Ducks on the Pond on Steno.fm

Ducks on the Pond

A podcast for rural women... by rural women. Hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott, they seek expert advice and the stories of other rural women on issues such as succession planning, motherhood, starting a business...running for politics and much more!

Wed, April 23, 2025
Opportunities in Agtech and Sustainability - Sarah Nolet and Ebony Greaves
We are hearing more and more about the use of agtech for precision farming tech, for water level monitoring, soil carbon accounting, and so much more. So where do you even start? And is it even worth the time and effort? In this episode we look at how you can better engage with these emerging technologies - whether that’s on farm, as an investor, or getting involved in the industry itself. In the future, we can also expect more regulations around sustainability, whether that’s in the form of carbon accounting or another form of environmental governance. So should we be getting ready now? To discuss, we have two industry leaders: Ebony Greaves - CEO of Sea Oak Consulting , which helps agriculture businesses transition to more climate resilient practices. Ebony is based in Victoria’s High Country. Sarah Nolet - CEO and co-founder of Tenacious Ventures , an agrifood venture capital firm and advisory in climate resilient systems. We also have some very frank discussions about the role of women in driving this change. Let's face it, when you get the technology industry mixed with the agriculture industry…. you generally get a lot of men. So, how can we, as women, get more involved to even up the scale? This episode is hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jen McCutcheon. This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Love this podcast? You might also like: Two Smart Blondes and Town Criers . Send us a text
Wed, April 09, 2025
Getting the Issues that Matter to Us on the Political Agenda
We’re in the middle of a Federal election campaign…and you can already see that issues such as the cost of living, housing, health and crime are going to be crucial areas of focus for pretty much any candidate hoping to get elected. But what if the issue that matters most to you, or to your family or your community… is NOT one of those hot button topics? And while we are seeing progress being made in terms of the representation of women in politics, there's still a long way to go before we have true parity on issues that affect women's health, safety, and general wellbeing. So how can rural women make sure they're heard when it comes to raising important issues in the lead up to the election? And how do you have productive and meaningful conversations with people who are on the completely opposite side of the political spectrum? That's what we are talking about in this episode, with our guests: * Cynthia Mahoney - Facilitator, Mentor and Author of “Cultivate: How Neuroscience and Wellbeing Supports Rural Leaders to Thrive” * Gillian Fenell - Farmer at Lambina Station, SA and ‘Agvocate’ This episode is sponsored by ByCC Fine Jewellery . Australian made, ethically sourced, keepsake pieces. Check out the ‘ Beyond the Pond ’ drop made for Ducks on the Pond! This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Love this podcast? You might also like, Two Smart Blondes. Send us a text
Wed, April 02, 2025
Beyond Scones: Season 7 of Ducks on the Pond is coming...
We're coming back! And we're looking at the BIG issues facing Australian rural women. From healthcare, baby loss to climate change... this Season of Ducks is going even bigger than before. We also introduce out Season 7 Sponsor, Ashley Molloy, the founder of ByCC Fine Jewellery. .. and announce an exciting giveaway! This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in podcasting? We can help! Like this pod? You should also check out Two Smart Blondes . Send us a text
Wed, March 19, 2025
Guilt-free and going after what YOU want in life - Karen Foster & Jodie Fleming
Do you have a goal or dream that you want to pursue, but stop yourself because you feel it’s too selfish or you don’t have enough time? Sometimes we women formulate the idea that we need to be of service to others… in order to be loved. And it’s not our fault. This idea can come from messages coming from society, or perhaps from the homes we grew up in. The good news is that we can learn how to reprogramme these unhelpful ways of thinking and get ourselves motivated to pursue what we want, or stop the ‘busyness’ to actually understand what makes us happy. Hear from two experts, who work with women every day, using positive psychology to help them break through their own mental barriers… (while chipping away at the societal ones!) Jodie Fleming - Clinical and Health Psychologist, Warrnambool, VIC Karen Foster - Business and Leadership Development consultant and Mayor of the Moyne Shire, Port Fairy, VIC. Jodie and Karen are part of Rural Women LEAD - a personal and professional development series, running from May - July 2025 across south west Victoria. Book tickets here. Send us a text
Wed, March 05, 2025
Tackling the big, complex issues in agriculture - Catherine Marriott and Kirsten Diprose
Agriculture isn’t just the act of growing crops or tending to the animals, as the dictionary likes to define it. And it's how outsiders can see it too. A bloke with his sheep and cows. Rather, agriculture is a complex system, that impacts and is impacted by a variety of things from government regulation, people, climate change, business, politics etc. And it's also integrated with family systems too (including, women and children!). Therefore stepping into the space of advocacy on an issue in agriculture, can often feel difficult. I am delighted to bring on Catherine Marriott OAM onto the Ducks on the Pond podcast, as part of a collaboration with Australian Rural Leadership Foundation . Catherine (or "Maz") is a systems thinker and beef industry advocate, who has often has to explain to regulators and politicians what shutting down or changing one part of the system will mean to other parts of the system... and beyond. This has given Maz a unique insight into how to make changes in the Ag sector successfully. She talks about her experiences with live export and her recent efforts in the ESG space. You’ll also hear from Claire Delahunty in this episode, another rural woman (and host of Rural Leadership Unearthed ), as our host. With Kirsten Diprose, this time as a guest! THANK YOU to our episode sponsor: Aspen Lou - Rural Interior Design Specialist (She has a special promotion for Ducks listeners too!) This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production Send us a text
Wed, February 26, 2025
Knowledge in Ag is Power pt. 3 - Lifting an entire industry - feat. Emily King, AWI
Tea tree oil and nanotechnology for fly strike and foot-rot resistant sheep…. These are just some of the exciting innovations happening in agriculture. But how do lift an entire sector or industry? It’s not always easy in farming when most of us work alone or with family. But in this episode, you'll hear about the benefits of taking part in extension programs, learning from research trials, and even just forming local groups to learn from your neighbours. Emily King is the National Extension Manager for Australian Wool Innovation . She's based in Dubbo and in her role, delivers a range of programs to help growers improve their production and trial the latest in research. In this episode, Emily discusses some of the latest innovations for wool production and sheep as well as some of the most successful extension programs that are still being delivered today. So if you’re keen to improve farming practices and production not just on your farm, but for your whole community or industry, this episode is for you! This is the third and final episode in our Knowledge is Power series that we're making in collaboration with Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) . Make sure you listen to the other two episodes: “ Building a farm business from scratch ” - feat. Dr Lexi Leonard and “ Managing the Family Farm ” - feat. Rachael McGrath. More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198 This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Wed, February 19, 2025
Knowledge in Ag is Power Pt.2 - Building a Farming Business From Scratch - Dr Lexie Leonard
Owning a home these days is hard enough, so what about building your own farm from scratch? Dr Lexie Leonard is a vet, an animal health trainer and a farmer who is building her own farming business alongside her husband and their young children in Balmoral, Victoria. Originally from the suburbs of Melbourne, Lexie would never have predicted she would grow up to be a farmer. And it has been a steep learning curve at times. In part two of this collaboration series with RIST, Lexie shares her story of how she gained the skills and knowledge to run a farm and grow the business. She talks about the importance of goal setting and prioritising time to help you achieve your big dreams. The road to farm ownership may not be easy, but it is possible. Thank you to our episode sponsor: Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198 This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Wed, February 12, 2025
Knowledge in Ag is Power - Part 1. Managing the Family Farm - Rachel McGrath
Women have a powerful voice in agriculture, but would you call it equal to men? In Australia, there are more than 88, 000 women working in agriculture across multiple industries. The numbers are growing, but women only make makes up one third of the overall ag workforce. There are also fewer women in positions of seniority, while research shows daughters only inherit the farm about 10 percent of the time. It's a complex problem, but a key leveller is undoubtedly education and knowledge. So in this 3 part-series, sponsored by RIST , we meet three women who have gained knowledge and power to make big things happen in their fields - from farm ownership, to becoming recognised leaders and change agents in agriculture. In this episode, we meet Rachael McGrath, winner of the 2024 Young Dairy Leader Award. At 30 years old, Rachael is managing her family's dairy farm at Orford, in south-west Victoria. She's a lover of genetics, with her own Jersey and Swiss Brown stud. But it's actually quite amazing that Rachel has such a passion for farming... because growing up, it wasn't easy. Her family came close to losing their entire livelihood, after a tragic quad bike accident in which a man who worked on the farm was killed and another employee was seriously injured. A farm fatality is every farmer's worst nightmare. And yet here's Rachel, now building her own dream of running a farm. Thank you to our episode sponsor: Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198 This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Tue, February 11, 2025
Two Smart Blondes - for Lovers of Film, TV, News and Pop Culture! Feat. Leila McDougall and Kate Atkinson (Sea Change, Wentworth)
New podcast alert! If you're into film, TV, pop culture, the media, and what it actually means for us, then you'll love Two Smart Blondes. Kirsten Diprose (who you know from Ducks on the Pond!) is hosting with film-maker Leila McDougall. Each week they also bring on a special guest, who has insight into the media/film world. The first episode has just dropped and we get the inside goss on the AACTA awards, how the new Bridget Jones movie will translate to a modern audience and chat about the new Netflix series, Apple Cider Vinegar. Is it glorifying scammers? This is just a taste of our first episode of Two Smart Blondes , which we release basically unedited.... and that's going to become clear right away. Send us a text
S6 E10 · Wed, January 22, 2025
Paving the way for more women in country footy - Tara McGrath-West and Bec Malseed
Chances are, when you were growing up, the idea of becoming a professional female footballer or even a female footy umpire for men’s games… was simply impossible. But NOW, it is. And that’s awesome. However it’s throwing up a few issues; such as how can women achieve pay parity with the men? How can we ensure women are safe playing the game (acknowledging that women’s bodies are different to men’s bodies)? In this episode we meet two passionate pioneers of women’s footy. Yes, we cover both AFL and NRL (whatever ‘footy’ means to you!): Tara McGrath-West - NRLW player - a ‘workhorse’ middle forward for the St George Illawarra Dragons. Originally from Harden, NSW Bec Malseed - one of the only female umpires for AFL Victoria men's games (she umpires for women too!), based in Hamilton, VIC. These women don’t shy away from the hard questions around getting their professions the recognition and remuneration they deserve. EPISODE SPONSOR: Squadron Energy - Australian owned renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns energy assets for local communities. Squadron Energy is also the Major Partner of the Dragons’ NRL and NRLW teams. Send us a text
S6 E9 · Wed, January 08, 2025
How to turn your career skills into a business - Rebecca Saunders and Paige Cross
If you’ve spent a decade or more building a professional career - the idea of starting a business might seem out of reach. But you have plenty of skills already, in fact you are probably REALLY good at a couple of things… that people will actually pay you for. In this episode, hear from two rural women who talk about how you can use your established skills, networks and passion to start a business. All you need to do is plug the gaps in your knowledge. (And work pretty bloody hard). * Rebecca Saunders - serial entrepreneur, business coach and founder of the Champagne Lounge, Mudgee NSW * Paige Cross - founder and owner of Cross Country Management, former agribusiness manager for NAB, Greater Adelaide region, SA. We discuss whether you need to identify a problem first to have a business, how to tap into your established network and how to find mentors. Also, how do you know when to spend money to make money? EPISODE SPONSOR: The Hamilton Hamper - we are delighted to have such a wonderful brand sponsoring us for this episode! Send us a text
S6 E9 · Wed, December 25, 2024
Convincing your partner (or yourself!) to book a holiday (Popular re-release)
If you can’t get your partner to book a holiday with you… would you just go without them? That’s just one of the tips and tricks we discuss in this episode on how to convince your partner to go on a holiday… because we all know what farmers can be like. We also look at the research behind the benefits of taking a break and the psychological barriers around taking time away from the farm that our partner (or even ourselves) might have. And we get some practical advice about how to discuss this issue with your partner, how to get the farm and household ready to leave and clever ways to save for a trip. This episode, from 2023, is one of our most popular so we are replaying it for you over the holidays! It features: Chantal Corish – Psychologist and PhD Candidate, based in Goondiwindi, QLD Carmen Quade – Director of AgriFocused, a business skills consultancy, based in Tallimba, NSW By the end of this episode, we want you to find the answer to break through whatever holiday barrier you have... to get that get away booked! ** This episode is sponsored by Alison Hamilton, farm office coach and creator of the Functioning Farm Office . This episode was originally released in April 2023. If you would like to sponsor an episode, email us: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S2 E8 · Wed, December 11, 2024
Why you’re allowed to care about the clothes you wear - Marion Saunders and Olivia Thwaites
When it comes to WHAT you wear, do you ever feel damned if you do care, but also damned if you don’t? Clothing is not trivial, it’s actually an expression of self. This episode is not about needing to look like a supermodel or spend ridiculous amounts of money on clothes (gosh, there’s enough pressure on us as women to do that already!). Rather, it’s about how looking and feeling good has value - whether you’re a busy mum, struggling with changes to your body or just wanting to look good at work, including if you’re on a farm or worksite. Our next guests aren’t here to tell you ‘how to look good,’ for them it’s more about how you feel and dressing to express your inner self. Hear from: *Marion Sauders - creator of ‘ Maz Life Styles ,’ an over 50s fashion influencer with 150+ Instagram followers, from Carinda NSW * Olivia Thwaites - founder of Green Hip Workwear , Geelong VIC Both guests noticed a need not being met, when it comes to women’s fashion. Marion’s kids helped set her up on Instagram ten years ago and she wondered, why doesn’t anyone look like me? So she started her own fashion account for people just like her. Now it’s enjoyed by thousands of women all over the world. Olivia is a horticulturalist who was tired of having to wear uncomfortable men’s clothes to work. She couldn’t find anything decent for women, so she started designing and making it herself. Now you can find Green Hip workwear in stockists all over the country… and she’s just signed an exciting contract with Bunnings. EPISODE SPONSOR: Gro Events Group - hear from founder Dimity Smith, at the end of this episode. Thank you for your support! If you liked this episode you might also like: Is your farmwear or work tools sexist? - Chelsea Christensen and Liz Bresinger How to build a brand with a bigger purpose - Sallie Jones and Elizabeth Hermann Getting your next big idea off the ground - Angie Armstrong and Natalie Egleton Send us a text
S2 E7 · Wed, November 27, 2024
Making friends when you’re new to town or want to expand your circle
Episode sponsor: Dimity Smith, Founder of GRO Rural If you’ve moved to a small town or even moved back to your hometown, after a long time away… how do you make friends? There are suggestions that Australia is in the middle of a loneliness epidemic; in fact one in three people experience it. Country towns are pretty good at welcoming people in, but making close, meaningful relationships takes time and it takes effort. In this episode we get advice from two experts and women who have experienced being the new girl in town, first-hand. (So have the hosts, Kirsten Diprose and Jen McCutcheon!) Malinda Guest - psychologist at Boundless Psychology , who after a long time living elsewhere, returned to her hometown, Narrabri, NSW. Katja Williiams - farmer and creator of The Ultimate Farm Wife podcast and You Tube channel, who moved to Dubbo, NSW. We talk about strategies to meet local people, how to find those who share common values and interests and how long it takes to form deep connections. And we’re all adults here… so if a seemingly likely friendship doesn’t work out, that’s ok too! Send us a text
S6 E5 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Does HOW we talk about our rural men, matter? Part 2 with Louise O'Neill
Does how we talk about men influence the massive problem of violence against women? There are conversations we need to have in broader society about family violence. But where are the men? How do we get our men to actively participate in a stand to stop violence against women? This is a tricky conversation. Clearly, it would be great if men just stop being violent. But telling men to simply ‘stop it,’ isn’t working. And this is certainly NOT about blaming women. This is more about how do we make family violence prevention a whole of community thing? So not just something for “women's groups” to tackle. We need a multifaceted approach. And we need the men to come along with us. In part 2 of this series, we speak to Louise O’Neill , a rural counsellor and founder of Farm Life Fitness , based in Denmark, WA. Louise is challenging the unhelpful and unhealthy expectations that can heavily influence the mental health and lives of both rural men and women. This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Would you like to create your own podcast? We can help! Find out how. Send us a text Send us a text
S6 E5 · Wed, October 30, 2024
Does HOW we talk about rural men, matter? Part 1 with Leila McDougall
With gender roles for men not being as defined as perhaps they once were, what does this mean for our rural men who grew up with certain ideas of 'what a man should look like?' Does how we talk about our blokes matter too? Whether that's whinging about our husbands who seem to always miss kids bath time... or on a broader societal level about what men should or shouldn't be? This is a tough issue for a women's-centred podcast to dive into. But if we're ever going to tackle two major killers in rural Australia; suicide and family violence, we need to have some tough conversations. This is a 2 part deep dive into two complex problems. In this episode we speak to Leila McDougall , producer of the movie "Just a Farmer, " about gender roles, the pressures of generational farming, and our own roles as wives, mothers and daughters. She's also a farmer and mother in Tatyoon, in the western districts of Victoria. Suicide rates amongst farmers in Australia is 94% higher than non-farmers. On average one farmer dies by suicide every 10 days. And it's mostly men. In Part 2 of this series, we dive into family violence and how we can better involve men in these difficult conversations to help prevent violence against women. Send us a text
Wed, October 16, 2024
Balancing Big Goals and Chronic Illness
**EPISODE SPONSOR: Moore Australia ** Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a massive change. And most people who have experienced this, speak about a grieving process for your old life and even your old identity, especially if it was based on being physically active. But our two guests insist a medical condition is not the end of your life. In fact, they say their illnesses have forced them to be innovative, creative and push for change - resulting in opportunities that never would have opened up for them otherwise. This episode is not just for people who are dealing with health conditions - it’s for their friends, family and colleagues (so everyone really). We can all learn how to be more inclusive and supportive of people who can’t do the same things we can. Hear from: Chrissy Symeonakis - who founded PR firm, Creative Little Soul in 2013, not long after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Chrissy grew up in Renmark, SA and has many rural clients. She has designed a workplace that not only helps her to balance her health needs, but also provides the same flexibility to her employees (many of whom also have an illness or are busy rural Mums). Kelly Barnes - a mental health and wellbeing advocate based in Dunkeld, VIC. Kelly was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2015. She was named the Victorian Rural Women’s Award Victorian Winner in 2020 for developing workshops using working dogs to help spark conversations about mental health. She says her own experience with chronic disease was the catalyst to realising the significant role dogs can play in a person’s wellbeing. Thank you to our episode sponsor: Moore Australia Would you like to sponsor an episode of Ducks on the Pond? Contact us here. This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Would you like to create your own podcast? We can help! Find out how. Send us a text
S6 E3 · Wed, October 02, 2024
Are bricks and mortar stores dead?
**EPISODE SPONSOR: Rural Women’s Day ** There’s this persistent notion that starting up a retail store in the main street of town is just too hard. From the high rents, cost of living crisis, to the relatively low foot traffic in country towns, finding a physical space to sell things, the ‘ye olde way’ can seem impossible. But in this episode, we meet three business owners who have found success by leaning into the community side of their business. Economically, this might not make a lot of sense at first. How do you put a price on community? Well, in the country, it’s worth something. The Botanic House in Nagambie, VIC and Workshop 26 in Kimba, SA have transformed their local streetscapes, created a community space with good coffee and atmosphere, as well as a retail store to sell their wares. This episode features: · Krystie Holley – Founder and owner of The Botanic House in Nagambie, VIC · Heather Baldock – Co-Founder of Workshop 26 and owner of High Street Vintage · Danna Kassebaum – Owner of Zozo and Ace So if you dream of opening up a store in your town, you will learn A LOT from this episode! Thank you to our episode sponsor: Rural Women’s Day . Book to attend an event near you in October 2024. Would you like to sponsor an episode of Ducks on the Pond? Contact us here. This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Would you like to create your own podcast? We can help! Find out how. Send us a text
S6 E2 · Wed, September 18, 2024
Getting Your Next Big Idea Off the Ground - Angie Armstrong & Natalie Egleton
** Episode Sponsor: Cheeky Mac Productions - do the 1000 Rural Women Survey! We’re full of good ideas here in the country. So how do you access the funds and the people to make it happen? It’s important for community projects and local businesses to come from the bottom up. It’s the people on the ground who know what’s actually needed and how to best deliver it. But so many grants and programs are top-down. In this episode we hear from two women who are making big ideas happen, using grassroots methods. Hear from: Angie Armstrong - Owner of Callubri Station , a commercial farm and agritourism business in Buddabadah, NSW. Natalie Egleton – CEO of Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), based in Maldon, VIC. Angie Armstrong shares her journey of setting up an agritourism business in central West NSW, including the challenges of getting tourists to travel further than Dubbo. She explains how she tapped into tourism bodies to find support and her approach to remaining innovative in business. Natalie Egleton explains how FRRR supports community-led initiatives and the types of projects the philanthropic organisation funds. We hope this episode will help you to get your next big idea off the ground! Thank you to Cheeky Mac Productions for sponsoring this episode. Make sure you help them out by doing the 1000 Rural Women Survey! Would you like to sponsor an episode of Ducks on the Pond? Contact us here. This is a Rural Podcasting Co . production. Would you like to create your own podcast? We can help! Send us a text
S6 E1 · Wed, September 04, 2024
Can you have a screen career in the country?
**Sponsored by the Victorian Women’s Trust - Check out Rural Women Online , free digital skills platform. There’s this idea that if you want to make it in film, you need to move to the city. But is that really true? In this episode, we meet Jospehine Croft. She’s a film producer and actor, based in Melbourne, but is part of a movement that’s making film more accessible to women. This includes job sharing on film sets, shorter hours and looking after the mental health of film crews. Josephine, who runs Tenacious Stories , also talks about opportunities for rural women who want to work in film. In fact, part of her most recent production, “The Returned” has been filmed in Wannon, near Hamilton in western Victoria. She also discusses the challenges facing the Australian film industry, and remembers what it was like being a young actor in the 1990s and early 2000s (this includes her role as an angsty teenager in Neighbours who burnt down Lou Carpenter’s bus!) **Thank you to the Victorian Women’s Trust for sponsoring this episode. They are running free digital workshops in Yackandandah 11 - 14 September. Head to Rural Women Online to register! Would you like to sponsor an episode of Ducks on the Pond? Let us know! This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Send us a text
Thu, June 27, 2024
BONUS: Is it better to raise your kids on a farm or in the city?
Is parenting on a farm different to parenting in the city? What are our farm kids missing out on... and do the benefits of farm life out way the drawbacks? In this bonus episode we welcome the hosts of The Barnyard Language podcast , which is an American podcast, focused on 'real talk about running farms and raising families.' But don't be fooled into thinking they are cutesy farm ladies - these are a wickedly funny and slightly sarcastic pair. Arlene Hunter is a dairy farmer from Ontario, Canada and Caite Palmer is a sheep/beef producer from Iowa in the U S. While there are obvious differences between Australia, Canada and the US... when it comes to the rollercoaster of raising kids in remote areas, we have A LOT in common. We talk about everything from postnatal depression and the baby years. Right up to succession planning and raising kids that are proficient in "city", as much as they are in "farm". This is a Rural Podcasting Co production. ** Interested in sponsoring an episode? Drop us a line on the Ducks on the Pond website . Send us a text
Wed, June 05, 2024
Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt3) - Hormones and Happy Chemicals - Dr Belinda Bell
**COLLABORATION WITH LETS TALK** Gosh it’s fun, being a woman. So how much of how we’re feeling is actually at the whim of our hormones and brain chemicals? In our final episode of our 3-part collaboration series with Lets Talk, we chat about the ways we can naturally boost our moods, through what we eat and what we do, on a daily basis. These are simple tips, like getting sunlight, enjoying nature and avoiding refined sugars, that can have a big impact on your life. Dr Belinda Bell, a GP based in Warrnambool in south-west Vic is our guest. She experienced depression when she was younger and was even told she shouldn’t talk about it, because it might be used against her. But she didn’t listen and is now on the Board of the Lets Talk Foundation and finds her patients actually appreciate her openness about her mental health. Dr Bell, also hugs her patients. Her empathy is her superpower. Hear her story and insight into what’s going on with our bodies, (from periods, to pregnancy, to menopause) that can be wreaking havoc with our emotions. Abby Power, of Lets Talk also joins us again as co-host with Kirsten Diprose. Make sure you listen to all 3 episodes in this special “Self Care is Not Selfish” series, with the Lets Talk Foundation. Please Note: The views expressed in this episode are our own, we are not providing any medical advice This is a Rural Podcasting Co production. Send us a text
Wed, May 29, 2024
Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt2) - How to support others, while looking after yourself - Jenna Robinson
* *COLLAB SERIES WITH LET'S TALK ** A conversation can save someone's life. So, when someone you care about is not OK, how do you start the conversation? And just as importantly, make sure it leads to that person taking action (such as talking to a GP). In Part 2 of this series on "Self Care is Not Selfish," we look at how to foster deeper conversations about mental well-being, while also knowing your own limits and boundaries in helping someone else out. Jenna Robinson, a running coach based in Birregurra, VIC and volunteer for the Let's Talk Foundation shares her own experience of post-natal depression. She describes how a conversation with a friend, was the beginning of her journey to recovery. We're also joined by Abbi Power from Let's Talk, as co-host, along with regular host, Kirsten Diprose. Both women have also experienced post natal depression and remember the conversations that led them to take action and ultimately get better. This is a conversation about having important conversations. It's full of different strategies about how to validate feelings, listen and employ the campfire analogy (that one is so you don't scare away the blokes with too much eye contact!). We also discuss mental health first aid training and what to do if you're helping someone in a crisis situation. Are you interested in a collaboration series? Or sponsoring an episode? Download our Sponsorship prospectus from our website This is a Rural Podcasting Co production. Send us a text
Wed, May 22, 2024
Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt1) - Abbi Power & Karen Foster
How did we get to that point, where we think having a shower... or going grocery shopping alone is "self care?" . It isn't. In this 3-part collaboration series with Let's Talk , a charity with the goal of breaking down the stigma around mental health, we delve into self-care; why it’s not selfish,and how do it properly. We address how to challenge that 'little voice' in your head that tells you, you don't have time to look after yourself. You can even name that little voice. We did. And we also look self care from a men's perspective; we know a lot of rural men like to go to the pub... but is that self care? Hear from: * Karen Foster - Professional Mentor, and Board Chair at Let's Talk, Port Fairy VIC * Abbi Power - Community Activation Lead at Let's Talk and mother of twins, Naracoorte, SA Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co . If you'd like to Collaborate or advertise on Ducks on the Pond, check out our options here. We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text
Wed, May 01, 2024
Does the Farm Always Have to Come First?- Claire Booth & Chloe Brown
** EPISODE SPONSORED BY JOY JOHNS WINES ** Does the farm always HAVE to come first? We meet two very successful women in agriculture who are challenging this traditional concept of 'the farm comes first'. To do this, they have both come up with unique business models. Instead of shaping their lives around the farm; they're shaping the farm around their family and other career and business goals. Hear from: Chloe Brown - a dairy farmer in south west Victoria, who has pushed back on the 'get big or get out' mentality of modern dairying to build a business with her husband, that works for their young family. Chloe is also reshaping perceptions of the industry through her podcast, More Than Milk. Claire Booth - while Claire doesn’t like to call herself a farmer, she plays an integral role in her family’s farming business Booth Ag, which is based in Geurie in central west NSW. She also runs her own law firm in Dubbo. Both Claire and Chloe discuss how they've managed to define their business roles and manage this alongside with their roles as 'wife' and 'mother'. They talk about how they gained confidence and learnt about the business of farming too, as first time farmers. Thank you to our Episode Sponsor, Joy Johns Wines ** Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch via our website. This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co Send us a text
S5 E10 · Wed, April 17, 2024
Becoming a "Bush Podpreneur" - How Six Rural Podcasters Built Their Audio Empires
This Episode is Sponsored by: Creative Little Soul Yes, we invented the term “Bush Podpreneur.” But that’s because there’s a phenomenon that’s been happening in rural Australia that we need to recognise. “Bush Podpreneur” captures the way rural women are producing podcasts in entrepreneurial ways to build community, social connections and even businesses and income. In this special episode, Kirsten Diprose is joined by guest co-host Dr Maria Rae, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Policy at Deakin University to unpack why and how rural women are starting their own podcasts and what it means for them. You’ll hear from six rural women podcasters: Skye Manson, founder of Manson Podcasting Network, Gunning, NSW Kimberley Furness, founder of Oak Magazine , Bendigo VIC Katrina Myers, This Rural Life , Barham NSW Stephanie Coombes, Central Station Podcast, Katherine, NT Stephanie Tretheway, Motherland , TAS Samantha Meurant, Rural Compass, Cunnamulla, QLD We discuss the realities of creating a podcast (including time and money), the opportunities podcasting can bring you and how to manage the duty of care you have to your guests, especially when they’ve emotionally opened up to you. The podcast market is becoming increasingly saturated, but the listenership continues to grow in Australia. The latest figures (2023) show 43% of Australians regularly listen to podcasts. And that's up quite significantly from four years ago when it was about 25%. Read the academic paper written by Dr Maria Rae and Kirsten Diprose: Bush Podpreneurs: How Rural Women Podcast Producers Are Building Digital and Social Connectivity *** EPISODE SPONSORSHIP Thank you to Chrissy Symeonakis , founder of Creative Little Soul for sponsoring this episode. If you’d like to sponsor an episode (or a series!) of Ducks on the Pond, get in
S5 E9 · Wed, April 03, 2024
I've Found My Pelvic Floor, Now What Do I Do With It? - Courtenay Polock
You’ll laugh so hard in this episode, you’ll wet yourself. But then, learn how you can fix that wee problem of yours too! Many of us probably never thought about our pelvic floor, until we had a baby. Perhaps you were sent home with exercises to tighten it up.But did you know, your pelvic floor can be too tight? Or that stress, hormonal changes, lifting heavy things, and even constipation can all potentially lead to pelvic floor issues? We meet Courtenay Polock (Wodonga, VIC), who is an accredited exercise physiologist, specialising in women's health. She launched Her Exercise Physiology , which is a virtual clinic, helping women through video consultations. It makes sense that many of her clients are rural women. In this episode, we learn what causes pelvic pain, what a prolapse is, what happens if your pelvic floor is too tight and just about the way women's pain is treated in general. Ever heard of a wandering womb? It's one of those lovely old phrases for women's problems that no one cared to understand back in the day… we talk about that too. So brush aside any awkwardness and hit play! **Would you like to sponsor an episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out here to thousands of rural women? Email us at ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S5 E8 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Why is it just Mums who can see the childcare crisis in rural Australia?
Are we allowed to call it a 'crisis yet?" As any Mum in rural and regional Australia and they can tell you stress and the cost of not having access to reliable childcare. Rural women are waiting months if they are 'lucky', but it is not unusual now to wait years for a place in childcare. The Parenthood has released a report, called "Choiceless" which sheds light on the difficult experiences more than 150 women around the country have had. According to the report about 450 towns with a population under 3, 000 do not have centre based daycare. This is affecting the careers of women in the country and also the development of children, who aren't always school-ready by the age they should be. The housing crisis and labour shortage is directly linked to the lack of childcare options too, yet you don't hear about it in the media, nearly as much. So we are. Hear from: Tara Rich - Mother and Communications Professional, who has spent nearly a decade looking for suitable childcare for her family. Maddy Butler - Campaign Director at the Parenthood, who is advocating for the Federal Government to better fund a multi-level approach to improving childcare options. There's no single solution to this. It's complex, but the Parenthood is arguing for a National Workforce Strategy to boost childcare educator numbers in rural and regional Australia. ** Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast. Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co (We can help YOU make a podcast!) Send us a text
S5 E7 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Do You Need a Book? A Podcast? Tik Tok? Finding the right marketing strategy
Do you own a small rural or regional business and feel bogged down or just completely overwhelmed by the thought of marketing? Do you use Facebook or Instagram, but aren't sure where to turn, to take your business to the next level and build your community? Top social media and marketing consultant, Jenn Donovan has recently released a book; Small town, Big impact: 107 Simple Marketing Strategies for Regional Business Success. Jenn is a country girl, who lives in Yarrawonga, NSW. So she actually understands rural and regional life. In this episode, we discuss Why you should't be afraid of sending emails to your list How to create a lead generator (for emails) The difference between posting on social media and a social media strategy How to decide if you should be adding Tik Tok, a book or even a podcast into your suite of marketing channels Is Twitter (or X, as it's known these days) a dead channel these days?! Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast. Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com We also do collaboration series - we'd love to hear your idea! This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co (We can help YOU make a podcast!) Send us a text
S5 E6 · Wed, February 21, 2024
What's happening to 'volunteerism' in the country? - Collab with Married to the Land's Angie Nisbet
Is 'volunteerism dead... or dying'? We know volunteer numbers in the city are dropping, but are our rural volunteers feeling burnt out too? And why is often the same few people doing all the hard work? Angie Nisbet, host and creator of " Married to the Land " podcast joins us for this special collaboration episode of Ducks on the Pond. Angie lives in north-western QLD, 80 km south of Hughenden, where she's a rural mother, wife, grazier, podcast host... and dedicated community volunteer, including at the Fashions on the Field, at the Cloncurry Race Day. But, with many women now balancing work and family responsibilities, finding spare time to volunteer can be daunting. Yet so many of our schools, sporting clubs, local events and fire services rely on volunteers to function. Kirsten and Jackie volunteer locally too. All three of us love it. But there have been some tough lessons along the way. So, join us for some very candid conversations about volunteering in the country and the demands of modern life. This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. ***Are you a rural woman looking to get your brand in front of other rural women? Well hello! We're looking for episode sponsors! Email us at ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a DM over Instagram for more information. Send us a text
S5 E5 · Wed, February 07, 2024
Celebrating End of Life - Becky Barry & Colleen Hughson
Why do we have such a tough time acknowledging that death, is part of life? If you talk about death, you might be considered morbid, or worry that you'll upset someone. But is our fear of planning for death, actually preventing us from celebrating the life our loved ones lived? In this episode, we hear from two rural women who are changing the way we approach death, to better honour the lives of the deceased and help those left behind grieve: * Becky Barry - marriage celebrant turned funeral celebrant, from the Wimmera, VIC. Becky is breaking away from more traditional services to help families host the kind of celebration their loved one would have loved to attend. From bottles of champagne, to AC/DC music... it's all about celebrating how someone lived, not how they died. * Colleen Hughson - freelance filmmaker and creator of 'legacy videos' in Warrnambool, VIC. Colleen is helping to preserve the stories and memories of loved ones, by creating meaningful videos, by interviewing someone while they're still alive. These videos may be played at funerals, or viewed by families later, as a special keepsake and piece of family history. This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. ***Are you a rural woman looking to get your brand in front of other rural women? Well hello! We're looking for episode sponsors! Email us at ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a DM over Instagram for more information. Send us a text
S5 E4 · Wed, January 24, 2024
What It's Like to Be Outspoken in Ag - Gillian Fennell
Being outspoken in agriculture can mean taking on vegan activists, the Government and even other members of the agriculture industry.... all in one day. Gillian Fennell is a South Australian cattle farmer who is not afraid to call out misinformation and spin when it comes to farming. She has gained a significant following on social media for her ability to cut through the media noise. In this episode, Gillian discusses some of the major media debates in agriculture at the moment, including: * Hemp versus cotton * Whether eating meat is good or bad for the environment * The ethics of live export. Gillian breaks down these often heavily politicised topics, with evidence and considered thought... all delivered in her straight-up, Aussie style. Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast. Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com We also do collaboration series - we'd love to hear your idea! This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
S5 E3 · Wed, January 10, 2024
Your Big Dream is Not Over - Jasmine Mansbridge & Maggie Hartley
Have you ever felt like you missed the opportunity to chase your big life dream? Perhaps you feel like you're 'too old' now or the juggle of farming life or kids has made it impossible? This episode is about proving those beliefs wrong. We meet two women who are building two creative careers, while living rurally and raising children. * Jasmine Mansbridge - Artist based in Hamilton, VIC. Jasmine is known for her striking geometric-style paintings, murals and sculptures. She now showcases her work all over Australia and overseas. Jasmine is also the mother of five and shares how she built a dream career over time, that she can support her family with. * Maggie Hartley aka Soulty Music - Singer and songwriter, based in Hamilton, VIC. Maggie started releasing and performing her music just a few years ago (as a 30-something mother of three!). She shares how she thinks of music hooks while playing lego with her kids and how she found the courage to put herself forward for local music gigs. Jasmine and Maggie are at different stages of their 'big dream' journey - but both offer some practical advice and even 'hard truths'. Pursuing your dream rarely ever easy - but it's incredibly rewarding. This episode has been sponsored by Farmers2Founders . Applications are now open for their TekWomen program! Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast. Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com We also do collaboration series - we'd love to hear your idea! This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
S5 E2 · Wed, December 27, 2023
Popular Re-Release: Lisa Millar, ABC TV Host
You can grow up in the country, or choose to live in the country... and still have an extraordinary life. Lisa Millar, host of ABC News Breakfast and former foreign correspondent is a perfect example of this. She began her life on a dairy farm in the small QLD town of Kilkivan. But she always had big ambitions to be a journalist and to travel the world. And turns out, she did precisely that. But her success hasn't always been easy. In this episode she talks about: * Some of the big stories she covered as a foreign correspondent, including the devastating and tragic Sandy Hook School Shooting in the US, in 2012. *Her unique childhood, growing up in rural Australia, but also with a Dad who became the Federal Member for Wide Bay. * Dealing with social media trolling as a TV host and sexist comments based on appearance. * Why there's no better advocate in life for you, than yourself (and how to do this!) APPLY NOW! This episode re-release is sponsored by Food Futures - check out their Circular Value Program for startup ideas tackling food waste. It's free! (Funded by the NSW Government). You'll also hear from Anna Phillips , Food and Beverage Innovation at Food Futures. Ducks on the Pond is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co Send us a text
S5 E1 · Wed, December 13, 2023
Fertility Options in the Bush - The Funny Side of a Serious Issue
So what's funny about fertility? For anyone going through the 'fertility treatment journey', probably not a lot. But we meet two rural women who are sharing their stories; the ups, the downs... and the downright funny ... as a way to break the silence and stigma around what actually happens in assisted reproduction. From being told you have 'juicy follicles," to having to keep a sperm sample warm while racing down a country highway... these are just some of the strange realities of what it can take to make a baby in the regions. Hear from: * Dimity Smith - founder of GRO Group , based in Tamworth NSW. Dimity has decided to freeze her eggs, so she can have the option of having children when the time is right for her. * Jennifer McCutcheon - ABC journalist in Dubbo, and based on a farm in Gilgandra, NSW. Jen talks about a highway sperm dash to the lab, as the best option they had, due to the lack of fertility services in regional Australia. Infact, there is a lack of fertility and women's health options across rural and regional Australia. We dive into the deeper issues of healthcare for women... and whether we have a 'right' to have a baby Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast which has had 58 thousand downloads. Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This podcast is brought to you by Rural Podcasting Co . Want to launch your own podcast? Or want us to make a podcast for you? Book a call or send a message! Send us a text
Wed, November 22, 2023
Dealing with Stress Pt. 3 - When you and your partner are running on empty
Should you go to sleep on an argument with your partner? Why do we sometimes get along better with our partner... when we are away from each other? Step Schmidt, founder of Farm Life Psych and South Australian farmer, answers these questions and so much more, in this third and final episode in our Dealing With Stress collaboration series. In this episode, Steph gives us practical tips, to help us turn up as the best version of ourselves in our relationships. Harvest, shearing, sowing... these are all times when both partners or even the entire family unit is likely to be feeling under pressure. We discuss a realistic approach to nurturing our closest relationships when times are hard. Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code! ** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Email us: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Wed, November 15, 2023
Dealing with Stress Pt. 2 - Sorting yourself out first
When it comes to managing your stress levels, do you need to sort yourself out? We can be so busy with life that we forget to do those little things, that keep us level headed and bring us back to centre, after a stressful time. So in part 2 of our collaboration series with Steph Schmidt, of Farm Life Pscyh, we discuss how to find the good de-stressing activities that work for you. No, going for the chocolate bar or glass of wine every night is not the answer. Although Steph explains we so often do that. We also talk about the importance of not taking on too much, knowing our values and how to know whether you're in the right frame of mind to be making those big life decisions like selling the farm or quitting your job. Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code! ** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Get it touch! ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Mon, November 13, 2023
SPECIAL: Why there's a "rally cry" by farmers for mental health
When a small group of farmers put their hands up to say, "Hey, our community needs help." You listen. So we're supporting the Farmers Helping Our Own initiative, which is running workshops across parts of New South Wales and Queensland. They say it's a rally cry; to help farmers dealing with the current perfect storm of high input costs, high interest rates, dry conditions, and low cattle prices. There are tough farming decisions being made right now. Or worse; not being made. People are stuck. In this episode we speak to one of the organisers, grazier at Chesney Pastoral, Gem Green. Just 8 weeks ago, Gem along with a few other farmers, noticed the need in the community. So, instead of waiting until crisis point, they wanted to be proactive in creating a safe and open space, to combat decision-paralysis and improve farmer wellbeing. There are 10 workshops from Roma, down to Cooma: Monday, 13 November – Roma, Explorers Inn Wednesday, 15 November – Goondiwindi, Gateway To Training Thursday, 16 November – Inverell, Inverell Services Club Friday, 17 November – Tamworth, Sanctuary Inn Saturday, 18 November – Hernani, Hernani Hall Monday, 20 November – Narrabri, Crossing Theatre Tuesday, 21 November – Walgett, Barwon Inn Wednesday, 22 November – Dubbo, Quality Inn Thursday, 23 November – Bathurst, Bathurst RSL Friday, 24 November – Cooma, The Alpine Hotel All workshops are free of charge but do require registration, via bit.ly/farmershelpingourown This is a Rural Podcasting Co production. Send us a text
Wed, November 08, 2023
Dealing with Stress: Pt 1 - Is it "just stress" or something bigger?
It's hard to imagine farm life, without stress. But how do you know, if you're "just a bit stressed" or that perhaps you might need to look more seriously at your mental health? This is the first episode of a 3-part series on "Dealing with Stress", featuring Stephanie Schmidt of Farm Life Psych. Steph is a clinical psychologist, South Australian farmer and mother of three. So, she gets it. Steph shares her own mental health struggles, including post natal depression... and the strategies she uses to better deal with every day farm stress. For many farmers, these past few years have been incredibly tough, going from droughts, to floods and even fires... with two years of Covid-19 lockdowns in the middle. So what's the effect of cumulative stress? And how can we better cope? Stress is also hormonal. Women react differently to external pressures depending on where we are in our menstrual cycle. It's great to be a woman right?! But understanding this, can make life a lot easier. So, breathe in... and out... and listen to the first episode in this 3 part series aimed at reducing the stress in your relationships, in your farm life... and making that little voice in your head, a whole lot friendlier! Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code! ** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Get it touch! ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Send us a text
Wed, October 18, 2023
Soil Carbon Projects - Pt 2. How to build one
Starting a soil carbon project is exciting right? Well it is... but there are a few Government regulation hoops you'll need to jump through. In part two of our series on how to build a soil carbon project, Sarah Whinney of Chatsworth House Pastoral , offers her advice on how to make sure you start off on the right foot, from project registration to making sure you have "a newness factor" (which is a government requirement). Sarah explains how she, along with her husband Tom, approached baselining their grazing property in Victoria's Western Districts, as well as testing for soil carbon. She also speaks about the work she's done on her personal and business mindset and how it's helped in their transition from a more traditional mixed farm, to adopting regenerative grazing practices. This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co . Want to make your own podcast? We can help! Interested in doing a collaboration with Ducks on the Pond? Let us know: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
Wed, October 11, 2023
Soil Carbon Projects - Pt 1. Should you have one?
Ever considered starting a soil carbon project? It's hard to decide if it's right for your farm and what the opportunities might be in the future. So, in this two-part collaboration series, we look at why you would consider a soil carbon project and how to actually do it. Sarah Whinney is a farmer, mum and co-director of Chatsworth House Pastoral, in Western Victoria. She lives in a a historic homestead, that was even used by British Royalty in the 1800s. And while the history of the property is very interesting... what Sarah and her husband Tom, are doing to improve the land around it, is just as fascinating. In part one of this series, hear how Sarah built a soil carbon project for her livestock grazing property and why she believes carbon accounting and emissions reporting will become increasingly important in the future. This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co . Want to make your own podcast? We can help! Send us a text
Thu, August 24, 2023
Bonus: Tess Brookman, Farmer Wants a Wife
A bonus episode to celebrate "Flanno for a Farmer Day!" Tess Brookman, who found love on Farmer Wants a Wife last year with "Farmer Harry" joins us for this special episode. Tess is helping to raise money for the Drought Angels' new charity initiative, Flanno For A Farmer Day, August 25. In this episode, Tess talks about what it's really like behind the scenes of the reality TV show. Tess is living at Airlie Beach, QLD while she finishes off her psychology degree and Harry works with stud cattle. Tess also discusses the importance of knowing what you want in a relationship, the importance of well being, and her future plans for rural life when she returns to Harry's family property in Kyabram, Victoria (one day!). And yes, we did ask when they're getting married. Make a to Drought Angels for Flanno For a Farmer Day Send us a text
Wed, August 16, 2023
Kirsten and Jackie have some news!
Hi! We've been busy during our Ducks on the Pond "off season" (shall we call that, Ducks Off the Pond?) Anyway.... we want to tell you all about it! In this episode we discuss: The Rural Podcasting Co - Kirsten's new biz! If you've ever wanted to create your podcast, Kirsten can help. She's offering podcast coaching to launch your new podcast in less than 3 months (among other pod related things!) Rural Women's Day - Can you believe Jackie has expanded her not-for-profit to 12 events around Australia! Coming to a town near you in October. And there's a magazine coming as well. Coming up on Ducks on the Pond - You'll have to listen to the pod for this one! Plenty of new and exciting things. This ep is really just to say 'hi', have a laugh .... and that we'll be coming back soon! (There are a few shout outs to some awesome rural women too) If you'd like to sponsor an episode for our next Season to get your brand out there, let us know: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com (or DM over Insta!) We're also loving the response to our collaboration mini series - if you'd like to do one with us, then send us an email or DM on Insta! Catch you soon, ducks. Send us a text
Wed, July 26, 2023
Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 3 Decluttering your office and your mind
What does your farm office look like? Is it a mess... or does it exist only as a pile on the kitchen bench? The bigger question to ask yourself though is.... is this the space where you are most productive? If you, answered "no," then never fear! Alison Hamilton is back for our third and final episode in this collaboration series, "Being the Boss of Your Farm Office". As a farm office coach, Alison says having a comfortable, functional space that you actually want to be in (ie. no cold, dirty shed offices, ladies!), is vital to your productivity. So in this episode, we look at decluttering your physical office, as well as your mind. This includes how to deal with those paper pile ups, keeping on top of your emails and how to assess whether any of the new digital organisational tools are worthwhile. Again, this all goes back to owning your role, as the farm office boss... or Queen! And every Queen, needs her own throne room. Alison is also offering Ducks on the Pond listeners a 20% off deal on her 6-week coaching program: The Functioning Farm Office. Listen to the episode to hear the exclusive code for Ducks on the Pond listeners. **Interested in sponsoring an episode or collaborating with us at Ducks on the Pond? We’d love to hear from you! Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This episode was made in collaboration with Alison Hamilton. Send us a text
Wed, July 19, 2023
Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 2 Getting your systems right
If someone else had to step into your farm office and run the show for 6 months while you were away... could they do it? That's the test Alison Hamilton , Farm Administration Coach, uses to understand whether the systems and process in a farm office are clearly defined and running smoothly. If you're NOT at this point, don't worry! You're certainly not alone. So, in part two of our collaboration series, Alison talks about some of the loopholes to look out for in our systems that might be costing us time and unnecessary effort. She talks explains how to best utilise your online calendar, set boundaries around payroll and other regular tasks, and how to build in learning, growth and your interests into the role. There shall be no such thing as a boring office job! We also look at some of the psychological drivers or habits that are causing us to do things in a certain way. The truth is, we all have systems and processes governing our businesses... whether we created them consciously or not, or whether they're actually serving us or not! Alison is also offering Ducks on the Pond listeners a 20% off deal on her 6-week program: The Functioning Farm Office. Listen to the episode to hear the exclusive code for Ducks on the Pond listeners. **Interested in sponsoring an episode or collaborating with us at Ducks on the Pond? We’d love to hear from you! Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com This episode was made in collaboration with Alison Hamilton. Send us a text
Wed, July 12, 2023
Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 1 Owning Your Time
“Time cannot be managed – you need to prioritise, and you need to prioritise time for you as well.” – Alison Hamilton Doing the farm books or running a small business office is an important role, that often gets downplayed (including by ourselves!) Women can can feel as though they're playing a supportive or even 'lesser' role in the farm business, often supporting everyone else’s needs first, before their own. But that mindset will only leave you feeling stressed out and ultimately unsatisfied. So how can you own your role, like the total boss that you are? Alison Hamilton is a business coach based in Wagga Wagga, NSW. She’s also a farmer and has created a course specifically for the farm office, after experiencing the shock and chaos of being handed over the bookwork of her husband’s family business many years ago. This is a three-part collaboration series on how to be an absolute boss of your farm office; from better time management, getting good systems and process in place, to making sure you have a clutter-free office space. This episode is all about owning your time; learning how to say “no” (or “maybe later” if you still can’t say it!), writing your own job description to help set boundaries and giving up the illusion of multitasking. Alison is also offering Ducks on the Pond listeners a 20% off deal on her 6-week program: The Functioning Farm Office. We’ll give you the code you need in the episode! **Interested in sponsoring an episode or collaborating with us at Ducks on the Pond? We’d love to hear from you! Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
Wed, June 21, 2023
Surviving the Senior School Years (for parents and students)
The final years of high school are the some of the best, but most stressful years of our lives. But in the country, the challenges can be even greater; from virtual classrooms , having to travel long distances and battling bad internet connections. This episode is for both parents of senior school students and the teenagers going through it. If you're a parent, supporting your child through their final exams can have big impacts on your life - from your own career to social engagements. So how can you best assist your teenager through one of their biggest life challenges, while also looking after yourself? And as a teenager, what supports are out there (beyond your family) to help you achieve your goals and stay mentally strong throughout your final school years? Hear from: * Natalie Thomson - Mother of a recently graduated year 12 student and onion grower in Swan Hill, VIC * Ruby Riethmuller - Founder and Director, Womn-Kind (an online support community for young people) NSW ** Collaborate with us! Or you can sponsor an episode and feature your business. Email ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram. Let's chat about it! Send us a text
S4 E5 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Turning Your Passion into a Not for Profit Organisation
Do you have a burning passion to address a social issue? Sometimes in rural Australia, when you see something needs to be done, you look around... and there's just YOU left to do it. So, if you are up for the challenge, then this episode has some solid advice on how to build a not-for-profit (NFP), register it correctly for your purpose and even turn it into a fully fledged charity. Hear the story of how Drought Angels rapidly grew from a gmail account and two mobile phones in Queensland, into a million dollar, national charity. And get some tips from Jackie, who is not just a host, but a guest in this episode too! She talks about growing Rural Women's Day from a "once off event" near her town, to a national series of events and NFP. Featuring: Natasha (Tash) Johnston - Founder and CEO, Drought Angels , based in Chinchilla, QLD Jackie Elliott - Founder, Rural Women's Day , based in Byaduk, VIC Sign up to our Newsletter! (on the Rural Women's Day website) Our first Ducks on the Pond Newsletter is coming out soon and we're so excited, we have a giveaway! ** Collaborate with us! Or you can sponsor an episode and feature your business. Email ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram. Let's chat about it! Send us a text
S4 E3 · Wed, May 24, 2023
How to Build a Brand With a Bigger Purpose - Elizabeth Hermann & Sallie Jones
Can altruism and business mix? Maybe not in the purest sense...but there are many rural women who have created strong businesses, while also having a bigger social or environmental purpose. So, how can you the ensure your higher purpose doesn't distract from being profitable? Or can you make it a useful marketing tool? In this episode we ask two rural women, who have grown substantial businesses, while also "doing a good thing": Elizabeth Hermann - founder and jeweller, Argent Silversmith , which is made from recycled metals. Sallie Jones - co-founder of Gippsland Jersey , a locally sourced milk company with a mental health message. NEW NEWSLETTER COMING SOON - Sign up here (on the Rural Woman's Day website) to receive the first Ducks on the Pond Newsletter. We're excited! ***If you'd like to sponsor an episode or collaborate with us, then let us know! Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a message on Instagram! Send us a text
S4 E3 · Wed, May 10, 2023
Why women are the agtech adopters (and how to make good tech decisions)
Ever been ignored at a farm expo or agtech conference? It's a frustrating experience for any woman... and foolish behaviour if you're working at an agtech company. There's research which shows that women are often the ones who find the tech and implement it, on farming businesses. In this episode, we look at why women have been the tech decision-makers over the past 10 years, how to find the right digital solutions and tech for your business and how tech can open up completely new opportunities. Hear from: * Kara Worth - Digital Ag Consultant, Tropical North QLD Drought Hub, based in Innisfail, QLD * Dr Rachel Hay - Knowledge Broker, Tropical North QLD Hub and lecturer at James Cook University, based in Townsville, QLD * Cressida Cains - producer and founder of Pecora Dairy and Dairy Cocoon , based in Robertson, NSW ***If you'd like to sponsor an episode or collaborate with us, then let us know! Email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a message on Instagram! Send us a text
S4 E2 · Wed, April 26, 2023
Giving Yourself Permission to Look After Yourself
Are you priority number 1 in your own life? As rural women, we often put ourselves behind the kids, our partner, the farm business or even the community. So this episode is about how to break that expectation that we need to be everything for everyone, everyday... and take small steps to build in more time for our own health. Featuring: * Charlotte Heald - holistic health coach (and former nurse) and organic dairy farmer based in Norsewood, New Zealand. * Ginny Stevens - founder and CEO of Active Farmers , and farmer at Mangoplah, NSW Charlotte shares her story of how being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age, forced her to take stock of her life and shares her advice on how to spot burn out before it hits you. Ginny talks about her inspiration for starting Active Farmers and the link between exercise and mental health. She also shares practical advice on how to build an exercise habit (which doesn't need to be running a marathon!) ** We're looking for episode sponsors! If you're interested in collaborating with us or sponsoring an episode - then send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S4 E1 · Wed, April 12, 2023
Convincing your partner (or yourself!) to go on a holiday
If you can’t get your partner to book a holiday with you… would you just go without them? That’s just one of the tips and tricks we discuss in this episode on how to convince your partner to go on a holiday… because we all know what farmers can be like. We also look at the research behind the benefits of taking a break and the psychological barriers around taking time away from the farm that our partner (or even ourselves) might have. And we get some practical advice about how to discuss this issue with your partner, how to get the farm and household ready to leave and clever ways to save for a trip This episode features: Chantal Corish – Psychologist and PhD Candidate, based in Goondiwindi, QLD Carmen Quade – Director of AgriFocused, a business skills consultancy, based in Tallimba, NSW By the end of this episode, we want you to find the answer to break through whatever holiday barrier you have... to get that get away booked! ** This episode is sponsored by Alison Hamilton, farm office coach and creator of the Functioning Farm Office . If you would like to sponsor an episode, email us: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S4 Enull · Tue, April 11, 2023
Season Four - We're late...but we're back!
Season Four of Ducks on the Pond is kicking off! Kirsten and Jackie make excuses as to why they have taken longer than expected to bring back the podcast. They discuss what they've been up to in between seasons (including exciting news about Rural Women's Day) ... and preview what's coming up this season. In reality, this short episode is just a fun catch up, so join us! This episode is sponsored by Alison Hamilton , farm administration coach and creator of "The Functioning Farm Office" We're looking for new topics and guests for this season too - as well as episode sponsors. If you'd like to get in touch - DM us on Instagram or email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Visit our website here. Send us a text
Wed, January 25, 2023
BONUS EP. 3: Teenagers: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).
Our teenagers might look like us, be as big as us...but cognitively, there is a difference. This can involve risk taking or it might just be a lack of complex decision making. They're also simply inexperienced. In this episode, we look at the safety risks on farm involved with our older teenagers (aged 14 and above). This is the age where we often put more responsibility on our children on the farm, because they are more 'useful'. But they still need boundaries and advice. We also discuss mum guilt - the difficult emotion women often carry with them if something has gone terribly wrong on the farm. Grace Larsen and Sarah Duncanson, paedatric intensive care nurses, rural mums and directors of PAEDS Education guide as through how to best talk to teenagers about safety and mitigate some of the biggest risks. And Ash Napolitano, founder of the Hunter Boyle Swim Program shares her experience of grief and building a foundation to honour her two year son, who died on farm in Shepparton in 2020. This is the third and final episode in this summer mini series about child farm safety. This series has been produced in collaboration with PAEDS Education If you're interested in collaborating with us or sponsoring an episode - then send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
Wed, January 18, 2023
BONUS EP. 2: School Aged Children: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).
When you live so far away from the nearest hospital and ambulance response times are blowing out... should you wait for an ambulance or take your child in to hospital yourself? Also, how do you know you're not being overly anxious about your kids going out on the farm? These are just some of the questions we explore in episode two of our summer mini series on child farm safety. This episode focuses on safety and first aid for children aged between 5 and 15. Intensive care paediatric nurses and rural mums, Sarah Duncanson and Grace Larson, from PAEDs Education discuss the most common farm accidents for school aged children and how to prevent them. Meanwhile, Gemma Cramer, a rural mum in Nhill, shares her story of how her son was injured in a farm accident, in a safety risk many of us don't even know about. This 3-part series is a collaboration with PAEDS Education. The final episode focuses on older teenagers. If you're interested in collaborating with us or sponsoring an episode - then send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. Send us a text
Wed, January 11, 2023
BONUS SERIES: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool). EP 1. Toddlers
No one wants a 'cotton wool kid', but as parents we know how unsafe the farming environment can be for children. In Australia, the rate of fatal injuries amongst our regional and remote children is three times higher than kids who live in the city. So how do we balance the freedoms and family connections that growing up on a farm brings, with making sure our children don't find themselves in dangerous situations? In this special, three-part series, Kirsten speaks with two intensive care paediatric nurses and rural mums, Sarah Duncanson and Grace Larson, from PAEDs Education. The pair have seen the worst of what can happen on farms - but have designed a 'triage of safety' to help us as parents make better decisions about risk on farm - that's appropriate for a child's age. In this first episode, we focus on babies and toddlers. We also hear from Ash Napolitano, who bravely shares the story of her 2 year old son Hunter, who died on a farm near Shepparton, Victoria in 2020. The second episode focuses on farm safety for school aged children and the third and final episode in the series is about older teens. Resources mentioned in this podcast: The Hunter Boyle Swim Program This podcast has been produced in collaboration with PAEDS Education . If you're interested in collaborating with us or sponsoring an episode - then send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S3 E8 · Thu, October 27, 2022
Don’t Call Us ‘Resilient’- Getting mental health support for your community
Don’t Call Us ‘Resilient’- Getting mental health support for your community How do you feel when your town or region is called ‘resilient’? It seems a lot of rural people are tired of hearing this word and instead would rather genuine, well-funded support for the mental health. According to Rural and Remote Mental Health (RRMH), the rates of suicide in regional Australia are two times higher than the national average. In rural areas, it’s three times higher. Chair of RRMH Genevieve Fraser says rural mental health lacks government funding and the support itself isn’t culturally sensitive. Basically, it just doesn’t fit the realities and pressures of rural life. But while we might not feel like we can change how rural mental health is funded, there is actually a lot we can do to help our neighbours. Lauren Stracey is a psychologist from Rural Aid who talks about how rural towns can best heal together after a disaster and how each of us can strike up a conversation with someone, if we can see they’re struggling. ***We’re looking for episode sponsors! If you’re a rural woman with a business or organisation you’d like to promote, or have an idea for a collaboration, send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Or send us a DM over Instagram. We’d love to hear from you! Send us a text
S3 E7 · Wed, October 12, 2022
Going Global: how to achieve business success overseas
You may be a rural woman at heart, but that doesn’t mean you can’t operate a global empire (or at least, tap into overseas markets). In this episode, we meet two women who left Australia and set up unique businesses overseas, by capitalising on their rural identities. And these days you don’t even need to leave country Australia for world domination: both guests talk about how social media marketing has opened up new networks across the globe. Hear from: * Jess Pryles – Hardcore Carnivore , specialising in seasoning and gear for meat lovers. She is also a cook, author and influencer. Jess is living in Austin, Texas, but is originally from Melbourne. *Rose Hood (formerly Mann) – co-founder Farm Girl Cafe in the UK, known as “perhaps the most Instagrammed café in London” (and now they have six!) Rose is originally from the Western District, Victoria. For more information, visit our website Thank you to our Sponsor: PAEDs Education - a child first aid training service - run by two intensive care nurses. Hear from co-founder, Sarah Duncanson at the end of the episode. ***We’re looking for episode sponsors! If you’re a rural woman with a business or organisation you’d like to promote, or have an idea for a collaboration, send us an email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Or send us a DM over Instagram. We’d love to hear from you! Send us a text
S3 E6 · Wed, September 28, 2022
Why is it Harder to Access Abortion in the Country?
Yes, it’s clear. Research shows it is harder to access abortion services in rural Australia compared with metro areas. So, in this episode we ask, why is that? Abortion has now been decriminalised in all states and territories, moving from the criminal code to be covered under health policy. But is abortion really being treated like any other women’s health service? In rural areas, it can be hard to find a GP who will prescribe abortion services and sometimes there aren’t any local pharmacists who stock the medication needed for early medical abortion. So can this be changed? This episode features: · Shannon Hill – Sexual Health Advisor, Women’s Health Grampians , VIC · Anna Barwick – Pharmacist in Walcha, NSW and founder, PharmOnline For more information, visit our website . Are you a rural woman or a business which serves rural women? If you’d like to sponsor an episode or collaborate with us then send us a DM over Instagram or email ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com . Send us a text
S3 E5 · Wed, September 14, 2022
Are Women the biggest influencers in farm safety culture?
On average, 79 Australians die every year in farm accidents, making farming one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. So, what can we do to turn this around? Approaching farmers with a rule book is unlikely to work. But rural women are often in a unique position to influence health and safety culture. Many of us have worked off-farm in large organisations which already have a strong safety culture. And many of us take up the admin and HR role while raising young kids. So, in this episode, hear some great safety ‘influencer’ advice from: · Alex Thomas - founder of Plant a Seed for Safety , who has watched her Dad struggle with multiple disabilities, after a life on the land. · Danyel Cucinotta – Vice-President, Victorian Farmers Federation which is supporting the Making Our Farms Safer program. · Dr Jacquie Cotton – researcher at the National Centre for Farmer Health For more information visit our website. Would you like to sponsor an episode? Let us know! Episode sponsors are featured on a podcast episode and on our social media channels. DM us over Instagram or email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com Send us a text
S3 E4 · Wed, August 31, 2022
Is It Better to Work On-Farm or Off-Farm?
When you're part of a farming enterprise it can be hard to figure out whether you're better off working on the farm or pursuing a career off the farm. So, in this episode, we try to try to measure it. The off-farm work is fairly easy to understand; you have a payslip which tells you how much you earn. But how do you financially measure the hours you put into doing the books, or helping out with lamb marking or picking up parts in town? We look at how you can sit down and do the sums, as well as weigh up all the lifestyle factors too. Hear from: *Carmen Quade - founder of AgriFocused , an ag training business and farmer in Tallimba, NSW * Kate Cain - cattle farmer in Heywood, Victoria and teaching graduate (but Kate is yet to use the degree she finished years ago!) For more information, you can visit our website. This episode is sponsored by Creative Little Soul. Hear from founder, Chrissy Symeonakis at the end of this episode, If you would like to be featured on our podcast (and social media) as an episode sponsor, then send us a DM on Instagram or email ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com <p
S3 E3 · Wed, August 17, 2022
Breaking the Taboo Around Periods and Pelvic Floors - Jess Fishburn & Anna Barwick
It took until 2019 for TV advertisements for sanitary products to stop using ‘blue dye’ to symbolise menstrual blood. So why do periods make us feel so uncomfortable? But the awkward feeling is just the start of the problem. By not talking about periods and pelvic floors, women aren’t getting the medical help they need, the right support in the workplace and even research into women’s health is being negatively affected. For rural women, a lack of access to specialist women’s health practitioners is exacerbating the problem. In this episode, we hear from two rural women, who are passionate about breaking the stigma: Jess Fishburn – Pelvic Physiotherapist and Director, Gen Health , Hamilton Anna Barwick – Pharmacist and founder, PharmOnline Jess and Anna share their expertise on how to know when something is not ‘normal’ and what treatments are available. For more information visit our website. **SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY** If you're a rural woman and would like to promote your business on this podcast, contact us at ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com to find out about our advertising opportunities. Send us a text
S1 E22 · Wed, August 03, 2022
So...what even IS a life coach? Feat. Rebel Black & Karen Foster
Let's be honest, the perception of a "life coach" isn't always the best. The term can be associated with cult-like 'personal development' courses or well meaning 'wellness' types, who may not have the experience or credentials for a such a title. But then, who does? There's no university degree in "life coaching," but, there's no handbook to life either. So, while we can never be sure what should be on the "CV" of a life coach, in this episode we meet two highly recommended women: Rebel Black - Entrepreneur, founder of the Rural Woman and Life Coach, Lightning Ridge, NSW Karen Foster - Businesswoman, founder of The Future You Academy , Moyne Shire Councillor, Port Fairy VIC People turn to a life coach when they are at a crossroads in their life, it could be choosing between career opportunities or a structural change in the family (such as a grown up child leaving the home). Both Rebel and Karen have extensive business careers, are passionate about local community and supporting rural women. They share their insights on what a life coach is, how to value yourself and what it means to live "intentionally". This episode is sponsored by: Sophie Murfett Design and her new business, Digital Ag. (Hear from Sophie at the end of this episode). If you would like to hear more about sponsorship opportunities, contact us over Instagram or email: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com. Send us a text
S1 E21 · Wed, July 20, 2022
Dealing with grief and sudden loss - feat. Sarah Guthrie, Grampians Estate
There’s a saying, ‘you can’t have the love without the loss.’ The great love you have for someone, means the pain of losing them will equally be as great. But how do you actually cope with such profound grief, especially when the loss is sudden? And how do you best help a friend who is suddenly struck by tragedy? In this episode, Grampians Estate winery owner, Sarah Guthrie talks about her own grief journey, after her 17-year-old son, Ford, died in a car accident near the family home on Australia Day, 2016. Sarah speaks about the importance of celebrating Ford’s life, dealing with grief through small and big projects and what she found to be most helpful from friends and family during those darkest hours. Perhaps her most healing project so far, has been her book, “Picking up the Pieces: Remembering Ford, ' a joyous recollection of family life on the farm, coupled with the sudden grief of losing her much-loved son. If it were truly possible to write a guidebook to grief, this book would be it (and it's especially poignant for any woman on the land). This episode also includes advice on dealing with grief from Stephanie Schmidt, clinical psychologist and founder of Act for Ag. Send us a text
S1 E20 · Wed, July 13, 2022
Season 3.... Coming Soon & Our Latest News
We're back! Coming up in Season 3, we're tackling the topics you WON'T hear at a local potluck casserole night or scone bake off. This includes access to abortion in rural and regional areas, dealing with grief and trauma and plenty of business insights from rural women with online empires and even good ol' fashioned shop fronts. Also, we have some exciting updates to share about how YOU can get involved in the podcast, from sponsorship opportunities and upcoming promotions (including giveaways!) For more information about episode sponsorship opportunities, email us at: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram! Send us a text
S1 E19 · Wed, April 27, 2022
Are Your Farming Tools and Workwear... Sexist?
No one likes sexism on the farm… but could the tools you work with and the clothes you're wearing be guilty? If you’ve ever been frustrated about not being able to drench a sheep or shovel the grain as well as the blokes… maybe it’s NOT YOU. Research shows many of the tools used on farms have been created “for the average body type” - or rather, the average male body type. This doesn't factor in our smaller hands or that we don’t have the same upper body strength as men. So don’t blame yourself, take a look at the tool. And then there’s clothing. How much better do you feel, when wearing something that’s actually made to fit you, has decent sized pockets…. and even looks nice? In this episode, hear from: * Liz Bresinger - Co-Owner Green Heron Tools , a US based company which designs farm tools specifically for women. * Chelsea Christensen - Founder of Tetbury Trading, a women’s farm workwear brand, based in Moriac, Victoria For more information, visit our website. (This is our last episode of Season 2... we'll be back with new episodes in July 2022!) Send us a text
S1 E18 · Wed, April 13, 2022
How Art is Transforming Agriculture - Lynne Strong & Emily Riggs
Farming is not often associated with creativity and the Arts. But perhaps that needs to change? Especially if we want to make agriculture an attractive career option to young people in the city. In this episode, we meet two smart, rural women who are using their artistic flair to reach people who wouldn't normally be interested in agriculture. Hear from: Lynne Strong - National Program Director, Art4Agriculture and farmer at Jamberoo, NSW. Lynne is internationally recognised for designing leadership programs for school students. In this program, she uses art to inspire primary and high school students to solve complex problems around food sustainability, with a mission to get city students to consider a career in agriculture. Emily Riggs - Founder, Iris and Wool and farmer at Burra, SA. After moving to a sheep station, Emily has merged her passion for fashion design, with her love of wool, to create an award-winning fashion brand. Fashion design also helped Emily to heal, after losing her mother to breast cancer, at the age of 10, while also being sick with cancer herself. Emily understands first hand, the power art has to inspire and transform. For more information visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E17 · Wed, March 30, 2022
Queer Pride in the Country
Rural towns often get a bad rap for holding onto old ideas and lacking diversity. Are we as accepting and inclusive of our LGBTI community in the country, as they are in the city? We hear from two women, who have had very different experiences: Kerrie Stanley - a hair and makeup artist, who grew up on a cane farm in Proserpine, QLD. She had to move away from the country to discover she was gay. (She was also four months pregnant and in a relationship with a man, when she finally realised!) Kirsti Miller - a transgender woman, who has always been a country girl at heart. She has now been embraced by Broken Hill, NSW, but was subject to horrendous transphobic comments, when she arrived as the first transgender woman to play AFL in the town. ***Please note, this episode contains details of a sexual assault. If you would like more information about our show, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E16 · Wed, March 16, 2022
Do You Need a Business Coach? - Tori Kopke & Rebecca Casey
Once upon a time, coaches were strictly for sport. Now you can get a coach for just about everything, including business. In this episode we look at what a business coach actually does and at what stage in a business, you should be thinking about getting one. There's growing recognition that the way to grow a business is to be working ON the business, not just IN the business. We take a specifically rural perspective on this (of course!), looking at how to grow wealth and assets in a farming business as well as how a business coach can help turn other passions (such as photography and art) into a viable business. Hear from: * Tori Kopke - The Rural Business Coach, Cunderdin, WA * Rebecca Casey - Nature of Business and columnist at Money and Finance Magazine, Buffalo, Victoria For more information, visit our website . And if you like what you hear, tell a friend and leave a 5-star review! Send us a text
S1 E15 · Wed, March 02, 2022
Saying No to the Family Farm - Dimity Smith, Dr Lucie Newsome & more!
Women are still only inheriting about 10% of family farms in Australia. The reasons behind this are historical and complex. But what's at play when a woman (or "farmer's daughter") decides she doesn't want to go back to take over the family farm? Is because she has better career options off-farm or does it point to gender bias in society? In this episode, Kirsten and Jackie discuss the underlying reasons behind saying "no" to the family farm, how this affects succession and how to have difficult conversations with your parents about either wanting to do more on the family farm... or less. You'll hear from: Dimity Smith - who grew up on a dairy near Scone, NSW and runs the Gro Events Group , based in Tamworth. Jane McNaughton - originally from a farm near Sale, VIC. Jane is an ABC rural reporter based in Ballarat. Dr Lucie Newsome - who grew up on a farm bear Glen Innes, NSW and now researches agriculture and gender at the University of New England. For more information, visit our website . And if you like what you hear, tell a friend and leave a 5-star review! Send us a text
S1 E14 · Wed, February 16, 2022
Know a bloke who's struggling with his mental health? - Mary O'Brien, Jane Fitzgibbon & More
It’s so hard to watch someone you love, struggle with their mental health, especially when they aren’t getting the help they need. Rural men in particular seem to be among the most hesitant to open up and look after their own mental health... which can be frustrating for us women! So what’s the best way to start the conversation? While this podcast is for women… as anyone in a rural community knows, the rates of suicide amongst our men is alarming (75% of suicides in Australia are male). There have also been multiple suicide clusters in rural Australia, including in south-west Victoria in 2016. In this episode, hear from: * Jane Fitzgibbon - her son Sam, took his own life when he was 21. She co-founded Let’s Talk , in south-west Victoria. * Mary O’Brien - Founder of "Are you bogged mate? ” from Dalby, QLD. * Dr Alison Kennedy - suicide prevention researcher at the National Centre for Farmer Health . So, whether you want to help your partner, son, father, brother or friend…in this episode we talk about when a man is most likely to be receptive to an “emotional” conversation and how to go about the conversation. For more information, visit our website . Send us a text
S1 E13 · Wed, February 02, 2022
Overcoming the Dark Days of Early Motherhood
Motherhood is wonderful, but it's also hard. And for some, especially new mums, it becomes overwhelming. Living in a rural area, especially if you're away from family and friends can compound these feelings. But, there is plenty of hope! In this episode hear two rural women speak candidly about how they experienced post-natal depression, overcame it, and now want to change the unhelpful (and frankly harmful!) myth of the perfect mum: Steph Trethewey - Mum, founder of the Motherland Australia podcast and farmer in Tasmania. Jess Skermer - Mum and farmer near Hamilton, in south-west Victoria. Both Steph and Jess are challenging the stigma around post-natal depression and the ridiculous notion that being a good mum is about sacrifice. By changing the way we think and talk about motherhood, we can make the whole experience easier for ourselves and future generations of mothers. For more information, visit our website. If you find any of this content distressing and want to talk to someone, call: Lifeline - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 Send us a text
S1 E12 · Wed, January 19, 2022
SEASON 2: It's OK to Say NO - Drinking in moderation or quitting altogether
Want to cut back your alcohol consumption? A lot of us do. But Australia's drinking culture means the message to 'just have one' is all around us. Especially in the country, alcohol is everywhere - at the pub, the sporting grounds, events and even kids parties. So how do we set ourselves up for success? And is it even possible to moderate... or is quitting alcohol altogether the best option? This episode is not about being anti-alcohol, it's about changing the culture to make it "ok to say no" (whether that's "no thanks, never", or just "not today"). Kirsten and Jackie speak to three rural women who have dealt with alcohol addiction and are now working to help others: *Shanna Whan - CEO & Founder of Sober in the Country, Maules Creek, NSW *Andy Quin - Co-founder of ETCH Sparkling , Mornington Peninsula, VIC *Noelene Brown - coach at Rural Sobriety, Hopetoun, WA Our guests share their advice on how to understand why we drink in the first place, how to spot if we might have a problem and ways to be more conscious about what we're drinking. For more information, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E11 · Wed, October 20, 2021
Why Storytelling Is So Important (and how to do it!) - Phillipa Cameron, Kim Storey, Gisela Kauffman
Telling your own story or the story of others is vital if we're ever going to bridge that rural/urban divide and challenge gender roles. So without necessarily being professional writers... how do we do it? In this episode, Kirsten and Jackie speak to three rural women, who all use different mediums (from social media, photography and film) to capture accurate and authentic representations of rural life, where women and kids feature just as much as the men: Phillipa Cameron - started an Instagram account called "What's for Smoko?" to connect with others, when she became the cook at her New Zealand sheep station. She now has 20k+ followers and a published cookbook of smoko meals. Kim Storey - a photographer and farmer in Eugowra, NSW. She created a coffee table book, called "What Does a Farmer Look Like?" to challenge the stereotypical images of farming in Australia. Gisela Kaufmann - a documentary film maker, based in Sydney who created "Visible Farmer," after being shocked to find out how under represented women on farms have historically been in agriculture. These women share why they're so passionate about changing the face of agriculture, as well as their advice on how to tell your own story and the story of others who inspire you. For more information, you can visit our website. And if you like what you hear, we'd love you to leave a review! Send us a text
S1 E10 · Wed, October 06, 2021
The Road Less Travelled pt 2 (Big Highs and Crushing Lows) - Tanya Heaslip and Jane Richards
We might dream of it, but what are the realities of chasing rare adventures or living an extraordinary life? In this episode Kirsten and Jackie meet two rural women who have done just that. But along with the highs, there have been some crushing lows. Jane Richards - is now a wine producer in SA with a successful wine label . But in the early 2000s, she was was high-flyer in New York, with a multi million dollar home and luxury yacht, until it all came crashing down... and she ended up back at her parents' home, with no money, no job and four children to look after. But she did have a "little piece of dirt," which enabled her to literally 'grow' a new life for herself and her family. Tanya Heaslip - an award winning author and lawyer from Outback NT, who backpacked around central Europe in the 1980s (an extremely rare thing for an Australian woman to do then). She fell in love with the region, however nearly died in an isolated village, unable to speak the language or contact home. But it was these experiences that fuelled her drive to write and view her own unique, outback childhood in a new light. Jane and Tanya candidly share their stories and you'll get a glimpse into how the hard times have shaped the passion and resilience they have now (for Jane, that also includes dealing with the currently tricky times in the Australian wine industry). But... is the road less travelled for you? For more information, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E9 · Wed, September 22, 2021
The Road Less Travelled: Lisa Millar, ABC TV Host
You can grow up in the country, or choose to live in the country... and still have an extraordinary life. Lisa Millar, host of ABC News Breakfast and former foreign correspondent is a perfect example of this. She began her life on a dairy farm in the small QLD town of Kilkivan. But she always had big ambitions to be a journalist and to travel the world. And turns out, she did precisely that. But her success hasn't always been easy. In this episode she talks about: * Some of the big stories she covered as a foreign correspondent, including the devastating and tragic Sandy Hook School Shooting in the US, in 2012. *Her unique childhood, growing up in rural Australia, but also with a Dad who became the Federal Member for Wide Bay. * Dealing with social media trolling as a TV host and sexist comments based on appearance. * Why there's no better advocate in life for you, than yourself (and how to do this!) For more information, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E8 · Wed, September 08, 2021
Succession Planning (pt2): When to Get a Lawyer
When is it time to get a lawyer? And how do you know a succession plan is actually worth the paper it's written on? Kirsten and Jackie bring in property and succession lawyer, Helen Quade. She lives on a farm herself, near Condobolin, NSW. She's highly regarded in her field, not just as a solicitor who understands the law, but also for her understanding of human emotions. She says it's never too early to talk about succession planning (even introducing values and expectations to young kids!) In this episode Helen talks about: *How to start the succession planning process (and when to bring in a facilitator or a lawyer). *The importance of a family deed and the laws around land transfers. *What happens in the case of divorce. *What to do when there is NO plan... so you don't end up with a big family blow up, down the track. Helen also answers some of the questions sent in to us over social media by YOU! By the way, if you like what you hear, leave us a review! For more about us, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E7 · Wed, August 25, 2021
What Succession Planning is Actually About (Pt1): Real stories
Just the thought of succession planning makes so many of us feel uncomfortable. But in this episode, we're embracing the awkward feelings ... and in fact, challenging them. Succession is not about carving up who gets what, it's planning for your future business, lifestyle and aspirations. It can actually be quite exciting. In this episode, two women share their succession stories and advice: Melissa McDonald - dairy farmer in south-west Victoria, who has gone from working for a wage on her parents' farm, to share farming, and is now heading towards ownership. Fiona Aveyard - farmer in central NSW, who founded Outback Lamb as a way to diversify and future-proof their business for their children and their community. While the path to forming a succession plan that keeps everyone happy is rarely quick or easy, it's much better than doing nothing at all. Melissa and Fiona speak candidly about their experiences, from how to have difficult conversations with family, when you should seek a lawyer and how to turn the succession process into a positive. This is part one of a two-part series on succession planning and we'd love to hear from you. Our next episode features a property lawyer (and rural woman) who regularly deals with succession. If you have a question for her or a succession story to share then email it to us: ducksonthepond.podcast@gmail.com or DM us on Twitter or Instagram (We can keep you anonymous)! For more information, visit our website Send us a text
S1 E6 · Wed, August 11, 2021
Reducing the Mental Load - Katrina Myers, Bridget Johns and Stephanie Schmidt
Are you the one who carries the mental load in your household? Well, if you're a rural woman, chances are, yes you are. It's usually women who know how much milk is in the fridge, when the school concert is on and stays across the constant flow of dishes and laundry. It might seem like these are just small, easy tasks...and they are. But when they add up ...while you're trying to run the farm or do other work, it can end up making you feel overwhelmed and mentally exhausted. So how did we women, end up in this place? In this episode, Kirsten and Jackie speak to three rural women who have come up with ways to reduce the burden of the mental load. These include very practical tips in delegation and household systems, advice on having difficult conversations with your partner, and dealing with self imposed expectations, which really aren't helping you! Our guests are: *Katrina Myers - life coach and farmer at Barham avocados, NSW *Bridget Johns - de-clutter expert at Be Simply Free and farmer on the Yorke Peninsula, SA * Stephanie Schmidt - psychologist, creator of ACT for AG and SA farmer. Remember, this podcast is by rural women FOR rural women... so we've sought out advice that actually makes sense in your world! For more information about the show, visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E5 · Wed, July 28, 2021
Finding a Mentor (pt.2): Networking Hubs and Programs
Sometimes you just stumble across a great mentor...but how can you intentionally find one? This episode looks There are great programs that can help you find a mentor… but mentorship isn’t as simple as assigning one person to another -there’s something organic about it; it can’t be forced. That said, there are steps you can take and programs you can enrol in that will make it much more likely for you to find that key person who will take you under their wing. In this episode we hear the stories of two women: *Malaika Mfula - who helps female entrepreneurs at The Exchange in Dubbo - an innovation, co-working and networking space which runs online and face-to-face courses in business, marketing and all things startup. She tells her own story about finding a mentor as well as how The Exchange and programs like it, are facilitating networking and mentoring. *Rebecca Barry - a farmer and manager of South Australia’s largest livestock exchange. She received a scholarship from Livestock Leaders which opened doors to mentoring and a supportive community. She talks about how she made the decision to choose agriculture as her career when there were other paths she could have taken. If you’re a rural woman thinking about how to meet people or enrol in the right program - then this is for you! For more information visit our website. Thanks for listening! Send us a text
S1 E4 · Wed, July 14, 2021
Finding a Mentor (pt. 1): Cathy McGowan
Most successful people will tell you that finding a mentor, or really multiple mentors throughout your life, is the 'secret sauce' to their achievements. So how do you actually find one? Cathy McGowan says you find mentors and build community through turning up, speaking up and then stepping up into leadership positions. This philosophy is what got her all the way to Parliament House in 2013, when she won the Federal seat of Indi, in North East Victoria. This moment has gone down in history, with Cathy breaking the 74 year Liberal/National hold on the seat, making her the electorate's first independent. Now that Cathy has left politics, she's on a mission to encourage other women, particularly in rural areas to challenge themselves, build effective communities and put themselves out there. For more information visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E3 · Wed, June 30, 2021
Passion Projects, Side Hustles and Big Business - How to be Successful
Are you struggling to grow your business or side hustle? Or are you even finding it hard to take the first step, to turn your idea into a reality? It has never been easier to set up your own business. And for rural women, this is a huge opportunity (given our logistical challenges!). There also seems to be growing interest in brands which use the name or reputation of specific regions in their marketing. So how can you capitalise on this? In this episode, hear from: Amanda Cochran, from the Grampians Goods Co on how she turned a small side hustle into a big business. She talks about how to break through some of the mental barriers that might be causing you to put off your big idea... and the realities of juggling young kids while establishing a business. Jenn Donovan, a social media and marketing consultant and creator of Buy From A Bush Business , who shares her tips on how to make sure your business is seen online. Georgina Gubbins, farmer and Chair of Food and Fibre Great South Coast , who talks about the growing opportunities for rural communities and women looking to create their own startup. This podcast is hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott - it's part of a series, being released in the lead up to International Rural Women's Day. For more information visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E2 · Wed, June 16, 2021
Do You Call Yourself A Farmer?
You say “farmer” and immediately, people think of a man. They shouldn’t, but they do. So how do you feel about the word “farmer”? Does it describe what you do - and who you are? Do you prefer “farmer’s daughter” or “farmer’s wife” - or do those terms make your blood boil? This episode features: Rachael Treasure - Author and regenerative farmer in Tasmania Debbie Dowden - Beef producer, Mount Magnet, WA Jessie Matheson - PhD candidate, Invisible Farmer Project In this episode we hear about the history of the word farmer in Australia and why it wasn’t used for so long, as well as the growing movement among women to recognise their role on the land as farmers. Rachel and Debbie share their own stories about how their identities as farmers have evolved over time and where they see it heading in the future. This podcast is hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliot - it’s part of a series, being released in the lead up to International Rural Women’s Day. For more information visit our website. Send us a text
S1 E1 · Fri, June 04, 2021
Introducing... Ducks on the Pond!
Coming soon! Ducks on the Pond is a podcast by rural women, FOR rural women. It's hard to find expert advice that actually applies to the realities of your own life, when you're a woman on the land. So hosts, Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliot have set out to do just that. These podcasts are being released in the lead up to Rural Women's Day , 15, Oct 2021, covering a range of topics not covered in polite society - from succession planning, the challenges of motherhood, to running for politics! And if you don't know what "Ducks on the Pond" is in reference to (hint: it's not ducks!) listen to this trailer. And don't forget to hit subscribe! Send us a text

Ducks on the Pond

Opportunities in Agtech and Sustainability - Sarah Nolet and Ebony Greaves

Getting the Issues that Matter to Us on the Political Agenda

Beyond Scones: Season 7 of Ducks on the Pond is coming...

Guilt-free and going after what YOU want in life - Karen Foster & Jodie Fleming

Tackling the big, complex issues in agriculture - Catherine Marriott and Kirsten Diprose

Knowledge in Ag is Power pt. 3 - Lifting an entire industry - feat. Emily King, AWI

Knowledge in Ag is Power Pt.2 - Building a Farming Business From Scratch - Dr Lexie Leonard

Knowledge in Ag is Power - Part 1. Managing the Family Farm - Rachel McGrath

Two Smart Blondes - for Lovers of Film, TV, News and Pop Culture! Feat. Leila McDougall and Kate Atkinson (Sea Change, Wentworth)

Paving the way for more women in country footy - Tara McGrath-West and Bec Malseed

How to turn your career skills into a business - Rebecca Saunders and Paige Cross

Convincing your partner (or yourself!) to book a holiday (Popular re-release)

Why you’re allowed to care about the clothes you wear - Marion Saunders and Olivia Thwaites

Making friends when you’re new to town or want to expand your circle

Does HOW we talk about our rural men, matter? Part 2 with Louise O'Neill

Does HOW we talk about rural men, matter? Part 1 with Leila McDougall

Balancing Big Goals and Chronic Illness

Are bricks and mortar stores dead?

Getting Your Next Big Idea Off the Ground - Angie Armstrong & Natalie Egleton

Can you have a screen career in the country?

BONUS: Is it better to raise your kids on a farm or in the city?

Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt3) - Hormones and Happy Chemicals - Dr Belinda Bell

Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt2) - How to support others, while looking after yourself - Jenna Robinson

Self Care is Not Selfish (Pt1) - Abbi Power & Karen Foster

Does the Farm Always Have to Come First?- Claire Booth & Chloe Brown

Becoming a "Bush Podpreneur" - How Six Rural Podcasters Built Their Audio Empires

I've Found My Pelvic Floor, Now What Do I Do With It? - Courtenay Polock

Why is it just Mums who can see the childcare crisis in rural Australia?

Do You Need a Book? A Podcast? Tik Tok? Finding the right marketing strategy

What's happening to 'volunteerism' in the country? - Collab with Married to the Land's Angie Nisbet

Celebrating End of Life - Becky Barry & Colleen Hughson

What It's Like to Be Outspoken in Ag - Gillian Fennell

Your Big Dream is Not Over - Jasmine Mansbridge & Maggie Hartley

Popular Re-Release: Lisa Millar, ABC TV Host

Fertility Options in the Bush - The Funny Side of a Serious Issue

Dealing with Stress Pt. 3 - When you and your partner are running on empty

Dealing with Stress Pt. 2 - Sorting yourself out first

SPECIAL: Why there's a "rally cry" by farmers for mental health

Dealing with Stress: Pt 1 - Is it "just stress" or something bigger?

Soil Carbon Projects - Pt 2. How to build one

Soil Carbon Projects - Pt 1. Should you have one?

Bonus: Tess Brookman, Farmer Wants a Wife

Kirsten and Jackie have some news!

Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 3 Decluttering your office and your mind

Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 2 Getting your systems right

Being the Boss of Your Farm Office - Pt. 1 Owning Your Time

Surviving the Senior School Years (for parents and students)

Turning Your Passion into a Not for Profit Organisation

How to Build a Brand With a Bigger Purpose - Elizabeth Hermann & Sallie Jones

Why women are the agtech adopters (and how to make good tech decisions)

Giving Yourself Permission to Look After Yourself

Convincing your partner (or yourself!) to go on a holiday

Season Four - We're late...but we're back!

BONUS EP. 3: Teenagers: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).

BONUS EP. 2: School Aged Children: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).

BONUS SERIES: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool). EP 1. Toddlers

Don’t Call Us ‘Resilient’- Getting mental health support for your community

Going Global: how to achieve business success overseas

Why is it Harder to Access Abortion in the Country?

Are Women the biggest influencers in farm safety culture?

Is It Better to Work On-Farm or Off-Farm?

Breaking the Taboo Around Periods and Pelvic Floors - Jess Fishburn & Anna Barwick

So...what even IS a life coach? Feat. Rebel Black & Karen Foster

Dealing with grief and sudden loss - feat. Sarah Guthrie, Grampians Estate

Season 3.... Coming Soon & Our Latest News

Are Your Farming Tools and Workwear... Sexist?

How Art is Transforming Agriculture - Lynne Strong & Emily Riggs

Queer Pride in the Country

Do You Need a Business Coach? - Tori Kopke & Rebecca Casey

Saying No to the Family Farm - Dimity Smith, Dr Lucie Newsome & more!

Know a bloke who's struggling with his mental health? - Mary O'Brien, Jane Fitzgibbon & More

Overcoming the Dark Days of Early Motherhood

SEASON 2: It's OK to Say NO - Drinking in moderation or quitting altogether

Why Storytelling Is So Important (and how to do it!) - Phillipa Cameron, Kim Storey, Gisela Kauffman

The Road Less Travelled pt 2 (Big Highs and Crushing Lows) - Tanya Heaslip and Jane Richards

The Road Less Travelled: Lisa Millar, ABC TV Host

Succession Planning (pt2): When to Get a Lawyer

What Succession Planning is Actually About (Pt1): Real stories

Reducing the Mental Load - Katrina Myers, Bridget Johns and Stephanie Schmidt