Gut the System with Harry Farnsworth

About Gut the System with Harry Farnsworth

Welcome Gut the System with Harry Farnsworth. In this podcast series I will be looking to delve into the world of systems thinking, talking to some of the greatest and smartest people working in the food, farming, health, energy and policy world. I will be talking to them about the issues we face globally, be that nature depletion, declining human health or the degradation of our soils and how we are now arriving at unique point, where we can start to restore and regenerate by looking more closely at the connectivity of these systems and nature. ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/)- Producer Rosanna Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannafarnsworth/) - Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Harry Farnsworth

Category

arts · business · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Mar 2025

Latest episode

29 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Thomas Slattery

   ADOPT To Survive, with Thomas Slattery. In this month’s episode of Gut The System I am joined by the deeply thoughtful and hugely amusing Thomas Slattery. I first met Tom while studying at the RAU. Tom was looking at the technological end of the 4th agricultural revolution, but we were drawn together by our love regenerative systems. A theme that has continued to run through Tom’s work post RAU. Now with the UK Agri-Tech centre, Tom has been managing the launch of the innovative ADOPT fund. A fund to help farmers trial innovative technologies on farm, aimed at improving productivity, resilience and sustainability. This is by no means the summation of Tom’s work and contribution to the food and farming sector. Tom is a key contributor and author of many great reports in collaboration with brilliant organisations like the Esme Fairbairn Foundation. Tom is also now spending a lot of his time looking at the ‘missing and or messy middle’ of regenerative supply chains, a topic we spend some time reflecting on. I really enjoyed talking to Tom, he is a great orator and marketeer, which is no surprise given his background in advertising, and I hope you enjoy listening too. ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/) - Producer Rosanna Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannafarnsworth/) - Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Eugene Scholten

   Host Harry Farnsworth interviews Eugene Scholten about his varied career in food and agriculture, exploring conscious leadership and methods for inspiring change within organizations.

3. 

   12 Nov 2025

   Professor Tom MacMillan

   Host Harry Farnsworth interviews Professor Tom MacMillan, CEO of Ag-Impact, about agricultural innovation, food policies, and funding programs aimed at helping farmers transition to more agroecological farming systems.

4. 

   22 Sept 2025

   Dr. Lucy Williamson

   Registered Nutritionist Lucy Williamson discusses evidence-based approaches to nutrition, the gut microbiome, and climate-positive farming with host Harry Farnsworth in this interview.

5. 

   30 Jul 2025

   Robert Godfrey

   Robert Godfrey, Head of Investment Strategy, explores natural capital investment, ecosystem markets, and the role of rural stewardship in meeting ESG targets in an interview with Harry Farnsworth.

6. 

   16 Jul 2025

   Dr. Jacqueline Stroud

   Host Harry Farnsworth interviews Dr. Jacqueline Stroud about her research into soil acoustics and how understanding the sounds of soil can impact farming sustainability and profitability.

7. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Naveed R. Parvez

   Harry Farnsworth interviews Naveed R. Parvez about systems thinking, healthcare innovation within the NHS, and the transformative potential of AI, offering insights into impactful data usage.

8. 

   17 Jun 2025

   Nick Jefferson

   Nick Jefferson discusses Wylde Market, an online platform connecting consumers with local farmers and fishermen, aiming to revolutionize the food system and empower producers in this interview with Harry Farnsworth.

9. 

   4 Jun 2025

   Tamara Gilstoff

   Host Harry Farnsworth interviews Tamara Gilstoff, a designer and innovator, about her work in climate tech, place-based impact investing, and financial innovation for regenerative farming, highlighting systemic change.

10. 

    22 May 2025

    Simon Evill

    When the Levee Breaks with Simon Evill: In this episode of Gut the System I am walking and talking to Simon Evill, co-founding partner of Pelican Ag. An early-stage VC who invest from farm to fork, looking to scale regenerative farming, develop smart, local supply chains and drive sustainable consumer habits. In an industry that relies on innovation and distributive technologies, to catalyse the path to regenerative systems, early stage venture capital is crucial for start-ups, in order to reach the scale and capital they need to execute on their pioneering work. Pelican Ag were one of, if not the first, VC firm in the UK to be working with regeneration at the core of their manifesto. This is by no means the sum of Simon. A childhood spent elbow deep in 'Berkeley Compost,' producing biodynamic fruit and veg, sprouted deep roots into soil and ecosystems, a theme he would return to later in his career. Pre-seeding Pelican, Simon had a foundational early career, breaking the wave of Impact Investing at Clearly So. It was this experience, of seeing how well place capital can be catalytic for change, coupled with a growing frustration with the manifesto and criteria used by the impact investing community that led Simon to where he is today. Simon is now a key figure in the global regenerative transformation we're marching towards, championing and investing in companies that deliver more than IRR but deliver for nature, farming and health. Over the last few years, going deep into regeneration, Simon has become an industry spokesman for importance of restoring the water cycle, big and small and why water is the foundational building block for true systems change. Simon and his co-founding partner, Christopher Ramsey, now dedicate a large proportion of their time to educating and sharing the important work of water pioneers like Walter Jehne and Alpha Low. ====================================== Show notes: Didi Pershouse (https://www.didipershouse.com/) Walter Jehne - The Soil Carbon Sponge (Walter Jehne - The Soil Carbon Sponge) Alpha Lo - What if water is more important that carbon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eiUnuuSflU) Natalie M Fleming (https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Restored-Reclaiming-Role-Guardians/dp/B0DTKQ7XLT#:~:text=In%20Earth%20Restored%2C%20we%20explore,that%20fuels%20the%20water%20cycle.) Millan Millan (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Millan-Millan) Psedomonas syringae (https://www.nature.com/articles/ismej2007113) Richard Wain (https://www.beyondthebrinkbook.com/) The Lean Start-up (https://theleanstartup.com/) ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/) - Producer Rosanna Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannafarnsworth/) - Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    7 May 2025

    Professor Nicola Cannon

    It's a lovely moment in life when you go full circle. In this episode that's just what I did. Returning to the Royal Agricultural University (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-royal-agricultural-university/), where I did a masters in 'Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security' (https://www.rau.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/msc-sustainable-agriculture-and-food-security), I interviewed the prolific and deeply knowledgeable Professor Nicola Cannon, who I was lucky enough to be lectured by during my time there. To say Nicola was ahead of the curve is an understatement. Her research spans over several decades and Nicola was writing papers on topics like integrated arable-livestock systems, long before the term regenerative entered the zeitgeist. We cover a broad range of topics during our walk and Nicola leaves no stone unturned when it comes to research. We're granted access into the myriad of experiments and trials she's currently conducting at the RAU, to prove the essential value of regenerative farming systems. 'The proof is in the pudding' and 'walking the walk' are two expressions that summarise Professor Cannon's attitude to agricultural research. However, Nicola's not only passionate about research but also about teaching and extending her knowledge to the next generation of farmers and to those currently working the land. She helps them approach new farming systems in an informed and evidence backed manner in order to secure the future of their farm financially and environmentally. ====================================== Show notes: .SAFS (https://www.rau.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/msc-sustainable-agriculture-and-food-security) .Professor Cannon (https://www.rau.ac.uk/about-rau/our-staff/dr-nicola-cannon) .Research (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicola-Cannon-2) .RAU farms (https://www.rau.ac.uk/about-rau/partners/farm-partners) ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/) - Producer Rosanna Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannafarnsworth/) - Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    24 Apr 2025

    Christoph Warrack

    For Kingfisher and Country with Christoph Warrack: In this episode of Gut the System, I'll be walking through the beautiful grounds of Petworth Park in Sussex with Christoph Warrack, CEO of @Common (formerly known as Woodland Savers). Having discovered the magic of social enterprise and community during his time at Open Cinema, Christoph talks me through his fascinating journey from a career in film to becoming an impact entrepreneur and systems thinker working at the intersection of land and people. As CEO of Common, he enables communities to buy and regenerate land for nature recovery. With optimism and energy, Christoph shares his mission to get land back to the right trajectory of nature restoration instead of nature degradation, at the biggest scale possible. Christoph has a truly creative mind and a deep love of nature, which quickly becomes apparent during our walk. Christoph guides us through Petworth Park, stopping to observe the Parks' deer and wildfowl, connecting his love of story with his drive to create social change at scale, with nature and for future generations to come. ====================================== Show notes: .Common (https://commonnature.uk/) .Open Cinema (https://x.com/weareopencinema) .TedX (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7bXY16QC1E) .Forest Research (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/) .Elinor Ostrom (https://eclass.uoa.gr/modules/document/file.php/PHS542/Ostrom%20-%202008%20-%20Tragedy%20of%20the%20Commons.pdf) .We have the power (https://wehavethepower.org/) .Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/) .Petworth Park (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/petworth) ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/) - Producer Rosanna Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannafarnsworth/) - Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    9 Apr 2025

    Dr. Amy Godfrey

    The canary in the coal mine with Dr. Amy Godfrey: In this first episode of Gut the System, I walk and talk with Amy Godfrey, a former anaesthetics and intensive care doctor. After 13 years training and practising medicine in the NHS, Amy became disenchanted with the healthcare system and was struggling to have the impact she intended to have. She found that the majority of her time was taken up treating patients with life changing but preventable conditions. Amy wanted to change that but it seemed impossible to do whilst working from within. So, she gave up her UK medical license in favour of working further 'upstream', for a venture capital firm called The First Thirty. And it was here that she found a way to have a greater impact on more people's lives. Here are a few of the interesting topics we cover: Preventative medicine - what to look for and which metrics to use, in order to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases Shakira The strains and stresses of working in the NHS Linking the dots between how we produce food, what we eat and how we feel The mandate of The First Thirty Big food's role in transitioning our health and food system Productivity being linked to our physical and mental health And of course UPFs - ultra processed foods The first episode of a series is always a difficult one to pick but Amy's episode, for me, is a testimonial to the poly-crisis we, as a society, are sleep walking into. We've dangerously lost the connection between our food and health. As the old add-age goes 'you are what you eat' and we are becoming processed. Luckily there's a growing swell of nutritionists, doctors, farmers and entrepreneurs who are waking up to this reality. I wanted to air Amy's episode first because she so eloquently lays out why we need to sit up and pay attention but also draws you in with her can do positive attitude. The main take away for me? If our highly trained and sought after medical professionals are leaving the NHS, we need to ask why. We need to take action. If I've said it once I've said it twice, Amy is the canary in the coal mine. ====================================== Show notes: The First Thirty (https://www.tft.vc/) Groundswell (https://groundswellag.com/) Dr. Chris van Tulleken study (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378932197_UPDATE_trial_investigating_the_effects_of_ultra-processed_versus_minimally_processed_diets_following_UK_dietary_guidance_on_health_outcomes_a_protocol_for_an_8-week_community-based_cross-over_randomis) Norman Borlaug (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1970/borlaug/biographical/) RFSI (https://rfsi-forum.com/) Pasture Bird (https://www.pasturebird.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoprq6qVrJcGBkMwcE_O1PzNmQdyTFITq0SVJhmDwSgukQmAZx4X) Walking effecting depression (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39045858/) French children don't throw food (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/20/french-children-food-pamela-druckerman) ====================================== Contact the show: Harry Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-farnsworth-755b2144/) - Host Ned Sedgwick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-sedgwick-08a2b689/) - Producer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    31 Mar 2025

    Gut The System Trailer

    Welcome to my new podcast Gut The System! In this podcast series, I'll be delving into the world of systems thinking, talking to some of the greatest thinkers in the food, farming, health, energy, and policy world as we try and come up with a systems approach to dealing with the problems impacting all of us. Each episode is recorded outside, as we walk the walks that inspired them to make a change in the world. Like, Follow, Subscribe and rate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Gut the System with Harry Farnsworth

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Eugene Scholten
• Tom MacMillan
• Lucy Williamson
• Robert Godfrey
• Dr Jacqueline Stroud

Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

37

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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