Ducks on the Pond

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...

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 bes...

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...

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...

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...

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&apo...

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 adv...

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 ru...

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...

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...

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 mar...

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 Magne...

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...