516 episodes

This podcast's for anyone wanting to explore the big issues, stretching your thinking in relatable ways. Well known personalities, Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and photographer William Mankelow, who aren't experts, but have opinions, authentic views and no scripts.

Join them on meandering conversations about nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Sometimes joined by guests, or discussing listener questions between themselves. Always full of fun anecdotes and a bit of silliness.

https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside 

The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast The People's Countryside

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

This podcast's for anyone wanting to explore the big issues, stretching your thinking in relatable ways. Well known personalities, Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and photographer William Mankelow, who aren't experts, but have opinions, authentic views and no scripts.

Join them on meandering conversations about nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Sometimes joined by guests, or discussing listener questions between themselves. Always full of fun anecdotes and a bit of silliness.

https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside 

    Festivals & Grief

    Festivals & Grief

    Welcome to The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where the aim is to be a friend in your ear during these challenging times.

    In today's therapy session for your co-hosts Stuart and William, you’ll take a dive into listener questions from Wally in Manchester, England, and Jayne in York, England.

    We begin with Wally’s question, which is:

    “What festivals do you guys like to celebrate yourselves?”

    Off the back of Wally’s question William shares his joy of Midsummer celebrations in Finland, while Stuart reflects on a childhood, grounded in honouring seasons, spirits and solstices.

    Together, they explore the significance of inviting others into our traditions, and promoting sustainable festivities.

    We then move onto Jayne’s question, which is:

    “Could you both share your own experiences and thoughts around grief?”

    Inspired by Jayne’s question, Stuart explores the multifaceted nature of grief, acknowledging its impact is beyond the loss of loved ones, and delving into the complexities of missed opportunities and unfulfilled connections. While William shares insights into the evolution of grief, from moments of guilt to the profound realisation of personal identity beyond family ties, prompting introspection on mortality and legacy.

    Tune in to this profound episode as Stuart and William explore the depths of human experience, finding solace and wisdom amidst life's celebrations and sorrows.

    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


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    • 24 min
    Emotional Numbness and Navigating Criticism

    Emotional Numbness and Navigating Criticism

    Join Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow, the down-to-earth co-hosts of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, as they dive into uncharted waters with no preparation, no scripts, just honest, genuine and relatable discussions.

    In this episode, they tackle thought-provoking questions from Paco in Wimbledon, England, and Fanaka from Kenya.

    First up is the question from Paco which is as follows:

    “What does nothing feel like?”

    From Paco’s question, Stuart reflects on the concept of emotional numbness, exploring the idea of experiencing a lack of feelings when confronted with some things.

    William challenges the notion, asserting that as humans, feeling nothing, is impossible.

    The conversation takes an introspective turn as they explore meditation, and the philosophical question of whether true nothingness, can ever be achieved.

    The second listener question of this episode is from Fanaka, and her question is:

    “As co-hosts you speak openly, but that opens you up to criticism in return. How do you deal with that?”

    Inspired by Fanaka’s question, William and Stuart share their experiences of criticism, acknowledging that it's a rare occurrence, but a valuable one when it happens.

    Stuart, known for his candid expressions, and not shying away from taboo subjects, discusses how there's a feeling of frustration within him, with certain topics rarely openly being discussed, which is sometimes relieved by discussing some of the questions sent in by listeners. He also goes onto talk about how he welcomes criticism as a tool for growth.

    During this discussion the co-hosts speak about when they revisited a past controversial episode, with a ‘critics' points in mind during that particular second discussion, demonstrating their commitment to evolving themselves and engaging in meaningful discussions.

    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


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    • 18 min
    Unworn Sweaters And Curry Sauce Regrets

    Unworn Sweaters And Curry Sauce Regrets

    Alan, a listener from Northway, Oxford, England sent in this question for discussion - “Is it excessive for the build up to Christmas to start in September, October and November? Is it a December thing?”

    Ah, the Christmas festive frenzy! William’s got a point: September to December can be like a shopping marathon – you start shopping early, stash gifts, often consuming them yourself, and then sprint at the end to buy more. 

    But Stuart’s onto something too. Those Christmas displays? They’re like tabloids – full of sensational nonsense. We should just say, “No thanks” 

    And that tat, Oh, that tat! People flaunt it like, “Look at my wealth – I’ve got a plastic snow globe!” 

    Stuart’s right – Christmas stock’s are like that old sweater in your closet: always there, never worn.

    Let’s voice our unhappiness! 

    So, here’s to September to December – a season of chaos, tinsel, and more “ho ho ho” than a caffeine-fueled Santa! 

    Heather, a listener in Ablington, Wiltshire, England sent in the second question for today - “Do you believe anyone when they say they don’t have any regrets?”

    Stuart always says he doesn't have any regrets, he sees it as a mindset thing. He consciously moves on. It’s often down to personal prioritising, that you end up with regrets because you’ve prioritised something else.

    It’s like when you’re standing in the queue at the chippy, right? You’ve got your eyes on that tray of golden, crispy chips, and you’re thinking, “This is it, this is the moment!” But then, just as you’re about to place your order, your mate Dave elbows you and says, “Oi, mate, they’ve got curry sauce today!” And suddenly, your whole world shifts. Curry sauce! It’s like the universe just handed you a winning scratch card.

    Now, priorities, they’re a bit like that. Life throws 'em at you, all unexpected-like. You’re there, juggling work, family, and trying to remember where you left your car keys. And then, out of nowhere, your brain goes, “Hey, remember that time you didn’t call your grandma on her birthday? Yeah, that’s a regret right there.” And you’re left standing in the queue of life, wondering if you should’ve ordered the curry sauce.

    But William, he’s got it figured out. He’s like a zen master of priorities. He’s standing on the edge of a cliff, wind in his hair, and he’s thinking, “If I could time-travel, would I tell my younger self to invest in Bitcoin or just buy more socks?” And you know what? He wouldn’t say a word. Because life’s a bit like a dodgy GPS – you take a wrong turn, end up in a field, but hey, at least you’ve got a nice view of some sheep.

    So, William’s got regrets, sure. Maybe he wishes he’d learned to play the ukulele or finally tried that pineapple pizza. But he doesn’t dwell on it. Life’s too short for that. Instead, he’s out there, chasing sunsets and making peace with the fact that sometimes, you’ve just got to choose between chips and curry sauce.

    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


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    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

    • 18 min
    Natures Rhythms and AI Benefits

    Natures Rhythms and AI Benefits

    Fred, a listener from St Just, Cornwall, England, set the first question to be explored today - “In the UK we put the clock back an hour in October and forward an hour in March. Now we have digital clocks that automatically alter, and now we live in a world of quick communication, and we buzz between time zones readily. Is it time for the UK to stop doing this? I think we started doing this in the early 1900’s to save and conserve energy. Not sure if it's true but I read William Willett, the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, set up a campaign before the first world war pushing for clocks to go forward in spring and back in winter so that people could spend more time outdoors during the day and save energy”.

    William your co-host suggests that the time difference might be related to harvesting. He acknowledges that not all countries have adopted this system, especially some US counties. He views it as being linked to labour.

    Stuart the other co-host believes that the main advantage of clock changes is providing school children with more evening light. However, he thinks confusion arises for those who don’t adjust their clocks. Stuart proposes reimagining work schedules to alleviate congestion caused by synchronised movement, routines and start times.

    In summary, the clock-changing debate involves practical considerations, nature’s rhythms, and potential benefits.

    Heather, a listener from in Ablington, Wiltshire, England sets us the second question in todays episode - “What do you think about AI, good or bad? Is it a friend or foe? Should we rage against the AI machine?”

    William views AI as a powerful tool, not sentient but capable of both good and bad. He highlights its use in monitoring potential tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, and specific prompts crucial for effective AI interaction. The biggest danger for some, according to William, lies in AI potentially replacing artists, but he doesn't fully agree with this. He appreciates music’s rough edges and encourages playfulness with AI. Stuart raises concerns about AI running amok, trapped in self-reinforcing cycles. Stuart’s advice: Reflect on AI’s impact in your own life. It’s already woven into our existence.

    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


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    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

    • 24 min
    Nature, Politicians, and All-Terrain Wheelchairs

    Nature, Politicians, and All-Terrain Wheelchairs

    Welcome back to another wild ride with Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and partner in podcast crime, William ‘The Waffler’

    Mankelow.
    In today's episode, they dive deep into two listener questions that have them pondering the mysteries of life, politics, and the great outdoors.

    The first comes from Alan in Northway, Oxford England, his question is:  “In October 2023 Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister, cancelled the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the new HS2 fast railway (what's the point then of the leg that is to be built from London to Birmingham), and also dropped or altered a lot of policies that could help reduce the effects of climate change in the UK. In the run up to a general election, this all looks like an aim to gain more votes. This stuff has an impact on humanity well into the future, so is it time for the big decisions like this to be made by a larger coalition, and not just one political party and one leader?”I ask is it right legally or ethically for the agreed timeline for the UK to meet Net Zero to seemingly be changed at will by the PM.

    While discussing Alan’s questions, William takes us on a journey through the stages of big projects and questions the management of HS2, while Stuart wonders if politicians are fit for setting long-term policies, or for just playing the short-term game. Is HS2 a vote winner, or is Rishi Sunak's replacement the real show-stealer?

    The second listener question is brought to us by Vandana in India, and her question is as follows: - “It's said the human species has 250,000 years of genetics running through its veins. Our universal appreciation for the beauty of the natural world comes from those genetics as we came from caves and the land. If the appreciation is genetic then can the ability to so easily remove ourselves, lose awareness of, and not connect with the natural world be genetic too? If it is, then we are seemingly being pulled away from and pulled towards at the same time. Is it in our genetics to get the balance right?”

    Off the back of this question, Stuart challenges you to dig deep – what's fueling your nature vibes? Genetic predisposition, upbringing, or a mix of both? And William's got a remedy for any nature-phobia – get outside, explore those green spaces, and let Mother Nature work her magic on your soul.

    Join us in breaking down barriers for Stuart! Your support not only provides him with an all-terrain wheelchair for outdoor workshops, but also creates a sanctuary for him to start working from again. He’s engaged around 20,000 clients with nature over the years. Let's make a difference together and help him engage 1000’s more. Check out the fundraiser here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

    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


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    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

    • 31 min
    [TW] Can You Be Too Controversial?

    [TW] Can You Be Too Controversial?

    A trigger warning is issued for this episode, as the conversation delves into the sensitive subjects of suicide and death. We urge listeners to consider their comfort level with such topics before proceeding.

    Prepare yourself for some delightful waffle in this episode! We appreciate the 26 listeners questions we have lined up; thanks for sending them in. If you have a burning question, feel free to drop us an email at ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com.

    Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William ‘The Waffler’ Mankelow dive into two intriguing listener questions. In this episode, they explore perspectives from Alan in Northway, Oxford, and Vandana from India.

    Alan’s question is as follows:

    “Chris Packham recently tweeted “Personally , I've now reached a point where I believe breaking the law for the climate is the ethically responsible thing to do”, do you think as a public figure he should be saying such things? He seems to be becoming a disrupter, and a humanity hooligan, is this wise for his career?”

    Stuart passionately contends that breaking the law is a personal choice, emphasising that it's not merely about the action, but the impact on others. William, curious about the outcomes of such actions, questions the achievements of actually breaking the law.

    Vandana’s question is as follows:

    “I heard Stuart you are getting a couple of wheelchairs to help with your mobility issues, so, which bits of the countryside are you looking forward to reacquainting yourself with?”

    Stuart shares his anticipation of being back out in nature, emphasising that he won't fully grasp what he's missed until he's immersed in it again. William reflects on the emotional impact of being in nature, emphasising the experience over a specific location. The hosts explore the idea of nature helping people reconnect with themselves, and the importance of an all-terrain wheelchair for Stuart in facilitating these experiences for the public. The link to the fundraiser we’ve got running for that extra chair is here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

    Join Stuart and William in this engaging episode as they navigate the complexities of ethics, activism, and the profound connection between humanity and nature.

    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


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    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
1 Rating

1 Rating

Kathleen Gage ,

A great show to listen to during isolation

Many people are looking for podcasts they can listen to during the COVID situation. This show is the ticket. A nice conversational style that makes you feel like you're part of the conversation. Timely topics that are addressed in short spurts.Perfect for a morning listen to start your day.

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