Episodios

  • 39: I would END IMPUNITY with Cal Major
    Jun 27 2025

    In episode 39 of the 'If I Ruled The World' podcast, host Gillian Burke records an impromptu episode as she engages in a raw and heartfelt discussion with ocean activist Cal Major.

    Responding to an Instagram post about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the escalation of war in the Middle East in general, Cal Major opens up about her feelings of helplessness and the challenges of speaking out.

    Together, they explore why the nature & environmental sector remains largely silent on issues of war, the interconnectedness of environmental destruction and military conflict and more nuanced barriers to activism and anti-war campaigning.

    This candid conversation hopes to inspire more people to speak up and make meaningful connections between human rights and environmental advocacy.

    Mentions:

    Our Ocean Podcast | with Cal Major

    Seaful UK Charity | Protect What You Love

    Anti-war protest | London's largest ever protest

    Chilcot Inquiry Report

    The US military and the myth that humans are predisposed to violence

    Gaza | The most intense bombardments in history

    Zeteo news

    Breaking Points

    The Israel-Palestine Report

    Declassified UK




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    1 h y 5 m
  • 38: I would DISMANTLE CAPITALISM with Grace Blakeley
    Jun 20 2025

    Unpacking Modern Capitalism: From Gaza to Global Inequality

    A deeply introspective and wide-ranging discussion, that explores environmentalism, climate activism, and critiques of capitalism. The conversation dives into the historical context of the Gaza conflict, the inherent authoritarianism in capitalism, and systemic inequalities it inevitably creates positing that socialism is now true democracy. Grace asserts the need for community and collective action being necessary to support the revolutionary change, the challenges faced by those pushing against the status quo, and the potential for revolutionary change fuelled by grassroots movements.

    Links & Mentions:

    https://graceblakeley.co.uk/

    Ellen Mieksin Wood Prize

    Tony Benn - The Benn Legacy

    Pierre Bourdieu (Habitus)

    Salvador Allende: The U.S. set the stage for a coup in Chile.

    Pinochet's human rights abuses.

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    1 h y 17 m
  • 37: I would BAN STOCK MARKETS: Tamsyn Widdon (Green Economics Educator)
    Apr 28 2025

    In this conversation, Tamsyn Widdon explores the principles of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and its implications for economics, environment, and society. Tamsyn shares her journey from a background in education and development to becoming an economist and advocate for MMT, emphasizing the need to rethink our understanding of money, government spending, and economic growth. The discussion looks at the origins of money, the role of government in shaping economies, and the potential for a new economic future focused on wellbeing rather than profit. The conversation also touches on the importance of democratic engagement and participation in local and national government.

    Links & Mentions

    Tamsyn Widdon (Green Economics Educator) on Instagram

    Green Councillors in Cornwall

    Finding the Money

    99p Film | Social Cinema | Cornwall

    Modern Money Lab - Modern Money Theory events and resources (UK)

    Modern Money Lab Youtube

    Joseph Stiglitz on Youtube "GDP is Flawed... Citizens want depth..."

    Willem H. Butler "The unfortunate uselessness of most 'state of the art' academic monetary economics"

    Isabella Webber "Taking Aim at Sellers' Inflation"

    Robert Solow "Re-thinking Macroeconomic Policy Before the Next Crisis"

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    54 m
  • BONUS: I would CITIZEN'S ARREST the biggest polluters: Gail Lynch (CAN:Citizen's Arrest Network)
    Apr 7 2025

    In this emergency bonus episode, host Gillian Burke interviews Gail Lynch, an organiser and member of the newly formed Citizens' Arrest Network, discussing the urgent need for new citizen-led approach, based on corporate accountability, to the poor systemic response to climate and ecological crises. Gail shares her personal journey, the motivations behind the Citizens' Arrest Network, and the legal mechanisms they employ to hold corporations accountable for environmental and societal harm. The discussion emphasises the importance of collective action, community engagement, and the role of individuals in driving systemic change.

    takeaways

    • Gail emphasises the urgency of addressing climate change and corporate accountability.
    • The Citizens' Arrest Network is a campaign focused on legal mechanisms to hold corporations accountable.
    • Gail's personal journey reflects a deep commitment to environmental justice and activism.
    • The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement in driving change.
    • Gail discusses the legal framework surrounding citizens' arrests and its implications for activism.
    • The need for systemic change is a recurring theme throughout the discussion.
    • Gail encourages listeners to recognize their power as individuals and as a collective.
    • The role of media in shaping public perception of activism is critically examined.
    • Gail's background and experiences inform her approach to activism and community organizing.
    • The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to get involved and support the movement.

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    55 m
  • 36: I would restore Britain as a RAINFOREST NATION: Merlin Hanbury-Tenison
    Mar 30 2025

    In this conversation, Merlin Hanbury-Tenison shares his multifaceted journey as a veteran, conservationist, and author. He discusses his new book 'Our Oaken Bones', which explores themes of healing through nature, personal trauma, and the interconnectedness of mental health, the environment and a new 'agrorainforestry' model that holds a 1,000 year vision of restoring Britain as a rainforest nation.

    Merlin reflects on his experiences in Afghanistan, the healing power of the Atlantic temperate rainforest, and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to land use that incorporates food production and the role of apex predators in maintaining ecological balance. The discussion culminates in a vision for a future where humans reclaim their role as stewards of nature, fostering a deeper connection with the environment and addressing issues of male mental health.

    Takeaways

    • Merlin identifies as an author, conservationist, and veteran.
    • His book 'Our Oaken Bones' captures personal and environmental healing.
    • Healing can be achieved through nature and personal experiences.
    • Merlin's experiences in Afghanistan shaped his understanding of trauma.
    • The rainforest plays a crucial role in healing both land and people.
    • Moral injury is a significant issue for veterans and needs more attention.
    • Agro-rainforestry can provide sustainable solutions for farming and conservation.
    • Apex predators are essential for maintaining ecological balance.
    • Humans must see themselves as part of nature, not separate from it.
    • Conversations around positive male identity are crucial for mental health.


    Soundscape

    The sounds at the end of this podcast are field recordings from Cabilla and were recorded by Dr Antti Sakari Saario and Dr D Ferrett, researchers in sound and the environment at the Academy of Music and Theatre Arts, Falmouth University. These sounds feature as part of the audiobook version of Our Oaken Bones and have also been used in an immersive soundscape composition by Antti for a 360-film entitled Gans’n Dhama Wedhen - In the Company of the Mother Tree (2025), directed by Adam Laity and narrated by D Ferrett.


    Mentions

    Thousand Year Trust

    Cabilla Cornwall

    House of Hackney #WeAreNature campagin

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    1 h y 9 m
  • 35: I would DECOLONISE CONSERVATION with Sophie Grig (Survival International)
    Mar 19 2025

    In this episode of 'If I Ruled the World', host Gillian Burke explores the human cost of conservation with Survival International's Asia Campaigns Director, Sophie Grig. Conventional 'fortress conservation' models, rooted in colonial ideals of wilderness areas emptied of people, fenced off and defended, with brute force if necessary. Systemic human rights abuses, mass displacements of tribal peoples, and land grabs are the result.


    Links & mentions

    Survival International: For tribes, for nature, for all humanity

    Black2Nature: Helping inner-city VME children connect with nature

    WWF accused of deceit, cover-ups and dishonesty, 2021

    Protecting Human Rights in International Conservation, US Congressional Hearing, 2021

    WWF Funds Guards Who Have Tortured And Killed People, Buzzfeed News 2019

    Conservation Refugees: When conservation means kicking people out

    How Conservation Contributes to the Displacement of Indigenous People

    https://worldostats.com/protected-land-areas-by-country-global-comparison-2025/



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    59 m
  • 34: I would PROTECT THE PEOPLE not profits
    Feb 28 2025

    Today’s episode is a little bit different... where Gillian gets to the guest on a podcast swap with The Starlit Stories podcast. Artist and podcaster, Stella Marie for holds space for Gillian to rediscover her voice as she transitions towards quiet quitting the system (see previous episode). In this episode, the tone and direction is set for the coming year on If I Ruled the World.

    A huge thank you to Stella for permission to use this interview. Do check out The Starlit Stories podcast (see links below).


    Keywords:

    system change, social justice, environmental justice, decolonisation, empathy, nature


    Mentions:

    Starlit Stories Podcast with host Stella Marie

    Stella Marie on Instagram

    The Man Engine in Cornwall

    "Three companies responsible for more carbon emmissions than all UK households" from 2021 Tortoise Responsibility 100 Index:

    https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2021/04/22/sensemaker-210422

    Kwame Toure quote:

    From "Radical Discipleship: The Pitfalls of Liberalism"

    "When [the liberal] seeks to talk about change, he always confronts the oppressed rather than the oppressor. He does not seek to influence the oppressor, he seeks to influence the oppressed. He says to the oppressed, time and time again, “You don’t need guns, you are moving too fast, you are too radical, you are too extreme.” He never says to the oppressor, “You are too extreme in your treatment of the oppressed,” because he is powerless among the oppressors, even if he is part of that group; but he has influence, or, at least, he is more powerful than the oppressed, and he enjoys this power by always cautioning, condemning, or certainly trying to direct and lead the movements of the oppressed."

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    1 h y 15 m
  • 33: I am QUIET QUITTING CAPITALISM (I think)
    Feb 14 2025

    In this episode of 'If I Ruled the World', Gillian Burke reflects on her journey as a podcaster, the challenges of navigating current events, and the importance of storytelling. She discusses the upcoming guests, indigenous rights, and social justice. Gillian also shares her personal experiences stepping away from the BBC and her commitment to fostering change through her podcast. The episode emphasizes the need for understanding extremism, the true cost of development, and the power of diversity in recognizing our shared humanity.


    Takeaways

    · Storytelling is an intimate act, akin to confiding in a friend.

    · The podcast aims to explore how to make the world fairer.

    · Current events create chaos that can overwhelm our understanding.

    · Upcoming guests will bring diverse perspectives on important issues.

    · Indigenous voices are vital in the fight for conservation.

    · The rights of nature are becoming increasingly recognized.

    · Personal journeys can lead to significant professional changes.

    · Understanding extremism requires deep reflection on our values.

    · Diversity allows us to see our shared humanity and learn from each other.

    Keywords

    storytelling, system change, extremism, diversity, conservation, indigenous voices, personal journey, social justice, current events


    Mentions

    The Ezra Klein Show: Don’t Believe Him

    Thousand Year Trust (Merlin Hanbury-Tennyson)

    Survival International (Sophie Grig)

    Dr Anjana Khatwa

    Such Stuff by Michael Morpurgo

    Katie Tregidden – Making Design Circular

    Gary’s Econonics (Gary Stevenson)

    Philippe Sands

    Brené Brown **CORRECTION: Brene has spent past 20/30 years studying**

    Dr. Gabor Maté

    The Myth of Willie “Whoopass” Johnson

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    24 m