The Rural Well

The Rural Well featuring Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Rural Well! Your hosts Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk are thrilled to have you join in our discussion. We have the well being of rural areas like yours in mind when building this podcast. We know the ag industry has its challenges, but we’re right alongside you and cannot wait to connect and inspire one generation's legacy to the next. Let's get started!

  1. Episode 028 - Farm Family Coaching with Elaine Froese

    APR 25

    Episode 028 - Farm Family Coaching with Elaine Froese

    Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode 28, we're blessed to introduce you to our guest Elaine Froese. Elaine isn't just a wealth of information, but she also connected us together to help get this podcast started! In this episode, you will hear: What are spiritual dynamics of transition on the farm?Farmers suffer from being overwhelmed, leading to stress and anxietyDealing from resistance from family or business connectionsfear hurt and frustration are key principals to deal withWhat does your frustration really mean? How do you provide clarity and step back from your circumstances?Do we need to do a deep dive and play detective?Age does play a part in thinking and planning over the yearsHow to plan for succession planningHow we change how we ageThere’s a change of roles, not a change of importanceHow do you find your purpose no matter what age you are?How do non-farm or married in family members communicate about being part of the operation, or what their role could be?People can have participatory anxiety - how you anticipate the worst and worry about it.Tools for Transition - workbook Elaine uses We end with a Quote:  “Healthy succession is a long strategic process, rather than an event of choosing the next leader” Don't forget to listen right to the end as we throw out a fun question to answer! For more about Elaine, visit ⁠https://elainefroese.com/ Links and Resources:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-⁠ National Farmer Mental Health Alliance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...⁠ Lilac Lane MediaFacebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...⁠TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    37 min
  2. Episode 27 - The Recovering Farmer: Gerry Freisen

    APR 1

    Episode 27 - The Recovering Farmer: Gerry Freisen

    Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode 27, we introduce you to our guest and author of "The Recovering Farmer" Gerry Freisen. Gerry is known to Lauren and he's a wealth of knowledge! In this episode, we talk about recovering well from addiction, powerful tools to equip you as you seek to move forward, and the reality that farmers face challenges many don't. Also that farmers need to encourage each other as they often times choose to suffer in silence. We also delve into anxiety and depression, Bridgette shares a quote and asks a fun question at the end. Be sure to stay with us right to the end! For more about Gerry, visit http://www.gerryfriesen.ca and for his book, visit https://www.amazon.ca/Recovering-Farmer-Journey-Labyrinth-Depression/dp/1038306132 Links and Resources:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... Lilac Lane MediaFacebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    35 min
  3. Episode 26 - Step-Parenting

    MAR 14

    Episode 26 - Step-Parenting

    Sorry the first 1 minute was missing our banter video, be patient, it does start! In this episode, we talk about the blessings and complexities that come with step-parenting. There are many problems and pitfalls that can come with this dynamic situation and there is no "one stop shopping" answer. It's both complex, yet can be very rewarding if you are intentional and have a game-plan as spouse and former spouses. Let's discuss! We also talk about the quote "A step-parent is so much more than just a parent, they made the choice to love, when they didn’t have to." Lastly, we want you to chime in on our last question: If you were to be gone tomorrow, what would you want people to remember you most of all? As always, we thank you for coming along with us on this journey and look forward to hearing from you, our loyal listeners. Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    26 min
  4. Episode 25 - Letdown After Christmas - Give Yourself a Bit of Grace

    FEB 13

    Episode 25 - Letdown After Christmas - Give Yourself a Bit of Grace

    In this episode 25 of The Rural Well, Bridgette and Lauren discuss the reality of the hard, quiet and often depressing or discouraging times that can come after the holidays. The goal of this episode however is to provide hope! It's ok to give yourself a bit of grace. Set small reachable goals. Also check out later in the episode for our quote for consideration. Join the conversation! Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    29 min
  5. Episode 24 - Farming with Purpose: An Interview with Samantha Selliers

    JAN 22

    Episode 24 - Farming with Purpose: An Interview with Samantha Selliers

    In this episode of The Rural Well, Bridgette and Lauren have the opportunity to interview Samantha Selliers, an ambitious and driven leader and communicator , an Agricultural Communications Major and Founder of "One Farmer at a Time" based in Kansas. We look forward to having you join in the conversation! To learn more about Samantha, visit: - Linkedin - Instagram And listen in for more resources. Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    34 min
  6. Episode 23 - Christmas Special

    2025-12-25

    Episode 23 - Christmas Special

    In this episode we are joined by the Rural Well producer, editor Dan Thomson. We also discuss traditions, nostalgia at Christmas and the optimism that comes from being a farmer. Join in as we laugh, reminisce and discuss Christmas traditions and fun facts! Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    30 min
  7. Episode 22 - One Year at the Rural Well: Stories, Strength, and the Power of Community

    2025-11-27

    Episode 22 - One Year at the Rural Well: Stories, Strength, and the Power of Community

    In this episode, Bridget and Lauren celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Rural Well podcast. We reflect on memorable guests and impactful stories from the past year. Key themes that resonated with listeners include guests being vulnerable about generational trauma, mental health, empathy, and family dynamics in agriculture. we share meaningful listener feedback, including stories of people feeling seen, understood, and less alone. We discuss the importance of community in rural life and how the podcast has helped normalize mental health conversations. We highlight the value of both women and men in agriculture and how their perspectives shape wellness discussions. We explore how spouses often play a key support role in farm families’ mental health. We recall which episodes surprised, challenged, and inspired them most. We share personal reflections on each other’s strengths and what they bring to the partnership. The episode closes with lighthearted fun—what word each host would define in the dictionary—and appreciation for the growing Rural Well community. Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    22 min
  8. Episode 21 - Fences, Families, and Finding Balance: The Power of Boundaries on the Farm

    2025-11-01

    Episode 21 - Fences, Families, and Finding Balance: The Power of Boundaries on the Farm

    This episode is sponsored by our friends at @agproworkwear. Be sure to check them out at http://www.agproworkwear.com In this episode of The Rural Well, Bridgette and Lauren dive into the complex and often emotional topic of boundaries in farm life—and not just the kind made of fences and stone walls. From multi-generational family farms to community and church commitments, they explore why setting clear limits isn’t about being harsh or distant—it’s about creating space for growth, respect, and mental wellness. Lauren shares personal stories and counselling insights on how boundaries help others become more resourceful, prevent resentment, and protect relationships. We also discuss how to respond when lines are crossed, how to communicate needs with courage and curiosity, and why unspoken frustrations can lead to “emotional barfing” if left unchecked. A memorable quote from Brené Brown ties it all together: “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” The episode closes on a moving and hopeful note, as Lauren reflects on finding joy in small, unseen acts—reminding listeners that boundaries and compassion can coexist beautifully on and off the farm. Key Themes: Setting emotional and relational boundaries in family farmingPreventing burnout and resentment through healthy communicationThe courage to say no and protect personal well-beingLearning from multi-generational dynamicsFinding joy and meaning in everyday acts of service Links and Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nfmha.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lilaclanemedia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Lilac Lane Media Facebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theruralwell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: info [at] theruralwell.com

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Rural Well! Your hosts Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk are thrilled to have you join in our discussion. We have the well being of rural areas like yours in mind when building this podcast. We know the ag industry has its challenges, but we’re right alongside you and cannot wait to connect and inspire one generation's legacy to the next. Let's get started!

Information

  • Creator
    The Rural Well featuring Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Rural Well featuring Bridgette Readel and Lauren Van Ewyk
  • Show Website
    The Rural Well