In this episode we are joined by the Rural Well producer, editor Dan Thomson. We also discuss traditions, nostalgia at Christmas and the optimism that comes from being a farmer.

Join in as we laugh, reminisce and discuss Christmas traditions and fun facts!

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

In this episode, Bridget and Lauren celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Rural Well podcast.

• We reflect on memorable guests and impactful stories from the past year.

• Key themes that resonated with listeners include guests being vulnerable about generational trauma, mental health, empathy, and family dynamics in agriculture.

• we share meaningful listener feedback, including stories of people feeling seen, understood, and less alone.

• We discuss the importance of community in rural life and how the podcast has helped normalize mental health conversations.

• We highlight the value of both women and men in agriculture and how their perspectives shape wellness discussions.

• We explore how spouses often play a key support role in farm families’ mental health.

• We recall which episodes surprised, challenged, and inspired them most.

• We share personal reflections on each other’s strengths and what they bring to the partnership.

• The episode closes with lighthearted fun—what word each host would define in the dictionary—and appreciation for the growing Rural Well community.

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

This episode is sponsored by our friends at @agproworkwear. Be sure to check them out at http://www.agproworkwear.com

In this episode of The Rural Well, Bridgette and Lauren dive into the complex and often emotional topic of boundaries in farm life—and not just the kind made of fences and stone walls. From multi-generational family farms to community and church commitments, they explore why setting clear limits isn’t about being harsh or distant—it’s about creating space for growth, respect, and mental wellness.

Lauren shares personal stories and counselling insights on how boundaries help others become more resourceful, prevent resentment, and protect relationships. We also discuss how to respond when lines are crossed, how to communicate needs with courage and curiosity, and why unspoken frustrations can lead to “emotional barfing” if left unchecked. A memorable quote from Brené Brown ties it all together:

• “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”

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The episode closes on a moving and hopeful note, as Lauren reflects on finding joy in small, unseen acts—reminding listeners that boundaries and compassion can coexist beautifully on and off the farm.

Key Themes:

• Setting emotional and relational boundaries in family farming

• Preventing burnout and resentment through healthy communication
• The courage to say no and protect personal well-being
• Learning from multi-generational dynamics
• Finding joy and meaning in everyday acts of service

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media

Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: info [at] theruralwell.com