#2 - Meet the Host: Saying Yes to the Sporting Countryside

The advice about building a brand in the countryside is wrong: you do not need London to make it happen. Brontë Clare built Femme Country from Yorkshire into a luxury media brand, and she reveals how print, events, and a fiercely clear identity turned a school project into something much bigger. What started as an A-level qualification became a magazine, then a community, then a growing brand with fashion shows, subscriber events, and a loyal readership that now stretches far beyond rural life. Brontë opens up about the early chaos of launching while studying in London, the surprise role of COVID in accelerating growth, and the moment she realised Femme Country was filling a gap no one else was serving.Brontë also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building something original, from shooting the first cover in a stock room with makeshift styling to booking future issues years ahead. Along the way, she talks candidly about switching off, protecting your mind, and why the best ideas still arrive at the worst possible time.This episode is for anyone who loves country style, media, entrepreneurship, or the story behind a brand that refuses to fit neatly into one box. It’s also a reminder that a strong idea, a clear point of view, and the courage to start now can take you much further than waiting for the perfect moment.If you’re drawn to women building something meaningful from the ground up, this conversation is packed with insight, ambition, and the kind of inspiration that makes you want to do the thing you’ve been putting off.

The first red stag stalked with Highland ponies is a raw, unforgettable look at deer management, tradition, and the emotion behind a day most people never get to see. Rhiannon Stevenson takes you from the pre-dawn nerves and rain-soaked anticipation to the golden, wind-swept hills of the Scottish Highlands. This is the day she has been working toward for ages, and she shares exactly what it felt like to finally experience the traditional pony-supported stalk she had dreamed of, from the range to the ridge. You'll discover why deer are culled, what sustainable deer management actually protects, and how a carefully chosen stag is assessed in the field. Rhiannon also breaks down the role of the team around her - Cara from International Hunting Scotland, guide Lucy, and Kath the gillie - and what it means when a day on the hill is carried out by an all-women crew, including the ponies themselves. We break down the practical side too: range practice, reading the wind, stalking uphill, crawling into position, waiting through heavy rain, and the traditional Highland pony system for bringing a deer off the hill. Along the way, Rhiannon shares the details that make the day feel real, from the stag's antler damage and age to the ethical reasons he was selected. This episode asks what it means to take a life with respect, why emotion still has a place in field sports, and how tradition, conservation, and personal reflection can sit together in the same story. Rhiannon also closes with a powerful historical note from Ladies in the Field by Lady Violet Greville, launching a new project exploring women in sport and the field through history. Essential listening if you care about stalking, deer management, Highland ponies, women in field sports, or the deeper ethics and beauty of life on the hill.

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.