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
    Show more Show less
    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
    Show more Show less
    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
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • You Gotta Have Faith To Be Offensive

    You Gotta Have Faith To Be Offensive
    Dec 29 2024
    Stuart and William, your co-hosts, are  that friendly voice in your ear.  They guarantee they will be here every week, with a new release every Sunday, at 10am, plus extra material outside of this schedule too. There are no scripts, just genuine conversation between middle aged men. In today’s episode, the last for 2024, Stuart and William mull over two questions sent in by listeners, with the first coming from Anne in Turlock, California, USA - “When making your podcast, how aware are you that someone will always say you are offensive if they don’t agree with you?” The discussion off the back of this question begins with William’s assertion that both he and Stuart are aware that they could be offensive with every episode they record together. Stuart comes at it from a different angle though, noting the difference between being offensive and someone taking offence. A person taking offence doesn’t mean he and William are being offensive. William brings up that often offense is felt when a person has an opposing opinion to you. Stuart follows on from this saying that he always tries to be respectful, but he gets frustrated not hearing certain topics being openly and honestly talked about, which he feels is the contribution that this podcast tries to make. William goes on to talk about how the conversations Stuart and he have on this podcast is like a stream of consciousness, but he always has in his mind the potential impact of his words, and the motive behind them too. He concludes by giving you an action: Where in your life are you easily offended and why? They next move onto the second question for this episode which comes from listener Dusan in Lahinch, Ireland - “Do we need to have a strong faith to give a damn and have a sense of identity?” From this question, both Stuart and William assume that when Dusan refers to faith, they are talking about God, and for William he is categorical that we don’t need faith to have a sense of identity. He states that you are your physical being, nothing more, nothing less. Stuart pulls him up on this statement. He goes on to talk about how during workshops he leads, he gets participants around a campfire to write down sixteen things about them. He gets them to cross off anything to do with work, anything to do with their physical body, anything to do with their hobbies, and then generally what you're left with is values. He sees that as being their identity. Stuart and William then go onto discuss whether you need faith to have an identity? William feels that faith can bring structure to your life. He cites a close friend who is an evangelical Christian, and he sees how important their faith is to them, and how big a part it is of their identity.  Stuart’s conclusion: he thinks some people do need a faith to give a damn, but he also thinks it's worth exploring giving a damn without a faith too. 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
    Show more Show less
    17 mins
  • Christmas Peace Greetings

    Christmas Peace Greetings
    Dec 25 2024

    Another Christmas is upon us, so here’s another Christmas Day message from your favourite podcast co-hosts. Wherever you are in the world Stuart and William hope you find a little peace.

    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
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences: Are They Sustainable?

    Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences: Are They Sustainable?
    Dec 22 2024
    It's the 22nd of December! Ready for Christmas, if you celebrate it? If you don't, hopefully you’ll have a good day on the 25th, whatever you do. Your co-hosts don't see the questions before they press record. They approach it cold. There are enough experts out there. Stuart and William are just two guys willing to explore the unknown. The first listener question today is set by Payton, in Philadelphia , USA - “Does pursuing ‘Once In A Lifetime Experiences’ in our individual lives really help counteract the collective impacts of climate change, or is it better to align our collective focuses for the collective good, as we hunt out the opportunities for change?” Stuart begins by questioning the sustainability of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, suggesting that if they involve high energy consumption, they do little to contribute positively. William responds by highlighting a scenario where someone flies thousands of miles to witness a unique event, consuming vast resources for a single occasion, which undeniably impacts the environment. Stuart argues that every moment is technically a once-in-a-lifetime experience, thus reducing the significance of labeling certain events as such. William adds that these experiences are exclusive and personal, like weddings who most see as being unique when they are not. Stuart emphasizes that genuine once-in-a-lifetime experiences are those that profoundly open one's eyes and are difficult to orchestrate artificially. He expresses a preference for focusing on collective benefits rather than individual, fleeting moments. Ultimately, Stuart suggests prioritizing actions for the collective good over indulging in once-in-a-lifetime experiences, as this aligns better with addressing the collective impacts of climate change. Hobbs, from Florida, in the USA offers up today's second question - “I’m sending this question just as the Paris Olympics is ending. What were your takes on it?” William reported minimal engagement with the 2024 Olympics from him, being only marginally aware of the event's occurrence. In contrast, Stuart shared his experience of viewing the 2024 Olympics, acknowledging a personal perception of the event as contrived and less authentic compared to past games. Stuart conveyed significant annoyance with the event, expressing relief upon its conclusion. The discussion between Stuart and William then shifted to the environmental implications of hosting the Olympics. William highlighted the environmental impact resulting from the influx of spectators and participants traveling long distances. Stuart posed a critical question regarding the sustainability of hosting the Olympic Games, does the environmental cost justify the event? William echoed this sentiment by questioning the overall worth of the Games in light of their environmental footprint. Stuart further questioned the motivations behind hosting such large-scale events, probing the authenticity of audience reactions and considering whether they are genuinely individual responses or influenced by societal pressures. 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: Petition Link Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: Just Giving Link 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 Podcast Link , support our work through Patreon Patreon Link. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Time To Stop & Think Before Christmas

    Time To Stop & Think Before Christmas
    Dec 15 2024

    This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

    Welcome to The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where your co-hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow, over the last few years have been discussing questions sent in by listeners. No scripts, no prep, just genuine opinions.

    In today’s episode we have two questions, both originating from Central America.

    The first question up for discussion is from Yenifer in Provincia De Panamá, Panama:

    “The illusion of wealth seems to be fooling many of us. Big houses, fancy cars, designers, a fancy lifestyle isn’t wealth in my view, it's debt. Wealth to me is time, freedom, options and health”.

    The conversation kicks off with William and Stuart reflecting on Yenifer’s question about the deceptive nature of material wealth, challenging the common association between luxury possessions and true prosperity.

    The discussion takes an intriguing philosophical turn as Stuart explores the concept of freedom as a state of mind, independent of physical circumstances. William builds on this by examining how society's fixation on financial success often overshadows other crucial forms of wealth, such as time and personal freedom.

    Together, the hosts dissect the subtle difference between illusion and delusion when it comes to wealth, with Stuart posing the thought-provoking question of whether our collective belief in money as a measure of success is more than just an illusion.

    The second question for this episode comes from Xiomara in Managua Department, Nicaragua:

    “What is the true consequence of humans destroying themselves and making themselves extinct?”

    This conversation begins with William's stark observation about the planets indifference to human existence, setting the tone for a fascinating discussion about mortality on a species-wide scale.

    Stuart offers a thought-provoking perspective on human extinction, pointing out that we won't be around to witness its consequences, though he acknowledges the potential trauma for those who might experience humanity's final chapter. Building on this, William explores the evolutionary timeline, explaining that even if humanity survives far into the future, we would inevitably evolve into something entirely different within a billion years.

    The hosts contemplate how nature would ultimately fill the void left by humanity's departure, leading to Stuart's memorably colorful conclusion that humanity's legacy might be little more than "a skid mark on the arse of life".

    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
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Educational Qualifications & Business Risks

    Educational Qualifications & Business Risks
    Dec 8 2024
    Welcome to another insightful episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow guarantee the following: no plan, no prep, no research, no scripts, just off the cuff explorations. There are enough experts out there, Stuart and William don’t try to add to their ranks. Once again they discuss two questions sent by listeners. The first comes in from Rithipol from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, their question is as follows: “Hi guys. You both say neither of you have a uni education, yet you often say the education system isn’t as good as we think it is. Those who have been through higher education, going through it, or going to be going through it, will likely largely argue with you, as they may feel they have more knowledge and experience than you. What qualifications do you have to argue and criticise, or is it based on life experience or solid research on your part?” During the discussion of Rithipol’s question, Stuart argues that the education system functions as a conveyor belt, designed to prepare and potentially indoctrinate people for the work place. While he acknowledges that education has some value, he believes many university courses exist primarily to generate revenue, and challenges the notion that formal qualifications are necessary to critique the system. William shares his personal experience of being overlooked in school, falling between the categories of high achievers and troublemakers. Despite this, he recognizes education's power to help people make sense of the world. Both discuss how self-education doesn't fit conventional structures, with Stuart questioning academic standards for things like essay writing. They acknowledge they're speaking from different perspectives, with Stuart suggesting that those invested in traditional education might struggle to question its value, as doing so would force them to confront potentially uncomfortable truths about their choices. The second question arrives on the X2 bus from the town of Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, from long time question provider Debs: “As co hosts you often say the rich are made rich through the poor working hard for them. Why shouldn’t business owners get rich off the backs of the workers? The owners are the ones taking the risk after all”. While chewing over Debs’s question, William opens the conversation by noting that risk in business isn't solely on owners - workers also take risks. Stuart believes making a real difference requires leading your own projects, but William counters that there's value in simply living a good, non-exploitative life, without grand ambitions. William also advocates for better wage equality, and acknowledges employee risks. Stuart concludes that truly impactful work requires independence, as working under others inevitably comes with limitations that restrict one's ability to create meaningful change. 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
    Show more Show less
    16 mins