Podcasts about Country Life

It’s a celebration of stories featuring ladies from both sides of the nation. One culminating in a single turkey season with her father and the other one taking a little bit longer. Brent thinks you’ll like them both and we do too. Thank you to our sponsors, Case Knives and Stor-Mor. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rurally-rooted dance style has had a resurgence across New Zealand. Country Life attends a class to learn why. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is helping with the grape harvest, taking you line-dancing and meeting rural women at the Shepherdess Muster.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:37 - Dairy payouts and Kiwisaver changes with Steve Hayidakis5:50 - Rural News Wrap9:40 - Pick and be merry - harvest time at Big Sky Wines17:42 - Let's go line dancing30:00 - Making memories at the Shepherdess MusterWith thanks to:Steve HayidakisJeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs, Big Sky VineyardNigel Mooney, Linedance ChristchurchKristy McGregor, ShepherdessMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The more things change, the more they stay the same. As the Formula One season kicked off on Sunday, we saw the advent of full hybrid racing at the top level for the first time. A full 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power at the pinnacle of motorsport. Quite the change. And then Mercedes ran off into the distance. More of the same (mostly).The world of cars is changing, slowly but definitively. Although the ban on fully petrol and diesel powered cars seems to be the can that will be endlessly kicked down the road, more and more people are turning to hybrid and electric cars with each passing month. It's not always easy to make sense of it all, especially in the luxury world, so naturally I made a few phone calls and got Country Life's car aficionado, Adam Hay-Nicholls, to come on and so some explaining.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleWe talked about growing up in the age of internal combustion, and what the transition to electric means for both the consumer and the professional car journalist. We chatted about the upcoming Formula One season, and whether anyone will really notice the difference (the answer is no, but also yes, a bit). And then of course we segued.Why did Adam once meet a sheikh in Dubai who owned Saddam Hussein's watch? Why did Adam once land a helicopter outside of a biker bar in Revelstoke, Canada? And why is he writing a new book on all things Bugatti, which means he must simply go and drive the new £4 million Tourbillon? All essential in a day's work, and you'll have to tune in to find out the answers.Episode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Adam Hay-NichollsEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the Kaimai Mamuku ranges iwi-led conservation projects are tackling pests, removing weeds and planting natives to restore their whenua. Ngāti Hinerangi's Wairere Mahi project has been trapping around the Wairere falls, and restoring a nearby system of lakes. The projects were born from the Jobs for Nature fund established by the government during the Covid-19 pandemic. But with that fund now finished where will the money to support future conservation work come from? The Manaaki Kaimai Mamuku Trust supporting these projects has some ideas. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Jobs for Nature also supported an iwi-led wetland restoration project just outside Dunedin.In 2024 The Detail spoke to a number of Jobs for Nature supported projects that were nearing the end of their funding.The Turning Point video series followed some of the kaimahi working on different Jobs for Nature projects across Aotearoa.Country Life's Dollars for Nature episode covered the government announcement about voluntary nature credits market. Guests:Louise Saunders, CEO of Manaaki Kaimai Mamuku TrustMohi Korohina, Wairere Mahi project managerHera Denton, GoEcoGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Saving the Vineyard: Montserrat's Harvest of Hope and Innovation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-03-08-07-38-20-es Story Transcript:Es: El sol brillaba intensamente sobre nuestro viñedo familiar en el campo chileno.En: The sun shone intensely over our family vineyard in the Chilean countryside.Es: Era finales de verano, y el calor se hacía sentir más fuerte que nunca.En: It was late summer, and the heat was stronger than ever.Es: Las hojas de las vides crujían bajo los pasos, y los racimos de uvas doradas parecían pedir agua.En: The vine leaves crunched underfoot, and the golden clusters of grapes seemed to be begging for water.Es: Yo, Montserrat, caminaba entre las filas de vides, mirando el cielo, buscando una señal de lluvia que no llegaba.En: I, Montserrat, walked among the rows of vines, looking at the sky, seeking a sign of rain that never came.Es: Era un día especial, el Día Internacional de la Mujer, y mientras muchas celebraban en Santiago y otras ciudades, aquí, en el campo, mi misión era clara: salvar nuestro viñedo.En: It was a special day, International Women's Day, and while many celebrated in Santiago and other cities, here in the countryside, my mission was clear: save our vineyard.Es: "Montse, esto no está funcionando," dijo mi hermano Javier, acercándose.En: "Montse, this is not working," said my brother Javier, approaching.Es: "La sequía nos está ganando."En: "The drought is beating us."Es: "Sé que parece difícil, Javier," respondí, "pero tengo una idea.En: "I know it seems difficult, Javier," I replied, "but I have an idea.Es: He leído sobre una nueva técnica de irrigación."En: I've read about a new irrigation technique."Es: Lo malo era el sistema de riego que usamos, ya viejo e ineficaz.En: The problem was the irrigation system we used, now old and inefficient.Es: Mamá, Sonia, estaba preocupada.En: Mom, Sonia, was worried.Es: La veía todos los días trabajando arduamente, tratando de sacar adelante el viñedo que había sido de nuestros abuelos.En: I saw her every day working hard, trying to move forward with the vineyard that had belonged to our grandparents.Es: Pero ella era escéptica con mi plan.En: But she was skeptical of my plan.Es: "¿Y cómo una técnica que encontraste en internet va a cambiar las cosas?"En: "And how is a technique you found on the internet going to change things?"Es: preguntó Sonia, mientras revisaba las hojas de las vides secas.En: asked Sonia, while she checked the dry vine leaves.Es: "No tenemos tiempo ni dinero para estos experimentos."En: "We don't have the time or money for these experiments."Es: Sentí un nudo en el estómago, pero sabía que debía intentarlo.En: I felt a knot in my stomach, but I knew I had to try.Es: El sistema que había aprendido usaba botellas de plástico y mangueras para hacer llegar el agua justo a las raíces.En: The system I had learned about used plastic bottles and hoses to deliver water directly to the roots.Es: Con Javier, reunimos todo lo necesario y empezamos a trabajar.En: With Javier, we gathered everything needed and began to work.Es: Pasamos horas bajo el sol.En: We spent hours under the sun.Es: Mamá nos miraba de vez en cuando, preocupada.En: Mom watched us occasionally, worried.Es: Pronto, llegó el momento de probar todo.En: Soon, the moment to test everything came.Es: Pero justo entonces, el motor de agua que necesitábamos para bombear falló.En: But right then, the water motor we needed to pump failed.Es: Sentí que el mundo se caía sobre mí.En: I felt like the world was crashing down on me.Es: "No podemos rendirnos ahora," le dije a Javier.En: "We can't give up now," I told Javier.Es: "Vamos a intentarlo."En: "Let's try it."Es: Nos pusimos manos a la obra.En: We got to work.Es: Estaba decidida a que el esfuerzo diera frutos.En: I was determined for our efforts to bear fruit.Es: Con ayuda de Javier, logramos reparar el motor con herramientas que teníamos en el granero.En: With Javier's help, we managed to repair the motor with tools we had in the barn.Es: Encendimos el sistema, y el agua comenzó a fluir.En: We turned on the system, and the water started to flow.Es: Vi cómo lentamente las vides recuperaban fuerza.En: I watched as the vines slowly regained strength.Es: El suelo se empapó, y las hojas empezaron a brillar bajo el sol.En: The ground became soaked, and the leaves began to shine under the sun.Es: Mamá observó en silencio.En: Mom watched silently.Es: Al final del día, nos miró a ambos con una mezcla de orgullo y sorpresa.En: At the end of the day, she looked at both of us with a mix of pride and surprise.Es: "Montserrat, has hecho un excelente trabajo," me dijo, rompiendo el silencio.En: "Montserrat, you've done an excellent job," she said, breaking the silence.Es: "Has salvado el viñedo."En: "You've saved the vineyard."Es: El Día Internacional de la Mujer se convirtió en una celebración personal.En: International Women's Day turned into a personal celebration.Es: Logramos un pequeño milagro.En: We achieved a small miracle.Es: Y, quizás lo más importante, gané la confianza de mi madre, demostrando que podía liderar con nuevas ideas.En: And perhaps most importantly, I won my mother's trust, proving that I could lead with new ideas.Es: Así, dejé el viñedo al atardecer, con esperanza y la promesa de un futuro mejor para nuestra tierra y nuestra familia.En: Thus, I left the vineyard at sunset, with hope and the promise of a better future for our land and our family. Vocabulary Words:vineyard: el viñedocountryside: el campovine: la vidcluster: el racimosign: la señalrow: la filadrought: la sequíairrigation: la irrigaciónknot: el nudoroot: la raízhose: la mangueramotor: el motorbarn: el graneroeffort: el esfuerzotool: la herramientaground: el suelomiracle: el milagrohope: la esperanzatrust: la confianzaskeptical: escépticocelebration: la celebraciónheat: el calorshine: el brillomission: la misiónsystem: el sistemapump: bombearsunset: el atardecermoney: el dineroInternet: la internetgrandparents: los abuelos

This week, Brent's talking about serving others and how the inspiration to do so can come at an early age. It can also come after a lifetime of taking when the realization to give back occurs. A listener story describes how a community served one another in the aftermath of severe weather. This is a good one and hopefully inspirational as well. Thank you to our sponsors, Case Knives and Stor-Mor. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps has gone from wilderness flying to helping combat Australia's bushfires, flying planes with special technology which provide photos to assist in the tracking and fighting of fires on the ground. He's not the only Phelps in the air over the fires. Sometimes his brother is flying over the same area in a helicopter, also on a similar mission. Henry chats to Country Life about his job and working alongside his brother as fires rage below.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life visits the Duff family's permaculture farm in the Hawke's Bay, a farming festival in North Canterbury, chats to young Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps, who's fighting Australia's bushfires, and Gary Lancaster of the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:05 - Weird, wacky wild food8:51 - Conditions Wrap16:48 - Permaculture power in Poukawa30:45 - Young kiwi pilot helps map and fight Victoria's devastating bushfires37:47 - A walk through Aotearoa's farming festivalGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was an icon. As the creative force behind a string of huge musicals — including West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum — he is widely regarded as the 'Shakespeare of the musical'.Sondheim's life and legacy are the subject of a new podcast entitled Loving You: The Untold Sondheim, hosted by two close friends of the composer, Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones, which is out on March 5, 2026. We're delighted that Martin and Peter joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast to talk about their own upcoming show.Loving You: The Untold Sondheim features contributions from many people who knew and worked with Sondheim during his life, from Dame Julie Andrews to Dame Judi Dench, and from Mia Farrow to Lin-Manuel Miranda.Loving You: The Untold Sondheim will be available on all streaming platforms from March 5. A trailer is available on Apple, Spotify and Amazon.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleEpisode creditsHost: James FisherGuests: Martin Milnes and Peter E. JonesProducer and editor: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode discusses a two-hundred-year-old fable about coon hunting in Arkansas and a seemingly impossible task. The lessons are flying around like the monkeys in The Wizard of Oz. Get comfortable and check out what's happening on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Life is with blade shearers from around the world in a woolshed in Tinui and immersed in the many attractions of the tiny community of Duntroon. Sir Charles Godfray is the show's guest talking about how food systems will have to change in the face of global warming. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When you are in the thick of raising children, it can feel overwhelming to sort through expectations, opinions, and the daily logistics of family life. In this conversation, Jennifer shares what nearly three decades of motherhood have taught her about choosing peace in each season, homeschooling at your own pace, navigating special needs with a focus on progress, and letting go of unnecessary pressure. This episode offers perspective and encouragement for building a peaceful family culture that reflects your unique family. In this episode, we cover: - Introducing Jennifer's family of seven children ranging from 28 to 12 years old, life on a Wisconsin cranberry farm, and decades of homeschooling - What no one tells you about having a wide age range of children and the surprising gift of older kids becoming your “allies” in family life - How perspective shifts as children grow up, get married, and start families of their own, and why the years truly do move faster than you think - Letting go of early motherhood pressures about tidy homes, perfect routines, and outside expectations in order to create a peaceful family culture - Rethinking homeschool success through the lens of progress over grade levels, especially when navigating special needs - Practical rhythms for homeschooling multiple children with different abilities without doing everything at the same time - The freedom that comes with age and experience—why comparison loses its grip and confidence grows over time - Overthinking in modern motherhood, the pressure to “get it right” the first time, and permission to change your mind as you grow - What it's actually like to become a young grandmother while still raising children at home and how that dynamic reshapes family life - Embracing the evolving nature of family seasons instead of trying to control or predict them View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Jennifer of A Country Life | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Novelist, biographer, journalist and writer Justine Picardie joins the Country Life Podcast to talk about her life in fashion and journalism, her writing, and her close encounters with the Royal Family — including the day she found herself in a remote Scottish bothy, helping the late Queen Elizabeth II clean up after lunch.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleJustine's also talks about her latest book, Fashioning The Crown (Faber, £25), which is published on February 26, 2026 — you can order a copy here.In the research and writing, she was afforded extraordinary access to the Royal Archives, including the Queen's wardrobe itself — and Justine shares with James some of the most extraordinary insights, including her timeless style, her practicality, and her savvy adoption of bright colours as colour television became widespread. Many of the outfits she wore 'would have looked as perfect today as they would have 100 years ago,' Justine says.It's a fascinating episode — we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it.Episode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Justine PicardieEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the past several weeks, Brent's been hitting the road from Tennessee to Pennsylvania as a goodwill ambassador, and meeting people from all over the eastern half of the country. We get the hunt and sports show stops, but guest lecturing at the University of Tennessee? What were they thinking? Pull up a chair and find out for yourself. It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Life heads to Waipara for the Underground Festival, looks at the tradition of whiskey making in Southland and meets a biochar-maker north of Wellington. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:41 - A festival for farmers7:50 - Rural News Wrap14:50 - Moonshine matriarch: Southland's tradition of distilling Scottish whisky28:13 - Turning brewery gunk and forest junk into something good for the soilWith thanks to:Fran Bailey, Underground FestivalJim Geddes, Hokonui Moonshine Museum and DistilleryMatthew Welton and Tania PaioMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is it worth the effort? That's the question that many people might ask themselves as they stand in the doorway of a knackered old house in the Cotswolds, wondering whether to buy it and start renovating.For Jim Chapman, author, illustrator, presenter, occasional model, fashionable dad and social media star, the answer was ‘yes'. And so began the year-long (and still ongoing) odyssey of transformation, as he gives up a life in London, moves his family to rural England, and starts ripping out walls.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleJim is famed for sharing his life on social media and this renovation is just one chapter of a story that began online all the way back in 2010. In 2010, YouTube was a website to watch your favourite music videos, or compilations of people falling over. It was a simpler, more sinister time. Jim was one of the first to realise that it could and would become something greater, documenting his life, his hobbies and his family. That idea has turned into a following of more than 7 million across multiple platforms. In other words, you might not know who he is, but your kids definitely do.But while the world of YouTube might be an alien one to us, the one of rural home renovation certainly isn't. James Fisher talks to Jim about everything from what inspired the move, the benefits of leaving city life, do's and don'ts when tearing apart a house and putting it back together again, what's worth doing yourself and what's best left to the experts, and how not to flood a room. Is it worth it? A year in, and just a few days from moving in, Jim certainly thinks soEpisode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Jim ChapmanEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many of us getting our children and the younger members of our family outdoors is a priority. How we get them outside and what we do once they're there can set the stage for how they view that experience for years to come. Brent's sharing a listener's story along that theme. Brent's also offering his own thoughts how he handled getting his own children outside; what he did right and maybe what he could've done better. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Life gets the latest on the beef market and cherry harvest, learns how pairing solar and horticulture could help with growing and joins one of Pāmu's young apprentices on a King Country farm. Follow Country Life on your favourite podcast platform or listen on the RNZ website. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:00 - A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens0:00 - Rural News Wrap0:00 - New study into growing crops under solar panels0:00 - Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pāmu apprentice0:00 - Central Otago a fruitgrower's cherry pickWith thanks to:Craig PickensPieter-Willem HendriksArchie Davidson and Alan MacDonaldKris Robb and Mike Mangau, Clyde OrchardsMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From a listener's story about passing down the appreciation for wild things to Brent's first solo squirrel hunt, this week's This Country Life is sure to be one of your favorites. As a bonus, the recipe of how Brent's mama fried all the squirrels she nor his dad would eat is in here along with the reason why neither one would partake. Get the grease hot! We've got squirrels to fry. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Country Life team takes you riverside to find out about an unusual ferry which has been running for 130 years, they delve into the science of insect vibrations which may be a way of protecting crops, and getting a taste of Americana at Burkes Pass. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Make sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For as long as he can remember, the writer and illustrator Aidan Meighan has been inspired by Nature. His early exploits might not have been entirely welcomed by those around him — collecting and storing slugs and snails in a cupboard at school, and stashing a dead adder in a drawer at his parents' home — but they paved the way for a career illustrating the beauty of the natural world, both in words and pictures.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleWe're delighted, then, that with his new book The Folklore of Trees about to appear, Aidan came to join James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast. He talks about some of the 36 varieties of tree that he discusses in his book, the creative freedom of working as both writer and illustrator on a project, and how trees have left their mark on human history — not least in the form of the hill in Rome that owes its existence to the Ancient Roman habit of discarding empty olive oil containers. 'We absolutely could not survive without trees,' says Aidan, 'but trees would easily prosper, if not flourish, without us.. They're like guardians, arboreal guardians, to us, and I really think we ought to show them respect.' Episode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Aidan MeighanEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's no secret that snow and ice can disrupt the lives of people who don't get a lot of it. Brent's no different, and it may affect him more than most. He's snowed in at his studio and talking about a smorgasbord of things today that may or may not go together. You'll just have to listen and see what we mean. It's random stories time on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Life is back for 2026 with a classic tale of the bush, bullocks and camp ovens at an old woolshed in King Country. The team check in on a forest growing wood into products for Ikea and find out how farmers can make the most of the demand from international tourists for a taste of life on the farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:44 - On The Farm8:25 - Growing demand for on-farm fun from international tourists18:09 - Ikea owner's first New Zealand forest: 'Timber production first and foremost'31:00 - Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bushWith thanks to:Marijke Dunselman, Agritourism NZJosh Cairns, Southern ForestsLew, Julie and Craig Pickens, and Julie TannneauMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Growing up in the country meant playing outside by the creek, catching lightning bugs and eating the honey from honeysuckles! So many great memories!

Tom Hilder was born to a life in the country. Born in rural Scotland but raised in Hampshire, he went through school always thinking – and being told — that he needed to find a life, and a career, out in the countryside, working with his hands.A chance meeting with a lecturer at Sparsholt College changed his life for good, and put him on a pathway to become (deep breath) the 'Senior Nature-Based Solutions Officer — Practical Delivery' at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It's comfortably the longest job title of anyone who's yet joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast, but the aim is clear: to make the world around us a better, greener place.Tom talks to James about his life, how he ended up working in the field (literally), and the challenges he's faced — from Shetland ponies and landowners suspicious of his tender years to the 'charismatic adders' found on Hook Common, in north Hampshire.You can find out more about the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust here, and to nominate someone for the 2026 edition of the award Tom won, visit the Schoffel Countryside Awards website. Episode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Tom HilderEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Brent's trying his hand at competition gumbo cooking. He and his friends from the Cache Bayou Hound and Mallard Club have entered a gumbo cooking contest. If it was a gumbo eating contest they'd win easily but it's not. Do they have the right stuff to come out on top, you'll have to listen and find out for yourself. He's also sharing a listener story about the perils of extreme cold weather duck hunting that could've ended tragically and almost did. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Phil Manzanera, the guitarist behind Roxy Music and a prolific record producer whose career spans more than five decades. The hosts also pay tribute to Bob Weir of Grateful Dead.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Roxy Music, "If There Is Something," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972The Grateful Dead, "Sugar Magnolia," American Beauty, Warner Bros., 1970Bob Weir, "Cassidy," Ace, Warner Bros., 1972Roxy Music, "Re-Make/Re-Model," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972Roxy Music, "The Thrill of it All," Country Life, Island and ATCO, 1974Roxy Music, "Amazona," Stranded, Island and ATCO, 1973Roxy Music, "Do the Strand," For Your Pleasure, Island and Warner Bros., 1973Phil Manzanera, "Big Day," Diamond Head, Island and ATCO, 1975Roxy Music, "Both Ends Burning," Siren, Island and ATCO, 1975Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, "Ambulante - Live," AM.PM Soho Live, Expression, 2025Aterciopelados, "Baracunatana," La Pipa de la Paz, RCA, 1996Jason P. Woodbury & The Night Bird Singing Quartet, "Get To Meet Them," (Single), Always Happening, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to former Country Life editor, architectural writer and podcaster Clive Aslet, about the Edwin Lutyens exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London in 1981. The exhibition was huge, immersive, and led to a reappraisal of Sir Edwin Lutyens as a great English architect. Its success also led to the founding of the Lutyens Trust.www.lutyenstrust.org.ukwww.lutyenstrustamerica.comFurther Reading:Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's Greatest Architect? By Clive Aslet. Triglyph Books 2024Further Listening:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0r4BTNzAzBUazclUALqqKa?si=otC85t8WRFGvb3zkLePTHAThis is a www.froodymusic.com production, recorded and edited by Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Southland company is growing red seaweed as a supplement that's been shown to significantly reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle. In our last summer science series episode, Cosmo Kentish-Barnes of the Country Life team heads to Bluff to learn more.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more: You can read Cosmo Kentish-Barnes' story about this topic, Red seaweed cuts methane emissions from cattle, scientists say.Cosmo signed off from the Country Life team earlier this year, after 17 years as the show's South Island producer. You can listen to his final episode.There are also pāua and whitebait farms operating out of the Ocean Beach Aquaculture Hub in Bluff. Kate Evans visited both ventures in a 2024 episode of Voice of Tangaroa, Fish out of water.Guest:Brent Jackson, production scientistGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Things this week didn't go that smooth!

Brent's talking about music this week and the role it plays in his life. We can all relate to the moment when a song from your past takes you to a remembered place or triggers a memory of people or events. Hearing new songs that describe what you thought was indescribable is another joy altogether. Having the opportunity to spend time with the artists that can do that makes for a great story we think you'll enjoy. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's 2006. Tony Blair is the Prime Minister, George W. Bush the US President, the existence of global warming is still up for debate, and a couple of new websites come out of early test versions to open their doors to the world: YouTube and Facebook. Amid all this, in an office on London's South Bank, Mark Hedges takes a new job: Editor of Country Life magazine.Two decades later, Mark has passed an astonishing milestone: he has edited 1,000 issues of the weekly magazine, the only perfect-bound, weekly glossy magazine in Britain. That's 20 years of magnificent architecture, beautiful houses, exquisite gardens, breathtaking nature, pithy columnists, and lots and lots of dogs — to name but a small selection.It seemed only fitting, then, that we invite the boss back on to the Country Life Podcast. Mark speaks to James Fisher about his unusual route in to the world of magazines, the unflinching war veteran who taught him the hard way how to polish a headline, the incomparable experience of working alongside HM King Charles, Queen Camilla, The Princess Royal and Sir David Beckham on guest-edited issues of Country Life, and how magazines — and journalism in general — will still have a part to play in an AI-driven future. It's a fascinating episode which lifts the lid on what it's like to spend decades on a magazine that's become a national institution. We hope you enjoy it.EPISODE CREDITSHost: James FisherGuest: Mark HedgesEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone needs help from time to time, and it's human nature to offer to do so. There are many ways to do it and this week, Brent's talking about how a conversation he had years ago with an unknown mentor continues to help him today. He's also issuing a challenge to help an organization that's helping people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors. Hands of a Sportsman non-profit: http://www.handsofasportsman.org/ Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's out with the boys this week and they;re all chasing rabbits. Well, more like following the dogs that are chasing the rabbits. He's giving insight into how a rabbit hunt with dogs is done, why it's so special to him, and where it ranks on his list of favorite things to do. The results may surprise you. Bubba, it's time to cut the pups loose on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Projects come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they work out, other times, they don't. Brent's sharing a project that didn't work out like he'd hoped, and a new project he's hoping will. Get your clipboards ready, it's time for This Country Life on MeatEater's podcast network! Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the summer science series we play an episode of Country Life called Dollars for Nature. Can biodiversity credits fix New Zealand's conservation woes? In June, the government announced they were supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through pilot projects across New Zealand. Sally Round found out more.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more: You can read more about biodiversity credits in Sally Round's story, Dollars for nature - can biodiversity credits fix NZ's conservation woes?Earlier this year Our Changing World visited the Eastern Whio Link conservation project, which set up its own biodiversity credits scheme - you can listen to that episode here.Country Life is an RNZ podcast that takes you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of everyday rural New Zealand. Listen to more Country Life episodes.Guests:Sean Weaver, chief executive at business consultancy EkosHayden Johnston, general manager for the natural environment at the Ministry for the EnvironmentGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bringing a tree in your house is only acceptable once a year. Do it any time outside of Christmas and people will think you're weird. Brent's got a few examples of Christmas trees this week and even goes into his struggle in keeping his favorite decoration. Stars, fishing, and flames abound on this week's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Life heads to an arboretum where dozens of different types of trees are grown, including a few for Christmas. We travel up the Whanganui River on the rural mail run, delivering a few early Christmas presents and go behind the scenes of a family-run berry orchard in King Country to see what it takes to bring summer berries from the orchard to the Christmas dinner table. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Not being on time is a pet peeve for many, and not the first thing other folks chose to worry about. To them, close is good enough. Brent's gonna tell a story from a time years ago when he and a couple others set out to prove a point about timeliness. He's also sharing a recent instance where a similar event took place. If you're tuning in right now, then you're right on time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast! Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are few ghost stories as stubbornly persistent—or as photographically bold—as that of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. Even if you've never heard her name, you've almost certainly seen the image: a spectral figure gliding down a grand staircase, flowing like smoke caught mid-breath. It's the kind of photograph that forces you to lean in just a little too close, squinting to decide whether you're looking at a ghost, a clever trick of light, or one of the greatest paranormal hoaxes of the twentieth century. Tonight, we're pulling apart the threads of this famous haunting to figure out which of those possibilities still holds up.Before she became the world's most recognisable apparition, the Brown Lady was Dorothy Walpole, sister to Britain's first Prime Minister and a woman whose life was far more dramatic than any ghost story needs to be. Trapped in a toxic marriage, separated from her children, and rumoured to have died under… let's say “uncomfortable circumstances,” Dorothy's history alone is enough to leave an emotional imprint deep within the walls of Raynham Hall. And, in typical aristocratic fashion, the house itself seems determined to keep every secret ever whispered inside it—including hers.But then came 1936, the year that changed everything. Two photographers from Country Life captured an image that ignited a global debate that still burns today. Was it a genuine ghost caught on film? A double exposure? A staged event? Or was it something more nuanced—an honest moment misread through the lens of our obsession with the paranormal? Tonight, we're diving into the photograph, the folklore, the woman behind the legend, and the question that refuses to die: is the Brown Lady a true haunting, or just the perfect storm of tragedy, belief, and timing? Settle in—this one has a bit of everything.Send us a Christmas card or postcard to:Anne and RenataP.O.Box 2289Dangar 2309NSW Australia

On this week's episode, Brent's sharing a fishing story from a listener where no records were broken, nothing amazing happened, and no one got hurt or even came close. A simple story that brought joy to the ones fishing and the ones who hear it. Then, he's giving us the details on the things that make him happy. It's a short list that represents a lot of the people and pleasures of his life. It just might make you happy as well. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's making good his promise to take us on a tour of his new Stor-Mor studio. While the building itself is enough to talk about, in this episode he shifts the focus to the contents. The items inside are more than mere decorations, they're mementos representing people and places that he holds dear. After he tells the story of his first attempt at having a place of his own, he enlightens us with his description of his new one. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lengths parents will go for their children is immeasurable. It's even more impactful when it puts them completely out of their element. Oh this episode, Brent's sharing a listener story about a deer hunter's mother that's sure to put a smile on your face. Then, he's finally talking about his new office and promising a tour of its contents in future episodes. It's not hard to believe there's some really cool items in there. Get cozy! It's time for MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Never give up. Brent's got two good examples on this episode where that old saying was put to the test. It's great advice, but there comes a time when other responsibilities may take precedence. Knowing the difference between the two is just as important. Harness up! It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is all about Brent's first born. His oldest daughter, Amy, decided she wanted to go deer hunting and had waited until becoming a teenager to do so. It was an occasion of firsts for them both and the lessons of that day still hold true. The opening story is one of Brent's favorites that he likes to tell about Amy as a toddler and it demonstrates how well she thinks things through, a quality that would help her 11 years later on her first deer hunt. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Brent's sharing some listener-submitted stories he's enjoyed: an unexpected encounter with an angry buck, a country-boy skillset coming in handy, and a young boy's "first" deer. It’s listener appreciation day on MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's said that the best things in life are free, but the best lessons learned come at a cost. Brent's story this week is a testament to that, putting gains and losses into perspective. This particular lesson cost Brent a buck, but you can learn it with just a bit of your time. Settle in, and listen up! It's a wise investment on this week's episode of This Country Life podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're getting down to the meaty part of this Manitoba moose hunting tale. Brent left us all on the edge of our seats with his cliffhanger last time just when he'd gotten to moose camp. Rest assured there's no tricks this week and the rest of the story is waiting for you to push play. It's moose shooting time on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Brent just getting home from chasing moose in Manitoba, Canada, he's sharing the overwhelming dream experience with us on today's episode. This hunt will be his first major film project with MeatEater, and there's barely enough time to tell even half the story here. We think you'll enjoy this context-setting lead-up to what will be the grand finale next week. Put your tray tables up! We're jet setting to The Great White North on this week's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.