When Leila McDougall finished school, she left the land and headed to the big smoke to study fashion design. But it wasn't long before the country came calling again, and she settled down in rural Victoria with her husband. Since then, Leila has had two children; she's navigated mental health challenges most of her life- her parents have also struggled. Leila had just had her first child, when her mum attempted to take her own life. Leila is a fierce mental health advocate for rural Australia, so much so that she's made a movie to shine a light on mental health on the land. "Just a Farmer" may be a fictional movie, but with Leila as the lead character, it brings with it some very real and powerful messages. This is her story. Give the gift of craft this Christmas with R.M.Williams. Shop their festive gift guide full of thoughtful, handcrafted and Australian made gifts that promise a lifetime of adventures. Explore the full collection now at rmwilliams.com.au. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Emma Jackson has lived in the Cape York Peninsula for more than 20 years. She's originally from North Manchester, and the transition to life in rural Australia was a bit of a shock, not to mention the fact that yes, a snake tried to eat her son one night... but there is much more to her story! Emma has four kids, and is in the thick of navigating the teen years. Mental health has been a huge focus for her family, especially after her nephew took his own life shortly after finishing year 12. That led Emma to start the Conquer the Corrugations charity walk. In 2021, Emma saved someone's life, which is why she was named the 2022 RFDS Queensland Hero. We cover a lot in our chat. This is Emma's story. Give the gift of craft this Christmas with R.M.Williams. Shop their festive gift guide full of thoughtful, handcrafted and Australian made gifts that promise a lifetime of adventures. Explore the full collection now at rmwilliams.com.au. The King’s School is one of Australia’s largest boarding communities and has welcomed boys from Regional Australia for nearly two hundred years.Applications are now open for King’s 2025 Scholarships and Bursaries for Years 7 to 11. Visit www.kings.edu.au https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Maggie Mackellar is a writer, living on a fine wool merino farm on the east coast of Tasmania. Maggie didn't grow up on the land, but her family's strong ties to farming were her saviour during the hardest years of her life. Maggie's husband suicided more than 20 years ago. At the time, she had a five year old and was pregnant with their second child. In the same year, Maggie lost her mum. She escaped the city and sought refuge at her aunt and uncle's property to figure out her next steps. What happened over the next eight years, was not what she had planned. Her writing career flourished... and amongst it all, she found love again through the most unexpected way. In our chat Maggie reflects on grief, mental health, motherhood, and importantly, what's it's like in this new chapter of motherhood- with her children now grown up! This is her story. Give the gift of craft this Christmas with R.M.Williams. Shop their festive gift guide full of thoughtful, handcrafted and Australian made gifts that promise a lifetime of adventures. Explore the full collection now at rmwilliams.com.au. The King’s School is one of Australia’s largest boarding communities and has welcomed boys from Regional Australia for nearly two hundred years.Applications are now open for King’s 2025 Scholarships and Bursaries for Years 7 to 11. Visit www.kings.edu.au https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Fiona is a dairy farmer based in Deniliquin, NSW. She's one of seven children and grew up in a very loving catholic family. Fiona went on to have four children of her own, all boys, but it wasn't long before she realised her third son, was a bit different. At first, it was easy to brush off his desire to dress and act like a girl as a bit of fun, but as the years went on, Fiona and her husband realised this was very real- and it was life threatening. At 13, Fiona's son told her he was transgender, born with a body he said he simply couldn't live with much longer Since then, it's been a roller-coaster for the whole family to say the least. And for Fiona, she's had to navigate so many emotions- shock, fear, grief- and immense love, all that the same time. From it all, Alice has emerged.... Alice is now 16 living happily as a transgender teenage girl. This is Fiona's story. Give the gift of craft this Christmas with R.M.Williams. Shop their festive gift guide full of thoughtful, handcrafted and Australian made gifts that promise a lifetime of adventures. Explore the full collection now at rmwilliams.com.au. Get 15% off when you spend $100 or more at The Memo. Use code MOTHERLAND15 at checkout to redeem. It’s your parenting & baby destination with gifts for every age, stage, price and personality. This offer is valid until 20 Nov 2023. T&Cs and exclusions apply. Valid for new customers only. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Anthea Fellows is a mum and a grandmother and over the past few decades she's worked tirelessly doing community work across various organisations and charities. Anthea has been married for 35 years and her life has been anything but dull. At 22, she left the Adelaide Hills and moved to a cattle station just outside Alice Springs where she met a jackaroo, and, well, you know what happened next! Anthea had two children and struggled with her mental health at times. Her husband was also battling his own demons, and after 14 years of station life, they decided to leave the property and were gone within a week. There was a twist I didn't see coming in our chat though, just eight years ago, Anthea's husband ended up in a Chinese prison. And Anthea's response to him being jailed... took me by surprise to say the least! This is her story. Discover the art of fine leather craftsmanship at Saddler & Co - offering simple, elegant, practical and beautifully crafted leather goods that will endure from one season to the next. Order in time for Christmas and enjoy 15% off when you apply or mention code MOTHERLAND [Valid until Nov 27] https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Karla Williams lives on a dairy farm in Tassie, she's a nurse and a mum of two little boys, and over the past two years I've grown to know her and love her through our Motherland Village group. To understand Karla's motherhood journey, you have to understand her childhood. Her parents are deaf, and Karla was just 10 months old when she first learned to sign which is how she communicated with them. In many ways, Karla was a mother and a carer, before having children of her own. And when she did start her own family, her experience with her first child was everything she'd hoped for. But a few months into her second pregnancy, she started to experience bouts of rage, and things got worse after she welcomed her second son. Karla is so incredible brave and vulnerable... she shares the heart-stopping moment she knew she needed help, and how finding support through our village and the Gidget Foundation saved her. The Dr Golly Sleep Program, designed to equip parents with reliable sleeping skills for newborns through to preschoolers. Visit www.drgolly.com for more information on both Dr Golly’s sleep program and his new book “Your Baby Doesn’t Come With a Book” and receive $20 off the Dr Golly Sleep Program when you use code MOTHERLAND20 at checkout. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Kate Pianto is one of my dearest friends. She's in my Motherland Village group, and over the past two years I've had the pleasure of getting to know this amazing woman. But I'll be honest, sitting down with her for this podcast was a bit shocking at times, because she said things I've never heard her say before. Kate has ADHD and was only diagnosed when she was 26. She was seeing a psychologist at the time for postnatal depression and was in a really really dark place. Interestingly, ADHD actually helped Kate thrive as a first time mum, she had an incredible first year before things got very difficult for her. As someone whose partner has ADHD, I found our chat so enlightening and helpful. It's not been easy for Kate to manage ADHD alongside motherhood, her marriage, and her mental health. A quick warning, today's episode does discuss suicidal thoughts, and pregnancy loss. If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Get 15% off all your parenting and baby essentials at The Memo when you spend $100 or more. Use code MOTHERLAND at checkout to redeem. This offer is valid until 20 Nov 2023. T&Cs and exclusions apply. Valid for new customers only. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Yesterday was International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, and to honour all those parents who have lost a baby, I wanted to bring you a very special, but difficult episode today. It's personal, because Caitlyn Power is my friend. She's in my Motherland Village group which has been going strong for two years now. Caitlyn has four children- her third, Maggie, was delivered stillborn at full term just a couple of months after Caitlyn connected with our rural mothers' group. It shattered us all. It's very rare we hear from mums who have had to navigate the devastation of still birth. It's not a comfortable topic, and this is a extremely difficult conversation, but it's one that both Caitlyn and I believe is important - to raise awareness and to support other mums who may have gone through something similar, because Caitlyn didn't have that support when she lost Maggie. Warning: Today's episode might be extremely triggering for anyone who has lost a baby- please decide if you feel ready to hear this conversation. If you need to talk to someone, please contact SANDS who offer a 24/7 Bereavement Support Line: 1300 308 307 Whether you’re experiencing the identity shift of new motherhood, or planning your return to work, The Motherhood Space is a book you can turn to time and time again as you pass through each phase in your parenting journey. Published by Hardie Grant Books, it's available online and in bookstores now. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

When deciding whether to pursue teaching or nursing, Annabel Tully flipped a coin, it landed on teaching, and that's what brought her to the bush where she found love. Annabel and her husband have five children, most of them are adults now, but at one point, years ago, Annabel was terrified they'd grow up without a mother. At just 29, what Annabel thought was just a blocked milk duct turned out to be breast cancer. She was pregnant at the time and had to go straight into two surgeries.... one to remove the cancer, and the other, an emergency- c-section to get her baby out before she went straight into chemotherapy treatment. Annabel finally beat it and was cancer free for 5 years before she got the cruel news no one saw coming. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Annabel is particularly passionate about sharing her story. This is a conversation every woman needs to here, young or old. This is her story. Julia O’Connell Styling offers personalised intimate styling packages right in the comfort of your home. She’s your girl to get your wardrobe sorted! Remember to mention 'Motherland' for your chance to win one month free styling at free styling membership at cropsandsequinsstyling.com.au https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Brodie Game lives on the far south coast of NSW on dairy country, and she loves her cows, I mean loves them! She's up at 3am milking every morning, living her dream. It's been a tough road though. Over the past 10 years, Brodie and her husband have grown their own herd from 2 cows, to more than 300, but there have been times they've nearly lost it all, or wanted to walk away. Brodie's children were really little when they went through a horrific drought and had to sell half their herd. Then, one of their farms burned and they lost cattle in the 2019/2020 fires. Her husband was at breaking point, struggling with his own mental health, while Brodie tried to hold it together for him and the kids. But just when everything finally got better on farm, Brodie crumbled. Her story is about the power of vulnerability, the importance of looking after ourselves, and what we can all focus on as Australia heads into El Nino, with an uncertain season ahead for so many of us. This is her story. Ello Botanicals 1st Birthday this week! To celebrate Ello are giving away a FREE bottle of their luxury facial oil with any online purchase to thank you for your support. Go to wwww.ellobotancials.com make any purchase, for a limited time add an extra bottle to your cart and a discount will automatically apply with FREE shipping! https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Emily Bryant lives on a cattle station south of Katherine in the Northern Territory. Career wise, she was on fire in her 20s, moving from station cook to head stockman, to station manager in just a few years. Emily lived and breathed work- she admits she was married to her job. In that time, she fell head over heels with a bloke who she went on to marry. But at just 26, a year after saying 'I do' - she was divorced. So what happened? This isn't a story about a dramatic break up or a scandalous affairs, simply a young woman who made a choice to walk away. The 'D' word is not something we talk much about- but it happens, to many couples. And for Emily, you'll hear why being married to her best friend wasn't enough.. and how hard it was to end things, and face the social isolation and judgement that came with that. And finally... what it was like finding love again...she's now balancing station life with three kids, and a fourth on the way! This is her story. Little Meme is offering our listeners 25% off all their products - just head to www.littlememedesigns.com and apply the code ‘motherland25’ and follow @littlememedesigns on Instagram. Little MeMe Designs is a small bush business with a big heart. They create high quality, leather footwear for babies and children - along with a small range of hats. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Stephanie Wurst was born and raised in the city, and unexpectedly met a farmer on the dancefloor, and soon found herself moving to Kangaroo Island! Steph and her husband Tom went on to have three kids where she had to adapt quickly to the realities of living remotely with limited services. She was flown off the island to have her first baby, and nearly lost her second child during labour. But after all that, as a mum of three, Steph thrived- she loved motherhood, and she grew to adore life on the land. But on January 3rd 2020, Steph and her family lost everything in the Black Summer Fires... their home, most of their farm, and half their livestock. Steph's story is one of heartache, but it's also about rebuilding and the silver linings that can come from unimaginable loss. Steph also has some important advice to share when it comes to preparing for bushfire season. Grab your tickets to Motherland's National Conference which will be held in Launceston, Tasmania on March 1st & March 2nd 2024. With epic speakers including Giaan Rooney, Maggie Dent & Sam Bloom you don't want to miss Australia's biggest rural mother's group! BOOK NOW https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

This week, I'm very pleased to introduce you to Motherland's Queensland Ambassador Alice Woods. Alice is based on a farm near Goondiwindi, she's a trained vet, and spent more than 4 years in a long distance relationship with her now husband Dave, until they finally settled down on his family's farm. The journey to parenthood was not easy. After having her first little boy through IVF, Alice had three miscarriages in a row...and if living rurally wasn't isolating enough, it all happened during the peak of covid. Before I had my miscarriage, I had no idea what to expect, and like Alice, being so unprepared for what happened physically only intensified the emotional trauma. Alice has bravely shared the raw reality of her experience, in the hope it helps someone else. Just a warning, parts of this episode might be triggering for some. PAEDS Education is offering 10% off their online baby and child first aid course which has been developed with rural families in mind. Visit www.paeds.education and apply code 'motherland'. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Last week, we heard Steph Borowski's story, and today, you'll hear my very candid interview with her husband Josh. Josh is the first bloke I've had on this show, and this is one of the most important interviews I've ever done, because while my focus is on supporting rural mothers through Motherland, I felt it was time to hear a father's perspective to help close the loop. Josh is ready to talk. He's ready to share how initially becoming a father scared the hell of him, how he struggled with farm life and the pressures of drought, all while navigating family life. Josh honestly took my breath away at times with his depth and his vulnerability. He believes men have lost their way, and that it's time for fathers to step up and man up. And when he says manning up, it's not what you think. This is his story. If you're ready to take control of your legacy – Neilson and Co Legal is your trusted partner. You can Louise on 0401 783 134 to schedule a consultation or visit their website at www.neilsoncolegal.com. Mention Motherland and get 10% off estate planning services. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

This is the two-part episode I'd argue every mum and dad needs to listen to. In Part 1 today, I speak to Steph Borowski, and next week, you'll hear my chat with her husband Josh- the first man to be on Motherland. Steph met her husband in L.A, fresh out of school, they were both young actors chasing a dream. Fast forward a few years, and they settled on Josh's family farm in North West NSW, where life got pretty tricky once they had children. Josh, like so many farmers, was working around the clock, rarely home for that dinner/bathtime routine, and emotionally unavailable in so many ways. Steph felt what many of us have felt at some point as mothers... alone, frustrated, and at times, unsupported by our partner. There was a moment where Steph snapped, and it changed everything, from her marriage to her mental heath. In this very honest and raw discussion, Steph, opens up about what happened when she realised she needed help, and what happened when she asked her husband to step up. This is her story. If you're ready to turn your farm office chaos into a place of calm and control and you want support and proven tips, tools and tactics to embrace this journey and create a farm office that works like clockwork – start by signing up to Alison Hamilton's weekly newsletter https://alisonhamilton.au/ or join The Functioning Farm Office Group on Facebook. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Sarra Riddick and her partner tried to have a baby for three and a half years, before she finally fell pregnant with their twin boys, Heath and Hunter, through IVF. But after a devastating 20-week scan, Sarra and Jarrad had to make the toughest decision of their lives, terminating one of the twins, to give the other the best possible chance of survival. Sarra had to go through an unimaginable emotional rollercoaster after birthing her boys, experiencing joy after welcoming Hunter, who was rushed to NICU, while at the same time, mourning Heath who was stillborn. Living on a farm a couple of hours from Perth, Sarra then spent nearly four months away from the farm in hospital until she could finally bring Hunter home. Sarra wants her grief to have purpose, as she puts it. She wants to help other families feel less alone, and she wants you to know that her story, although heartbreaking, does have a silver lining, including her miracle baby Ollie. This is her story. Make your own MathsOnline success story. From increased confidence to improved grades, parents like Lisa and Mark have seen it all. Try MathsOnline for free at www.mathsonline.com.au and experience the difference it can make. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Melissa Duniam lives on the far north west coast of Tasmania and has spent the past 20 years in the dairy industry. When she was 18, she fell pregnant with her first daughter and soon after, became a single mum after her relationship ended. Melissa once vowed she'd never marry a dairy farmer, but that's exactly what she went on to do a couple of years later after falling in love with her now husband. She had two more daughters, and navigated some intense highs and lows during early motherhood. Horses have always helped Melissa through the toughest moments of her life, and her biggest battle came in October 2016 after she was seriously injured in a side-side-by side accident on the farm. Physically and emotionally it's been an ordeal, with Melissa struggling with PTSD for a long time after the accident. That set her on a huge personal development journey where she leaned into her horses, and now helps others through her business, Leading Rein. Melissa is flying the Tassie flag this year as the state winner of the AgriFutures Rural women's award. This is her story. MathsOnline offers comprehensive lessons and adapts to your child's learning style. Help your child thrive in maths and experience a surge of confidence! Visit www.mathsonline.com.au to start your FREE trial today. Watch as MathsOnline turns struggles into triumphs! https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

This week is Australia's first ever Loneliness Awareness Week. It's a national epidemic and through Motherland's work, we know there are so many rural mums out there who are struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Simone Heng is a human connection expert. Her new book, Loneliness- Let's talk about it, details her personal struggles with loneliness, but it's also an incredible guide on how we can kick loneliness to the curb for the sake of our health and our families. Simone grew up in Australia and has since lived all over the world. In 2013, one phone call changed her life. Her mum had a severe stroke which left her paralysed and Simone dropped everything to be by her side and spent the next six months of her life cleaning her mother's house (her mum has hoarding disorder). Simone was isolated from the outside world and experienced the worst loneliness of her life, which set her on her current path of helping others. In our chat, we get stuck into the hard stuff... and Simone shares the FIVE types of human connection we all need in our lives. Connect with Simone here https://simoneheng.com/ https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

In last week's episode, we heard about Maddie's incredible highs and lows before she became a mum, and in Part 2, you'll hear about the rollercoaster she went through after birthing her little boy. She suffered a traumatic 24 hours after having her son, even passing out on the table in theatre. Her journey into motherhood wasn't what she imagined, and while things eventually go better, they, unbelievably, got a whole lot worse again. Last year, Maddie snapped her leg in two places and ended up in hospital for two months. The cruel twist is that she was separated from her son and her fiancé for 6 weeks. The details are pretty heartbreaking. The silver lining to Maddie's story.... she's now planning her wedding (finally!). This is her story. Warning this episode discusses birth trauma and mental health. If you need support, please contact birthtrauma.org.au or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Simplify the complexity of maths homework with MathsOnline. Replace those puzzled frowns with confident smiles, one solution at a time. Visit www.mathsonline.com.au and spark up your free trial today. Delight in your child's newfound enthusiasm and remarkable progress! https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Maddie Staff lives on a station on the NT/WA border, and in this first part of her story, she opens up about losing her mother from breast cancer when she was just 18 months old, then years later finding out she was adopted. You'll hear what happened when she met her birth mother, plus how she found her birth father and slid into his DMs on Facebook. Maddie has also navigated two very toxic relationships, one that involved a miscarriage, and she also shares how she turned to alcohol to cope when she hit rock bottom. There is so much more, but for now, here's part one with Maddie staff. Part 2 will be released next week! WARNING: In today's episode we discuss abusive relationships and we also talk about Maddie's experience with mental health. If you or anyone you know needs support, please contact 1800 RESPECT which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as is Lifeline on 13 11 14 Don't let Maths homework end in tears. Mathsonline offers a free trial, which will turbocharge your child’s grades and make learning much more enjoyable. With Mathsonline, homework help is just a click away. Visit www.mathsonline.com.au today. Your child's journey to better grades starts now! https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia