The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

Co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow dive into the controversial realm of repatriating cultural artefacts. Prompted by a question from listener Debs from Didcot, Oxfordshire, England. Debs’ question is as follows: “There’s lots of talk that artefacts in British museums gained through colonialism centuries ago should be relocated back to their countries of origin. The...

Join co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow as they delve into a fascinating question, posed by our listener Alivia, from Ridgway, Illinois, USA. Alivia challenges us to consider whether the world is but an illusion, financially bankrupt, and propped up by artificial structures. Alivia's question: “The world is largely an illusion and bankrupt, because it spends mor...

Join co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow, as they embark on the kind of conversation you’d overhear at the pub. This discussion was prompted by a thought-provoking question sent in from listener Alvaro in Spain, which is as follows: "Do you feel the use of captive trained birds of prey is a good way of dispersing other birds like pigeons and gulls?" Stuart...

“As podcast makers do you feel any kind of responsibility toward your listenership?” That’s the listener question that's been sent in for discussion in today's episode by Ramona, Paraguay. William kicks off the conversation by saying that turning up AND being reliably present for the listeners is one way of showing responsibility to the audience. He goes on to talk about how it's impor...

“Do you think Prince Harry spending a reported billion pounds taking the UK press to court is doing society any kind of favours?” That’s the listener question that’s been sent in by Russ in Harcourt Hill, Oxford, England, for co-hosts Stuart and William to discuss. William and Stuart start off by talking about what exactly Prince Harry is taking the UK press to court for. William goes onto say tha...

“We have eaten meat for thousands of years, so why is it now so wrong to still eat it?” That's the listener question that's come in for discussion on this podcast from Debs in Didcot, Oxfordshire, England. William kicks off the episode saying that to him what makes it wrong to eat meat is the exploitation and the industrialisation of the meat production process, together with the devaluing...

“A report produced in the US claimed that if every country went net zero now it would be 250 years before the climate reacted positively. So, should we be doing more than aiming for net zero?” That’s the listener question sent in by Billy, Saugus, Massachusetts, USA. Co-host William kicks off the conversation by stating that we’ve been putting out a large volume of carbon for decades, and agrees t...

How do misconceptions about the meat and dairy industries, like the one Suzi shared about cows producing milk because they are pregnant, contribute to the way we view and treat animals in our society? Listen in to this episode, as your regular hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow, joined by Suzi Darrington who once again takes her seat in the listener's chair, as the...

In this engaging episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow discuss the following question sent in by Ronny from Denchworth, Oxfordshire, England: “I saw parts of Charles's and Camila’s coronation, and when they stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace afterward, both wearing crowns, Camila especially seemed to be waving to the gathered crowds in a very stilte...

Join us for an insightful and engaging exploration of maps, time zones, and their connections to our shared history. Is the centre of the world map a reflection of colonial legacies, or is it a matter of practicality and tradition? Listen in to find out! This is the podcast where we explore thought-provoking questions from our listeners. In this episode, Debs from Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, spa...

In this compelling episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow embark on another journey of self-discovery, sparked by a question sent in by listener Derrick from West Hendred, Oxfordshire, England. Derrick’s question is as follows: “We hear we should live life to the full. What exactly is that? How do we know if we are doing that, or wasting and frittering our live...

A short bonus episode this one. Having listened to a previous episode, listener and collaborator Tommy Serafinski has been in touch.  Tommy and William also collaborated on another podcast series too, Have You Ever Considered? Have You Ever Considered? “Hey guys, I'm writing as a listener after listening to your recent episode ‘ Climate Contradictions ’. Indeed the planet can be cooled by disp...

In this bonus episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow dive deep again into the world of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), addressing a question from long-time listener Hedley Thorne. They were once again joined by Suzi Darrington in the listener’s chair. Hedley’s question is as follows: "LTNs, I believe, are a relatively recent invention, and so what has b...

“We’re brainwashed into thinking we as individuals can save the world, when I’ve heard 7 companies are responsible for most of the carbon humans have ever emitted. Is getting out on the streets and protesting the only answer?” That’s the listener question sent in by Eve, in Haslam, Nottingham, England for co-hosts Stuart and William to explore. Stuarts states right off the bat that there is never...

Suzi Darrington is once again sat in the ‘Listener’s Chair’ alongside Stuart and William for this listener question from Ronny, in Denchworth, Oxfordshire, England. “Are young people's perception of reality distorted by the cultural influences of their preferred social media platforms?” Suzi talks about the different phones she had when younger, saying her first smartphone was at the age of 12...

Regular co-hosts Stuart and William are joined by Suzi Darrington. an Oxford University Crankstart Intern with them in the summer, who returns to the ‘Listener’s Chair’ to give her two pennies worth and because this question really resonated with her. She will be back again in future episodes. The following question came from listener Derrick, in West Hendred, Oxfordshire, England. “Should landlor...

“We seem to be cycling less since Covid. Councils really encouraged us to cycle more during the lockdowns, but it seems to be they too easily undo the pro-cycling measures when anti-cycling issues are raised by motorists and others?”. That’s today's listener question up for discussion, sent in by Rob from East Lockinge, Oxfordshire, England. We always give an ad free experience on this podcast...

In another thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow dive deep into another discussion, prompted by a question from listener Gavin, from Grove, Oxfordshire, England. The question Gavin poses is: ”In the UK there are governmental subcommittees reviewing the benefits and costs of decisio...

Join co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow as they mark the onset of Black History Month, which kicks off on October 1st. Black History Month is a time to honour, celebrate, and reflect upon the profound impact of Black individuals on our local, national and international history and culture. Find out more by going to https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Join hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow in this thought-provoking episode, sparked by a question from listener, Rob from East Lockinge, Oxfordshire, England. Focusing on the world of museum culture, they delve deep into the complex issue of artefact ownership, colonialism's lingering legacy, and the stories we choose to tell. The question sent in by Rob is as follo...

How can we discern genuine eco-friendly intentions from greenwashing in large businesses, and is it inevitable that there will always be a level of suspicion when it comes to their environmental efforts and motives? Are we, as a society, at a point where we can still make choices to change our future, or have we already passed the point of no return in addressing pressing environmental issues, lik...

Who truly sets the standards for how countries should behave, and can we influence change without imposing our beliefs on others? Are bans on countries with societal unfairness hosting major events a solution, or does it inadvertently create echo chambers and hide underlying issues? In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow engage in a ca...

A slightly surreal episode, not the first, won’t be the last, as co-hosts Stuart and William tackle today's listener question, which is from George, in Upton, Oxfordshire, England. “Actress Kate Winslet has stated she feels the government should tighten up  the online bill in the UK, to protect vulnerable users. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver ran a campaign to improve school dinners. Then there w...

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 a...

Todays listener question for Stuart and William to explore has been set by Cedric, in East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire, England “Who is in charge of the internet, or is it multiple players?” William believes that nobody is in charge of the internet, and that the internet is a mesh of networks, with gatekeepers, for example the internet providers.  William marvels though at the fact the internet allows...