Podcasts

In this episode of ‘Being Farmstrong’, Hamish McKay sits down with Sam Whitelock to talk about pressure, leadership, mental fitness and what it takes to keep performing when things get tough. Sam has been the Farmstrong Ambassador since 2016, so he knows the challenges rural people face. There are also some really practical takeaways here about looking after yourself, staying on top of things and being at your best, whether that’s on the farm or just in everyday life.

In this first episode of the ‘Being Farmstrong’ podcast series Live Well, Shear Well, Hamish McKay chats with shearing legend Rowland Smith about the launch of Live Well Shear Well, the realities crews are facing in the sheds, and more importantly, how to look after your wellbeing when the work gets intense.

In this episode of the ‘Being Farmstrong’ podcast, Michelle Watt sits down with Farmstrong Champion Deanne Parkes to talk about women’s mental health on and around the farm. They dig into why so many women just keep pushing through, what that “invisible load” really looks like, and how taking just a moment to pause and check in with yourself can make a massive difference. They also get into the differences between men and women, and how you can better support the partner, wife, mum or friend in your life who might be carrying more than you realise.

In this episode of the ‘Being Farmstrong’ podcast, host Hamish McKay sits down with the man behind the movement, Farmstrong CEO Gerard Vaughan, to talk about how it all started and where Farmstrong’s heading next. You’ll also hear from Canterbury farmer and Farmstrong Champion Geoff Spark, who shares his own story of resilience, why gratitude matters on farm, why making mental skills a part of your day is just as important as being physically active, and how any one of us can be the one to kick off a conversation.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. ‘Getting Through’ looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand. In episode 1, Ro is joined by Northland Kūmara grower Krista Franklin who, along with husband James, lost 84% of their crop to Cyclone Gabrielle and says the event rocked the family “to our core.”

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. ‘Getting Through’ looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand. In this episode, Rowena is joined by Sarah Donaldson – Rural Support Trust area coordinator for Wairarapa, who is also a trained clinical psychologist and expert in what it takes to get through these events.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by Brydon Nisbett who bravely opens up about the grief of dealing with Cyclone Gabrielle in this third episode of Farmstrong’s ‘Getting Through’ podcast. Puketapu’s Brydon Nisbett juggles a lot of hats! President and chair of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Assn, HortNZ board member and apple grower in his own right, he shares the different tools he used to get through – like making sure he didn’t allow himself to get isolated and even organising his own support crew to check in on him.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through” looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand. In this episode, Rowena is joined by Hawke’s Bay deer farmer Harry Gaddum who was cut off from the outside world for a couple of weeks post Cyclone Gabrielle but learnt a lot along the way (like how to muster his stock back from the wilderness via drone!) and was happy to share that with others.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through” looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand. In episode 5, Rowena is joined by Ngatapa sheep and beef farmer Hamish Cave, looking back at the damage from Cyclones Hale, then Gabrielle, then 25 out of 30 days with rain in June; Hamish shares how he and wife Amanda coped with the challenges that ensued.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through” looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand. In episode 6, Rowena is joined by Gisborne citrus grower and consultant Stewart Paulson. Despite over 40 years in the primary sector, 2023 was the wettest Stewart has ever experienced, with huge and ongoing ramifications for the citrus sector; and so Stewart shares what’s kept him Farmstrong through the challenges.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through”
looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand.
In episode 7, Rowena is joined by Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Georgie Moore, who was badly impacted by Cyclone Hale, before Gabrielle provided the icing on the cake. Georgie shares what’s kept her Farmstrong through the challenges.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through” looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand.
In episode 8, Ro is joined by Tairāwhiti farmers Ian & Helen Burgess. 16 months on from Gabrielle, they still struggle to get access to their farm, but remain smiling, laughing and unfailingly optimistic.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. “Getting Through” looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who’ve been through it first-hand.
In episode 9, Rowena is joined by Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Sam Johnston, whose property was badly flooded by Cyclone Gabrielle. Sam shares what’s kept him Farmstrong through the challenges.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Taranaki farmer Kane Brisco – founder of FarmFit and author of ‘Tools for the Top Paddock’ on how to make farming easier for the mind and the body.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Mt Nicholas Station farmer Jack Cocks about his courageous recovery following a near-fatal brain aneurysm and subsequent surgeries and setbacks.

Waikato farmer Marc Gascoigne talks to The Country’s Rowena Duncum about the stress and anxiety he hid for eight years, before finding the courage to speak up.

Paparimu farmer Amber Carpenter chats about her transition from the fashion industry to running multiple farming operations while juggling a young family and a global pandemic.

Bay of Plenty farmer Paul Walker who’s once again calling on everything he’s learned about wellbeing to cope with the challenges currently being thrown at farmers.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Clarence River Valley farmer Hamish Murray about how he overcame burnout following a period of prolonged drought, and what tools he now uses to avoid that trap again.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to dairy farmer Abbi Ayre, who shares her tips on juggling farming, family, and voluntary roles in the agriculture industry. Abbi also bravely opens up about two bouts of post-partum psychosis and how she and her new family coped in the aftermath.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Junior Taulago – an inspirational convert to the primary sector, who’s gone from hip-hop dance instructor to Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer at the epicentre of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Troy Hall – an inspirational horticulturalist who turned his life around, only to be electrocuted. Twice. The first shock killed him, the second brought him back to life, but left him engulfed in flames. Here, Troy opens up about his lengthy recovery and new-found drive to build awareness around health and safety.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum talks to Slade McDonald, who in just 24 years has dealt with more challenges than most people do in a lifetime. Moving continents (twice), losing both his parents before he’d finished high school and eventually finding a healthier path to deal with loss, burnout and depression. Here he shares what he’s learnt along the way and how he stays Farmstrong.

The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by Nuffield Scholar and Golden Bay dairy farmer Corrigan Sowman, to look at coping with change and uncertainty. The pair explore how a flexible mindset is required to navigate a constantly evolving industry and keep in a positive frame of mind.