The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

Another question today from an audience member at the live iteration of this podcast, at Bothy Vineyard, back in May 2023. Someone who handed in a slip as anonymous, asked “Many of our global problems stem from out-of-control population growth. What can we do about this? Discuss!” Stuart, one of the cohosts of this podcast, raises that there is an assumption within the question, and argues that we...

With insights on the inevitability of change, and the importance of finding joy in our surroundings, this episode encourages listeners to rethink their connection to the countryside. Why should those who rarely venture outdoors care about environmental issues?  Welcome to The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate podcast, where your co-hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow ar...

In this episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow tackle a thought-provoking question from the 2023 live incarnation of this podcast, Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted, which was set at the Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire, England. Sylvia, an audience member, raised the following question: “This i...

In a break from our normal output, we’re tackling an unanswered question set by an audience member at a live incarnation of this podcast back in May 2023, Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted. Back then the in-person audience at The Bothy Vineyard event set us a range of questions to discuss. This one was left anonymously and read  - “Animal welfare in meat production is a good concern but J...

In the context of the podcast medium, it is noteworthy that the co-hosts, Stuart and William, do not preview listener-submitted inquiries prior to the commencement of recording. This practice ensures that their responses remain unpremeditated and genuine, thereby preserving the spontaneity and authenticity of their commentary. So the first listener question is from Teresita, Montevideo, Uruguay -...

Stuart and William are today marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2024, with this bonus episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast. They ask you to think about what an indigenous person is to you, and whether or not you see yourself as indigenous. Also, they encourage you to always see the person in front of you for who they are, and to keep awa...

Join your co-hosts of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow, as they delve into two thought-provoking discussions on stereotypes and superiority, which as always were sparked by questions that listeners have sent in. The first question they delve into is from Yahya, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco - “How do society’s stereotypes...

Gaby, from Departamento De Santa Cruz, in Bolivia is the lucky listener to set the first of today's questions for your co-host Stuart and William to discuss - “Does the industrial revolution show humanity is punching above its own weight within its own evolution, and causing its own demise?” William’s there, right on this one, and he’s banging on about how the Industrial Revolution’s still goi...

Yenifer, from Provincia De Panamá, Panama is the lucky listener setting out the first question for discussion today -  “Are we brainwashed into thinking working hard gets us wherever we want? Is that just a form of enslavement? If we were taught to have a mindset of working smarter, would that impact those trying to keep us in our seats? We’re told to get educated, get better jobs, work harder, ye...

Today, we’re again taking a break from our usual format, to give more time and to encourage you, our valued listeners, to send in more questions, for us to explore in future episodes. In this episode, we discuss a question set by an attendee of last year’s iteration of Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted, the live incarnation of this podcast. This was a ticketed event, unrecorded, and held...

Today, we're taking a break from our usual format, to give more time and to encourage you, our valued listeners, to send in more questions for us to explore in future episodes. In this special episode, we revisit a thought-provoking question posed by Peter T. during our Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event in May 2023. This was the ticketed second live iteration of this podcast, in...

Join your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow as they tackle two thought-provoking questions sent in by listeners in this engaging episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast. Recorded in Stuart's garden, the duo dive into two intriguing queries that challenge perceptions of nature, society, and personal growth. The first question they ta...

Why do we do this podcast?  We do it to stop the big issues slipping into the shadows. We talk about listener questions as that's what's important to them, and always try to bring it back to the natural world in some way. We have the conversations that need having. It’s not the usual ambience in this episode, as we are back out in Stuart’s courtyard garden again. So expect some interesting...

No waffle in this episode, we get straight into the listener questions, the first of which today is from Tess, in Stranrear, Scotland - “How damaging do you feel dismissing someone's opinion that you don’t like can be?” Stuart emphasises that dismissing someone’s opinion is detrimental, limiting both yourself and the person you’re conversing with. Active listening fosters better understanding....

Trigger Warning: This episode covers the sensitive topics of euthanasia and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised. On this thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow tackle two profound questions from listeners in Scotland. First up, Tess from Stranraer asks the following: “Is...

In their signature unvarnished style, your co-hosts, Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow aren't afraid to push boundaries, and explore taboo subjects often left undiscussed. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged, as these two plumb the depths of protests and trigger warnings, from refreshingly candid angles. First up, Stuart and William dive into the nature of protests, whi...

Charlie, from Montrose, Scotland has sent in this listener question  - “Who owns land is at the heart of the housing crisis in the UK. It's not because bricks and mortar have suddenly become incredibly expensive. It's because the value of land has gone through the roof. Is it possible to own land though when we as humans came from it, are part of it, and ultimately, will go back to it?” St...

Mariama, a listener from Sierra Leone has sent this question in for discussion on today's episode - “For a few years I lived in Cumbria in the UK, and miss your country walks there. Countryside here in Sierra Leone is a very different thing though. Tell me, what frustrates you guys the most about the countryside in the UK?” The biggest thing that frustrates Stuart are gates that block access t...

In this short episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow reflect on reaching the impressive 500 episode mark for this podcast. The big question on everyone's mind - will they make it to the ultra-rare 1,000 episode club? Stuart is bullish on the prospect, believing if they keep up their well-oiled podcast production process, the 1,000 episode milestone will com...

As 2024 unfolds before us, your co-hosts William and Stuart embark on a discussion about the year ahead. They talk about the future of the podcast, and how they currently have listener questions lined up and in the kitty, and what would happen if that supply would one day run out. Stuart delves into how the fundraiser for the Extreme 8 is his biggest personal focus. Throughout this bonus episode t...

Ah, the sweet serenade of the dawn chorus! When was the last time you really listened to the birds singing, particularly in the morning?  Well today Stuart and William are highlighting that it’s International Dawn Chorus Day. The release time of this bonus episode is 5am, which is the perfect time to get out and listen to nature's greatest symphony.  And there you have it! Stuart and William,...

Hopefully this episode will stretch your thinking today and explore opinions you might not have thought about before. Isla, a listener from Arbroath, Scotland has sent in this question for your co-hosts to dig in to: “Are there limits to human creativity? Is your answer informed by your own understanding of yourselves or deeply influenced by society?” William brings up the idea of lateral thinking...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow take you on a journey through the depths of philosophical inquiry, with a sprinkle of chaos and a dash of order. In today's episode, two listener questions are tackled by your co-hosts, challenging our perceptions and pu...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, co-hosted by none other than Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow. In today's instalment, they delve into the minds of listeners from far-flung corners of the globe – Muna from Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, and Robert from Fishponds, Bristol, England. First up is the question from Muna:...

Carolien, from South Holland, The Netherlands, sets the first question to be discussed today - “When you both think back, what do you remember most about your working collaboration? Would that be the same as other people have?” William highlights the enjoyable collaboration with Stuart, which has faced challenges but evolved into a rewarding experience. Their strong criteria for working together h...