No waffle in this episode, we get straight into the listener questions, the first of which today is from Tess, in Stranrear, Scotland - “How damaging do you feel dismissing someone's opinion that you don’t like can be?” Stuart emphasises that dismissing someone’s opinion is detrimental, limiting both yourself and the person you’re conversing with. Active listening fosters better understanding. He encourages us to listen to everyone and be open to challenging their and our own...

Trigger Warning: This episode covers the sensitive topics of euthanasia and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised. On this thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow tackle two profound questions from listeners in Scotland. First up, Tess from Stranraer asks the following: “Is the time now right in the UK for assisted dying, assisted suicide or assisted Euthanasia, whatever...

In their signature unvarnished style, your co-hosts, Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow aren't afraid to push boundaries, and explore taboo subjects often left undiscussed. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged, as these two plumb the depths of protests and trigger warnings, from refreshingly candid angles. First up, Stuart and William dive into the nature of protests, which was prompted by the following question from listener Imelda in Pichincha, Ecuador - “Does...

Charlie, from Montrose, Scotland has sent in this listener question  - “Who owns land is at the heart of the housing crisis in the UK. It's not because bricks and mortar have suddenly become incredibly expensive. It's because the value of land has gone through the roof. Is it possible to own land though when we as humans came from it, are part of it, and ultimately, will go back to it?” Stuart feels that land ownership is all an illusion and the concept of land ownership has been going on...

Mariama, a listener from Sierra Leone has sent this question in for discussion on today's episode - “For a few years I lived in Cumbria in the UK, and miss your country walks there. Countryside here in Sierra Leone is a very different thing though. Tell me, what frustrates you guys the most about the countryside in the UK?” The biggest thing that frustrates Stuart are gates that block access to green spaces for certain disabilities, and that some gates are accessible to some wheelchairs and...

In this short episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow reflect on reaching the impressive 500 episode mark for this podcast. The big question on everyone's mind - will they make it to the ultra-rare 1,000 episode club? Stuart is bullish on the prospect, believing if they keep up their well-oiled podcast production process, the 1,000 episode milestone will come along naturally. William, ever the pragmatist, prefers to focus just on creating the next great episode,...

As 2024 unfolds before us, your co-hosts William and Stuart embark on a discussion about the year ahead. They talk about the future of the podcast, and how they currently have listener questions lined up and in the kitty, and what would happen if that supply would one day run out. Stuart delves into how the fundraiser for the Extreme 8 is his biggest personal focus. Throughout this bonus episode they together navigate the dynamics of their partnership, balancing immediate priorities with...

Ah, the sweet serenade of the dawn chorus! When was the last time you really listened to the birds singing, particularly in the morning?  Well today Stuart and William are highlighting that it’s International Dawn Chorus Day. The release time of this bonus episode is 5am, which is the perfect time to get out and listen to nature's greatest symphony.  And there you have it! Stuart and William, embracing the early morning madness of the feathered talent show. Remember, folks, it’s not just...

Hopefully this episode will stretch your thinking today and explore opinions you might not have thought about before. Isla, a listener from Arbroath, Scotland has sent in this question for your co-hosts to dig in to: “Are there limits to human creativity? Is your answer informed by your own understanding of yourselves or deeply influenced by society?” William brings up the idea of lateral thinking. Where you think of answers that aren’t immediately obvious. As he’s a photographer, he sees...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow take you on a journey through the depths of philosophical inquiry, with a sprinkle of chaos and a dash of order. In today's episode, two listener questions are tackled by your co-hosts, challenging our perceptions and pushing the boundaries of our understanding. The two listener questions are from opposite sides of the globe,...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, co-hosted by none other than Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow. In today's instalment, they delve into the minds of listeners from far-flung corners of the globe – Muna from Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, and Robert from Fishponds, Bristol, England. First up is the question from Muna: “With many countries now trying to reliably travel to the moon, I’ve already heard it said,...

Carolien, from South Holland, The Netherlands, sets the first question to be discussed today - “When you both think back, what do you remember most about your working collaboration? Would that be the same as other people have?” William highlights the enjoyable collaboration with Stuart, which has faced challenges but evolved into a rewarding experience. Their strong criteria for working together has fostered reliability. Despite opportunities to part ways, both William and Stuart have...

Hopefully this podcast will stretch your thinking. Teddy, a listener from Norwich, England, sent your co-hosts Stuart and William a question to discuss - “For man to leave earth and colonise space, it's felt we need to lengthen our own lifespans somewhat, or become immortal, due to the time needed to cover the vast distances. Will we be doing that travel through avatars, or biological robots that we direct remotely through neurological pathways? If we do that will that mean we as the pilots...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ⁠[email protected]. Welcome to another thought-provoking...

Ivy, from Worthing, West Sussex, England poses the first listener question in todays episode for your co-hosts do discuss: Link to the question William and Stuart – the dynamic duo of deep thoughts and questionable life choices, offer their musings. William starts with the stigma of being arrested. It can be like a membership card/medal/trophy for some. Picture this though: William’s at a climate protest, wearing his “Save the Planet” T-shirt, and suddenly the cuffs come out. He’s torn...

Elaine, from Telford, in Shropshire, England sends in this first listener question for discussion today. “Like you guys probably, I’ve been to many public meetings, run by scientists who specialise in systems thinking, filled with community activists, trying to develop new more sustainable circular systems that society can then hang itself on, and frame itself around. The aim being to try and mitigate the climate and ecological crisis that we all face. We don’t have to try too hard these...

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. In this thought-provoking episode, Stuart and William embark on a journey, prompted by questions from listeners Iris in Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire, England, and Fanaka in Kenya. Two people geographically distant, but brought together through listening to this podcast. The hosts dive...

Nature can be a puzzle when trying to unravel the threads of and the motivations behind tree planting, and population growth. Welcome to another episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, where your cohosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow delve into the intricacies of two thought-provoking questions posed by listeners. In this episode, listener Elaine from Telford, England, sparks a debate about humanity's place in the natural order. Elaine’s...

“Hi guys, I’m back, always listening but not sent in a question for you to discuss too often these days. Can I ask, who do you feel the BBC is lining up to replace Sir David Attenborough? Who do you think could replace him?” That’s the first listener question sent for discussion, and that comes from Vandana in India. There are people like Chris Packham and Simon Reeve, who though aren’t exactly being lined up to replace him, are perceptibly doing more. Is there really a conscious choice to...

2024 starts with a new format for this podcast. Instead of releases at 10am UK on Tuesdays and Sundays, with one listener question covered in each episode. We’re now just releasing on Sundays, but still at 10am UK time. Now though you’ll get two listener questions per episode. So we're going longer form. Debs, Didcot, Oxfordshire, England sets the first question of the year, which is: “Is the male/female opinion societally influenced, genetically influenced or independent of all outside...