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Lo-fi clip-clops and bleats to relax/study to. Welcome to the official podcast of The Museum of English Rural Life. Based at the University of Reading, we explore the past, present and future of the English countryside. Hosted by Joe Vaughan and Dr Ollie Douglas. Chaotic Good.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes28Foundeda year ago
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ArtsHistory

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Artwork for Absolute Units

Latest Episodes

Hi folks! We're closed tomorrow for Easter (which is when we'd usually release our next episode). Ollie and Joe are also in and out of the office at the moment, so we're going to use this as a chance for a brief hiatus and we'll then be back to regul... more

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Content warnings: infant mortality (indicated in the chapter list!) - skip from 14:38 to 19:33

Today we turn 1 years old! A fine age for a growing podcast. Thanks to everyone who has tuned in, joined us in the booth, and supported us in these last 1... more

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In 2022, a report by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences analysed 14 European countries and ranked them for nature connectedness, bio diversity, and wellbeing. Britain ranked last in all three.

So how do we better protect nature, care for wildlife... more

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Old Crockern returns! We're back for a second episode with the legendary giant of Dartmoor, plus giant maker and dancer Ruth Webb (of The Lost Giants) and storyteller and environmentalist Lisa Schneidau.

Last time, we set the scene of Crockern's sto... more

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Recent Guests

Adrian Lawson
Environmentalist and author
Environmental activism and ecological projects in Reading
Episode: Life on Marsh (with Adrian Lawson)
Ruth Webb
Giant maker and designer.
The Lost Giants
Episode: Old Crockern Awakes (with Ruth Webb and Lisa Schneidau)
Lisa Schneidau
Storyteller.
Episode: Old Crockern Awakes (with Ruth Webb and Lisa Schneidau)
Paddy Bullard
Professor at the University of Reading
University of Reading
Episode: Jane Austen: How to Spot a Wrong'un (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes)
Isabel Hughes
Associate Director of the Museum of English Rural Life
Museum of English Rural Life
Episode: Jane Austen: How to Spot a Wrong'un (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes)
George Monbiot
Guardian journalist and author known for his work on environmental issues.
The Guardian
Episode: Contested Countryside (with George Monbiot), pt. 1
Mark Norman
Folklorist, former council member of the Folklore Society
Folklore Society
Episode: Death, Rebirth, and Scooby Doo (with Mark Norman)
Tim Jerrome
PhD student researching queer rural history
University of Brighton
Episode: Queer Rural Lives: Searching the Archives (with Tim Jerrome)
Katrina Navickas
Professor of History at the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
Episode: Rural Riots, Raves, and Robin Hood (with Katrina Navickas)

Hosts

Joe Vaughan
Social Media Manager at The Museum of English Rural Life
Dr Ollie Douglas
Curator of Collections at The Museum of English Rural Life

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 84 ratings
  • Really enjoy this podcast!

    I’ve really enjoyed listening to this podcast. I’m not a farmer and don’t live in the country, I actually live in one of the biggest cities in America but I’ve found this podcast so enjoyable to learn about rural life in England. I enjoy that they cover new and old topics related to rural life. I can’t wait to visit the MERL in the future!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMH1776
    United States7 months ago
  • Great museum chat!

    Loved hearing from Adam Kozary about ‘that’ tweet and the context of redeveloping the MERL collections

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CsgRdg
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Absolutely Delightful Unit

    Longtime social media follower and so excited for this podcast. Lovely insight into how the museum operates and what it means to do this work in our digital and physical age.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Keith456321
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fantastic!

    I studied at MERL back, very much, in “the day”. I haven’t returned since and this podcast has encouraged me to do so. Look forward to hearing what comes next.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HuntingdonHawk
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • I visited the MERL from Canada

    Here for the inside scoop on everything about my favourite museum. No detail too obscure! Huge fan of all you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kellyrama
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the podcast educational and engaging, even if they aren't directly from rural backgrounds.
Listeners express high enjoyment of the show, appreciating its insightful exploration of rural topics and history.
Listeners are enthusiastic about the hosts and the diverse range of guests, contributing to a rich listening experience.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Celebrating 1 year of Absolute Units + listener questions
Q: Raystonian asks, What was the impact of the Enclosure Acts on class relations and ruling class wealth in rural England?
They hint at a major historical shift with long-term social and economic impacts, promising deeper discussion with experts in future episodes.
Celebrating 1 year of Absolute Units + listener questions
Q: Piers Cooper asks, What is the spookiest or scariest item in the collection and what would you learn from interviewing the haunt?
They discuss items tied to death and mortality, like the wainscot mattress and the funerary beer, and reflect on haunting as a link to past lives and life courses rather than mere fright.
Celebrating 1 year of Absolute Units + listener questions
Q: Samwise asks, what doesn't the museum currently cover or touch on that you would like to include given the choice?
They highlight gaps around nature and intangible culture, noting the museum's focus on agriculture and culture while trying to broaden to living practices, ecosystems, and collaborative, cross-institution storytelling.
Celebrating 1 year of Absolute Units + listener questions
Q: Space Lawyer asks, what are the biggest misconceptions about your subject area that you see or are asked about?
They describe expectations of a rural museum as a box of old farming objects and emphasize that the collection connects to contemporary life and broader global networks, not just the past.
Jane Austen: Verdure, Culture, and Comfort (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes)
Q: Where does she move and when does she move?
She moved to Bath in 1801 after her father's death, then later returned to the countryside in Choughton.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Absolute Units

What is Absolute Units about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an engaging blend of history, culture, and contemporary discussion surrounding the English countryside. Topics range from literature and historical narratives to rural issues, often featuring academic guests who share their expertise in various fields, such as sustainability, folklore, and social history. Unique episodes explore connections between rural life and notable figures like Jane Austen, as well as contemporary environmental topics, making complex themes accessible and interesting. The interplay between artistic expression, narrative traditions, and historical aspects creates a rich tapestry of content that appeals to those interested in rural studies, arts, and culture.

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Which podcasts are similar to Absolute Units?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Absolute Units:

1. Instant Classics
2. Answer Me This!
3. Backlisted
4. No Such Thing As A Fish
5. The English Heritage Podcast

How many episodes of Absolute Units are there?

Absolute Units launched a year ago and published 28 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Absolute Units?

Recent guests on Absolute Units include:

1. Adrian Lawson
2. Ruth Webb
3. Lisa Schneidau
4. Paddy Bullard
5. Isabel Hughes
6. George Monbiot
7. Mark Norman
8. Tim Jerrome

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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