The Art of Inclusion: Celebrating Diversity and Creativity

The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

What we can promise you with this podcast is a complete lack of planning, zero preparation, and absolutely no research. Scripts? Never heard of them. Everything is straight from the hip. Stuart is a full-time ninja of environmental social justice. He doesn’t parade around with signs, but he stealthily champions the cause from the shadows. He alongside William your other co-host are just two dudes ready to dive into the big topics set by listeners with no forethought whatsoever.

Sigurdur, from the Capital Region, Iceland sets the initial question - “What can we do to address the lack of representation and diversity in the arts?”

Stuart kicks things off with “Is there a lack of representation and diversity in the arts?” He then muses about how art naturally attracts what society calls the “eccentric bunch.”

Stuart, ever the diplomat, sees both sides of the representation coin. It can be a mighty force, but sometimes it feels as genuine as a three-pound note.

William, not to be outdone, chimes in about trailblazers – those rare gems who are unapologetically themselves, inspiring others without even trying. He’s a firm believer in the mantra: “You’ve got to see it to be it.”

William then reminisces about the good old days, noting that there’s more diversity in the arts now than in the 1990s, when music was as diverse as a beige wallpaper.

He also points out that people often gravitate towards the familiar and comforting, rather than the challenging and new. But then, with a flourish, William suggests an action plan: “Go out and find something a bit off the beaten track. It might just change your life and make you see the world – and your walk down the street – in a whole new light.”

Hortencia, from Humacao, Puerto Rico then asks the second question- “How can we challenge beauty standards and promote body positivity?”

William kicks things off by saying, “Love your body, folks! It’s what you live in every day”. You wouldn’t slag off your house, would you?

He then dives into the topic of fat shaming, pointing out that everyone’s got an opinion on how someone else looks. “It’s like, ‘Oh, she’s too thin,’ or ‘He’s too fat.’ Just let people be!”

Stuart jumps in, questioning why people are so bothered about others’ appearances. He reckons it ties back to Sigurdur’s earlier point: people should just get on with their own lives.

Stuart then suggests a bold approach: More people should adopt a bit of ‘sod it’ and just get out there!

William talks about how communities can support everyone by accepting differences. It’s like a big family – we all have that one weird uncle, but we still love him.

The conversation then shifts to ideals about hair colour, body size, and more. Stuart and William agree that we often focus on differences, but what really matters is the connection between you and the person you’re chatting with. It’s not about age or ethnicity; it’s about the distance between you and the person you’re having a natter with.

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

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