In this episode, we sit down with Jordan, a mum of three from regional NSW, who shares her story of welcoming her son River into the world - born with a cleft lip and palate. Jordan speaks with openness and heart about the shock of receiving River’s diagnosis at the 20-week scan, and the uncertainty that followed. From a planned caesarean at 36 weeks to feeding challenges, early surgeries, and the many moments in between - this is a story about strength, love, and learning to parent through the ...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 5Ep. 15
In this episode, we sit down with Leah, a mum of three living in Narrabri, who shares the raw, beautiful, and at times deeply challenging journey of becoming a parent in regional Australia. Leah’s story spans fertility struggles, an ectopic pregnancy, IVF, and the surprise of naturally conceiving identical twins. With honesty and grace, she talks us through what it was like to face medical emergencies far from major hospitals, to drive hours for basic care, and to navigate high-risk pregnancies ...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Tylia shares the story of her first pregnancy with her son Harvey, now almost four - a pregnancy marked by placenta previa, a short cervix, leaking fluids and a birth that ended in a fast labour, significant blood loss, and later, complications that went undetected for six weeks. Her second pregnancy, after a heartbreaking miscarriage, was shadowed by anxiety and uncertainty. From an ovarian cyst to worrying scans, and finally, early induction at 37 weeks due to low fluid and a calcifying placen...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this episode, we sit down with Kylie, a certified pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula from Griffith, NSW. Kylie shares her personal journey into motherhood, a journey filled with unexpected twists, deep resilience, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom that now shapes the beautiful support she offers to other families. Kylie takes us through both of her births: from being hospitalised at the end of her first pregnancy with a severe respiratory infection, to an emergency caesarean where she lo...
May 30, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 12
This episode is one of those rare, unforgettable conversations—equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human. Georgie, a beautiful soul from Narromine, NSW (and an incredibly talented baby photographer), joins us to share her deeply personal journey through love, pregnancy, and unimaginable loss. From the laugh-out-loud stories of life on the road with her husband during their 15-month Aussie lap, to the moments that made us hold our breath and wipe away tears—this one has it all. Georg...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 5Ep. 11
What happens when maternity services start disappearing from rural towns? For Alecia, it wasn’t a question, it was her reality. In this episode, Jen Laurie chats with Alecia from the Maternity Consumers Network (MCN), whose passion for improving maternity care started close to home and quickly turned into a statewide movement. Back in 2020, MCN launched the Bush Babies campaign in Queensland, an 18-month push to protect and restore maternity services in rural communities. What started as a local...
May 16, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 10
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Jemimah - mother of three, passionate advocate for intentional movement, and the founder of Moved , a beautiful studio based in Armidale, Northern NSW. Jemimah isn’t just a guest - she’s also a listener of the podcast, and I absolutely love when our community becomes part of the conversation. Jemimah’s story is deeply rooted in themes that will resonate with so many of you: consent, autonomy, trusting your intuition, and the powerful reminder that your v...
May 09, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 9
This is a truly fascinating story—one that offers a rare glimpse into life in one of the most remote corners of Australia . It’s not often that I get the opportunity to speak with someone who has lived as remotely as today’s guest. Claire’s journey is remarkable: after leaving her career in the wine-making regions of Canada, she and her husband made the bold decision to move to Groote Eylandt , a secluded island in the Northern Territory, to start their family. Life on Groote is both breathtakin...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Welcome to today's episode! If you love scrolling through warm, beautiful corners of the internet, chances are you’ve come across Sara’s world—StoneyCreek Flower Farm. It’s one of those peaceful, inspiring spaces that might even have you planning your own trip to a nursery. But today, we’re stepping beyond the flowers and into an incredible birth story—one that highlights the challenges of giving birth in a rural town where maternity services can be put on bypass at any time. Sara, a mother of t...
Mar 21, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this week’s episode of the podcast, Chloe shares her incredible and eye-opening birthing experience, revealing what happens when maternity services are an hour away. Chloe’s story is one of resilience and courage—she’s been through so much, from the heartbreaking loss of her daughter at 26 weeks, to having her first son 100 kilometers from home, and then delivering in a situation where the nearest maternity ward was no longer an option. In fact, Chloe was told, "Do not come here," leaving her...
Mar 14, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 6
When we first sat down with Sophie in Episode One, we were introduced to a woman whose openness, raw emotion, and unwavering honesty set the bar for everything that followed. Sophie's ability to share the highs and lows of her life – from motherhood to running a sheep farm with her husband Ross, to navigating rural life with their son Dougal – touched a chord with so many of you. Her unique combination of grace, humor, and vulnerability made her story unforgettable. Sophie’s journey, as she so h...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this heartfelt podcast episode, I sit down with Raechel, an incredibly talented country singer-songwriter, whose story is as inspiring as her music. Raechel’s journey into the world of songwriting was deeply shaped by her childhood spent performing in her family band, while traveling and living in a caravan across rural Australia. These early years fostered a profound connection to the land, and it’s this connection that permeates her music today. Raechel is not only a gifted artist but also ...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Welcome to this powerful episode of Her Herd , where we’re joined by the brilliant, witty, and incredibly passionate Kate Brow. Kate’s the kind of rural mum who manages to juggle a high-profile job with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade while running a sheep and cattle farm in rural New South Wales. And she does it all with a sharp sense of humor and the kind of grace that can only come from someone who's walked through the fire—literally and figuratively. Kate’s story is one of resili...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Welcome back to Part 2 of my interview with Kirsty Bryant. If you listened to Part 1, you know just how powerful Kirsty's story is. From being the first woman to receive a uterus transplant to navigating her IVF journey, Kirsty has faced challenges most people can’t even imagine. But her story is about so much more than just medical procedures—it’s about love, resilience, and what it truly means to keep fighting for your dreams. In this episode, we dive deeper into the journey to baby Henry. Wha...
Feb 07, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Let me introduce you to a very special friend of mine—Kirsty Bryant. You may have heard her name before because, well, she's kind of a big deal. Kirsty made history as the first woman to receive a uterus transplant, but her story goes so much deeper than that. Her journey with her husband Nick and their two beautiful kids is one full of love, strength, and resilience. It’s a story you truly can’t sum up in just a few sentences. The last time I was in Coffs Harbour, I made sure to spend some qual...
Jan 31, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In today’s episode, we are joined by Matt, who shares his deeply personal journey through pregnancy after loss, the challenges, and the emotional complexities of navigating grief, hope, and the desire to grow their family. Matt's story is one of resilience, vulnerability, and the deep bond he and his wife share as they rebuild after the loss of their daughter, Wren. Pregnancy after loss is a beast. It’s not just the emotional toll of grieving a lost child while trying to conceive again—it’s abou...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Welcome to a very special episode of The Herd podcast! Today’s episode is unlike anything you’ve heard before, as I sit down with my brother, Tim. Tim and his wife, Sammy, have always faced life's challenges with their trademark "get on with it" attitude, and this conversation is no different. While we’ve always been open with one another, this episode offers a level of candidness and insight that only a sibling bond can provide. In this episode, we dive into Tim's journey with cystic fibrosis (...
Dec 06, 2024•49 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Ryan’s story is one of deep vulnerability and honesty, and his unique perspective as a husband and father adds a layer to the conversation that we don't often hear from men. He shares the highs and lows of their IVF journey, the emotional toll of multiple miscarriages, and the weight of grief that can often go unspoken in male experiences of infertility. From the moment Ryan and Ellin learned of Ellin’s PCOS diagnosis, they knew the road ahead might not be easy, but nothing could fully prepare t...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Meet Katie Francis: a community champion, advocate, and all-around superstar! Since founding Bloss Riverina in 2018, Katie has been instrumental in expanding support for families navigating grief after pregnancy loss. Growing up in Downside, a charming regional town near Wagga Wagga, she embraced a lively childhood filled with farm life and mischief. Now, she shares her life in Coolamon, NSW, with her partner Damien and their kids, Thomas and Piper. Katie’s path took a heartbreaking turn in 2016...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Tori is often described as a ray of sunshine, and that couldn’t be more spot-on. Her infectious smile and the genuine joy she radiates when she greets you are just the surface of her true magic. What really sets Tori apart is the way she makes everyone around her feel—it's her superpower. Today, we’re diving into a side of Tori that you might not know as well. She’s not only an exceptional teacher and intuition coach but also a devoted mum. The story we’re about to explore is one you might not h...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Kimmie is the @ruraldietician - but that’s just one of many hats she wears on any given day. Kimmie is a mum of four, three of which she has living in her home. Kimmie takes us through her journey of how her beautiful family has come to be. Kimmie is warm and kind. She is vulnerable with her story but has summoned a strength, “her Pippa power” to bring this story to life. Honestly I can’t do this women justice in words so I’m just going to simply say; On the eve of pippa’s birthday we give you K...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 7
When I first looked at the unedited version of this episode, I was sure it was two episodes, but as I listened, I just could not find a point in which I could cut it in half. As you listen, you you will begin to understand, that what happened in Acacia first two births, really sets you up to understand what happened with her beautiful baby girl Sadie. Acacia is a mum, wife, and schoolteacher. Married to Todd and mum of Henry, Paddy, and now Sadie, Acacia was no stranger to pre-term labour. In fa...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 59 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Clare Hockings is a name you might have heard before, that’s because her, and her love, Farmer Brad met on the little-known Australia tv show Farmer Wants and Wife. Now I can’t speak for Brad, but I have had a chance to have a good chat to Clare, and I have to say the way she met Brad is really the least interesting thing about her. Clare is one hell of a tough rural women, to me she comes across as an the approachable, dependable, down to earth, fun, rural mum, and friend we all hope to be and ...
Aug 02, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 5
When I caught up with Tiarna from @helloblossomsbouquets she was in her third trimester with her fourth baby, a baby girl who she was so excited to welcome. Tiarna is the creative genius behind the incredible blooms you can find in @transwestfuels, and just before your brain goes there THESE ARE NOT SERVO FLOWERS, they are like the most beautiful fresh market flowers you can get. Tiarna’s journey with PCOS, Endo, and fertility has had a lot of twist and turns. When I enquired as to her journey a...
Jul 27, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Ash’s opening line to me was that she loves babies, and by the end of our conversation. together, I had no doubt about that. Ash lives with her husband and high school sweetheart in (as she described it) sunny gunny Gunnedah NSW, together they have three beautiful babies. Ash has had three unique and beautiful births, Ash story includes a positive induction, and GP shared care in a rural public setting. Ash notes that while it took her and husband a while to achieve their dream of a baby, once p...
Jul 19, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Cait is a primary teacher, wife to Charlie and mum to her incredible little boy Clancy. Clancy does things his way. Literally! – you will understand exactly what I mean when you listen. By the end of this interview, you will also be saying “that’s so Clancy”. When I first met Cait, she said to me “nothing is off limits, I love birth, I love babies and I am a chronic over sharer”. This is one of the best chats, Cait tells her families story so beautifully, I literally hung on every word, every tw...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Welcome to season 3! We couldn’t think of a better person to kick off season three during bereaved parents’ month than Rochelle from @ Rochelle is a mum, wife and incredible rural women deeply embedded in her community. She knows grief and loss more than most people. Rochelle candidly shares her journey of staring her family. She discusses the loss of Edward, the journey to her son Jock and what it is like to return to pregnancy after loss. Rochelle is so open with this community about how you c...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Dr Rachael Knight is the Clinical Director of Riverina IVF Wagga Wagga and Life Fertility Clinic Melbourne. She has been helping couples achieve their dream of having a family for over 20 years. Racheal speaks about this as her passion, and motivator to help people become mums. It’s the way she says it that clearly demonstrates what drives her. Rachael is an experienced Fertility Specialist and Gynecologist who has also completed sub-specialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology & Inferti...
May 31, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Her Herd presents Katie from Her Herbs (yes Katie I both know that is a bloody mouthful – say it 10 times fast just for fun) a true creative and thoughtful natural therapies solution for rural families. When I first met Katie, and she was running me through the principles and purpose of her business Her herb she stated that it had been built upon the pillars of accessibility for all. As soon as she had said this, I knew she was my type of person. That she understood the struggles of equality and...
May 24, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Sarah is someone who I am incredibly proud to call a friend. Our friendship has emerged out of a surprising place, online through share experience, and mission to support, help, and advocate for rural communities and people. See Sarah and her husband Steve run the Wish Collective, a small grass roots rural creative solution supporting families going through fertility treatment. The Wish collective provides a safe community for people to share and seek support. They also provide financial support...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
