Ducks on the Pond

Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott
  • 4.7 (37)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

A podcast for rural women... by rural women. Hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott, they seek expert advice and the stories of other rural women on issues such as succession planning, motherhood, starting a business...running for politics and much more!

  1. 12 HRS AGO

    How to Talk About Climate Change Without Losing People - Dr Rebecca Huntley and Prof. Leslie Hughes

    Climate change can be one of those topics that people either avoid, argue about, or feel completely overwhelmed by. Meanwhile, climate policy is often a political football. So how do we have better conversations about it,  especially in rural and regional Australia, where the impacts are often felt first and hardest? And why is it still considered by some to be a ‘leftie inner city issue?” We’re joined by two brilliant minds: Social researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley and climate scientist,  Emeritus Professor of Biology Lesley Hughes have dedicated themselves to raising awareness about the impacts of climate change, including supporting regional communities.  Together, they unpack the science, the politics, the psychology, and the opportunities that come with climate action in Australia. This is not a doom-and-gloom climate chat. Lesley and Rebecca share how both the scientific and social sides of the issue are intertwined and the tough balance of motivating people to act on climate change without losing hope that the situation is impossible.  Thank you to Weighting for Happiness for Sponsoring this Season of Ducks on the Pond.  Listen to the Before Dieting podcast, by founder Brownyn Fletcher Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    57 min

  2. 8 APR

    The Quiet Crisis: Life Inside Complex Mental Illness - Amanda Gaudion

    This is a big, honest, and deeply human conversation. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Warrnambool mother, Amanda Gaudion, who shares the story of her former husband Troy — a devoted dad, police officer, and someone who experienced a severe mental illness that ultimately led to his death by suicide. It’s a conversation about love, confusion, systems, stigma and what it’s actually like to live alongside complex mental illness that doesn’t fit neatly into the categories we’re more comfortable talking about. This episode gently but powerfully challenges the way we think about mental health — especially the conditions we don’t talk about. If this episode raises anything for you, support is available: Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14 Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    57 min

  3. 25 MAR

    How to Have Difficult Conversations and Forge an Unconventional Career in Ag - Liz Brennan

    When was the last time you had a difficult conversation? Maybe it was with a family member, at work or even within your community. While it can be easy for us to shy away from hard chats, our next guest considers her ability to have “crunchy” conversations a superpower.  From a young age Liz Brennan had these conversations role modelled within her family. So by the time she found herself in Papua New Guinea working alongside cultural leaders in a tourism role, she felt well prepared to put in the hard yards to build trust, find community and have “crunchy” conversations.  Now living in Kunnunurra but originally from WA’s wheatbelt, Liz works as the managing director for AgDots, an organisation connecting people in rural Australia to make things happen.  Liz speaks about how she first became interested in food systems while living in Papua New Guinea, the importance of diversifying and how to feel empowered by your choice to live regionally, instead of feeling hindered by it.  Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    43 min

  4. SEASON 8 TRAILER

    Season 8: Removing the blame and shame around weight loss - Introducing, Bronwyn Fletcher, Weighting for Happiness (Trailer)

    Ducks on the Pond is back with Season 8! Hear what's coming up on this powerful 10 episode season and meet Bronwyn Fletcher, founder of Weighting for Happiness.... and Ducks Season 8  sponsor. Bronwyn is working to change the conversation around women and weight through a systems-thinking approach to health and wellbeing. She unpacks why rural women often face different barriers to support and services, and why addressing complex challenges requires moving beyond simple fixes. Bronwyn also has a fabulous podcast called Before Dieting. Season 8 of Ducks on the Pond launches soon, with a new lineup of powerful stories, fresh perspectives and thoughtful conversations. Follow the podcast now so you don’t miss the first episode of the season. This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    12 min

  5. 4 MAR

    Should you join a farmer representation group? Rebecca Reardon, NSW Farmers

    “If farmers don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand.” That’s the simple mantra that motivates Rebecca Reardon to be involved in advocacy with NSW Farmers. Rebecca is a mixed farmer from Moree in NSW, an agricultural economist, board director and Vice President of NSW Farmers. Her path into agricultural leadership wasn’t linear. After 20 years working post–farm gate in the grains industry, including stepping into a CEO role during one of the most personally challenging periods of her life, she made the conscious decision to step back and prioritise family when one of her children became seriously ill What followed were two phone calls that changed her trajectory; one inviting her onto an industry board, and another encouraging her to join the Grains Committee at NSW Farmers  That “gentle push” led her into policy, advocacy and leadership at a state and national level. In this collaboration episode with NSW Farmers, Rebecca reflects candidly on: How family crisis reshaped her perspective on leadership and successWhy advocacy isn’t just about what farmer groups win; but what they stopHow NSW Farmers develops grassroots policy through branches, committees and annual conferenceThe mounting pressures facing agriculture; from telecommunications and biosecurity to land tax, diesel rebates, insurance and renewablesThe widening city–country divide and the fight to maintain farming’s social licenceWhy we need more women and more young farmers stepping into advocacy rolesIf you’ve ever thought about getting involved, but worried you didn’t know enough, weren’t qualified, or might upset someone… this episode is your nudge. Learn more about NSW Farmers or become a member HERE Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    42 min

  6. 1 MAR

    Working Smarter, Not Harder: Lean Thinking in Farming, with Jana Hocken

    What if the difference between a struggling farm and a thriving one isn’t the cows, the land or the milk price… but the systems? When Jana Hocken and her husband returned to their 1,000-head dairy farm in New Zealand, they were facing two seasons of low milk prices, a $500,000 overdraft and long, exhausting workdays. Something had to change. In this practical and eye-opening live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Jana shares how applying Lean management principles,  developed by Toyota,  transformed their business. The results? 15% reduction in costs72% increase in labour productivity over 10 yearsMajor gains in production Overdraft eliminated — and cash surplus at season startSame herd. Same genetics. Same infrastructure. Different management. Instead of hoping milk price rises to improve profit, Jana explains why the real opportunity lies in controlling what you can; cost, systems, communication and culture. Jana has now founded The Lean Farm Project, to help others. Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Jana’s keynote on how Lean tools; from weekly team meetings and visual management boards to root-cause problem solving and radical financial transparency, can dramatically reduce stress, lift productivity and build a farm that lasts generations. This is the final collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Go back and listen to earlier episodes, to hear more wisdom from the fabulous speakers and leaders involved in the event. Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co… can we help YOU tell your own story? Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    31 min

  7. 25 FEB

    Busy, Burnt Out… or Burnout-Proof? with Carli Phillips

    What happens when you don’t make time for your wellness? For wellbeing researcher and speaker Carli Phillips, the answer was confronting: double pneumonia, a heart infection and total burnout in her late thirties... all while juggling two jobs, a masters degree, young children, farm life and caring responsibilities. In this powerful live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Carli, the founder of the Corporate Wellbeing Hub, shares the lesson that changed her life: If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Carli’s keynote address to more than 900 people, followed by a practical and heartfelt Q&A focused on rural workplaces, leadership and psychosocial safety. This is a collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co... can we help YOU tell your own story? Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    36 min

  8. 28 JAN

    Battling the Anti-Farming Agenda with Positivity and Storytelling - Claire Taylor, ADC Collab episode

    Where did the anti-farming sentiment begin, not just in Australia, but around the world? And most importantly, what can we do about it? Claire Taylor brings a genuinely global perspective to this conversation. Originally from Scotland, she travelled across multiple countries as part of her Nuffield Scholarship, exploring how farming is portrayed, discussed and defended in different cultural contexts. That journey eventually led her to Australia—where she fell in love with a farmer  and now lives just outside Orange, New South Wales. Having only been in Australia for a year, Claire speaks candidly about what it’s like to miss your old life while navigating a major career pivot. Once an agricultural reporter working across TV and newspapers in the UK, Claire is now the founder of her own consultancy, Agvocacy Consulting, focused on helping agriculture tell its story better. This episode is has been made in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Conference and is packed with practical, accessible advice on sharing positive stories about farming—and you don’t need to be an influencer or media professional to do it well. The Australian Dairy Conference is on in Melbourne from February 11 to 13, so make sure you're getting quick to book your ticket! This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production Send us Fan Mail This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

    1hr 7min
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Trailer

4.7
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

A podcast for rural women... by rural women. Hosted by Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott, they seek expert advice and the stories of other rural women on issues such as succession planning, motherhood, starting a business...running for politics and much more!

Information

  • Creator
    Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliott
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ducks on the Pond
  • Show Website
    Ducks on the Pond

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