The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

By: The People's Countryside
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  • Summary

  • 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
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Biological Sciences
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Episodes
  • The Global Majority And Disabled Access

    The Global Majority And Disabled Access
    Jan 12 2025

    In our podcast, we engage in thoughtful discussions based on questions submitted by our listeners. Our aim is to explore these enquiries and steer the conversation towards environmental issues and solutions.

    Vinroy, from Linstead, Jamaica asks the initial question - “The global majority are people of colour, so where was the tipping point that saw the white man dominate?”

    Stuart initiates the discussion by examining various historical empires, including the French, German, English, Dutch, and Roman empires, noting their use of slavery. He suggests that technological advancements may have contributed to the dominance of white men in history.

    William builds on this by pointing out geographical advantages, such as Great Britain's island location. Stuart proposes inviting an academic expert, such as a historian from Oxford University, to delve deeper into the topic. He highlights several tipping points that have led to this dominance.

    William brings up the early history of colonization, while Stuart emphasizes the deep historical roots of these developments. Stuart concludes by encouraging listeners to research this topic further.

    The next question comes from Felix, in Novi Sad, Serbia - “The installation of disabled access shouldn’t be just about disabled people. It should be about all of us, as when we all get older we all might need these facilities. Thats how to market it. It's not for ‘them’ it's for ‘us all’”.

    Stuart kicks off by suggesting, Felix, you've practically answered your own question. Why are we even here?

    He then mentions chatting with a bloke from the local council. Apparently, investing in accessibility is like future-proofing yourself. Let's face it, we're all gonna need it when we're old and creaky, right?

    William chimes in with, if you show those decision-makers that making things accessible is for everyone, they might actually get off their backsides and do it properly for once.

    Stuart suggests an action: Go check out the new disabled access around town. Spoiler alert: it's for all of us.

    William's action is a bit of an adventure: Take a stroll with a mate in a wheelchair. See what hurdles they face. If you can't find a friend in a wheelchair, just imagine the fun you'd have navigating your neighborhood with one. It's like an obstacle course—but without the prize.

    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

    Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities


    Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

    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 friendspodfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast , support our work through Patreonpatreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
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    11 mins
  • From Branches to Bytes: Real Change or Token Effort?

    From Branches to Bytes: Real Change or Token Effort?
    Jan 5 2025
    Thanks for stopping by and wasting your precious time with us. This is the first full episode of 2025, and we’re kicking off the New Year with an explicit bang. Consider yourself warned: Enjoy! Simon, from Chiselhampton, Oxfordshire, England sets question one - “What do you think of all the banks closing their branches and forcing customers online, and do you think that reflects anything about our approach to living sustainably?” William’s having a bit of a meltdown because his bank decided that actual branches are a bit too 20th century. Everything’s got to be done online now. He goes on a rant about how some things are just better face to face rather than through a screen. It’s all very dehumanizing, you know. Stuart, being his usual observant self, tells a story about being in his bank branch and overhearing the manager say, “You can do all this from your bed on your phone. Why even bother getting up and coming here?” Stuart’s pretty sure this is just the bank’s way of making branch closures sound like a brilliant idea. William tries to argue that closing branches reduces unnecessary journeys to the bank. Stuart isn’t buying it; he thinks people actually want to get out and be part of the community. The conversation then shifts to the idea of the 15-minute city. Stuart highlights the irony in people thinking it’s both a way to trap us and a reason for local shops to close. Stuart wraps up with the idea that forcing everything online is just a way to make more money for shareholders by cutting out branches and overheads. Ashton, in Whitfield, Kent asks the next question - “Having just watched the closing ceremony of the 2024 ParaOlympics, do you really think it will make a difference to society? Is it representation or honest integration we need now? How do you think the competitors dealt with the media, getting the word out there? Do you think merging para events with mainstream ones like at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is a good idea?” Stuart watched the Paralympics but feels a bit guilty about not enjoying it. His boredom stemmed from the sheer number of events and categories, all crammed together for TV. It was over in a flash, leaving no time to turn the athletes into recognizable personalities. Stuart goes on about the impact the Paralympics have on people’s perceptions. He mentions a chat between a Paralympian and a member of the public, who naively thought, “If someone in a wheelchair can go 26 miles, why can’t you get to the shops?” Of course, the obvious answer is that they’re elite athletes, not your average Joe. Stuart brings up the organization Every Body Moves, which he heard about during the Paralympics. Here’s the link to them: everybodymoves.org.uk/ Stuart wraps up by saying he’d love to hear the athletes' genuine thoughts, not just their media-trained responses. He acknowledges that some athletes shared personal stories that did help push the narrative forward. 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 Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/ImproveTheOxfordshireCountrysideAccessibilityForAllDisabilitiesAndAbilities Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: justgiving.com/wildmanonwheels 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 podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
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    22 mins
  • Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year!
    Jan 1 2025

    It's the 1st of January 2025, and by some miracle of the calendar, Stuart and William have survived another year to wish you a Happy New Year! Whether you are nursing a hangover or just trying to remember where you put your resolutions, may your year be filled with more laughter and fewer questionable decisions.

    Cheers for sticking with us in 2024, and here's to a 2025 that's hopefully just as entertaining, if not slightly less chaotic. Slàinte Mhath!

    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

    Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities

    Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels

    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 friendspodfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast , support our work through Patreonpatreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
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    1 min

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