Shows
Ducks on the PondKnowing Your Story and Building Genuine Connections - Rural Women Lead Collab seriesStorytelling is so important for connection and information retention (there are several studies that prove this!) But have you ever stopped to think how important knowing YOUR OWN story is?Hear from Sherry Johnstone, a Keerray Woorong woman, based in Warrnambool who didn’t feel confident in embracing her indigenous heritage, because she was so tired of people questioning it. But when she finally did acknowledge her culture, it markedly changed the direction of her life, giving her greater purpose and re-awakening her passion as an artist.In this episode hear from:*Sherry Jo...
2025-07-3041 minDucks on the PondImproving Your Focus and Wellbeing by Biohacking Your Nervous System - Rural Women Lead Collab SeriesIf you haven’t heard about ‘bio-hacking’ - it’s all about using our neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin and hormones to maximise our wellbeing. And you can do really simple things for a big pay off.This is the beginning of a 3-part mini series on leadership: focusing on self, story and change. In this episode, focusing on ‘self’ speak to Jessica Fishburn, a women’s health physiotherapist and Director at Gen Health, in Hamilton, VIC.Drawing on her expertise in pain science and neurobiology, she gives us a few tricks to help increase focus...
2025-07-2333 minDucks on the PondThe Hidden Economics of Farm Life: Succession, business and drought.Farm life can sometimes be romanticized, with the wide open spaces, animals and the freedom to do what you want. You might love the bush and your community…but are you actually happy?There are many factors that influence our wellbeing. This includes how well the business is running financially, farm succession (including whether it has been worked out or not) and your experiences of drought and natural disaster (including how many times you’ve been impacted). Then of course, all of these factors intersect. So, that’s why we’re looking at these issues altogether.Hear fr...
2025-07-1659 minDucks on the PondIs the Only Option Boarding School? Feat. Louise Martin and Alana MollerIt can be a hard case to argue… that your children should be subsidised to attend a private boarding school. But when you live in rural and remote Australia, boarding school is really the only option.The Federal Government doesn’t fund state boarding schools (and you could only imagine the expense if they did). So if you are running a farm 600 kilometres away from the nearest high school, your only option is an expensive private school or distance education. But how many teenagers do you know, want to hang out with their Mum and Dad all the...
2025-06-0439 minDucks on the PondOpportunities in Agtech and Sustainability - Sarah Nolet and Ebony GreavesWe are hearing more and more about the use of agtech for precision farming tech, for water level monitoring, soil carbon accounting, and so much more. So where do you even start? And is it even worth the time and effort? In this episode we look at how you can better engage with these emerging technologies - whether that’s on farm, as an investor, or getting involved in the industry itself. In the future, we can also expect more regulations around sustainability, whether that’s in the form of carbon accounting or another form of environmental gover...
2025-04-2350 min
The Online Prosperity ShowThe Secrets of Successful Rural Podcasts with Kirsten DiproseWelcome to The Online ProsperityShow—I'm your host, Prosper Taruvinga! Today’s guest is Kirsten Diprose,founder of Rural Podcasting Co., living on a sheep and cropping farm nearCaramut, Victoria—with three camels and two ostriches! After a successful ABC journalismcareer, Kirsten traded city life for the farm when she married a farmer. Struggling to fit her career into rural life,she pivoted into storytelling, launching Rural Podcasting Co. to help ruralcommunities share their stories. In just 18 months, her businesshas thrived. She also co-hosts Du...
2025-04-0345 minDucks on the PondTackling the big, complex issues in agriculture - Catherine Marriott and Kirsten DiproseAgriculture isn’t just the act of growing crops or tending to the animals, as the dictionary likes to define it. And it's how outsiders can see it too. A bloke with his sheep and cows. Rather, agriculture is a complex system, that impacts and is impacted by a variety of things from government regulation, people, climate change, business, politics etc. And it's also integrated with family systems too (including, women and children!).Therefore stepping into the space of advocacy on an issue in agriculture, can often feel difficult. I am delighted to bring on C...
2025-03-051h 06Ducks on the PondTwo Smart Blondes - for Lovers of Film, TV, News and Pop Culture! Feat. Leila McDougall and Kate Atkinson (Sea Change, Wentworth)New podcast alert! If you're into film, TV, pop culture, the media, and what it actually means for us, then you'll love Two Smart Blondes. Kirsten Diprose (who you know from Ducks on the Pond!) is hosting with film-maker Leila McDougall. Each week they also bring on a special guest, who has insight into the media/film world.The first episode has just dropped and we get the inside goss on the AACTA awards, how the new Bridget Jones movie will translate to a modern audience and chat about the new Netflix series, Apple Cider Vinegar. Is it...
2025-02-1116 minDucks on the PondMaking friends when you’re new to town or want to expand your circleEpisode sponsor: Dimity Smith, Founder of GRO Rural If you’ve moved to a small town or even moved back to your hometown, after a long time away… how do you make friends? There are suggestions that Australia is in the middle of a loneliness epidemic; in fact one in three people experience it. Country towns are pretty good at welcoming people in, but making close, meaningful relationships takes time and it takes effort.In this episode we get advice from two experts and women who have experienced being the new girl in town, f...
2024-11-2755 minDucks on the PondDoes HOW we talk about our rural men, matter? Part 2 with Louise O'NeillDoes how we talk about men influence the massive problem of violence against women?There are conversations we need to have in broader society about family violence. But where are the men?How do we get our men to actively participate in a stand to stop violence against women? This is a tricky conversation. Clearly, it would be great if men just stop being violent. But telling men to simply ‘stop it,’ isn’t working.And this is certainly NOT about blaming women. This is more about how do we make family violence prevent...
2024-11-1340 minDucks on the PondDoes HOW we talk about rural men, matter? Part 1 with Leila McDougallWith gender roles for men not being as defined as perhaps they once were, what does this mean for our rural men who grew up with certain ideas of 'what a man should look like?' Does how we talk about our blokes matter too? Whether that's whinging about our husbands who seem to always miss kids bath time... or on a broader societal level about what men should or shouldn't be? This is a tough issue for a women's-centred podcast to dive into. But if we're ever going to tackle two major killers in...
2024-10-3046 minDucks on the PondBalancing Big Goals and Chronic Illness**EPISODE SPONSOR: Moore Australia**Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a massive change. And most people who have experienced this, speak about a grieving process for your old life and even your old identity, especially if it was based on being physically active.But our two guests insist a medical condition is not the end of your life. In fact, they say their illnesses have forced them to be innovative, creative and push for change - resulting in opportunities that never would have opened up for them otherwise.This episode is not...
2024-10-1655 minDucks on the PondAre bricks and mortar stores dead?**EPISODE SPONSOR: Rural Women’s Day** There’s this persistent notion that starting up a retail store in the main street of town is just too hard. From the high rents, cost of living crisis, to the relatively low foot traffic in country towns, finding a physical space to sell things, the ‘ye olde way’ can seem impossible.But in this episode, we meet three business owners who have found success by leaning into the community side of their business. Economically, this might not make a lot of sense at first. How do you put a price o...
2024-10-0257 minDucks on the PondGetting Your Next Big Idea Off the Ground - Angie Armstrong & Natalie Egleton** Episode Sponsor: Cheeky Mac Productions - do the 1000 Rural Women Survey!We’re full of good ideas here in the country. So how do you access the funds and the people to make it happen? It’s important for community projects and local businesses to come from the bottom up. It’s the people on the ground who know what’s actually needed and how to best deliver it. But so many grants and programs are top-down. In this episode we hear from two women who are making big ideas happen, using grassroots methods.
2024-09-1852 min
The Saturday QuizA Nose By Any Other Name with Kirsten Diprose and Damian CallinanIt’s no secret that this podcast skews towards the big cities of this country, mostly those on the Eastern Seaboard. In fact, most podcasts in general favour the big cities. Kirsten Diprose and Damian Callinan are doing their bit to change that with their brand new podcast: Town Criers. She's a journalist and and he's a comedian and together they are sharing the driving on a road trip through rural Australia, to reveal everything worth celebrating about small country towns. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-saturday-quiz. Hosted on Aca...
2024-09-1341 minDucks on the PondCan you have a screen career in the country?**Sponsored by the Victorian Women’s Trust - Check out Rural Women Online, free digital skills platform.There’s this idea that if you want to make it in film, you need to move to the city. But is that really true? In this episode, we meet Jospehine Croft. She’s a film producer and actor, based in Melbourne, but is part of a movement that’s making film more accessible to women. This includes job sharing on film sets, shorter hours and looking after the mental health of film crews.Josephine, who runs...
2024-09-0454 minDucks on the PondBONUS: Is it better to raise your kids on a farm or in the city?Is parenting on a farm different to parenting in the city? What are our farm kids missing out on... and do the benefits of farm life out way the drawbacks?In this bonus episode we welcome the hosts of The Barnyard Language podcast, which is an American podcast, focused on 'real talk about running farms and raising families.' But don't be fooled into thinking they are cutesy farm ladies - these are a wickedly funny and slightly sarcastic pair.Arlene Hunter is a dairy farmer from Ontario, Canada and Caite Palmer is a s...
2024-06-2751 min
The Ultimate Farm Wife Podcast with Host Katja Williams#61 From ABC to Farming: Kirsten Diprose on Agriculture, Media & Podcasting🎙️ Meet Kirsten Diprose, our guest on today's episode! With 20 years of media experience, including roles in radio and TV for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Kirsten has made waves in both metro and regional areas. 🌾🐑After moving to a mixed farm in southwest Victoria, she began podcasting to connect with the rural community. Her podcast, Ducks on the Pond, highlights the unique stories and challenges of rural life. 🎧🌿Kirsten founded the Rural Podcasting Co to help others share their stories through tailored coaching programs and professional podcast production services. Whether you're looking to start your own podcast or enhanc...
2024-06-2743 minDucks on the PondSelf Care is Not Selfish (Pt3) - Hormones and Happy Chemicals - Dr Belinda Bell**COLLABORATION WITH LETS TALK**Gosh it’s fun, being a woman. So how much of how we’re feeling is actually at the whim of our hormones and brain chemicals?In our final episode of our 3-part collaboration series with Lets Talk, we chat about the ways we can naturally boost our moods, through what we eat and what we do, on a daily basis. These are simple tips, like getting sunlight, enjoying nature and avoiding refined sugars, that can have a big impact on your life.Dr Belinda Bell, a GP based in W...
2024-06-0530 minDucks on the PondSelf Care is Not Selfish (Pt2) - How to support others, while looking after yourself - Jenna Robinson* *COLLAB SERIES WITH LET'S TALK**A conversation can save someone's life.So, when someone you care about is not OK, how do you start the conversation? And just as importantly, make sure it leads to that person taking action (such as talking to a GP).In Part 2 of this series on "Self Care is Not Selfish," we look at how to foster deeper conversations about mental well-being, while also knowing your own limits and boundaries in helping someone else out.Jenna Robinson, a running coach based in Birregurra, VIC and volunteer f...
2024-05-2935 minDucks on the PondSelf Care is Not Selfish (Pt1) - Abbi Power & Karen FosterHow did we get to that point, where we think having a shower... or going grocery shopping alone is "self care?" .It isn't. In this 3-part collaboration series with Let's Talk, a charity with the goal of breaking down the stigma around mental health, we delve into self-care; why it’s not selfish,and how do it properly.We address how to challenge that 'little voice' in your head that tells you, you don't have time to look after yourself. You can even name that little voice. We did.And we also look self...
2024-05-2231 min
Impact Boom Podcast - Social Enterprise & DesignEpisode 478 (2024) Kirsten Diprose On Amplifying Rural Voices And Sustainable StorytellingOn Episode 478 of Impact Boom, Kirsten Diprose of Rural Podcasting Co discusses her unique experiences gained from working in the media, living in regional Australia, and researching how to protect local news and authentic storytelling in our current digital age.
If you are a changemaker wanting to learn actionable steps to grow your organisations or level up your impact, don't miss out on this episode!
If you enjoyed this episode, then check out Episode 360 with Julia Spicer OAM on recognising the positive impact of regional social enterprises -> https://bit.ly/4bcNGVc
The team who made this episode happen were:
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2024-05-0818 minDucks on the PondDoes the Farm Always Have to Come First?- Claire Booth & Chloe Brown**EPISODE SPONSORED BY JOY JOHNS WINES**Does the farm always HAVE to come first? We meet two very successful women in agriculture who are challenging this traditional concept of 'the farm comes first'. To do this, they have both come up with unique business models.Instead of shaping their lives around the farm; they're shaping the farm around their family and other career and business goals.Hear from:Chloe Brown - a dairy farmer in south west Victoria, who has pushed back on the 'get big or get out' mentality of...
2024-05-0157 min