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

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, with Velma from Sitka, Alaska, USA, and Tom from Eastney, Portsmouth, England.

Velma’s question comes along first and is as follows:

“In your opinions, is there inherent order in nature or is it all chaos and chance?”

Velma's question ignites a discussion as William boldly declares chaos and chance as the driving forces of the universe, while Stuart finds solace in the delicate balance of order and chaos, exemplified by the intricate dance of the food chain in nature. 

And then here is Tom’s question:

“Is it possible to prove that other people besides ourselves have consciousness?”

Tom’s inquiry prompts Stuart to question the possibility again of shared consciousness among individuals, while William challenges the very notion of proving consciousness. As the conversation unfolds, they grapple with the complexities of philosophy, evolution, and the inherent challenges of understanding our own existence in a world teeming with chaos.

Listen in as Stuart and William navigate the murky waters of existential inquiry, striving to find meaning amidst the chaos, and perhaps uncovering more questions than answers along the way. 

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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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, colonising the moon will allow us to access the minerals in holds. Have we learnt nothing?”

Inspired by Muna's question, Stuart and William contemplate humanity's learning curve. Is the moon truly the elusive answer to our questions, or are we simply trapped in repetitive cycles, dictated by vested interests?

And here is the question from Robert:

”What if anything would you genetically change about humans to make them a better species?”

From Robert's question, the conversation takes a philosophical turn. Should we tamper with the fabric of existence, or is it wiser to embrace the status quo? Stuart and William weigh in on the delicate balance between progress and preservation.

Listen in to discover the complexities of the human condition and the mysteries of the universe, as Stuart and William navigate through a landscape of ideas, questions, and endless possibilities, with as always, a little silliness thrown in for good measure.

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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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 remained committed. Stuart humorously acknowledges William’s influence, emphasising the rarity of finding reliable, long-term collaborators.

Yusuf, from Kocaeli, Turkey sets the second listener question for todays episode - “Interested to hear both your thoughts on modern film making techniques and style as an effective way to motivate and get urgent environmental messages out there?”

Stuart critiques modern filming techniques, particularly their impact on people with epilepsy and the artificiality of the ‘BBC way of talking.’ He advocates for slowing down and avoiding short snippets. Stuart also highlights the overreliance on effects and the need for techniques that consider diverse cognitive abilities. He also feels modern film treats audiences as though they’re in the middle of an orgasm, when it should be more directed at when someone is drinking a steady pint of Guinness.

William emphasises the importance of allowing film scenes to breathe, citing the film The End We Start From as an example of effective storytelling through measured pacing. 

Both agree on the value of creativity over repetition.

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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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 still aren’t immortal, but the vessel is? Can anything last forever though?”

William highlights the challenges posed by the speed of light, emphasising the significant delay in data transmission. Even Mars, our neighbouring planet, presents difficulties due to vast distances and our current understanding of physics. Interstellar travel remains beyond our reach, and human bodies are ill-suited for space conditions.

William also doubts that extraterrestrial species have visited Earth, given the immense interstellar gaps.

Stuart counters by pointing out our energy limitations on Earth. Prolonged human lifespans introduce medical complexities, making long-distance space travel problematic. He advocates addressing terrestrial issues before venturing into space, as we already leave debris and prioritise mineral extraction. Stuart questions the motivation behind exploring new worlds, considering the inevitable breakdown of robots sent into space.

In summary, the conversation revolves around the feasibility of interstellar travel, our planetary responsibilities, and the purpose of space exploration. 

Shreenika, from Western Province, Sri Lanka offers up the second question for discussion - “Never set a question for this podcast before. Thanks for the opportunity. How precarious is human existence?” 

Stuart acknowledges the fleeting nature of human existence and asserts that some form of survival will persist regardless of future events. He proposes investigating the origin of the word “precarious.”

William emphasises our ability to control certain aspects, such as wars, while acknowledging uncontrollable threats like meteorite impacts. He raises concerns about the possibility of another pandemic due to increased human proximity.

William suggests that recognizing life’s precariousness should prompt us to appreciate moments and cherish connections with others.

In essence, the conversation revolves around existential uncertainty, human agency, and the value of embracing the present. 

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