Shows
The Rural WellEpisode 18 - Women Don't Have To: Did Rosie the Riveter Get It Wrong?In this episode, we explore the powerful idea that while women can do it all, they don’t have to. From "Rosie the Riveter" to today’s rural realities, we unpack how historical messages of resilience have quietly become expectations that leave women juggling careers, caregiving, and community roles, often at the expense of their own well-being.Our conversation highlights the mental health toll, especially post-COVID, when rural women experienced the steepest declines in wellness. We want to stress the importance of shifting from guilt and criticism to encouragement and support, reminding us that “you ar...
2025-08-2125 min
The Rural WellEpisode 17 - A Conversation with Dr. Ryan BurkhartWelcome to The Rural Well!*Sensitive content warning*In today’s powerful and heartfelt episode, hosts Bridget and Lauren dive into a conversation that blends the proud heritage of farming with the complexities of mental health. They sit down with Dr. Ryan Burkhart — a farm kid turned mental health leader — who shares his journey from rural Indiana to Colorado, where he now serves as Dean of Counseling at Colorado Christian University.Ryan opens up about choosing a path away from the family farm, his reflections on faith, resilience, the epidemic of loneliness, and how rural...
2025-07-2151 min
The Rural WellEpisode 16 - A Conversation with Brett GardinerIn this episode, we have the privilege of talking with Brett Gardiner, the most awarded western sports announcer in Canadian history. As the thirteen-time and reigning Canadian Pro Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Gardiner has educated and entertained audiences all across North America. Brett has been behind the microphone at some of the most celebrated events including the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede and since 2016 he has been on the PBR Canada Cup Series featured on TSN. As a Speaker and Advocate, Brett speaks to over a million...
2025-06-0936 min
The Rural WellEpisode 15 - Responding to Grief and Loss with Diane BergsmaWelcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode 15, we discuss a very important - yet difficult topic related to grief and loss with Diane Bergsma, a farmer from Ontario. The topics discussed in this episode may be difficult for some listeners, so be mindful if you are sensitive to certain topics regarding loss and grief.Todays question: “ We Must Accept Finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."We also end the episode with a fun question: If for 1 month, you could liv...
2025-05-1732 min
The Rural WellEpisode 14 - A Continued Conversation with Brian ReisingerWelcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode (Part 2), we get the opportunity to talk more with Brian Reisinger, Author of Land Rich, Cash Poor. For more info on Brian, visit https://www.brian-reisinger.com/aboutTo catch up first, here's the link to Part 1This episode delves into deeper conversation regarding family trauma, so if this is not something you're prepared to participate in, we understand. We delve into deeper conversations into realizing you have to deal with trauma. We also walk through how to move...
2025-05-0133 min
The Rural WellEpisode 13 - A Conversation with Brian ReisingerWelcome back to The Rural Well! In this episode, we get the opportunity to talk with Brian Reisinger, Author of Land Rich, Cash Poor among many different other endeavours that Brian pursues. For more info on Brian, visit https://www.brian-reisinger.com/aboutTopics in this episode:Mourning the loss of livestock as a farmerVulnerability with fatherGenerational survival modeDealing with hard times and farm crisisGenerational weight of hard work required as a farmerPressure to work hard generationallyBrian’s role is to tell the story, hard fought to get thereOlder farmers, generations tend to...
2025-04-1133 min
The Rural WellEpisode 12 - A Conversation with Brittany OlsonWelcome back to The Rural Well Podcast! We've reached episode 12. We have the incredible privilege of having Brittany Olson join the podcast today, Brittany Olson is a fifth generation dairy farmer in north western Wisconsin with her husband Sam and son Titus. Brittany is also a business owner, photographer and blogger. Show Notes or discussion points:- Lived in abuse, a broken family relationship as a child- Miscarriage was the start of the end of my parents marriage- There is such...
2025-03-2133 min
The Rural WellEpisode 11 - A Conversation with Katelyn DubanWelcome back to The Rural Well Podcast! We've reached episode 11. We have the incredible privilege of having Katelyn Duban join the podcast today, so buckle up, grab a hot drink, and join in the conversation. Katelyn Duban is a first generation female farmer in Southern Alberta, Canada. As for podcasting, she continues to share and celebrate the stories of Women in Agriculture. She's also delving into a new venture of Podcast Coaching. Katelyn is the host of The Rural Women Podcast and is a well sought after public speaker!...
2025-02-2642 min
The Rural WellEpisode 10 - CommunicationWelcome back to the Rural Well Podcast. We've reached episode 10! We're so grateful you've taken the time to listen in and join in the conversation. This episode, we talk about communication.We specifically delve into 3 different types of communication:1.Active Listening- Are you listening to respond, or are you listening to listen?- Non verbal communication can comprise of 86-96%, with tone, physicality, hands and facial expression all playing a part2.Use open ended questionsas opposed to close ended questions3...
2025-02-1127 min
The Rural WellEpisode 9 - Addressing Stress with Guest Sean StanfordIn this episode, we have the wonderful opportunity to talk one-on-one with Sean Stanford, a grain farmer from Alberta who knows all too well the realities of stress on the farm. Sean walks us through his background, the many areas of responsibility he carries, and then ultimately how he came to terms with his anxiety, stress, and the courage it took for him to address it head-on - including the reality of the stigma that this can bring.
We look forward to having you join us on this journey at The Rural Well. Join...
2025-01-2430 min
The Rural WellEpisode 8 - Pivoting Into ResilienceHappy New Year! Our latest episode 8, the first of 2025 delves into the meaning of resilience, where some people - especially farmers - turn to in order to cope with stress, struggles and their farming industry and legacy. We talk practical solutions, offer encouragement and give real world ways to be truly resilient in a healthy way.
Lauren also shares the reality of "bouncing back" and how it's not as simple and cut and dry as you may think.
We also discuss the quote "No matter how much falls on...
2025-01-0627 min
The Rural WellEpisode 7 - Traditions on the FarmWelcome to another episode of the Rural Well Podcast! In this episode, we discuss:
- Lauren’s harrowing real Christmas tree story
- Bridgette’s decorating priorities
- Gift expectations
- Needful gifts
- Sacrificial thoughtfulness in gift giving - creative generosity
- Gift of time
- Budgeting
- Start early!
- Find time for yourself
- It’s ok to change traditions and recreate new ones
- We also respond to today’s quote "I...
2024-12-2130 min
The Rural WellEpisode 6 - Grief on the Back 40In this episode, we talk about Grief on the Back 40, with our special guest Iris Parr, Author, Teacher, Encourager and also serves as the Director of Communications for the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance.
Iris shares her story, we all talk about practical ways to deal with grief - particularly during holidays. We also talk about how to help others deal with grief in their own ways, to be intentional with support and then some lighthearted conversation at the end.
Question for our listeners? If you HAD to wear...
2024-12-0932 min
The Rural WellEpisode 5 - GratitudeIn this episode, we reflect on Thanksgiving and focus on the topic of gratitude.
Here are some waypoints in our conversation:
Memories can bring gratitude
For those that struggle or have had hard backgrounds, it's not your story forever
Gratitude is a dopamine producer
Practicing gratitude is a great mental health strategy
Gratitude doesn’t naturally come to us. We need to be intentional - then it trains our brain to look for the bright spots in our day
You can be influenced by those around you. We change the trajectory for our own...
2024-11-2529 min
The Rural WellEpisode 4 - A Moment of RemembranceIn this episode, we take some time to talk about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
We also talk about taking the time to listen, cherishing and honoring the stories of or parents, grandparents, the stories of history from family, friends and others.
We also discuss how much we can miss out by not hearing those stories.
We also play "Catch a Phrase" - With a quote - discussing bravery and how vulnerability can be brave.
...
2024-11-1124 min
The Rural WellEpisode 3 - Help When Help Isn't WantedOn this episode, Lauren and Bridgette dive deep into the reality of a farmers mentality of getting things done themselves. Also, the impact of making these decisions on friends, family, spouses and business partners. We also talk about the different ranges of emotions and what fear is often the result of. Then we walk through some practical solutions to encourage the help where needed and finally some lighthearted responses to our catchphrase.
Links shared on the episode
National Farmer Mental Health Alliance
http://www.nfmha.ca/ - N...
2024-10-2830 min
The Rural WellEpisode 2 - Farm SafetyIn this episode, we discuss the following topics:
New farm safety training for kids in North Dakota including stress management
Lauren talks about ADHD links and triggers and interesting parallels to PTSD
Social capital types: Bonding, Bridging and Linking and how they related “generally” to stress in rural families
Loneliness
Changing the messaging to our rural kids about “measuring up” to expectations
Quote from Charles Buckowski about freedom vs loneliness
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Early onset Alzeimers impacts
Current epidemic in Canada and USA is “Loneliness is our battleground”
We need intentionality in our connections, relationships...
2024-10-1432 min
The Rural WellEpisode 1 - Stress on the Back 40In this episode, we talk about stresses in farming, impacts on the farming community right down to the food chain sourcing and continual changes and complexities getting product to market. We also talk about industry and environmental changes for farmers, the stresses that come with those changes and then how us as farmers need to stop punishing ourselves for putting undue stress and unrealistic expectations on ourselves.
We also discuss training options for therapists that would like to visit farmers and clients on site and how to properly strategize and insure yourself to overcome b...
2024-09-3033 min
The Rural WellIntroducing The Rural Well PodcastIn this our introductory episode, we introduce ourselves! We are Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk, and we talk briefly about our respective backgrounds, family, careers, farming and education. We also talk about what to expect in the coming weeks on the podcast as we're thrilled to have you join in our discussion. We have the well being of rural areas like yours in mind when building this podcast. We know the ag industry has its challenges, but we’re right alongside you and cannot wait to connect and inspire one generation and legacy to the next. Let's get sta...
2024-09-1617 min
The Rural WellThe Rural Well Introductions Episode TrailerHere's just a short snippet of a greater conversation in our Introductions episode. Our first official episode will be published September 16, 2024! We look forward to having you join us!
2024-09-1100 min