Motherland Australia - podcast cover

Motherland Australia

Stephanie Tretheweyplayer.whooshkaa.com

Hosted by Stephanie Trethewey. Motherland shares real, raw, and unbelievable stories of motherhood told by women on the land. Each week, a rural mum from somewhere in Australia shares her motherhood journey. You'll hear stories of true grit, resilience, grief, and pure joy. Motherhood is the most life changing and transformative journey a woman can go through, and it's not always easy. No matter where you live or what you do, we're in this together and you're not alone.

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Episodes

Episode 39: Katrina Myers

This week, I catch up with rural mum of four, Katrina Myers from New South Wales. Katrina is an avocado farmer, podcaster and well being and business coach. Her positive spirit and her genuine happiness paints a very different picture to the woman she used to be. After losing her father to suicide as a teenager, it wasn't long before she faced her own demons Motherhood, and post natal depression took her to the darkest of places.But from it has emerged incredible strength and a burning desire to...

Aug 09, 202048 minSeason 1Ep. 40

Episode 38: Chantelle Fisher

This week, I catch up with rural mum Chantelle Fisher from Victoria. Chantelle is a mum of five, with a sixth on the way.For many many large families, there's an assumption that that's the way things were planned... but Chantelle's story is a little different.After having three children, she desperately wanted a fourth, but her husband didn't. So, she wrote him a letter.What happened next was double trouble! Twins!Then, a procedure that was supposed to provide permanent contraception. But that d...

Aug 02, 202046 minSeason 1Ep. 39

Episode 37 (Bonus): Diane Dowrick RFDS

Today is a bonus episode with rural mum and grandma Diane Dorwick who's a nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.I had an overwhelming response from Motherland mums who wanted to hear from someone with Diane's experience.For those who have dealt with the RFDS first hand, you know just how crucial their service is. So in case of emergency on the land, what do you do? Are you as prepared as you can be?I found out I'm certainly not. But there are some things we can all do as Diane explains.This...

Jul 28, 202051 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Episode 36: Zoe Jackson

This week, I catch up with rural mum and mental wellness coach Zoe Jackson from New South Wales.Zoe is a mum to two beautiful kids, who are about as close in age as you can get....just 12 months apart!Her biggest battle has been with her son Percy who has autism. Zoe opens up about what it's like raising a child on the land who has a disability, including her incredible perseverance when the medical system let them down when she knew her son was suffering. Don't mess with a mother's instinct!Thi...

Jul 26, 202042 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Episode 35: Edwina Hick

This week, I catch up with rural mum Edwina Hick from Queensland.Edwina shares her story of motherhood on the land, including her very powerful account of her struggles with postnatal depression in the early years. I'm very passionate about postnatal mental health. It can strike anyone at anytime.Edwina is well past the trenches now, with her two children in boarding school. There is much more to her story than this, and so much joy! But she's a very powerful advocate for other rural mums and an...

Jul 19, 202049 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Episode 34: Jo Youl

This week, we head to one of the most unique and untouched places on the planet. Meet rural mum of three Jo Youl, who lives on the wild and rugged Flinders Island, located in the Bass Strait, part of Tasmania. Originally from Victoria, Jo spent a lot of her childhood holidays on the island, but she never imagined she'd be raising her own kids there one day. But that's what happens when love and fate intervenes. In addition to running their Angus operation, Jo and her husband have opened The Flin...

Jul 12, 202038 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Episode 33: Liz Mecham

This week, I catch up with rural mum Liz Mecham from Victoria. Liz has suffered one of the most horrific losses imaginable. Her husband Pete died suddenly last year, leaving her and their four beautiful children behind.Liz is not what I expected... in the most amazing way. She's unashamedly open and raw about her very personal journey with grief. She says she doesn't always meet people's 'widow expectations', so much so, she actually has her own blog called 'The Failing Widow'. But if you ask me...

Jul 05, 20201 hrSeason 1Ep. 34

Episode 32: Olivia Thorn

This week, I catch up with Olivia Thorn from Western Australia. She's a former city girl who now lives on her husband's family farm... and recently welcomed her third child.Liv's on a break from her career as a rural reporter for the ABC, and we tackle a number of motherhood topics related to her journey including the isolation that can come with raising kids in the country, why it does take a village, and how to find support... plus the heart stopping health scare with her son that shook her to...

Jun 28, 202047 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Episode 31: Amanda Cochran

This week I catch up with rural mum Amanda Cochran from Victoria. Amanda runs a successful business called the Grampians Goods Co, and is busy raising three kids on the land. But, she's a mum of four. Amanda's beautiful daughter Gemma passed away almost 10 years ago from SIDS at 8 weeks old.It's not something she's shared so openly and publicly before, so I thank her for sharing her journey with me, and with you in such a powerfully honest way. This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/mother...

Jun 21, 202056 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Episode 30: Krista Watkins

This week I catch up with rural mum Krista Watkins from Queensland. Krista is a mum to two gorgeous girls, and is the Managing Director of super-food company Natural Evolution. Krista's journey through motherhood has seen her knock down almost every rural mum stereotype you could think of. She went back to work almost full time when her first daughter was four months old, and since then she's been flat out carving out a hugely successful career alongside her husband, while raising their girls.Th...

Jun 14, 202042 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Episode 29: Rosie Weatherly

This week I catch up with rural mum Rosie Weatherly from Victoria. Rosie is a busy mum to three, a midwife and a calm birth educator. Her passion to help other rural mums through birth only increased after she suffered incredible heartache with her first pregnancyEverything was going smoothly until her 20 week scan when everything changed. Her pregnancy had to be terminated, and three weeks later she was induced and had to give birth to her stillborn baby girl.Despite what she's been through, sh...

Jun 07, 202040 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Episode 28: Raine Holcombe

This week, I chat with Raine Holcombe, a contract musterer from the Northern Territory. I first learned of her incredible journey when she appeared on an episode of Landline exploring infertility in the bush. What she's endured in her quest to become a mum is unbelievable. Almost four heartbreaking years of trying, countless failed embryo transfers and test after test.I've had several mums reach out asking for an episode like this... a deep dive into the world of infertility on the land. I hope ...

May 31, 202054 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Episode 27: Danielle Doyle

This week, I catch up with mum of three, 'Miss Chardy' blogger and podcaster Danielle Doyle!Dan lives on a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory that spans 1.7 million acres, five hours from Mt Isa.With two of her three boys in boarding school, I was really keen to chat with a mum who's 'been there, survived that' with motherhood on the land. She's a breath of fresh air for those of us still in the trenches!This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia...

May 24, 202042 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Episode 26: Rhiannon Finger

This week, I catch up with Rhiannon Finger from the Central Highlands in Queensland. Her journey into motherhood on the land was nothing short of traumatic. Rhiannon's now 12 year old son Oscar is a medical miracle, born at just 24 weeks, weighing 770 grams. Oscar spent 99 days in hospital, a very long way from the family farm. As a new mum, Rhiannon was only able to be with her baby by watching him through a plastic capsule.There are so many rural families and rural children out there that are ...

May 17, 202047 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Episode 25: Monique Currant

This week is an upbeat Mother's Day episode with the beautiful Monique Currant from Central Queensland.Monique is a mum to three gorgeous girls.... Three babies in 3.5 years!While we spoke about her relatively smooth journey becoming a mum, I was intrigued by her focus and commitment to practising self love and gratitude. It's so easy to lose ourselves amongst the chaos, but Monique has an incredibly positive spirit, which I think we could all do with some more of in our lives!This is her story....

May 10, 202032 minSeason 1Ep. 26

Episode 24: Renee Mulcahy

This week I chat with rural mum of three Renee Mulcahy who lives a double life! The family splits their time between Warwick in Queensland and their farm in Urbenville, New South Wales.Renee is also a professional photographer. Her work has been so critical that her income actually saved her and her husband's farm last year when the drought got so bad they would have otherwise been forced to give it up.While COVID-19 has put a lot of financial stress on Renee and her family lately, she is an inc...

May 03, 202038 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Episode 23: Colleen Angus

This week, I catch up with rural mum Colleen Angus from Queensland. Colleen's journey has been full of love and unimaginable loss. Life on the land began as the perfect love story with her husband Luke, but their world soon crumbled. Luke suffered a seizure on the farm one day, completely out of the blue. It turned out to be a brain tumour which would eventually take his life.Colleen and her late husband have two beautiful boys. Her journey as a rural mum has been powerfully tragic and inspiring...

Apr 26, 202055 minSeason 1Ep. 24

Episode 22: Anna Nunn

This week, I catch up with rural mum and children's author, Anna Nunn from South Australia.While Anna has enjoyed her journey through motherhood on the land, she felt something important was missing. She yearned for a project to call her own, something to give her a sense of independence and purpose beyond motherhood and station life.Then along came 'Where is Cowboy Roy's Hat?'... A book she wrote for her son as a 2nd birthday present... But its audience has grown much bigger than that! And for ...

Apr 19, 202035 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Episode 21: Natasha Lobban

This week, I catch up with rural mum, farmer and former journalist Natasha Lobban from Victoria.Natasha's journey into motherhood was far from what she expected it to be. Her daughter Harriet (now 3) was born with multiple heart defects at 31 weeks. Instead of living a beautifully simple life on the land, the past three years has seen months of torturous hospital visits, surgeries and health scares.I have so much admiration for the strength Natasha has shown through it all. She certainly opened ...

Apr 12, 202042 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Episode 20: Stephanie Schmidt

In this week's bonus episode, I catch up with clinical psychologist, farmer and rural mum Stephanie Schmidt.We are facing unprecedented times at the moment due to the corona virus pandemic. And unfortunately, mental health is already declining for some families across the country.To assist mums that may be struggling, Steph has shared her own journey managing post natal depression, and discusses some tips and strategies to help rural mums through this difficult time. RESOURCES RECOMMENDED BY STE...

Apr 07, 202043 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Episode 19: Hannah McNulty

This week, I catch up with Hannah McNulty from rural Queensland!The mum of two and her daughter both have genetic hearing loss and require the use of hearing aids.But, as you'll learn, Hannah does not muck around and has not let her disability, nor her daughter's hold them back one bit. She's a fire cracker and I loved our chat. Particularly her honest account of what it's been like for her trying to fit the 'rural mum' mould (whatever that is) after moving from the city to her husband's farm.Bu...

Apr 05, 202044 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Episode 18: Maryellen Boyd-Blackett

This week, I catch up with cattlewoman and businesswoman Maryellen Boyd-Blackett who lives in rural Queensland. She's certainly got her hands full with three girls under five, all while working and managing her own caravan park in town!Maryellen's husband is an on call chopper pilot, so she's used to flying solo with parenting when she has to.But it's her go get em' attitude and hunger to succeed despite the chaos and distraction that comes with being a mum that I admire most.This is her story. ...

Mar 29, 202052 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Episode 17: Grace Brennan

This week I catch up with the incredible woman behind the Buy from the Bush campaign, Grace Brennan.Grace lives in rural New South Wales, she's a mum to three gorgeous kids, with a fourth due very soon!She's a powerful voice for rural Australia, and after watching her present this year's Australia Day address, I desperately wanted the chance to chat with her.For this former Sydney girl, her transition into rural life and motherhood was a baptism of fire! And what a journey it's been for her sinc...

Mar 22, 202046 minSeason 1Ep. 18

Episode 16: Emma Leonard

This week, cattlewoman and photographer Emma Leonard shares her latest motherhood adventure!Just two months ago, the rural mum packed up her life in Victoria and moved all the way to the Northern Territory with her husband and two young kids to work on a cattle station.It was always on their bucket list and they were sick of just talking about. So when Emma's husband was diagnosed with cancer, that was the rocket ship they needed to push themselves way out of their comfort and make this adventur...

Mar 15, 202036 minSeason 1Ep. 17

Episode 15: Lilly Brown

This week, I chat with rural mum Lilly Brown from Tasmania. Lilly happens to be one of my neighbours, so this episode was very special as I had the chance to sit down with her in person. Lilly gave birth to her stillborn baby girl Poppy at 17 weeks, and talks openly about that loss and the impact it's had on her journey through motherhood. We talked about so many other things that will inspire you, but I think it's important to highlight that behind many picture perfect families, there are stori...

Mar 08, 202036 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Episode 14: Fanny Lumsden

This week, two time ARIA nominated and two time Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden shares her incredible journey into motherhood. The country singer/songwriter was born and raised on the land, and when life threw her a little surprise, (her beautiful son Walter) she threw herself into motherhood head on. When she's not living on her NSW property, she's touring and performing in towns across the country with her baby in tow!This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia...

Mar 01, 202036 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Episode 13: Emma Steendam

This week, I catch up with the beautiful Emma Steendam from Victoria.Emma is a photographer and blogger who is busy raising three little girls on the land. While she's had her fair share of hurdles like any mum, she's actually experienced a rare form of mum-guilt... for finding motherhood EASY the first time around! She's also very passionate thoughts on why stay at home mums should feel more respected for the job they do, and never feel inadequate or call themselves "just" a mum.This is her sto...

Feb 23, 202039 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Episode 12: Jayne Cuddihy

When Queensland mum Jayne Cuddihy arrived in Kenya, she had a 14 month old toddler in tow, and was just six weeks away from giving birth to her second child.A journalist herself, Jayne swapped it all to hold the parenting fort while her husband worked as an international TV correspondent, based in Nairobi. What they've been through and what Jayne has managed as a mother, is nothing short of unbelievable.This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia...

Feb 16, 20201 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 13

Episode 11: Sarah Harris

This week, I chat with rural mum Sarah Harris who lives on a sheep station in outback New South Wales. Sarah is a mum to six beautiful girls, but amongst all the chaos, she has a natural calmness about her. She has the ability to go with the flow, embrace motherhood and seek support when she needs it. This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Feb 09, 202039 minSeason 1Ep. 12

Episode 10: Tiani Cook

This week, I catch up with Northern Territory mum and new grandma, Tiani Cook.What's it like raising kids on the land in one of the most remote places in Australia? Well, the mum of four knows all about that after living on Suplejack Downs, an incredibly isolated cattle station, nine hours from the closest town. Her nearest neighbour was 200 kilometres away. Motherhood and mustering was Tiani's life, and she's had an incredible adventure so far.This is her story. https://www.instagram.com/mother...

Feb 02, 202042 minSeason 1Ep. 11
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