Shows
Hope Illuminated Podcast: Helping the Helpers Bring Light to Life’s Darkest MomentsSowing Hope in Rural America: Tackling the Farm Mental Health Crisis with Monica Kramer McConkeyIn this powerful and deeply compassionate episode, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas talks with Monica Kramer McConkey, one of the nation’s leading voices on rural and agricultural mental health, about the silent crisis facing farm families across America.Monica brings both clinical expertise and lived experience—she grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota and has spent over 30 years supporting agricultural communities through depression, addiction, and suicide loss. Together, Sally and Monica explore the intersection of isolation, economic pressure, and cultural stoicism—and how resilience, connection, and tailored interventions are changing lives across rural America.Listeners will gain insight into how we...
2025-10-2845 min
Headspace for the Workplace with Dr. Sally: Helping Leaders Build Human-Centered WorkplacesMeeting People Where They Are -- Adapting Mental Health Strategies to Workplace Culture with Monica Kramer McConkeyEver wonder why some workplace mental-health campaigns land flat even when the intention is in the right place?In this episode, I sit down with Monica Kramer McConkey, an agricultural mental-health specialist who has spent three decades helping rural and blue-collar communities thrive. Together they unpack a truth many leaders miss: mental health efforts fail when we ask workers to enter our world instead of meeting them in theirs.Monica grew up on a Minnesota farm and knows the invisible weight carried by farmers, construction crews, and shift workers who rarely see themselves in corporate wellness brochures. She shows us...
2025-10-0817 min
On The HorizonSeason 2, Episode 35: Farm Stress & Mental Health: A Conversation with Monica McConkeyFarming is rewarding, but it can also be one of the most stressful professions—unpredictable markets, long hours, family dynamics, and isolation all take their toll. In this episode, we sit down with rural mental healthspecialist Monica McConkey of Eye On the Horizon Consulting to talk about the realities of farm stress, recognizing the signs, starting tough conversations, and building healthier coping strategies.Monica shares powerful insights for farmers, spouses, and ag industry professionals on how to support one another during these challenging times. We also discuss suicide prevention, compassion fatigue, and the importance of...
2025-08-2942 min
Q Media's PodcastDown on the Farm with Monica McConkey 5.9.25Monica grew up on the family farm, and is now helping others with farming background improve their own well-being. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we appreciate Monica joining the show to talk with us about everything related to farming and mental well-being. Learn more about the mission here: https://www.eyesonthehorizon.org/
2025-05-0918 min
The Growing Small Towns ShowMoments of Growth: Mental Health Programming This week's episode is the first in a limited series we're calling "Moments of Growth." We had some big milestones this year, and we wanted to look back and talk to people that we've worked with and share the progress they've made (and us, too!) this past year. This first episode is about mental health programming. Awhile back, our local healthcare network, Catholic Health Initiatives, did a needs assessment for our community. Like many rural communities, mental health was at the top of the list. We formed a Mental Health Coalition comprised of people in our community who are simply in...
2024-12-2348 min
Linder Farm Network Field TalkLFN Field Talk Podcast #172 Farm Stress and Mental HealthFarming is already a stressful lifestyle and difficult economic conditions and the approaching winter can all weigh on farmers and their familiies. Rural Behavioral Health Counselor & Consultant Monica McConkey joins this Field Talk Podcast to assess the current environment and how we care for ourselves and others.
2024-12-1719 min
Rural RealitiesStress in Farm Transition – Tips to HelpMonica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Specialist, works with farm families every week in Minnesota and knows stress and family relationships impact the process of business transition planning. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres connected with Monica at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, when she was there presenting on farm stress. Monica shared insight on the emotional issues that farmers working on a transition plan may face, along with some techniques that she finds most helpful for families working through this process. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a h...
2024-11-1534 min
Pier 54 - A General Hospital Fan PodcastEpisode 575: Blinded by Vengeance 9/2/2024🎧🌟 NEW #GENERALHOSPITAL RECAP🌟🎧 Join us as we recap the episodes of General Hospital for August 26-30, 2024Find where you can listen here → GeneralHospitalPodcast.com🔵Brennan suggests that Jason work with him🔵Laura asks Brennan for help to find Lucky, stating the WSB owes her family🔵Tracy is going to be bringing Ace to the Quartermaines while Laura and Kevin go to find Lucky🔵Lulu is diagnosed with cirrhosis 🔵Nikolas is not a match to donate a piece of liver to Lulus🔵Carly and Liz see...
2024-09-021h 24
The Moos Room™Episode 235 - May is Mental Health Awareness Month - Mailbag questions with Monica McConkey - UMN Extension's The Moos RoomMNfarmstress.com - Resources for coping with farm and rural stress from the MN Department of AgricultureQuestions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
2024-05-2734 min
GPS DairyCAST012 Exploring Mental Health Resources on the FarmOn this episode of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS team member Amanda Borkowski sits down with Monica Kramer McConkey of Eyes on the Horizon Consulting to talk about how to support your employees through times of struggle. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so tune in to hear about resources and what to look for when it comes to the mental wellbeing of the people that work on your dairy. Enjoy this conversation as part of our series from the 2023 GPS Dairy Leaders Forum. Learn more about GPS here: https://www.gpsdairy.com/
2024-05-1623 min
PDPW Podcasts238: A Change Will Do You GoodThis week we feature a new contributor to the PDP Podcast. Monica Kramer McConkey is a Rural Behavioral Health Counselor & Consultant with Eyes on the Horizon.
Monica discusses the choices we make when change is inevitable. Change can bring fear and a sense of loss because we are comfortable with the known and uncomfortable with the unknown. Listen as Monica shares how to overcome the difficulty of change.
2024-04-0100 min
RFD TodayRFD Today February 14, 2024Monica McConkey, LPC, is a Rural Behavioral Health Counselor & Consultant. She discusses the 5 Love Languages.Henry County farmer Dennis Verbeck promotes Heart Health Month as he recovers from a late November heart attack.
2024-02-1453 min
Deep Dive with Region FiveAg Mental Health - Stressors and StrategiesIn this episode, we share information about the Agricultural Mental Health & Wellness Program, supported in partnership by the MN Department of Agriculture, Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence and Region Five Development Commission. Keith Olander and Monica McConkey join us to share stressors and strategies for overall well-being. Staci Headley from R5DC also joins us. For more information about this program, visit regionfive.org/local-foods
2023-08-0131 min
A Better Way To Farm Podcast188: Breaking Ground: Opening Up Conversations about Mental Health in AgricultureAs farmers, how often do we prioritize caring for our livestock and crops over our own well-being? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Monica Kramer Mcconkey, a psychologist specializing in the rural community, as we discuss the importance of mental wellness, resilience, and breaking the taboo around mental health in the farming community. Don't miss this crucial and enlightening conversation that sheds light on the often-overlooked subject of mental health in the farming community. A must-listen episode!
2023-06-1939 min
The Growing Small Towns ShowAddressing Mental Health in Small Towns with Monica McConkey Mental health in small our small towns is one of the issues that is top of mind here at Growing Small Towns, and we know that is true for many of you in your communities, too. It's an issue that can be really difficult to tackle, and we feel so lucky to have Monica on the show to talk about it with us, share her expertise, and give us all some actionable items and things we can pay attention to in order to help ourselves, our families and friends, and our communities About Monica: Monica Kramer McConkey has 25 years of e...
2023-06-0546 min
Rural RealitiesSimple Tips to Help with Farm Stress & RelationshipsSpring can be a very stressful time for farmers and this year, the weather and markets have given us plenty to worry about. Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist, shares three simple tips to help you manage stress, and three things you can do to benefit your relationships on your family farm, with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. We need to be intentional about improving our emotional health and relationships and this conversation gives listeners tools that you can start implementing immediately. Experiencing a challenge with a change on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! Wit...
2023-05-2338 min
PA Dairy SummitBoosting Your Mental Fitness with Monica Kramer McConkey (2023 Dairy Summit)All too often we pour ourselves into caring for our animals at the expense of our own well-being. Being physically strong doesn’t matter if we aren’t mentally fit as well. This session equips you with strategies to effectively take control of your mental fitness, manage stress, take care of yourself, and be available to others in this high-demand field.Save the date for the 2027 PA Dairy Summit: Join us on February 3-4, 2027 in State College, PA! Visit www.padairysummit.org.
2023-04-251h 02
Agriculture Applied | Innovate Relate Create with NDSU ExtensionPart 2 Succession Planning: Navigating Tough Family ConversationsHow can you communicate better? Talking about communicating is easy but putting it into practice is harder.
Tune in to this months episode of Agriculture Applied hosted by Hannah Nordby with returning guest Monica McConkey to answer these questions and more!
Resources:
Eyes on the Horizon - Monica McConkey
Contact Us:
Hannah Nordby
NDSU Adams County Extension
hannah.nordby@ndsu.edu
701-567-2735
2023-02-0921 minAgriculture Applied | Innovate Relate Create with NDSU ExtensionPart 1 Succession Planning: Navigating Tough Family ConversationsWhat is fair? What is equal? What family members do we involve in the succession planning process? What is the best way to address conflict? How do you successfully pass the operation onto the next generation? Can multiple families from the same generation figure out how to work together? When it comes to succession planning many producers have more questions than answers.
Tune in to this months episode of Agriculture Applied hosted by Hannah Nordby with returning guest Monica McConkey to answer these questions and more!
Resources:
Eyes on the...
2023-02-0431 min
RumiNationRural Mental HealthTimestamps & Summary 1:49Maybe share with the audience your personal and professional journey to starting Eyes on Horizon Consulting.Monica McConkeyI am a farm girl, I grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota. And when I was younger, we had beef and hogs and crops. […]I grew up in the 80s when the farm crisis was really difficult. And I remember my parents really struggling with anxiety and depression. I remember coming home from school and mom being in tears that we didn't get our operating loan. And as...
2023-01-2623 min
DairyVoice PodcastConnie Kuber Discusses Mental Health on the Farm With Monica Kramer McConkey & Amanda BorkowskiIn this episode of DairyVoice podcast, host Connie Kuber of Sealpro talks with Monica Kramer McConkey, Rural Mental Health Counselor of Eyes on the Horizon Consulting and Amanda Borkowski of the Dairy Girl Network. They discuss the increasing concern with farmers, relating to depression and anxiety, signs of stress, mental health issues, substance abuse, and where to get help.To contact Monica directly, you can call 218-280-7785. Also, Dairy Girl Network features an excellent support page at https://dairygirlnetwork.com/strongertogether-resources/.
2022-07-2944 min
The Sioux Nation PodcastOvercoming the stressors of farming and ranchingThe stress and challenges that farmers face can be unique. Rural Mental Health Specialist Monica Kramer McConkey is on the program today to discuss how the Rural Resiliency Program and Eyes on the Horizon Consulting help producers navigate their way to better mental health.
2022-07-2818 min
Agriculture Applied | Innovate Relate Create with NDSU ExtensionLet's Talk: Debunking Mental Health | Ft. Libby Gravning and Monica McConkeyJoin Hannah Nordby, Libby Gravning, and Monica McConkey for an honest conversation about rural mental health.
If you find yourself or someone you know beginning to exhibit unusual behavior such as lack of focus/motivation, uncharacteristic anger, or alcohol abuse, it may be time to evaluate stress levels and the overall farm/ranch situation. If you feel or see a problem please do not ignore it. NDSU Extension has resources that address the many areas of stress.
If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by dialing 9-1-1.
National Suicide L...
2022-06-0949 min
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and FamilyDon't wait. Why it's time to use these free mental health and wellness services for farm families.It's no big deal. I don't have time. Someone else needs help more than me. Are you creating excuses to not seek out mental health or wellness services? The Farm Family Wellness Alliance offers farm families free and confidential mental health and wellness services, from skilled professionals who understand the unique challenges of farm life. In Episode 104 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, we talk with Amie Merz (an account manager and clinician with Personal Assistance Services) and Monica McConkey (a farm and ranch counselor) about those services for farm families and why folks...
2022-05-1634 minThe Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and FamilyDon't wait. Why it's time to use these free mental health and wellness services for farm families.It's no big deal. I don't have time. Someone else needs help more than me. Are you creating excuses to not seek out mental health or wellness services? The Farm Family Wellness Alliance offers farm families free and confidential mental health and wellness services, from skilled professionals who understand the unique challenges of farm life. In Episode 104 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, we talk with Amie Merz (an account manager and clinician with Personal Assistance Services) and Monica McConkey (a farm and ranch counselor) about those services for farm families and why folks...
2022-05-1634 minThe Moos Room™Episode 117 - Monica McConkey - Ag Mental Health Counselor - UMN Extension's The Moos RoomMonica McConkey on TwitterMonica McConkey on FacebookEyes on the Horizon WebsiteQuestions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension Website
2022-05-0932 min
MEAT+POULTRY PodcastMonitoring mental health in the agriculture industryCompassion fatigue often is associated with the health care profession, but people who make their living in agriculture can be affected too.
At the NAMI 2020 Animal Welfare and Handling Conference, Monica Kramer McConkey, a rural mental health specialist in Minnesota, shared her insights into compassion fatigue and – if you’re experiencing it – coping strategies to help deal with it.
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2020-12-0417 min
Soil SenseCultivating the Right Mindset with Monica McConkey, LPC**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com**
The right mindset isn’t just something you can set and forget. Farmers that choose to pursue soil health in their practices have changed how they view their relationship and impact on the soil. This mindset has to be maintained continuously over time. That goes for soil health, but it also goes for mental health as well. That’s the topic for today’s episode. Uncertainty, which is par for the course in agriculture, can really amplify stress and anxiety. Add on to that the...
2020-11-0929 min
MOSES Organic Farming PodcastGrowing Wellness: How to Care for Your Mental HealthThis is the audio from the monthly meeting of the farmer-led mental health group, Growing Wellness. This month's guest is Monica Kramer McConkey, a licensed professional counselor, Rural Mental Health Specialist, and consultant with Eyes on the Horizon Consulting.
In this session, Monica discusses building personal resilience in 4 areas (Social, Biophysical, Psychological, and Spiritual) to increase your capacity to deal with stress and uncertainty. Personal resilience is defined as the ability to withstand or recover from difficult situations, and I would add... the ability to grow through that process. The goal for this session is...
2020-10-2900 min
All About LifeNavigating AnxietyUnder “normal” circumstances we all face some high pressure and stressful situations on a daily basis that can cause anxiety. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic Google searches for ‘worry,’ ‘anxiety,’ and techniques on how to manage worry and anxiety have increased. How do we manage anxiety? On this episode of the All About Life Podcast, Mental Health Specialist, Monica McConkey, gives us some great advice techniques on how to manage and cope with excess Anxiety.
2020-10-0621 min
Rural RealitiesFarm Children: They Experience Stress Too!"Farm Children: They Experience Stress Too!" by Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health SpecialistFarming generally comes with a significant amount of stress that can negatively impact everyone involved in the operation including youth of any age. Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist from Minnesota, discusses the signs and symptoms of stressed children on the farm and how parents can help struggling youth in this "Rural Realities" episode. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than 50 years of agriculture experience collectively, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and c...
2020-09-2131 min
Ag State of Mind with Jason MedowsASOM - Ep 52 - Monica Kramer McConkey - Eyes on the HorizonI always love when a farm kid goes to school, pursues a career, then uses that career to help out farmers. Monica Kramer McCojkey is a farm kid turned counselor who has returned to her roots helping out farmers in times of need. We talk about her upbringing and her journey to wanting to get back to address the issues facing farmers and farm families. We also chat a bit about how COVID has affected farm familes. Great Conversation! For links, go to our show notes page at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/09/21/asom-monica-kramer-mckonkey/
2020-09-2100 min
Renegade Feminist17 - Run As You Are ft. Addie MillerThis week’s installment of our Senate Series brings you a chat with Addie Miller, a horse trainer-turned-lawyer seeking to represent Chaska, Chanhassen, Carver, Victoria, and Watertown in the Minnesota State Senate. Addie shares how politics got personal for her, how she’s staying true to herself during the campaign, and some of the good work she’s looking forward to doing in the Senate. Then, your favorite feminist hosts take a deeper dive into the state of rural mental health care in Minnesota and bring you your weekly COVID corner. Plus, obviously, your usual dose of witchy fun.S...
2020-05-1159 min
Lisa Hendey & FriendsCatholic Moments #49 - Monica McConkey, Arma DeiLisa shares a conversation with Monica McConkey of Arma Dei, a company that creates products to help families celebrate our Catholic faith. Deacon Tom Fox shares a special reflection on seeing Christ in our priests and Parish Media Liaison Kerry gives us the heads up on the Bella DVD. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.Links for this episode:Productivity @ HomeArma DeiCatholic Hack PodcastAngelina - Hail Holy QueenLisa's Facebook ProfileCatholic Mom Logo Store Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #49
2008-05-1528 minLisa Hendey & FriendsCatholic Moments #49 - Monica McConkey, Arma DeiLisa shares a conversation with Monica McConkey of Arma Dei, a company that creates products to help families celebrate our Catholic faith. Deacon Tom Fox shares a special reflection on seeing Christ in our priests and Parish Media Liaison Kerry gives us the heads up on the Bella DVD. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.Links for this episode:Productivity @ HomeArma DeiCatholic Hack PodcastAngelina - Hail Holy QueenLisa's Facebook ProfileCatholic Mom Logo Store Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #49
2008-05-1528 min