The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

In this short bonus episode, Stuart and William talk about a nature and photography focused workshop they will be running later this month, on the 25th, at Sandford Brake Woods and Fields in Oxford. You can book tickets to this event with the following link:  https://bit.ly/3poQ5X7 Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:  https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside Help...

“Is life really that interesting, magical, miraculous and something to be savoured/respected. Which is something we often try to tell ourselves and others. Or is it all a smoke screen to help us deal with the randomness, futility and meaninglessness of life? Have either of you got, or had a fear of death?” This is the podcast where we have the conversations that need having, without scripts, and f...

"Do you think there's a north south divide in the UK within environmental activism?” This is a podcast of real opinions, real discussions, authentic views, but no scripts. During this episode co-hosts Stuart and William embark on a discussion which was sparked by the above question, that was sent in by listener Bob in Stone, Staffordshire, England. They discuss whether there truly is a north/...

“I’m back, with another question guys. Have been wondering where Pedro is, and when he’s going to set another of his listener questions? Wonder if he laughs as much as I do, when you poke fun at him on this podcast? All in good jest though, I realise that.  I’ve been in hospital for a few months, and see I’ve got a lot of listening to catch up with regarding your podcast. Well done on produci...

“Stuart, you say you never vote politically, is this wise?” Even though the question above which has been sent in by listener Iris in Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire, England, is very much aimed towards Stuart, it opens out into a wider conversation about voting, and politics in general. The discussion rather than debate, covers political apathy, the wisdom of voting or not voting politically, how pol...

“I’ve only ever asked one question on this podcast before, and that was back in early 2021, I think? Back then I set a question about fake news, but this time I have something different for you. People say engineers hold a lot of answers to the climate issues we face, I like to ask though, what are your favourite engineering achievements in human history and why?” Stuart and William attempt to ans...

“What do you do with leftover food?” Stuart and William once again embark on an in-depth unplanned conversation, that came from listener Karlijn in Teignmouth, Devon, England. They discuss at length their thoughts around food waste, encouraging you to enjoy the food you make, but not to cook too much, or to not buy too much food. They talk about what to do with any leftover food and any surplus fo...

Hosts Stuart and William, mark Left Handers Day, in this bonus episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast. August 13th is a chance to tell your family and friends how proud you are of being left-handed, and also raise awareness of the everyday issues that lefties face as we live in a world designed for right-handers. Wish everyone a very happy Left Handers Day by using the ha...

Stuart and William once again had a stall at the East Oxford Farmers' and Community Market , and while there recorded a short bonus episode, where they talk about a new collaboration William is embarking on with Tommy, from the Tommy's Outdoors podcast , and they also talked about the workshop they will be leading in September, at Sandford Brake, in Oxford. You can book tickets to this event with...

“What’s the best form of recycling?” This question from listener Helle in Lincoln, Lincolnshire in England, sparked an in-depth exchange between Stuart and William, around the whole idea of what recycling is? They mention the 5 Rs, which are refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and then recycle and look at how man and nature can live side by side. What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a qu...

“How do we inspire all sections of the white community, to own their whole history, and pursue equality?” This is a big subject, do you concur? Stuart and William delve into the above question sent in by listener Samia, from Tlemcen in Algeria, Africa. They discuss how we have no control over what's happened in the past, only control over what happens in the present, how we're not taught our full...

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. It's often an unscripted and off the cuff discussion rather than a debate, and this episode is no exception. What do you make of this question below that was sent in by listener Ramona from Paraguay. “When did you learn the world is unjust and unfair?” Inspired by this quest...

“Jean-Jacques Rousseau had the theory man is naturally good though corrupted by society. Others agree with Aristotle’s and John Locke’s theory, we are born an empty slate, free to define our own character, with outside forces shaping us. However, the Bible seems to say, the natural human condition is sinful and estranged from God. We are not born innately good or morally neutral. We are born sinne...

Hosts Stuart and William, mark World Nature Conservation Day, in this bonus episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast. World Nature Conservation Day acknowledges that a healthy environment is the foundation for stable and healthy societies. Earth’s natural resources include air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation is the care and protection of these res...

“Stuart, you mention in passing, during a number of the more interesting episodes, that you don’t go out much these days. Why is that, and how do you square that with having a job connecting people with nature?” Stuart and William, two relatable men, explore regularly the big issues, and they often do not know where these conversations will lead, like today's episode which was sparked by the above...

“What bridges are you happy you burned?” Are you worried about the big issues we all face? Then this is the podcast for you! Generally this podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Which theme do you think this episode fits? Maybe its more than one of them? It normally is. Stuart and William embark on a short discussion arou...

“Have you ever experienced social pressure?” Generally this podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. This time  Stuart and William again embark on a deep philosophical discussion around what social pressure is, how even when we see ourselves as outside of society, we're still conforming. Even when we're rebelling,...

“How important are friends and family?” You might notice that this is a slightly different style episode, this is because we recently had Evan Burke, an Oxford University student micro-intern working alongside us for a week, who edited this particular episode, hence the differing editing style to the norm. What do you think? In a very to the point episode, Stuart and William speak honestly, frankl...

“If you could live your lives again, would you?” In a nice short episode, Stuart and William discuss the above question which was set my Samia in Tlemcen, Algeria, plus a range of other things. They both have very definite views about the subject of whether or not they would want to live their lives again. Would you do anything differently if you could live your life again? What do you make of thi...

“Could you explore sustainability and greening of sport?” During this interesting and in-depth discussion, amongst the subjects covered are, how we need to repurpose and reuse sports clothing, and how we need to be aware not only of the direct, but also the indirect pollution that's created by sport. It was felt this is an important discussion as so many of us enjoy sports, but many of us also wan...

“Why have many societies begun to place such a high value on emotions and being emotional?” Generally this podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. In today's episode Stuart and William discuss and delve into the above question, sent in by a long-time listener and contributor, Roman from Slovakia. They really dig into w...

“What are the problems and potential within the fashion industry? Slow fashion, as opposed to fast fashion, is that a real option?". The main discussion in today's episode centres around the fast fashion industry, and what damage does fast fashion do to the environment, together with the amount of waste that's created by fast fashion. Including a quite startling stat around the amount of fash...

"Which trees are the best wood to turn into charcoal? Is it beneficial to dig charcoal into the ground?" A curious group of people, exploring a curious subject with real curiosity. This is a slightly different episode to the norm, a bonus Friday release for you to get your thinking caps on with. This bonus recording came about from when Stuart and William recently held a stall at the  East Ox...

“Is poverty in society inevitable?” Welcome once again to another off the cuff conversation between your hosts Stuart and William as they discuss the above question, from listener Vera, in New Hinksey, Oxford, England. In this episode they encourage you to expand the understanding of the word poverty, and whether poverty is truly inevitable in all societies. What do you make of this discussion? Do...

“Should we let nature lead the way as we try and re-wild areas?” In this episode, Stuart and William discuss in their chatty unscripted style the above question, which was sent in by listener Gary in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. The discussion sparked centres around the economics and the value of nature. How much we set ourselves apart from nature, when we're very much part of it. Also, the...