It's in our Roots

This week Dan and Holly are back at Newbury Show, chatting to Chris Gordon, better known as the Orange Defender. Chris shares how his childhood love of Land Rovers turned into a passion for off-roading, adventure and creating content, all centred around his much-loved orange Defender.

They hear about his incredible adventures to the Arctic, including getting stranded in temperatures of -35°C, and how a solo trip has grown into an annual convoy of more than 70 vehicles, bringing together 4x4 enthusiasts from across the country. Plus, Chris talks about the inevitable breakdowns, the incredible community surrounding Land Rovers and why he believes everyone should get out and have an adventure, even if things don't quite go to plan! Recorded live in the Show Theatre at Newbury Show.

This week we’re live at Newbury Show in Berkshire, chatting to local arable farmer and content creator Eleanor Gilbert, better known online as the Berkshire Farm Girl.

Eleanor shares how a ride in a combine at 14 sparked her love of farming and why she started sharing agriculture on social media. We also hear about Eleanor’s incredible eight months in America completing the 2,000 Mile Harvest, before bringing things back home to discuss the realities of a challenging harvest in Berkshire.

Eleanor also talks about diversifying the family farm, growing her pumpkin patch and maize maze, and why welcoming the public onto a working farm is such an important part of helping people understand where their food comes from.

Recorded live in the Show Theatre at Newbury Show.

Recorded earlier this year, Dan and Holly are on the farm with Cameron Kinch, farmer and finalist of Big Brother 2025. 

Cameron went from working on his family’s arable farm to living in one of the most famous houses on TV. He chats about what made him apply for Big Brother, life inside the house and the surreal experience of returning home after reaching the final.

They also talk about Cameron’s unexpected role as a voice for British farming, including the moment he opened up about the challenges facing family farms on national television, the reaction it received and what he hopes people outside of agriculture took from it.

We’re back! Recorded at the very first Farm Fest back in May, this is a slightly tired, very unfiltered catch-up from Dan and Holly after a full week of agricultural shows. We look back at our first ever live podcast at Devon County Show with Farmer Will, share our thoughts on the first Farm Fest, and catch up on everything from skiing and unexpected podcast connections to Dan’s brief appearance on Escape to the Country. And there’s plenty more to come. On 19 and 20 September, we’ll be taking the podcast to Newbury Show for two live episodes - more on that come! 

It’s the end of 2025 and we are looking back on a big year for the podcast. A year where we travelled around the country, from Cornwall to Northumberland, talking to inspiring people with roots in the countryside. In this series we had a racing driving farmer, OnlyFans model, country singer, premiership rugby player and so many more. We also travelled to Silverstone, Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub for the Fittest Farmer competition, went fishing with Marina Gibson and even met young farmers from across Europe in Slovenia. In this episode we reflect on the year and look ahead to big plans for 2026! 

This week we’re in Birmingham celebrating the very best Young Farmers at the NFYFC Achiever Awards. We hear from all of this year’s winners, as well as judges Charlotte Ashley, Ben Eagle, David Exwood and more. From the Heart of YFC to Entrepreneur of the Year, Holly and Dan debrief on the evening, looking back on one of the biggest nights of the YFC calendar. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re at Cheltenham Town Hall chatting to Liam Price aka Luke Combs UK. Alongside his band, Liam travels the world singing to thousands of fans. He has since been endorsed by Luke Combs himself and was even invited to open his bar in Nashville. We sit down with Liam just before his set in Cheltenham to find out more about the man behind the world’s leading Luke Combs tribute. 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week, Dan and Holly chat to Preloved Country Clothing founder Emily Swinnerton, who aims to make sustainable, affordable country clothing accessible to everyone. She talks about the roots of her business during lockdown, visiting country shows across the country and the challenges of running a business. 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re in Yorkshire visiting the UK’s large farm shop of the year 2025 - Farmer Copleys. We’re in the middle of Pumpkin season and the family are welcoming thousands of members of the public to their farm for their famous pumpkin festival. We catch up with Rob Copley in the pumpkin patch, talking about the roots of their farming business and what’s next for their empire of farm diversifications! 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

Following last week’s interview with Country Girls UK founder Tania Coxon, this week we’re taking you along with us to one of their events. We’ve travelled up north to attend part of the Country Girls Trout & Salmon Weekend, where we give fishing a go with some expert help. 

We catch up with former guest of the podcast Marina Gibson, as well as hear from several Country Girls UK members who talk about the benefits of being part of this  supportive network of women, as well as the importance of challenging stereotypes within the world of country pursuits. Find out more and keep up to date with their latest events here: thecountrygirlsuk.com 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk.