Ducks on the Pond

**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 natur...

* *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,...

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&apos...

** 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...

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, Kirst...

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...

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...

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 Strate...

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...

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...

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 ep...

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 Hamilto...

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 h...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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...

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 hi...

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 t...

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 (...

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 f...

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...

“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...