The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

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...

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 prob...

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 misu...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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 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, rais...

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, f...

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 Berks...

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, i...

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 conversati...

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...

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, Hampshi...

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...

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 Willi...

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 st...

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 wor...

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 per...

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...

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 Fril...

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 o...

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, k...

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 ai...