The Country Woman Podcast

What if the fastest way to understand the countryside is to stop assuming you already do? Natalie shares how moving from industrial Essex into rural life changed everything from her daily routine and sense of community to the way she thinks about food, wildlife, and field sports. As a vegetarian who once had strong misconceptions about hunting and shooting, Natalie explains what shifted when she started asking better questions. She opens up about discovering clay shooting, finding confidence through a female instructor and ladies’ shooting club, and why one taster session turned into a genuine passion. If you’ve ever wondered whether shooting is really only for “a certain type” of person, this conversation will challenge that idea.
Natalie also shares the slower, more intentional rhythm she was searching for after COVID reshaped work and life, plus the simple countryside pleasures she now loves most.
Essential listening if you’re curious about country life, interested in field sports, or want a thoughtful conversation about changing your mind without losing your values.

Cara Hutchens reveals the real behind-the-scenes world of hunting, shooting, and fishing in Scotland, and why the countryside is so much more than a backdrop. From a sunset duck flight on the Buffalo River in South Africa to running a business that arranges bespoke sporting experiences around the UK and beyond, this conversation is packed with stories, insight, and a deep love of the land.Rhiannon sits down with Cara, director of hunting and shooting at International Hunting Scotland, to trace the winding path that took her from a late-teen advert in the Oban Times to decades of life on estates, hills, boats, and remote islands. Cara shares how a single coin toss led her to Jura, where she first learned to shoot, stalk, and fish, and how that early experience shaped a career built on fieldcraft, organisation, and instinct.Cara also opens up about the realities behind the glossy Instagram moments, the importance of community in rural life, and the old-fashioned barter spirit that still thrives in the countryside. She talks candidly about serving clients with very different abilities, including an unforgettable trip that made success possible for a hunter returning to the hill after a life-changing injury.This episode is for anyone who loves the outdoors, is curious about field sports, or wants to understand the people who quietly make extraordinary rural experiences happen. It is also a celebration of women in country life, the landscapes that shape us, and the wildlife, people, and traditions that make the countryside feel alive.If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a sporting day, or why a walk on the hill can feel just as rich as the shot itself, this one will stay with you long after it ends.

This week on The Country Woman Podcast, I'm joined by Jackie. A mum, clay and game shooter, deer stalker, and the woman behind The Barn at Beal on the beautiful Northumberland coast.
What started as a conversation about field sports quickly became a conversation about saying yes to new opportunities, building confidence, and not letting self-doubt hold you back.
We chat about how Jackie found her way into shooting, what she's learnt through deer stalking, and why she believes field sports are far more welcoming than many people expect. We also talk about running a successful business, championing local food, balancing family life, and the importance of simply giving things a go.
Whether you're already involved in country sports or you're just curious about taking that first step, I hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired to have a crack at something new.
If you enjoyed today's conversation, I'd love it if you could follow The Country Woman Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who loves the countryside as much as you do.

The advice around your first gundog is often varies. More training, more pressure, more comparing yourself to the polished dogs on Instagram and it can leave you wondering if you are simply not cut out for it.
Leanne gets brutally honest about what it really looks like to start from zero, lose confidence, and rebuild both your dog training and your own belief in yourself.

From her life as a vegetarian who was once anti-hunt and anti-shooting to becoming a gundog owner, Leanne shares the unexpected shift that changed how she sees the world of countryside sports. She talks about the early puppy chaos, the moments of doubt that had her questioning whether Arthur was even better off with someone else, and the practical changes that helped turn things around.

Leanne also shares balancing dog training with family life, home educating her son, and reclaiming a sense of identity after leaving her job as a veterinary nurse. If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or embarrassed by where your dog is at, this conversation is the reassurance you need.

Essential listening if you're a new gundog owner, a beginner in field sports, or anyone who needs a reminder that progress is not meant to look perfect.

Britain’s farming story is more complicated and more misunderstood than most people realize. Eden Hill - first-generation farmer, shepherdess, and co-owner of Meatbox Family - opens up why she sells meat directly to customers, and what she wishes more people understood about animal welfare, sustainability, and life on a hill farm.

Eden and host Rhiannon dig into the reality behind the headlines: a 550-acre farm in Lancashire, cattle, sheep, pigs, a direct-to-consumer meat box business, and the constant pressure of keeping it all running while raising a young child. From lambing and social media education to the chaos of moving farms, Eden shares how she went from a vet practice to becoming a self-employed shepherdess and, eventually, a full-time farmer.

Rhiannon and Eden also unpack the emotional reality of caring deeply for animals that are raised for food, the misconceptions that spread online, and the criticism farmers face when they try to explain what they do. Eden speaks candidly about death threats, the dangers of misinformation, and why she believes farmers have a responsibility to tell their own story.

This episode is for anyone who wants to understand where British meat comes from, how a modern family farm actually survives, and why the conversation around food production deserves more nuance. If you care about farming, animal welfare, food ethics, or simply want a clearer picture of the people behind your plate, this one will stay with you.