Libsyn Directory

The Rural Well Podcast: Real Talk on Farmer Mental Health with Lauren Van Ewyk & Bridgette Readel

Release Date: 12/10/2025

Farm Succession Across the Globe: What Farmers Are Facing Right Now

Impact Farming

Farm Succession Across the Globe: What’s at Stake for the Next Generation of Agriculture #farming #agriculture #farmsuccessionplanning #farmlife Farm succession is one of the most important and most complex conversations happening in agriculture today. Across the globe, farm families are facing a massive transition as trillions of dollars in agricultural assets prepare to change hands in the coming decades. In this special international panel episode of The Impact Farming Show, host Tracy Brunet brings together succession experts from Canada, the United States, and Ireland to discuss...

From Seed to Success: Helping Prairie Farmers Make Smart Seed Choices | FP Genetics

Impact Farming

In this Product Spotlight episode of The Impact Farming Show, we sit down with Courtney Ross of FP Genetics to explore how strong relationships, deep industry experience, and innovative seed genetics are helping Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan farmers navigate today’s challenges. Courtney shares her journey across multiple areas of agriculture, including the farm, retail, finance, and extension. She explains how this well-rounded perspective allows her to better support growers and their trusted advisors with practical, informed recommendations. The conversation also highlights some of the...

Canadian Dairy XPO 2026: Inside Canada’s Premier Dairy Event

Impact Farming

In this Event Spotlight episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy sits down with Jordan Underhill, Director of Exhibitions for DLG North America, to talk all things Canadian Dairy XPO 2026. Taking place April 1–2, 2026 in Stratford, this premier dairy-only event brings together producers, industry leaders, and innovators from across Canada and beyond for two high-impact days of learning, networking, and discovery. Jordan shares the story behind the Canadian Dairy XPO, including when it first launched and the mission driving its continued growth as a world-class dairy event. Designed to...

Why Mental Health Conversations Matter More Than Ever in Agriculture | Merle Massie, The Do More Agriculture Foundation

Impact Farming

Mental health in agriculture is a conversation that continues to grow in importance and urgency. In this powerful and honest episode, Tracy sits down with Merle Massie, Executive Director of The Do More Agriculture Foundation, to explore the real pressures farmers face today and why mental health support in agriculture is more critical than ever. From personal stories to practical resources, this conversation goes beyond the surface to shed light on the realities many in the industry quietly carry. In This Episode, We Cover: • Merle’s role at Do More Ag and the organization’s mission to...

Sauerkraut Anyone? The Surging Popularity of Fermented Foods

Impact Farming

In this episode, Tracy sits down with Jorge Azevedo, CEO of Fermented Food Holdings, to explore the sauerkraut and fermented food boom that’s reshaping the future of farming, food, and consumer demand. From ancient preservation methods to modern probiotic powerhouses, fermented foods are having a major moment. Jorge shares how his company connects farmers to consumers, the market forces driving this growth, and what makes fermentation a sustainable and profitable opportunity for agriculture. Episode Highlights - Meet Jorge & Fermented Food Holdings Jorge shares his...

Banking Secrets Every Farmer Should Know with Garrett Ruskamp of Pioneer Farmer

Impact Farming

Farm financial stress is rising as lending conditions tighten, interest rates remain volatile, and economic uncertainty continues to impact agriculture. For many farmers, navigating conversations with lenders can feel overwhelming — but understanding how the banking system works can shift fear into confidence and preparation. In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy sits down with Garrett Ruskamp, Founder & CEO of Pioneer Farmer, entrepreneur, farm business coach, and podcast host, to unpack the banking secrets every farmer should know. Garrett shares his personal journey into...

Seed Strategy: The Foundation of Farm Profitability |.FP Genetics

Impact Farming

In this Product Spotlight episode of The Impact Farming Show, we sit down with Everett Boots, Western Product Specialist at FP Genetics, to explore the power of seed genetics, farmer relationships, and the future of Canadian agriculture. Everett shares his personal journey into agriculture, his time working at the Crop Development Centre, and what inspired his transition into his current role with FP Genetics. From product knowledge to on-farm trust, this conversation dives into what it really takes to support producers in today’s evolving farming landscape. We discuss the key challenges...

Navigating Mental Health in Today’s Agricultural Climate with Colleen Stegenga

Impact Farming

Agriculture has always required resilience — but today’s producers are navigating unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Inflation pressures, volatile commodity markets, tariffs, succession stress, and rising input costs are creating a heavy emotional load across farm families. In this powerful and deeply needed conversation, we sit down with Colleen Stegenga of Embracing Change Counseling to talk openly about mental health in agriculture. Colleen shares her background, her connection to farming, and how she found her calling in mental health support. Together, we unpack the difference...

Empire Ag: Navigating Farm Business, Commodity Cycles & Succession with Jonathon Haralson

Impact Farming

Farm businesses today are navigating increasing complexity — volatile commodity markets, rising input costs, succession pressures, and the need to think more strategically than ever before. In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, we sit down with Jonathon Haralson, rancher, farmer, and Founder of Empire Ag, to explore the realities producers are facing and the opportunities that still exist in modern agriculture. Jonathon shares his personal journey growing up during the farm crisis of the 1980s, how those experiences shaped his outlook on risk and business management, and the path that...

Hybrid Rye Insights: Feeding Value & Forage Tips | KWS Seeds

Impact Farming

In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Laura Eastwood shares her expertise on KWS hybrid rye, drawing from extensive 2025 research across Canada. Farmers and nutritionists will get practical insights on feeding value, forage management, and how to integrate KWS hybrid rye effectively into livestock diets. Key Highlights: • 2025 KWS Hybrid Rye Research Takeaways: Laura breaks down the latest data on KWS hybrid rye performance across Canada, including on-farm results and feeding value. • Ergot Alkaloids vs. Percentage by Weight: Learn how to interpret test results for animal safety and...

More Episodes

In this powerful episode, we sit down with two passionate voices in agricultural mental health:

Lauren Van Ewyk, CEO of the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance — speaker, registered social worker, therapist, foster mom, sheep farmer, and agricultural mental health advocate, and Bridgette Readel, partner at Ag Mafia and co-host of The Rural Well Podcast.

Together, we have an honest, grounded conversation about the reality of farmer mental health, the emotional weight carried behind the scenes, and what happens when we finally start talking about the hard things.

This episode explores the real stories, the silent struggles, and the hope that grows when rural communities feel seen, supported, and understood.

Guest Bios

Lauren Van Ewyk

CEO, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance. Lauren is a registered social worker, therapist, speaker, foster mom, sheep farmer, and national advocate for mental wellness in agriculture. Her work focuses on breaking stigma, increasing access to care, and creating real-world supports for farm families.

Bridgette Readel

Partner at Ag Mafia and co-host of The Rural Well Podcast. Bridgette brings a voice of honesty, relatability, and leadership to rural conversations, helping create space for real dialogue about stress, identity, and resilience in agriculture.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• Why they felt called to create a podcast focused on farmer mental health
• The personal moments that made this work feel urgent and necessary
• How the farm community’s response has shaped their mission
• Which podcast topics have resonated most deeply with listeners
• Surprising themes and patterns that emerged through their interviews
• What they’ve learned about mental wellness through these conversations
• The emotional landscape of farmers today
• What farmers are really carrying behind the scenes
• Why farmers often stay silent about stress and struggle
• The cultural and practical barriers to reaching out
• Misconceptions about resilience in agriculture
• Powerful stories and moments from their podcast journey
• How to move past the “I’m fine” response
• What real conversation looks like around the kitchen table and on the farm
• How farm families can support one another through hard seasons
• A message of hope for farmers listening right now

Episode Highlights

✅ Honest, real conversations about mental health in agriculture
✅ Practical insight for farm families and rural communities
✅ Breaking stigma and normalizing support
✅ Powerful storytelling from inside the ag world

If this episode resonated, share it with someone in agriculture who needs to hear this message:

You are not alone, and your mental health matters.

Thanks for tuning in,

Tracy Brunet

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SHOW RESOURCES

- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance
https://nfmha.ca
- Rural Well Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rural-well/id1763638851

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🔎 Related Phrases:

Mental Health, Lauren Van Ewyk, Bridgette Readel, The Rural Well Podcast, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, Tracy Brunet, Impact Farming Show, Agriculture, Farming, Farmer, Farmlife, Agribusiness, Farm Business, Farm Finance, Farm Management, Sustainable Farming, Farming Tips, Farm Business Management, Farming Success, Farm Funding Solutions, Agricultural Finance, Farming Innovations, Farm Financial Solutions, Farm Founders, Farm Successors, Agribusiness

#TracyBrunet #ImpactFarmingShow #FarmBusiness #FarmFinance #FarmManagement #SustainableFarming #TransitionPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #FarmingTips #FarmBusinessManagement #FarmingSuccess #agriculture #farming #farmer #farmlife

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