Shows
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch50. Blending Motherhood and EntrepreneurshipFor this, my 50th episode, I'm sharing my lessons on blending motherhood and entrepreneurship. From the start of TTC (trying to conceive), going through IVF, the newborn and toddler days and now the school years, motherhood and business have gone hand-in-hand for me.This journey has shaped me in ways I never expected, teaching me lessons that go far beyond business strategies or parenting techniques. I’d love to share with you some of the insights I’ve gained from navigating this blend (not balance) of motherhood and entrepreneurship over the years. 1. Know Your Value...2025-02-2637 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch49. What I'm Learning Raising BoysI was asked recently what it's like raising four boys. It definitely got me thinking.They’re about to celebrate their birthdays in the next six weeks – the twins will turn nine, our eldest is almost 11, and our youngest will be seven. And while there’s a bit of rough-and-tumble going on that usually comes with the territory, raising sons has been an eye-opening experience and completely different to what I expected. Today, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learnt, ways I’ve adapted to the unexpected and what I hope to be instilling in my boys as...2025-02-1128 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch48. My Top 5 Lessons from Navigating Big Change and ReinventionAs we step into 2025, my life has been swirling with change – not just with a new home, but with a shift in my career as well. Recently, my family and I embarked on a significant move that upended our surroundings and challenged us to settle into a new rhythm. Alongside the chaos of relocating, I’ve also closed a chapter as an accountability coach with the Farm Owners Academy, leaving me with a clean slate to explore new ventures. As I reflect on this journey of shifting landscapes, I want to share with you the top five lesso...2025-01-2829 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch47. School Holiday Survival And 2025 Goal SettingI find myself in the thick of school holidays and I imagine many of you, much like myself, are navigating the highs and lows that accompany this somewhat haphazard time of year. Whether you have kids at home from primary school, kindy, daycare, or even boarding school, the change in routine can feel both liberating and overwhelming. Some days, it feels like we’re swimming in flexibility and fun, and other days, it feels as if our nerves are hanging by a thread.It’s perfectly natural to experience a spectrum of feelings during the holidays. Some pare...2025-01-1422 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch46. My Goals For 2025As we usher in 2025, I find myself deeply reflective and excited about the year ahead. Whether you celebrated New Year's Eve by turning in early or dancing the night away, I hope your festivities were wonderful. I’m writing this with a sense of fresh beginnings and anticipation, and I wanted to share some of the goals I've set for this year. Embracing New BeginningsAs many of you know from previous episodes, we have embarked on a huge transition. After moving from the border town of Goondiwindi in Queensland to our new home in the...2024-12-3118 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch45. Living In A Rural Town vs On The FarmThis episode is inspired by our family's significant move from our beloved farm near Moonie to the lively border town of Goondiwindi, and my reflections on living in a rural town compared to life on the farm. After spending decades mainly on the land and out of town, this transition brought its share of revelations, and I'm eager to share the highs and lows.When we decided in 2022 to live in town during the school terms of 2023, it meant embracing a new chapter. Goondiwindi became our home base, offering immediate access to amenities that were previously the...2024-12-1723 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch44. Your Label, Your Role: In Or Out of Family FarmingIn this episode I’m talking about a topic that I know many of my rural and regional listeners who are involved in farming businesses will resonate with. That said, I think there's a good message in here for everyone as we discuss the labels we put on ourselves and finding our place in the stage of life we’re in. In this conversation, I’ll explore taking a stand for what we want for our lives and making conscious choices that see it come to pass.I encourage each of you to pause and reflect...2024-12-0318 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch43. Knowing Your Mental Health Red FlagsWe talk a lot about mental health these days which I’m so grateful for. It’s brilliant that we as a society are more aware of this topic and it’s no longer taboo to talk openly about things like anxiety and depression.While I believe these conversations are extremely valuable, we often place the focus on mental illness as opposed to mental health itself. I’d like to open the discussion on how to recognise the mental health red flags so we can catch ourselves and take action before we spiral downward. I re...2024-11-1920 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch42. Your Level Of Uncomfortable MattersMoving away from the familiar is generally very uncomfortable. As someone who has experienced a lifetime of perfectionism and people pleasing, I know just how hard it is to let go of control and branch out into something beyond my comfort zone. But what if discomfort is actually the best thing for us?At the time of recording this, I found myself reflecting on the story of Australian man Nedd Brockmann, who embarked on what he called 'Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge' and completed it. He ran an astounding 1,000 miles around Sydney Olympic Park, aiming to...2024-11-0518 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch41. Let's Talk About The Midlife UnravelingI’ve been feeling different in the past few years. There has been one internal shift, big question and hard decision after another to contend with. I’m thinking more deeply about what I want to do with my life, and who I want to surround myself with.I’m referring to the midlife unravelling. Notice how I specifically didn’t use the term 'midlife crisis'? That’s because, for many of us, the experience of reaching our 40s and beyond is less about crisis and more about unravelling—a gentle peeling back of the layers w...2024-10-2220 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch40. Letting Go: Tips to Release What Holds You BackSometimes, we prefer to stay in our suffering.The pain we’re familiar with can be a lot less scary than the unknown - which potentially comes with rejection, failure or even success (yes, that can be scary too!)This could be relationships, habits, friendships, old beliefs… and sometimes they’re paralysing to let go of, even when we know in our hearts that we should.So how do we find the courage to release what holds us back? Today, I’m sharing with you five different tips that I came up with that wil...2024-10-0815 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch39. How to Make Time for CreativityA lot of us would never call ourselves creative.We think that if we can’t paint, write or draw, then we’re definitely not creative.That was me for many years. At a young age, I decided that because I was the academic one in the family and not good at art like my sister, I wasn’t and never would be creative. Thankfully, I no longer believe this lie. I now recognise the unique ways in which I create and that if I put myself in a box, I’ll miss out on al...2024-09-2423 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch38. My Experience With AntidepressantsLife comes with its fair share of ups and downs, but there are moments when the downs can feel overwhelming - insurmountable even. Personally, I’ve had a few episodes of poor mental health in my lifetime - patches of anxiety and depression that I’ve learnt how to manage. However, in 2022, I got to my lowest point with it, even experiencing symptoms of psychosis. When I first considered going on antidepressants during this time, it felt like a big, daunting step. And though I would encourage anyone else in my life to not feel shame...2024-09-1021 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch37. Daring To Set BoundariesDo you ever feel like a doormat? You spend all day pouring out love, time and energy into meeting everyone else’s needs and by the end of the day, you feel like you’ve been walked all over.Your needs go unnoticed. Your needs don’t matter. It’s no wonder so many of us struggle with feelings of resentment and anger. A lot of the time, it all comes down to a matter of boundaries. For many women, boundaries is an uncomfortable topic but it’s also a really important one. A huge breakthrou...2024-08-2725 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch36. How And Why I Gave Up Wine O'ClockI’m tackling a bit of a sensitive topic today and if you’re currently relying on that nightly glass (or two) of wine to unwind after a long, stressful day, it may even hit a raw nerve to hear me talk about why, and how, I gave up wine o’clock.In Australia, we have such an alcohol fueled culture, which makes it harder to recognise the dangers of wine o'clock in mummy wine culture. It’s become normal to reach for a drink to cope, relax, escape, celebrate, socialise, drown your sorrows, and every other reason w...2024-08-1320 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch35. Can I Really Do This? Navigating The Mother LoadA question most mothers will ask themselves at one point or another is, "Can I really do this?" Balancing motherhood, work, personal growth, and other responsibilities can feel overwhelming, so today I want to share some strategies that have helped me navigate a challenging few months. I recently went through 9 weeks of solo parenting while my husband was away, during which time I also had multiple gallbladder attacks, underwent surgery, and dealt with ongoing health issues with our children. Everything started piling up and it started to wear me down. Signs of Reaching the...2024-07-3021 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch34. Motherhood and IdentityMotherhood is a profound experience that brings about countless changes. For many women, it comes with a huge identity shift, sometimes even an identity crisis. Before having children, you might have felt like a confident, capable individual with a strong sense of self - but the transition into motherhood can come as quite a shock. A lot of women feel out of control, overwhelmed, isolated and like they no longer have a sense of self. In 2018, I hit a wall—an experience I term as "falling into the black hole." I felt lost, my confidence shattered, and my...2024-07-1617 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch33. Why Your Words Matter + Motherhood AffirmationsWords are not just sounds; they are vibrations that shape our entire world. Believe it or not, the stories you tell yourself are ruling your life and these stories can either empower you or hold you back. The choice is completely up to you. We all have those repetitive stories - the ones embedded in our minds from past experiences, conditioning, and the environments we grew up in. These narratives feel so true because they've been echoed in our minds for years.But when was the last time you took a step back to observe t...2024-07-0217 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch32. 43rd Birthday: Reflecting On The Last YearAs I celebrate my 43rd birthday, I find myself reflecting on the journey of the past year. It’s been a period filled with growth, challenges, and ultimately, a great deal of personal development. From Farm to Town LifeOne of the most significant changes in the past year has been our move from the farm to town life in Goondiwindi. For almost a decade, our family lived on a farm near Moonie, engaged in a agricultural business we ran with my parents and family. However, in 2023, we made the challenging decision to rel...2024-06-1826 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch31. Writing Your Own Rules of MotherhoodWhat does it mean to be the “perfect” mother? And is this a standard that we should even remotely be trying to live up to?For some background, listen to episode 26 where I chat with Dr. Sophie Brock, a mentor of mine who specialises in this area and with whom I completed my Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification. She has a fantastic podcast called "The Good Enough Mother" that you should definitely check out.Firstly, let's acknowledge the pressure. Social media, movies, even our own upbringings bombard us with unrealistic expectations of what...2024-06-0414 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch30. Managing Your Mind When Sickness Invades Your HomeBeing a mum is amazing, but let's be honest, it's also very hard work! And when sickness hits your house, it can feel like everything explodes into chaos. I know for me personally, I find not only my physical health deteriorates if I’m unwell, but my mental health really takes a dive. So I thought it may be helpful to share some strategies that I have to help improve your mindset when those germs come knocking.What I’ve found to be powerful: shift your focus. Our thoughts are powerful things. Instead of stewing about...2024-05-2114 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch29. What Singing Lessons Have Taught Me About Taking Up SpaceAs a Mum of four, coach and multiple business owner, I spend most of my days listening, nurturing, and getting things done. There's not always a lot of room for, well, me.This year, I decided to change that. I started thinking about what I could do as a hobby that was purely for myself. It didn’t have to be connected to any particular career aspirations or life goals, it just had to feel like it was just for me. The more I thought about it, I decided singing lessons would be something I’d lik...2024-05-0714 min
This Rural Life with Katrina MyersMaybe January is Not the Time and How to Enjoy the School Holidays with Benita BenschWelcome to 2024! For the first podcast of the year I asked my beautiful friend Benita to come on and share with us how we can set ourselves up for success for 2024 and also how we can really enjoy the holidays as well with our kids. We talk about what tools she suggests for how to enjoy the school holidays and how to set yourself up for a great 2024 in what ever way that looks for you. The key takeaways were: - to sit down as a family and work this out together. Don't just do i...2024-01-0335 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch28. Taking A Podcasting Break And Why“Is this decision serving me to my greater good?”This is one of the questions I want to leave you with as I take a break from this podcast.I have found making the decision to put the podcast, and other parts of my business on hold to be incredibly difficult, and I understand that readjusting your priorities can be hard, but you are important and your health is important.Adam and I are off to forge our own path in our farming business and as we make plans and deci...2023-11-1438 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch27. Dr Sophie Brock On The Perfect Mother Myth And Social Construct Of MotherhoodDr Sophie Brock is a motherhood studies sociologist and mother living in Sydney, Australia. She provides analysis of motherhood in our culture and the ways individual experiences of mothers are shaped by broader social constructs.Sophie's work contributes to changing the cultural conversation on motherhood and the individual experiences of mothers to create a world where mothers feel empowered, supported and valued.In this episode we cover:Dr Sophie’s Fish Tank of Motherhood analogy for understanding social constructThe power of rewriting the narrative around motherhood, shifting from vi...2023-10-3136 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch26. My Motherhood Story: Steph Schmidt“Our challenges now will be their strengths in the future” shares Steph Schmidt on navigating her motherhood journey.Steph is a psychologist working in farmer mental health and grassroots and community based strategies. She is also a mother to 3 boys and alongside her husband runs a sheep and cropping farm in South Australia.Steph openly admits that she has found motherhood to be the hardest thing she has ever done, and has navigated raising 3 sparkler boys on a busy farm whilst battling postnatal depression. In th...2023-10-1758 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch25. Your Two Most Powerful Words“I am”Have you ever thought about the power and potency of these words?What we impress on our subconscious mind is what comes to reality for us.The power that words hold for us can easily be overlooked or thrown to the side, and in the last 18 months I have become aware that since I was a teenager I have been managing a tendency towards anxiety and made the conscious decision to never say “I am anxious”.Why?2023-10-0312 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch24. Sunny Roberts On How To Keep Your Relationship Alive Post-KidsSunny Roberts is deeply passionate about helping women return to their feminine energy. Born and raised in Germany and working in a corporate career she spent her 20s operating in masculine push mode and burnt out at 28 which led her to become a yoga and mindfulness teacher. Becoming a mum of two boys she found herself struggling in her own marriage of 7 years and was ready to give up when she discovered that embracing her feminine energy was the key to lasting connection and love in her relationship.Today she is on a mission to h...2023-09-1950 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch23. My Motherhood Story: Kate Fisher**Themes of mental health, pregnancy loss, medical trauma and women’s health issues.**This is not an episode for little people's ears. Pop your headphones on, or listen to it when you're alone.“I’ve really learned that the best parents, and the best mums that I know are the ones that become the parent that their child needs them to be” shares Kate Fisher on her motherhood experience.Kate is a fierce blood donation advocate and is the creator of the Milkshakes for Marleigh blood donation movement and podc...2023-09-0552 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch22. Navigating Burnout And The Black Hole In 2018My own invisible battle.This has been on my heart for a while now, and it will give you some context for the work that I do with mums, my experiences and hardships with mental health from my own motherhood journey.In this episode I share a very personal, raw and vulnerable letter that I wrote in November 2018 and emailed to a group of Mums around the same stage of motherhood I was.At the time of writing this letter I was finding my...2023-08-2227 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch21. Katrina Myers On Productivity And The Cost Of Saying YesKatrina is a Meditation and Wellbeing educator, a fourth generation farmer and co-owner of the family run business, Barham Avocados. Katrina is a passionate rural advocate who cares deeply about rural and regional Australia and is on a mission to support Rural Women to thrive and lead through her Meditation and Mindset Training Business. Her experience travelling all over the world shaped her desire to build strong and supportive rural communities with thriving people to enhance a sense of belonging and to encourage entrepreneurism and innovation. She hos...2023-08-0843 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch20. My Motherhood Story: Riana Davis “No matter how fiercely independent you are and how much you struggle to ask for help, when push comes to shove, you end up having to ask for help” shares Riana Davis on her motherhood lessons.Riana has been officially part of our family for around 10 years, and I am so grateful to call her my sister-in-law. Riana is married to my younger brother Shawn and together they have two young girls aged 7 and 9 who are the most incredible little humans.As far as mums go Ri...2023-07-2558 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch19. The Art Of Trying: An IntroductionThe Art of Trying.In this context, trying is the colloquial term used to describe the process of deliberately timing intercourse to coincide with ovulation for the purpose of creating an embryo.It implies action.I came to detest the word trying because it invoked in me a sense of hard work, futility and never quite getting there.It’s also the title of my book.Whilst my husband and I now have 4 beautiful children, it was a long journey filled with dark and light while trying to conceive at...2023-07-2013 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch18. Maddy Bento On Mental Health, Dieting And Body Image In MotherhoodMaddy Bento is a degree qualified nutritionist working in the body image and intuitive eating space.She was an exhausted mumma who was trying so hard to eat “perfectly” and her mental health suffered, along with her relationship with her body health and food.Maddy has since learnt about Intuitive Eating and Health At Every Size (HAES) and has not only transformed her own relationship with food and her body, but does so for other mums that have become caught up in trying so hard to be “healthy” and follow the “rules” only to have their mental...2023-05-3058 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch17. My Motherhood Story: Kylee Curtis“Because ultimately for them to become adults, they need to be able to learn along the way” shares Kylee Curtis on walking the line between expectations and nurturing individuality in her children.Kylee is my older sister and she has been an incredible role model to me, and as far as mum’s go, she’s pretty amazing.Kylee’s children are older than mine. She has a 14, 16 and 18 year old so we are at very different stages of our motherhood journeys, and she is joining me on the podcast to...2023-05-1644 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch16. Managing Decision Fatigue To Improve Dinner Bath Bed TimeDo you think it’s possible to feel good during the afternoon and evening regardless of the chaos that might be happening around you?There is a lot of focus on our morning routines and I absolutely believe in starting the day with a routine that makes you feel good and gives you a high vibration to carry throughout the day.However, I don’t think we spend enough time talking about afternoon and evening energy and routine, and how we can support ourselves (especially as mothers) to create a more easeful and less stressful end...2023-05-0229 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch15. Megan Hillukka On Grief And Anxiety After Child LossTrigger Warning: Child LossMegan Hillukka is a bereaved mother, with 7 children, one who died suddenly at 15 months old - her precious Aria.Because of Aria, Megan now encourages and supports grieving mothers that though the worst thing has happened to them, their life is not over. She is the creator of a space called Grieving Moms Haven, where she helps moms learn how to process and move through the emotions of grief through meditation, tapping meditation, breath work and other mindfulness practices. Grieving Mom's Haven also provides a place of safety and c...2023-04-181h 07
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch14. My Motherhood Story: Terri Williams“It sets up an automatic kind of rule book or framework or structure that we then automatically compare ourselves to, analyse and wonder” shares Terri Williams of her Motherhood Story and being questioned around going back to work.There is a 10 year age gap between myself and my younger sister, Terri Williams.Terri got married in 2020 and had her little baby girl in 2022 who is now about to turn one so we are in quite different stages of our motherhood journeys. In this episode Terri is joining me to disc...2023-04-0444 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch13. BONUS EPISODE. You're Invited To The Rise & Shine RetreatHave you been feeling the call to connect in person?In my mind there’s really no substitute for meeting in person and after a couple of years of having no in person events, I have been feeling a really strong desire to create an event that can bring this incredible community together.This episode is dedicated to our Rise and Shine Retreat that I am co-hosting with Sunny Roberts from Wholehearted Woman.In this episode, I am talking through:Why I am ho...2023-03-2821 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch12. 6 Lessons From Mothers GroupMothers Group was a lifeline for me as a new Mum. It was a highlight of my week, providing sanity-saving adult connection, a reason to leave the house (even when it was hard!), valuable support and information. The bonds we formed in that Mothers Group have lasted for years.On the day of recording this episode I had visited the same Mothers Group service, in the same room, 9 years on from my own time there. I was a guest, there to discuss matrescence, identity shift, mental health, self care, and the power of your words. It’s a...2023-03-2126 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch11. Karen Brook On Consciously Creating, And Ditching Mum GuiltA wife, Mum of 2 boys AND high performance mindset coach who helps people create extraordinary results, CEO of a 7 figure business, and top 1% Proctor Gallagher Institute Consultant. I’m talking about the powerhouse that is Karen Brook. Karen says that she asked these questions of herself even before starting a family: “What did I want motherhood to look like for me? What did I want my story to be?”This powerful conversation is all about choosing the attitude of AND in life, not either/or. We talk about energetics, growth, attitude, Mum guilt, consciously creating, motherh...2023-03-071h 00
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch10. My Motherhood Story: Jacqui Doyle“It’s easier to be courageous for your child than it is to be courageous for yourself,” shares Jacqui Doyle, the first guest of the ME+MOTHERHOOD ‘My Motherhood Story’ series of conversations with incredible Mums.Like all mothers, Jacqui has experienced her share of ups and downs - the pure joy of the precious moments, blended with the struggle to become a parent, postnatal depression, a body forever changed since childbirth, managing her health and navigating her way through motherhood to reclaim her sense of self and trust in her body.Jacqui’s vulnerability, honesty and...2023-02-2156 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch9. Powerful Questions For 2023Welcome back for Season 2 of ME + MOTHERHOOD! I hope 2023 is off to a great start for you and yours! This is a short and snappy episode to reconnect with you, and to get you thinking about what’s important to you this year. Instead of discussing goals, I invite you to consider three other powerful questions to shape your decisions and approach in 2023.I also reflect on what personal growth means, why it’s addictive, and share some of the growth stories that clients of mine have experienced in the past 6 months.If you’v...2023-02-0714 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch8. 2022 Reflections On Life, Business And Motherhood2022, where did you go!? For this last episode of Season 1 of ME + MOTHERHOOD I took a little longer in order to reflect on the year that’s been. Reflection is incredibly powerful, and important, and I encourage you to do it for yourself! It reveals important information for us to respond to.For me, 2022 has been a year of self-exploration and uncovering for me what it means to heal, thrive and lean into the person I am becoming. In this episode I chat about:A wrap up of the year and what I've learned, including my mo...2022-12-1336 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch7. The Power Of Permission And How To Give It To YourselfRight now, what do you need to give yourself permission to be, do, have or give?What do you hear whispering quietly within you, waiting and wanting you to bring to life? If you would only give yourself permission, what do you really desire?This podcast episode is a loving kick up the butt from me to give yourself permission. Don’t wait for a permission slip any longer - give it to yourself! This is your life and you only get one shot at it.In this episode, I dive into why gi...2022-11-2920 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch6. 3 Strategies To Find Your Spark AgainHave you ever felt like you’ve lost your spark in motherhood? What I mean by this is when you feel flat, like you’re going through the daily motions of life, lacking in meaning and purpose. It feels like there’s a bucket over your inner light and it’s barely flickering. You may feel this way when:For any number of reasons you have been forced to, or chosen to, give up, or put to the side what lights you up.You used to know what lights you up but now you don’t know if or how tha...2022-11-1523 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch5. My 15 Best-Of Motherhood Lessons So FarThere’s no instruction manual for motherhood. I sometimes wish there was but also wonder: would I read it, or toss it to the side like a set of IKEA instructions? What I’ve found to be true is that even with an abundance of information at my fingertips, there’s no escape from living through, and learning from, the lessons we are dealt on the journey of motherhood.This episode is a personal reflection on 15 of my best-of motherhood lessons so far. I probably could have shared 50 of them! These were the first 15 that came to mind a...2022-11-0232 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch4. Making Decisions, With Meg DurhamDo you sometimes avoid making decisions?Are you unclear about how to make decisions or take action that aligns with what feels right for you in your life? This episode is a special one. It’s a recording of my recent conversation with Meg Durham from her podcast The School of Wellbeing, Episode 56. Meg has generously given me permission to share it with you on ME + MOTHERHOOD.In this heartfelt conversation, we speak about:The decision-making processWhat stops us from taking aligned actionWhy we often seek out the permission of oth...2022-10-1844 min
The School of Wellbeing with Meg DurhamTSOW56: Making Decisions with Benita Bensch“Everything is always a choice - whether we’re consciously aware of it or not.” - Benita Bensch
Do you sometimes avoid making decisions? Are you unclear about how to make decisions or take action that aligns with what feels right for you in your life? In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with the coach and author Benita Bensch about the decision-making process, what can stop you from taking aligned action and why we often seek the permission of others to help make important decisions in our life. During this conversation, you’ll understand how to become more awa...2022-10-1346 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch3. Who Am I Now? Embracing The Identity Shift Of MotherhoodI often hear from mothers who come to me for coaching: ‘I don’t know who I am anymore.’ I totally get it because I have said and felt it too in the past! It’s no surprise we would feel this way when you consider the enormity of the transition we go through moving from woman, to woman AND mother. All mothers go through an identity shift - some with more ease and acceptance than others - and that’s okay.In this episode I cover:Understanding and accepting the transition - an introducti...2022-10-0425 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch2. What Is Self Care Really, And 3 Tips On How To Achieve itWe all know that self care is important and that we should be focusing on it. But what is self care really? And the even better question: how do you practically achieve it on a consistent basis when you’re a busy Mum juggling so much at once?In this episode I cover:Defining self care for you3 tips on finding time for self care in your busy lifeThe mindset you need to support self care habitsHow to know when you need more than self careThere’s often a difference between what we ‘...2022-09-2026 min
ME + MOTHERHOOD with Benita Bensch1. The What And Why Behind ME + MOTHERHOODWelcome to Season 1 of the ME + MOTHERHOOD podcast! This episode is all about the backstory to ME + MOTHERHOOD because, well, who doesn’t love a good backstory!In this episode, I share the what and why behind the podcast including:Who I am (Benita, your host), what I do, why and how I got hereWhy I’m launching ME + MOTHERHOODThe story behind the podcast nameWhat you can expect from this showIf you’re interested in my story of arriving here and finding my voice again through breakdowns, drought, mothering 4 boys, publishing a book, and return...2022-09-0621 min
Big Money StrategiesMovers and Shakers BenitaWelcome to another episode of our Movers and Shakers series where I track down exceptional women doing business in the bush and talk all about the difference and change they are making in their world! Join me as I interview these incredible women and hope it gives you a big dose of inspiration to be a Mover and Shaker yourself! On today's episode, we are talking to Benita Bensch. Benita is a Motherhood coach, certified Motherhood studies practitioner, author, speaker, mother of 4 boys and a Queensland farmer. Through her coaching, resources and transformative programs, Benita h...2022-09-0225 min
Motherland Australia126: Why country music artist Ell Regan sings at one of Australia's most remote roadhousesEll Regan is a country music artist who left her home town and family in NSW to move to one of the most remote parts of outback Australia. She now sings at Barkly Homestead, a roadhouse which is the first and only stop for travelers crossing the Queensland border into the Northern Territory. Ell happily drives five hours to Woolies just to do a click and collect, all with her one year old son by her side. The pandemic put the brakes on her music career for a while, but it enabled her to focus on motherhood which has been...2022-05-0138 min
Motherland Australia125: Lyn Kelson's incredible story of survival after her husband's suicideLyn Kelson is a farmer, a mum, and a grandmother who's story of survival and resilience is unbelievable. Lyn's youngest children were just two and three years old when her husband committed suicide. She was widowed at the age of 26 , left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken family. But just as she started to rebuild their lives, a devastating bush fire destroyed everything. Lyn has lived many lives, and she's never shared her story so openly, so it's a privilege to share it with you today. This is her story.A warning: This...2022-04-2455 min
Motherland Australia124: The untold story of bestselling rural author Fleur McDonaldFleur McDonald is one of Australia's best selling rural authors and many of us know her for her gripping crime novels inspired by life on the land. But she's never shared her own story quite like this. Fleur is an incredible woman who raised two children with disabilities on a remote station in Western Australia. She also left an incredibly toxic marriage and went on to start an amazing organisation supporting those experiencing domestic violence. Fleur was told many times that her writing was a silly hobby and something to be done only on a Sunday afternoon after all the...2022-04-171h 00
Motherland Australia123: A redundancy left Sam Noon farmless and homeless at 36 weeks pregnantWhat happens when live on the land doesn't go the way you planned? Sam Noon was living the dream with her husband, working on a farm when the live export ban hit and overnight, they lost everything. Four weeks before having her first baby, they were made redundant and sent packing. Over the following years they battled their way back to the land, before being dealt another cruel blow by a crippling drought. To get back on their feet, it was Sam who stepped up, found a job in town and went to work, while her husband shifting from farming...2022-04-1038 min
This Rural Life with Katrina MyersBenita Bensch The Art of Trying, Rock Bottoms and Learning to RiseWelcome to another week on the Rural Rockstar. This week I dive into Motherhood, Coaching, and Transitioning with Benita Bensch.Benita and I have so much in common and it was such a joy to speak with her. Like speaking to an old friend. Sp much of what Benita said resonated with me and it’s just another reminder that we all share so much in common as women and that doing the work is so important. From Rural Science graduate to a career in Marketing that she loved, to facing ...2021-08-1646 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 86: Mea CampbellThis week, I catch up with Mea Campbell, mum, and founder of ConnectedAU, an organisation that's combating loneliness one letter at a time. Mea opens up about life on the land, motherhood, and how a crippling drought forced her family to pack up their lives, and move to town. You might have already heard of her business, but now it's also time to hear about Mea, the mother. And she knows the feeling of isolation all too well. This is her story.SPONSOR: Benita Bensch is a rural coach, farmer and mum of four. Her Illuminate group coaching...2021-07-0400 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 85: Shelley PiperThis week, I catch up with rural mum Shelley Piper. Shelley opens up about life as a mum of twins, and the dramatic early months of motherhood she faced with her family. When raging bushfires tore through their region, Shelley had to grab her 10 week old twins, and evacuate their property. Her husband stayed behind to fight, and she spent several hours not knowing if he was okay. While their home was eventually saved, their farm was burnt out, with livestock dead and much of their stud business gone overnight. This is her story.SPONSOR: BENITA BENSCHBenita Bensch...2021-06-2737 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 83: Cilla PershouseThis week, I catch up with rural mum Cilla Pershouse. Cilla left the family farm to pursue an acting career which saw her perform around the country in shows including Outback Spectacular. But a few years ago, she returned to the land and launched Blue Gum Farm TV, an online TV program for kids with a live show that tours across rural and remote Queensland. And the amazing thing is, Cilla does it all with her toddler and baby on stage by her side. This is her story.SPONSOR: BENITA BENSCHBeing a Mum can be hard...2021-06-1337 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 82: Jillina WhittakerThis week, I catch up with rural mum Jillina Whittaker. Jillina lives in a tiny rural town of 30 people, and calls the cop shop home! She's married to a police officer, and they live with their four kids in a house attached to the station. They have a very unique lifestyle that sees them move around every couple of years. Jillina opens up about what it's like homeschooling her children, and how she's navigated motherhood without being able to settle down and make a permanent home. This is her story.SPONSOR: BENITA BENSCHBeing a Mum can be...2021-06-0642 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 57: Benita BenschThis week, I catch up with rural mum Benita Bensch who shares her incredible journey to start a family. Benita was consumed by her challenge to conceive. For four years she fought for the family she'd always dreamed of, then, navigated her way through an anxiety-ridden pregnancy and later a surprise set of twins. Her battle with infertility was so difficult and so dark, she kept an intimate journal which she later turned into a bestselling book. It also inspired her to launch her own business to support other women.This is her story..----------------------------------------------------------------------------Update: Clomid (which Benita discusses in...2020-11-291h 02
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 51: Danyelle HaighThis week, I catch up with outback trucker Danyelle Haigh, a rural mum who's raising kids on the road... literally.Her and her husband travel 10 months of the year installing bores for drought stricken farmers. Danyelle takes us through her incredible battle to conceive her two kids, and what it's like being a mum while living in a shipping container on the back of a road train. This is her story. SPONSOR: This week's episode is supported by rural Queensland Mum Benita Bensch. Benita struggled with fertility for years, and it was a journey that nearly broke her. She kept...2020-10-2545 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 49: Libby CreekThis week I catch up with Libby Creek from South Australia. This Thursday is International Rural Women's Day, and Libby's story certainly has a global flavour. From Kangaroo Island to Kazakhstan- what she's seen and achieved in the beef industry is inspiring. She's juggled the demands of work with motherhood from across the globe and suffered enormous heartache along the way including losing her daughter to leukemia earlier this year. This is her story.SPONSOR: For many women, fertility and the road to having children can be long, emotional and lonely. Rural mum and author Benita Bensch knows it...2020-10-1150 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 46: Jo Morgan-FrenchThis week, I catch up with rural mum and dairy farmer Jo Morgan French from North West Tasmania. Jo spent 11 years in the army, with several overseas deployments including six months in Afghanistan when her first child was just nine months old. Her experience is a powerful one that smashes many female stereotypes. She's a woman who never wanted kids, or a big white wedding, and chose to leave her family and serve overseas. This is her story. SPONSOR: This week's episode is supported by rural Queensland Mum Benita Bensch. Benita struggled with fertility for years, and it was...2020-09-2045 min
Motherland AustraliaEpisode 44: Sallie JonesThis week I catch up with rural mum Sallie Jones from Victoria Sallie is the co-founder of Australian premium milk brand, Gippsland Jersey... a business she's poured her heart into after losing her dad to suicide.Sallie is a huge advocate for rural mental health. She's also in the thick of the motherhood juggle, having had three kids in 3 and a half years years, and amongst it all, launching a startup to carry on her father's legacy. This is her story. Today's episode is sponsored by Benita Bensch .For many women, maybe even you, the road to having children...2020-09-0646 min
Flying Solo12. Building a business in the bushIf you've ever pondered going bush or are looking at new markets, Benita Bensch knows the ropes. From simple beginnings, Benita has built a great little niche business supporting those working from rural and remote locations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2014-05-2818 min