This episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland includes an honest and emotional conversation about mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Mary and Leah open with a glimpse into spring on the Plains, from unpredictable weather and much needed rain to drought conditions and tough decisions facing ranchers. They also share a bit of everyday life, from thunderstorms and barking dogs to community connections and small personal wins.

Guest Morgan Cole of Cole Canyon Farm joins the conversation to share her story as a veteran, mother, and first generation farmer in Montana. She talks about building a life in agriculture, raising animals, and using farming as a way to support both her family and her mental health.

Morgan speaks candidly about her experience with PTSD, the challenges veterans face, and the realities of suicidal thoughts. She describes farming as both a source of healing and a source of stress, where the highs are meaningful and the lows can be overwhelming. The discussion highlights how agriculture, especially in rural areas, carries a high mental health burden with limited resources.

The conversation explores the importance of community, purpose, and being connected to something larger than yourself. Morgan shares how caring for animals, raising her son, and working the land give her a reason to keep going. Leah adds perspective on the broader mental health crisis in agriculture and the need for stronger support systems, especially for veterans.

They also discuss parenting, resilience, and teaching the next generation to face discomfort, take responsibility, and understand where their food comes from. Throughout the episode, there is a strong emphasis on honesty, accountability, and showing up for others.

Resources mentioned:

• Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Veterans can contact their local VA or use the Veterans Crisis Line for immediate support

Key takeaway: Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Whether through community, therapy, or simply talking to someone, no one has to face these struggles alone.

Morgan encourages listeners to connect, seek support, and remember that even small actions can make a difference in someone’s life.

Mary and Leah welcome Brenda, a South Dakota farm woman and leader behind Women in Blue Jeans, for a powerful conversation about resilience, community, and life in agriculture.

Brenda shares her journey from growing up on a family farm to building a farming operation with her husband and raising a family through the challenges of the 1980s farm economy. She reflects on balancing off-farm work, motherhood, and the evolving needs of their operation over time.

The heart of the episode focuses on a devastating windstorm that destroyed their farm, and the long road to recovery. Brenda offers honest insight into the emotional toll across generations, the practical realities of rebuilding, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.

She highlights what truly helps in times of crisis, from neighbors showing up with equipment and meals to the importance of documentation, strong relationships, and preparation. She also shares what was not helpful and how communities can better support those facing disaster.

The conversation closes with Brenda’s work helping create Women in Blue Jeans, a conference designed to support, connect, and uplift women in agriculture through education, networking, and encouragement.

This episode is a reminder of the strength found in community, the importance of preparation, and the grit and grace required to keep going when life takes an unexpected turn.

Mary and Leah catch up during a busy and emotional season on the ranch. With calving in full swing and a high school graduation just weeks away, the conversation weaves between the realities of agricultural life and the personal transitions of motherhood.

Leah shares what it feels like to watch her daughter step into adulthood while juggling the demands of calving season. The discussion explores how intense seasons of life can bring both exhaustion and gratitude, and why it is okay to feel deeply during major transitions.

The episode also dives into ranch life during calving, including:

• Whether witnessing new life ever becomes routine
• The realities of loss and hard decisions in livestock care
• What a “freemartin” calf is and how ranchers manage them
• How animal care decisions differ between livestock and pets

Mary and Leah reflect on the emotional weight of caring for animals responsibly, including when euthanasia is the most humane choice. They talk candidly about the balance between compassion and practicality in agriculture.

The conversation expands into bigger topics such as:

• The difference between situational and clinical depression
• Why modern culture struggles with allowing space for difficult emotions
• The growing disconnect between consumers and food production
• Perspectives on meat consumption, sustainability, and cultural differences

They also touch on everyday life, from grocery shopping habits and reading food labels to dreams of adding quail or pygmy goats to the homestead.

The episode closes with a reminder to focus on small, present blessings during overwhelming times and to stay connected to what truly matters.

Key Themes

• Change and transition
• Emotional resilience
• The realities of agriculture
• Food systems and personal responsibility
• Gratitude in hard seasons