
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.
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 38 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryArts | |||

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What will farming look like in 100 years time? That's the question asked by a group of University of Reading PhD students, managed by Rosy Scholes and Ellen Knight, as part of the University of Reading's centenary celebrations.
In ... more
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How do you lead a rural history museum in 2026? What does that look like in practice? And how does our contemporary work vary to the vision of our founders back in 1951?
In this second of two conversations with Kate Arnold-Forster,... more
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So far we've spoken a lot about The Museum of English Rural Life's earliest years. Yet so much of what we are today results from a radical rethinking of what The MERL can be, which has happened under the brilliant stewardship of Kat... more
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What have we been up to lately? What's coming up? And what's the rural significance of Bad Bunny's performance at the Superbowl?
In this episode, Joe and Ollie have a general chat about a bunch of different topics, which each conne... more
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I’m neither English nor Rural but this is the only podcast I listen to. Funny, fascinating, intelligent, highly recommend to anyone of any background.
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!
Loved hearing from Adam Kozary about ‘that’ tweet and the context of redeveloping the MERL collections
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.
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.
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A thoughtful, issue-driven show that blends rural history, museum work, and environmental activism. Episodes frequently center on land access, conservation, and the social history of England's countryside, often featuring guest experts from museums, universities, or activist circles. The format mixes behind-the-scenes production insights, rigorous historical context, and accessible storytelling, making complex topics like land rights, sustainable farming, and rural heritage engaging for a broad audience. Notable strengths include a strong museum-backed perspective, use of local case studies, and a willingness to tackle controversial topics with nuance. This combination is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy cultural history, environment... more
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Recent guests on Absolute Units include:
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