In this episode, we explore the powerful idea that while women can do it all, they don’t have to. From "Rosie the Riveter" to today’s rural realities, we unpack how historical messages of resilience have quietly become expectations that leave women juggling careers, caregiving, and community roles, often at the expense of their own well-being.

Our conversation highlights the mental health toll, especially post-COVID, when rural women experienced the steepest declines in wellness. We want to stress the importance of shifting from guilt and criticism to encouragement and support, reminding us that “you are enough, and your choices are okay.” Whether pursuing careers, raising families, or balancing both, women thrive when they are cheered on instead of judged.

We also continue our “Catch a Phrase” reflection segment, and of course we want to reinforce our core message: That doing it all is not the standard — joy, balance, and support are.

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome to The Rural Well!
*Sensitive content warning*

In today’s powerful and heartfelt episode, hosts Bridget and Lauren dive into a conversation that blends the proud heritage of farming with the complexities of mental health. They sit down with Dr. Ryan Burkhart — a farm kid turned mental health leader — who shares his journey from rural Indiana to Colorado, where he now serves as Dean of Counseling at Colorado Christian University.

Ryan opens up about choosing a path away from the family farm, his reflections on faith, resilience, the epidemic of loneliness, and how rural communities can build meaningful connections. Together, they explore how farming values shape compassion, community support, and personal growth — even amid life’s deepest challenges.

The episode also highlights the inspiring work of the Travis Burkhart Foundation, created by Ryan’s family after his brother Travis survived a life-altering brain injury. Their story of turning personal tragedy into community support is one of resilience, faith, and hope.

This candid, thoughtful conversation reminds us all: while rural life has its hardships, it also holds deep strength, connection, and purpose.

- https://www.travisburkhartfoundation.com/

- https://www.ccu.edu/spotlights/faculty/rburkhart/

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

In this episode, we have the privilege of talking with Brett Gardiner, the most awarded western sports announcer in Canadian history.

As the thirteen-time and reigning Canadian Pro Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Gardiner has educated and entertained audiences all across North America. Brett has been behind the microphone at some of the most celebrated events including the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede and since 2016 he has been on the PBR Canada Cup Series featured on TSN.

As a Speaker and Advocate, Brett speaks to over a million people annually and currently works many of the industries most celebrated events. But more than that, Brett was High School teacher for 14 years and worked with some of our school systems most complex learners. Over that time Brett learned first hand the importance of building relationships and fostering connection with both students and adults.

After his successful teaching career, Brett would continue on his journey of helping others and obtain a Master of Counselling Psychology Degree and is currently working towards his doctoral degree in Sport and Performance Psychology.

It is this combination of experiences and accolades that have quickly made Brett a strong advocate for mental health, and a highly sought after mental performance consultant and counsellor to many individuals, athletes and organizations. Brett has also become a public speaker in the area of mental health and motivation.

In this episode:

• dealing with mental health as a “masculine male”
• Relationship and listening is key to building connection for mental health
• What role do we play to help keep people connected?
• Every generation still needs face to face personal connection. Nowadays, we need to be creative about it in a social media world
• Your job is to find something that IS for you - you may not get excited about the same connection types as others, but find your “thing”
• There’s some personalization in your process….does it fill your tank? That’s what you do!
• Quote: "Everything therapeutic is not therapy."
• Can we build you a little capacity. What fills your gas tank?
• Sometimes we have to have the tough times to appreciate the good times

Only 11% of farms have succession plans…it’s important to recognize seasons in your lives

Quote by Anne Bradstreet

"If we had not winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome”

• How do we define success for ourselves?
• What’s happiness and joy for ourselves?
• Once you get clear on those, then you have something to drive towards! What are you trying to get to?

Finally, What’s your favourite tradition?

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode 15, we discuss a very important - yet difficult topic related to grief and loss with Diane Bergsma, a farmer from Ontario.

The topics discussed in this episode may be difficult for some listeners, so be mindful if you are sensitive to certain topics regarding loss and grief.

Todays question: “ We Must Accept Finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

We also end the episode with a fun question:

If for 1 month, you could live at any famous residence or house in the entire world, which one would you pick?

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode (Part 2), we get the opportunity to talk more with Brian Reisinger, Author of Land Rich, Cash Poor. For more info on Brian, visit ⁠https://www.brian-reisinger.com/about⁠

To catch up first, here's the link to Part 1

This episode delves into deeper conversation regarding family trauma, so if this is not something you're prepared to participate in, we understand.

We delve into deeper conversations into realizing you have to deal with trauma. We also walk through how to move on from it, realizing you are significant and special and how Brian shares his fear of failure of no making his father proud, led to his father's opportunity to join him (and even take over) at the book signing table. Brian is also vulnerable as he shares his concerns and care over wanting to make things brighter for his child's future.

Todays question: “Think of something you used to love to do, but now you may have outgrown or lost interest in?".

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode, we get the opportunity to talk with Brian Reisinger, Author of Land Rich, Cash Poor among many different other endeavours that Brian pursues. For more info on Brian, visit https://www.brian-reisinger.com/about

Topics in this episode:

• Mourning the loss of livestock as a farmer

• Vulnerability with father
• Generational survival mode
• Dealing with hard times and farm crisis
• Generational weight of hard work required as a farmer
• Pressure to work hard generationally
• Brian’s role is to tell the story, hard fought to get there
• Older farmers, generations tend to still horde things because of history and the reminders of the Great Depression or war rations
• Resilience isn’t just digging your heels in and working harder, it’s more like building a support network, approaching issues realistically, ask for help etc.
• Checking in on folks was more of a “come by and visit”, not a mental health “intervention”
• Brain’s role was “translator” - had to journey off the farm to learn and gain wisdom from a different perspective. Translating back to the farm world

Todays quote: “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.” - Thomas Jefferson

This is why farmers are in Superbowl commercials and permeate so much of our country - this is our identity, cultivating our own food and working the land

Question? Harkening back to the days when the milk man would delivery, If you could get anything delivered to your home still, what would it be? 

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to The Rural Well Podcast! We've reached episode 12. We have the incredible privilege of having Brittany Olson join the podcast today,

Brittany Olson is a fifth generation dairy farmer in north western Wisconsin with her husband Sam and son Titus. Brittany is also a business owner, photographer and blogger.

Show Notes or discussion points:

- Lived in abuse, a broken family relationship as a child

- Miscarriage was the start of the end of my parents marriage

- There is such a thing as "golden uterus syndrome" - tune in for explanation

- Abusive moms don’t deserve the right to still have contact and control their child - this caused unnecessary trauma

- Parents sometimes use their children to hurt the other spouse

- Entered counselling but had to wait a year!

- Had to build boundaries with mom

- later in life, still had to deal with stress and problems, fires, barn rebuilds, birth trauma

- Panic attacks, crushing anxiety are still there

- We need to reorganize our expectations

- Recognize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and have value from your creator…”God made the moon and the stars and he also decided he needed one of us”

Quote “If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right”

Cheap food does have a cost. Moving away from our farming roots can have negative consequences in our culture.

Question: If you could take on anyones voice, who would that voice be?

Thank you for tuning in!

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to The Rural Well Podcast! We've reached episode 11. We have the incredible privilege of having Katelyn Duban join the podcast today, so buckle up, grab a hot drink, and join in the conversation.

Katelyn Duban is a first generation female farmer in Southern Alberta, Canada. As for podcasting, she continues to share and celebrate the stories of Women in Agriculture. She's also delving into a new venture of Podcast Coaching. Katelyn is the host of The Rural Women Podcast and is a well sought after public speaker!

Show Notes or discussion points:

• Got into podcasting to hear the stories of women in agriculture
• Filling a void we felt was missing back in 2019
• No two stories are the same, no two farms may farm the same
• Podcasting with women in agriculture have really grown, especially through and out of the pandemic
• It's a generational thing: when we think of women sharing their stories, stories are inspiring and have such value to learn from older women of traditional ways and experiences
• Resilience should not be a badge of honour, but can help propel you forward
• Memorable moments include sparking and spurring someone on to literally “quitting her job” to get into agriculture
• true resilience IS vulnerability
• There is a “culture” in agriculture - it’s a privilege to be a farmer!
• Postpartum depression often doesn’t get talked about. “I just thought that’s how you’re supposed to feel….”
• Some people cope in being vulnerable, others can “overshare” but we all have to get through our experiences in our own way. But sharing your story is important
• Vulnerability can be scary, but is so worthwhile
• It’s ok to evaluate both family members and counsellors when decided what to share with whom. When you find that “fit”, you will know!
• Emotional safety is real - share or don’t share. You decide!

Quote 1: “Bailing twine turns every farmer into McGyver”

Quote 2: “We have neglected the truth that a good farmer is a craftsman of the kindest order, a kind of artist”. 

Final question to comment on: Is there something you used to do all the time and were passionate about, but you either just don’t have time anymore or just don’t have the same drive for it?

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

Welcome back to the Rural Well Podcast. We've reached episode 10! We're so grateful you've taken the time to listen in and join in the conversation. This episode, we talk about communication.We specifically delve into 3 different types of communication:

- Are you listening to respond, or are you listening to listen?

- Non verbal communication can comprise of 86-96%, with tone, physicality, hands and facial expression all playing a part

2.Use open ended questionsas opposed to close ended questions

3.Clarification and/or summarization

We also discuss how important Validation is - especially for men.

It’s not even about being right! Being right doesn’t help us, it’s just validation we’re looking for.

We also talk about the quote by George Bernard Shaw: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

We then end off with banter about not getting hung up on the back and forth of whether something was communicated or not.  Just move forward in communication.

We look forward to having you join us on this journey at The Rural Well. Join the conversation!

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

In this episode, we have the wonderful opportunity to talk one-on-one with Sean Stanford, a grain farmer from Alberta who knows all too well the realities of stress on the farm. Sean walks us through his background, the many areas of responsibility he carries, and then ultimately how he came to terms with his anxiety, stress, and the courage it took for him to address it head-on - including the reality of the stigma that this can bring.

We look forward to having you join us on this journey at The Rural Well. Join the conversation!

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠ - National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠

Twitter - ⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠

TikTok - ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com