the climate crisis. We may not find any definitive conclusions, but it might widen our shared perspective a bit more.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Once again breaking from the more usual style of output for this podcast, today Stuart and William, your co-hosts, discuss the benefits to you the listeners for supporting us on our Patreon page, that can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside

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. 

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 

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

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

Are awareness campaigns that are based around TV shows, actually effective? Aren’t stories direct from a person you can identify with more powerful? Do we too easily get stuck in the position that everything happens to other people, and not ourselves?

Ron from Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire, England, has sent in another listener question, detailed below, which triggered yet another off the cuff conversation between co-hosts Stuart and William.

“I’ve heard that a comedian who has had testicular cancer, and was involved in the awareness campaign before he was diagnosed, still didn’t check himself, even though the campaign was telling that message. Does that mean these awareness campaigns headed up by the famous, do very little? Is sharing life experience and true stories more powerful?”

Campaigns fronted by celebrities aren’t going to create change on their own, that's Stuart and William’s take, what do you think? They feel we shouldn’t get rid of these awareness campaigns though, we need to set them alongside powerful stories about actual life situations. 

If any of us were to go and listen to an empowered speaker, the key, they feel, is whether we take that inspiration into our own life, and change our own habits, and not just go home from the experience and go straight back to normal life, without making changes if needed.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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 do some people have a fear of wasting money on rent? Is the desire for ownership just another way to avoid the reality of our own mortality? Why do so many people aspire to own their own piece of land?

In this episode, inspired by the question below, which was sent in by listener Tom in Garland, Texas, USA, Stuart and William explore among other topics, the fear that many people have of living in rented accommodation.

“What do you feel about the anomaly of a mindset of moaning that house prices are too high to get on the housing ladder, yet once on it people want the value to keep increasing? What's the root of the fear about living in rented accommodation for the rest of one's life?”

They go on to discuss the paradoxical nature of being happy for house prices to rise once you are a property owner, but unhappy when trying to buy a house. They also examine the cultural differences in attitudes towards renting versus buying a home, and the common fear of wasting money on rent.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Is the privatisation of water resources working for, or against us? And are we, as individuals, being brainwashed into thinking we can make a difference?

Join Stuart and William for another insightful and thought-provoking conversation, this time centred around the topic of water security. This conversation was prompted by the following question, sent in by listener Diane from Southampton, Hampshire, England:

“During the summer of 2022, some water companies in the UK issued a hosepipe ban. Is it reasonable to pass the responsibility of sustaining water supplies during a drought to the general public, when 100’s if not thousands of leaks occur from the water companies pipes. Like the massive one that flooded Islington in North London, and the one on Oxford Ring Road (that a local councillor was spotted swimming in to make the point) in August  2022? 

It seems to some that it's unfair to prevent domestic gardeners watering their plants and lawns, when the leaks remain. Gardening is therapeutic to many, so imagine how it must feel to be prevented from watering the garden how you may wish, and watch to plants you’ve been nurturing die in front of your eyes.

I also saw the source of the River Thames dried up and moved 5 miles downstream during the summer drought in 2022. Is this because the water companies are extracting too much water, or is it a sign of global warming? 

You may feel it's impossible for any company to maintain the infrastructure we rely on, as it's been built and added too bit by bit, and we now possibly have too much to manage? Maybe this is all a symptom of our society not being sustainable? Maybe you think many leaks occurred because the ground was just so dry, and the leaks aren’t as widespread as the media say it is?”

Your co-hosts go on to discuss different ways of regulating water usage, including growing plants that can cope with the drier climate. They ask whether we need to stop trying to impose our will on the land, and instead grow plants that don't require us to keep pumping water in to keep them alive. They also examine the idea of making our water supply more localised, rather than creating large bodies of water as reservoirs and then needing to pump that water for miles and miles. 

Are our values still very much Victorian in the United Kingdom, with many of us simply flushing away what we don't want and not thinking about it again, passing the issue on to someone else?

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Can we truly draw definitive conclusions, without overlooking the complexity of this snapshot? Is our understanding of man-made climate change evolving, or are we merely scratching the surface?

Your co-hosts Stuart and William once again delve into and explore a question sent in by a listener, with today’s coming in from Guy in Grove City, Ohio, USA. His question is as follows:

“I saw a report in August 2022 that some parts of the coral reef that makes up The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has recovered, so it covers a wider area than it has for at least 30 years. Is the evidence that the decrease in coral over recent years has nothing to do with so-called man made climate change?”

Without concrete facts at hand, your co hosts navigate through the challenges of discussing a topic as vast as climate change. They question the assumption that man-made climate change is an irreversible reality, considering the various factors at play. They go on to explore the realm of coral populations, and find themselves pondering: where exactly have the increases in coral population occurred, and why? Together with how are our studies and data interpretation evolving and is longer term understanding impacting the interpretation of the data we have?

Stuart and William aren’t experts on most of the topics explored in these podcast episodes, but they explore them to the edge of their understanding. This question today is one of those that talks them to their limit.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Are we truly allowing the women's game to flourish, or are we inadvertently controlling and comparing it to its male counterpart? Does the men's game, with its long-standing institutionalised habits, have an impact on how the women's game could evolve? Can we break free from these ingrained patterns, and embrace a new era?

Once again your co-hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow explore and examine a question sent in by a listener, with today’s coming from Lyn in Stanton St John, Oxfordshire, England. There question is as follows:

“Can I ask, when your next episodes of the Beyond Stereotypes and Indigenous Voices mini series will appear? All seems quiet on that front. I’ve got another thing for you to talk about too. I’m not a football/soccer fan but I did see the Women’s European Championship Final, between England and Germany in July 2022. The crowd was far less aggressive and tribal than for a men's game. At a men’s game it seems more about singing rude songs, swilling beers and fighting. 

When you listen to the pitch of the sound the crowd made at this women’s final, it was a far higher frequency than a crowd for a men’s game. Maybe because there were a lot more children and women in the crowd for this women's final? You could maybe say the theatrics, the rudeness, and the testosterone fueled rhetoric of the male game is all part of it, but I feel it's a sad world if that's fully true? 

The world is largely run, controlled and driven by men and the male system, would making everything less tribal and less male dominated help solve a lot of troubles across all societies?”

Drawing on their collective lived experiences, Stuart and William examine the remarkable tendency of women to work and collaborate together,  the long-standing history of institutionalised habits in the men's game, and express concerns about how the women's game could in time potentially mimic the structure and dynamics of the men's game.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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 is a justified reaction to being insulted?

That's the gold nugget for us all to consider today, and comes about due to the next listener question, this time from Helen, Shavertown, Pennsylvania, USA.

“Enjoying your recordings, even though I disagree with you for I’d guess 50% of the time. What I’d like you to explore is, Salmon Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses was attacked and stabbed here in the US. It's said to be an attack on free speech. Who dictates who should be free to speak and who isn’t? So called terrorists in the Middle East and in Ireland often haven’t been able to air their views publicly. Why are some allowed free speech and others not? Why is an attack on Mr Rushdie an attack on free speech but when the west attacks people with differing views it's often said it's not an attack of free speech? I have full sympathy with Mr Rushdie but this is something I’m pondering and churning on. I also notice nothing is really being reported about this specific situations, how is the guy doing, anyone know?”

Always interesting where the listener questions take co-hosts Stuart and William, it's often unpredictable, but it's what you the listeners want exploring afterall. They have a look at, via today's chat, whether it's true that when any of us do something controversial, we really have to pay the consequences of our choice. What happened to Rushdie though is an extreme example of that, but there are extreme people out there we have to remember. 

Is freedom of speech, a freedom to say anything and anytime? Whatever we do though, someone somewhere is likely to be insulted, aren’t they? 

It probably isn’t that some organisations are being silenced, but they lack a platform to speak from? You may disagree though?

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807⁠

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to ⁠https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message⁠

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

Another long question sent in by listener Alan, from Northway, Oxford, England and your co hosts Stuart and William delve into the still huge stigma attached to being a council tenant in the UK.

The council has flaws, but tenants issues are often sorted quickly. Social housing in other countries isn't always called that, it can be just another housing option.

There are some cultures in the world that don’t have words for home or land ownership. The majority of people in the world don’t even have ownership on their radar. 

Do any of us really own anything? Aren’t we just afraid of our own mortality and enslaved by the housing ladder?

“Council tenants thought they were going into a wonderland when they purchased their homes. That faded into tomorrow for some when the mortgage payments went from 3% to 15%, so they were strangled by repayments. I’m seeing some housing stock sold off by Oxford City Council under the Right To Buy Scheme, now being purchased back by the same council from the same tenants that purchased the properties under the scheme. In some instances I guess these properties sold for 33k and purchased back for over 250k. Is this a good use of public funds? Is it time to scrap the scheme, leaving housing within social housing stock? Not selling it off for a quick buck, that isn’t invested back into new housing? 

Those purchasing under this scheme might say it's the council's fault for not investing back in housing, not theirs for buying, but in some instances they knew this probably wouldn’t be the case yet passed the ethical buck to the council. Is it time to put aside the Right To Buy if you are a long term renter, on the simple grounds of wider ethics? Is the fact the modern day council are now purchasing the same housing back, for as much as 200k more than they sold it for, an example of the council of yesteryear getting it wrong? Perhaps not, as the current council still operates the Right To Buy even now? 

It seems a quick money spinner, a con for many purchasing their council homes, as being on the housing ladder isn’t always better than not being on it in my view. I’ve seen people purchase their council home, unable to progress up the ladder as they don’t earn enough as the gap to the next rung is too big. Some of those same people had their homes repossessed, as they couldn’t keep up the repair or mortgage costs. These people then had to take a lower standard council house or B&B’s when they lost their homes, and couldn’t afford private rented. What a mess! I know Housing Associations have a policy of selling older houses to fund modern ones, but the story often ends the same. Housing Associations aren’t the holy grail as social landlords, as their rent is extortionately high compared with the council in many instances. 

I love my council home, and ethically have no desire to purchase it even though I’ve lived here 40 years, and I’d much prefer to have the council as my landlord, not a housing association. I worked for a housing association and know the inner workings. I know people who own their homes say they get repairs done quicker but I always have good repair service from the council my neighbors do too. I also know homeowners enjoy feeling the home is theirs, but that’s an illusion, it can be taken away, none of us own anything. 

We’re largely born free, but many get caught up in the treadmill of the housing ladder which enslaves us, all because we want to avoid throwing money down the drain by renting. Most money we spend is going down the drain so whats so wrong with renting, or living as a community in a shared set up? I hope Oxford City Council never sells their stock to an association. That could be the final straw for us tenants in some instances. We’re living in a modern day work house, a modern slave trade. Just my view of course”.

A long question sent in by listener Lyn, from Stanton St John, Oxfordshire, England, which Stuart and William examine by exploring if we should actively meet more people that are different to us, should move past labels and just let people live their lives, societal progress and the tendrils of colonialism. Set in the current context and backdrop of the cost of living crisis in the UK, and the perspective that offers.

Here’s Lyn’s question: “The 2022 Commonwealth Games, the first with more medals available to women than men. The first with disability sports integrated into the main programme, not having their separate games afterwards. LGBTQ+ competitors could hold the rainbow flag for the first time. The games were billed as the most sustainable ever (though most of the mitigation measures will take decades to off-set - like the mass planting of trees they undertook - will they be looked after and survive?). All good things right, and help to also mitigate the roots of the championships being British colonialism? Or does it? Two thirds of competing nations/territories have laws that make same sex relationships illegal, will the games change that?  Nigeria, Pakistan and Brunei still have the death penalty for being gay. Pakistan has a punishment of the death by stoning for being gay, but haven’t used it. By having it does it breed a culture of seeing gay people as mutants. Nigeria recently executed 3 people for being gay. I fear preventing these countries from competing/hosting, isn’t likely to make that bigger impact. These prejudices are ingrained in families/friends/governments and sporting federations. It’s all largely driven by history and British colonialism. This hatred is rooted in laws imposed across the British empire and still exists in some countries. Homophobia has some roots in 300 years of the slave trade. Slave owners encouraged heterosexual sex amongst slaves, as it produced children, a free supply of slaves into the system. There are records of male slaves discovered to be gay, being publically raped by  slave owners, to discourage homosexuality. It begs the question that the slave owners might have been gay themselves? There's always hope though, change will happen quicker if driven by love and not taking things away from cultures, like the right to host sporting events. This all makes me sad for humanity. Rainbow flags at these games aren’t enough on their own and could maybe even be seen as rainbow washing? It's a start though, and we need to start somewhere. Flying the flag is important as a sign of hope and change, but we need to progress so we don’t need flags or for people to admit they are gay, we need to allow people to just live their lives. Why punish a gay person just for existing? Finally I saw that the games cost over 800 million pounds to put on, is this a worthwhile expenditure when working people are struggling to survive soaring cost of living figures in the UK?”

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

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

Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

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.

The paper industry is reportedly the 4th highest carbon-producing industry in the world. Is that true, and what are the environmental implications of that if it is? Is it just playing around the edges to focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the paper industry, or should we also be addressing the issue of over-consumption in all its forms? Is it even possible to completely eliminate paper from our lives?

It’s another thought provoking and varied question sent in by another of our listeners, this time coming from Eddie in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. Stuart and William try to break it down into bite sized chunks, and come up with actions we can all take to address issues discussed. Eddie’s question is as follows:

“Loving listening to your podcast and I especially like that you don’t have expert guests all the time like other podcasts. I enjoy the way you challenge yourselves with random questions you talk about, as you say it's probably therapy for you both with the way you explore the unknown cold, and unprepared. You likely get to hear your own thinking only a split second before us listeners?  You could maybe consider expanding on the questions further by having more episodes to cover them, and have guests or experts on the later subsequent episodes, just to mop up the nuances? That could provide material for a series of short mini series which I see you already do. It's hard to cover all the points in one episode as there's always more that could be said. 

My question is, for 50 years that I know of, the concept of paperless societies have been spoken about, yet we still haven’t got there. The paper industry I’m informed is the 4th highest carbon producing industry in the world, and whether that's true or not it needs to change. I’ve heard of new technology that can remove ink from paper up to 10 times, before the sheet itself needs to be recycled. 

Recycling being a polluting process in and of itself. This new tech basically vaperises much of the ink by laser, and then extracts the remaining pigment that could be put back into ink cartridges that we buy. I’ve also heard this tech could be packaged into small devices that sit next to all our printers, with us running through it us paper that we’ve printed on before to extract the ink, before we run the sheet through the printer again. 

To me though having 2 devices has a carbon footprint so maybe new printers should have this new device built into them, so we only buy one and produce less packaging? Is this all just playing around the edges though? Shouldn’t we be focusing on kicking the widespread habits around over-consumption, in all its forms?”

During this episode the next iteration of Environmental Debated Live & Unscripted was mentioned? But what is it?  It’s event is for anybody looking to connect with like minded people who are concerned about the big issues facing society, the perfect event to stretch your thinking, explore opportunities and build lasting links with people who want to make a difference. Book your ticket today by going to the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message

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

Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

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.

Last weekend, the 15th April to be precise, Stuart and William once again had a stall at the East Oxford Farmers’ & Community Market promoting the podcast and wider work.

Whilst there they took the opportunity to record a short out about item about the upcoming live iteration of this podcast, Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted, which is taking place at the former Bothy Vineyard in Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire, on the 27th May 2023, 3.30pm to 9pm.

This event is for anybody looking to connect with like minded people, concerned about the big issues facing society, the perfect event to stretch your thinking, explore opportunities and build lasting links with people who want to make a difference.  

You can find out more about this event with the following link.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

What do you make of this bonus item? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss on the podcast itself? Let us know by sending an email to thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com, or record us a message in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message

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

Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

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.

Breaking from the more usual style of output for this podcast, if there is one, as its always evolving. We draw your attention to a fundraiser and a petition that’s currently running.

Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

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

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. 

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

Is it best to not attack outlandish beliefs, and just ask questions? Can we learn from each other, even if we disagree?

In this podcast we regularly jump between very different topics, as the conversation is led by the questions sent in by you, our listeners. With today’s coming from from Karlijn in Teignmouth, Devon, England, and her question is as follows:

“I heard someone say, who is a denier of the climate emergency we face, that it's impossible for man to impact negatively on climate change, and the pollution we produce makes little impact. The increased temperatures are natural, and its natural climate change is not man-made. They went on to say that we should forget about the fake news that we are pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and instead focus on pumping pollutants that cools the atmosphere as a way of adapting to natural climate change. Isn’t this a contradiction, and an example of double standards? If they are right that we could cool the planet by pumping out chemicals, why is it impossible to heat the planet by pumping out other chemicals as we are? Mind you, this denier claimed climate change was all fake news as we’ve been invaded by a bunch of shape shifting reptilians that are trying to get us to destroy ourselves in the panic being caused. So these alien creatures, who are dressed up as the UK royal family, the world's politicians, Drs, police and teachers, can take over and take all of Earth's resources, before moving on to another planet. Should we take any of these statements with any seriousness?”

Another meaty topic for Stuart and William to discuss, don't you agree? In the course of their conversation, they cover how conspiracy theories can often have a veneer of truth. They bring up how there are some contradictions in this climate denier's argument, as they claim there isn’t a climate crisis, yet at the same time potentially talk about solutions to it.

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message

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

Have you ever stopped to think about where your meat comes from, and what the quality is like? Ultimately, shouldn't we make sure the meat we eat is of the best quality?

Join Stuart and William for another listener lead conversation, with today’s question coming from Ron in Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire, England, which is as follows:

“I’m still enjoying your output, even if you keep calling me Rod, keep it up. I like the way you raise some of the little explored ideas within your recordings, moving away from the more mainstream angles and thinking. Opens you up to controversy, but a reaction is better than none I suppose. So, my question, I’m less convinced about the environmental arguments against eating meat, I’m more convinced by the ethical reasons not to. Does it really matter? I think whatever you eat, you should always go for good food, and generally the ethics will follow. Also, are farmers really benefiting from the subsidies they receive to produce, or is the consumer the one being subsidised, by being able to keep buying unsustainably cheap food? Maybe, if food was more costly, people would eat less, and there would be less obesity?”

During this discussion Stuart and William ask you, the listener,  to think about where your meat comes from, as generally, the cheaper the meat is, the lower the quality. They also suggest we all do some research, and consider the environmental impact of meat production, which involves a vast amount of water consumption. Also, they urge you to consider how bringing ethics into meat production will naturally help the environment.

In this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire, 3.30pm to 9pm. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

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

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message

Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

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.

Are we being brainwashed into thinking we can make a difference? We believe we can make an impact, but it requires changes in our daily lives. For example, buying from local producers can reduce carbon emissions, but should we also assist growers in countries like Colombia to transition to different products and markets?

Welcome to the People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where we aim to challenge beliefs, mindsets, and habits. In this episode Stuart and William chew over, and discuss the following question from Shaun in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

“Hello from America. I was recommended your podcast and enjoying it. Many of the UK issues you discuss are relevant here as well. I like the way you mix things up and have unpredictable subjects discussed, but I also really like your guest episodes even though there are only a couple of dozen or so. In a couple of episodes you recommend purchasing Colombian products, to encourage producers there to grow and supply products that doesn't require more deforestation, and maybe even encourages the expansion of the rainforests? Isn’t importing Colombian products polluting in itself though, as there are a lot more transport related pollution involved in that than getting our supplies from local producers?”

Your co-hosts go on to discuss the carbon legacy since the industrial revolution, the discomforts we often feel when confronting this can come from our own insecurities. and they question whether we can expect the biggest polluting companies to change if we don't change ourselves, as individuals?

During this episode Stuart and William discuss the upcoming Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event, this podcasts format expanded and made more experiential, then set in front of a live audience, and arranged to take place next on May 27th at the former Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire. To secure your tickets for this event, use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/environmental-debate-live-unscripted-tickets-514832145807

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

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, or record us a message in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message

Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
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.