Motherland Australia

Stephanie Trethewey
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    311: Fiona Bryant's Secret Fight to Become a Mum of Five — Plus Raising a Son with Diabetes

    Fiona Bryant always knew she wanted to be a mum — she just didn't know how hard she'd have to fight for it. After a polycystic ovaries diagnosis, Fiona faced years of fertility treatment, multiple miscarriages and gruelling trips to IVF appointments, all while keeping much of her struggle private. Today, she and her husband Mark have five children and run a farm in central New South Wales. In this episode, Fiona reflects on raising her family, embracing her role as a stay-at-home mum, and supporting her teenage son through a diabetes diagnosis. Now, as her kids start leaving home, she's training to become a midwife... determined to bring better maternity care to rural women like herself. This is her story.  Alcohol at any stage of pregnancy can harm a baby's development. If you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone, visit everymomentmatters.org.au for trusted, evidence-based information. It's been developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education and endorsed and funded by the Australian Government. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  2. Aug 16

    310: Jess Guthrie On Finding Love on Farmer Wants a Wife, Fighting Endo & Finally Becoming Mum

    During one of Melbourne’s lockdowns in 2020, Jess Guthrie’s friend convinced her to apply for a little show called Farmer Wants a Wife. Jess and Andrew met on the show, spent 11 months navigating a long-distance relationship and eventually built a life together in Dalgety, in the Snowy Mountains. They married in March 2024 and soon began trying for the baby Jess had dreamed of for years. But becoming parents wasn’t straightforward. At 23, after more than a decade of debilitating periods, Jess had been diagnosed with stage four endometriosis. She knew falling pregnant could be difficult, but she wasn’t prepared for the emotional and logistical toll of fertility treatment from the bush. After an early pregnancy loss, months of treatment and countless long-distance trips for blood tests and scans, Jess finally saw the positive test she had been waiting for. Today, she and Andrew are parents to little Gracie. On this episode of Motherland, Jess opens up about the reality behind reality television, endometriosis, rural fertility treatment and finding joy in a chapter she once feared might never come. This is her story.  Pregnancy loss support: pinkelephants.org.au endometriosisaustralia.org Alcohol at any stage of pregnancy can harm a baby's development. If you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone, visit everymomentmatters.org.au for trusted, evidence-based information. It's been developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education and endorsed and funded by the Australian Government. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  3. Aug 9

    309: How Young Farm Manager Liz Escaped a Coercive and Controlling Relationship

    At 21, Liz thought she was building a business, a relationship and a future. Three years later, she walked away carrying debts in her name that she hadn't created and questioning everything she once believed about herself. Liz grew up in Queensland's cattle industry, studied agribusiness and built a career in feedlots and property management. But as her relationship became increasingly toxic and controlling, she slowly lost confidence in herself. Leaving meant rebuilding financially and emotionally, learning to trust herself again, and raising her son without the family life she had imagined. Today, she's helping manage four family properties in Queensland's Western Downs while raising her two-year-old son on her own. She's sharing her story to help other women. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.  Alcohol at any stage of pregnancy can harm a baby's development. If you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone, visit everymomentmatters.org.au for trusted, evidence-based information. It's been developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education and endorsed and funded by the Australian Government. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  4. Aug 2

    308: Georgie Cavanagh on the Chance Meeting at a Rural Pub That Took Her from Sydney Life to Farm Life

    Nine years ago, Georgie Cavanagh was living in Sydney, working in influencer marketing while building her French linen and homewares brand, Carlotta + Gee. Farm life was the furthest thing from her life plan. But during a work trip to Orange, she met a bloke named Curtis at the local pub. After a year of long distance, Georgie fell pregnant with their first child and packed up her Sydney life to move to his family’s cattle and cropping property near Narromine. The isolation hit hard after their daughter Amelia was born. Now, two and a half years later, Georgie and Curtis have welcomed their second child, seven-month-old Sinclair, and are planning their wedding for early next year. But after navigating a move to the country, first-time motherhood and the isolation of farm life, Georgie says nothing prepared her for her biggest adjustment yet: going from one child to two. This is her story.  Use the code MOTHERLANDGEORGIE for 10% all Carlotta + Gee  Water safety isn't something we think about once a year—it deserves our attention all year round. On farms, drowning risks can include dams, tanks, troughs and creeks. Visit kidsafevic.com.au for free, practical resources to help keep children safe around water. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  5. Jul 26

    307: Jo Edson On Her Wild Adventures From Sheep Stations, Bodybuilding & Losing Herself in Motherhood

    Jo Edson first met her partner Nathan at a country rodeo in South Australia more than a decade ago. Before life brought them back together, Jo spent years chasing adventure across Australia. She worked on sheep stations, milked cows in Tasmania, became a head stockman, chased a bodybuilding dream on the Gold Coast, worked in shearing sheds, lived in the Top End, and never stopped saying yes to the next opportunity. But after finally finding everything she'd been searching for, Jo faced her biggest challenge yet. While pregnant with her first child, she suddenly lost her dad. Then, after welcoming her son Taylor, grief, identity loss and postnatal depression collided. On this episode of Motherland, Jo shares the long road back to herself. This is Jo's story. Kidsafe Victoria's farm water safety campaign is all about putting layers of protection in place, from actively supervising young children around water, restricting access to dams and other water hazards wherever possible, and setting up a safe, securely fenced play area for the kids. Visit kidsafevic.com.au for practical farm water safety information and free resources to help keep your family safe. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  6. Jul 19

    306: Lezli Burgess on Leaving Texas for Love and Building a Life on Remote Bruny Island

    Lezli Burgess was living in Austin, Texas when she met the love of her life. The only problem? He was from Tasmania. Just six months later, she moved to the other side of the world for a man she barely knew. Today, she's raising two young sons with her husband, Cameron, on Bruny Island. But motherhood in one of Australia's most remote communities hasn't always been easy, with no childcare, no hospital, and neighbours who become your lifeline. On today's episode, Lezli shares her extraordinary journey of leaving everything behind for love, building a family and business on a remote island, and why she's found exactly where she belongs. This is her story. Did you know this week is Farm Safety Week? Kidsafe Victoria has some fantastic farm water safety resources that make it easy to spot potential risks and take action. This week, set aside 10 minutes for a safety check of your property. It's a small investment of time that can provide priceless peace of mind. Visit kidsafevic.com.au to find out more. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  7. Jul 12

    305: "Why Not Me?" Kirstin Fox's Extraordinary Story of Rebuilding Again and Again After Loss

    By the time Kirstin Fox was 35, she had been married twice, lost a daughter to stillbirth, and rebuilt her life more times than most people ever will. Growing up on a small farm outside Young in regional NSW, Kirstin never imagined the heartbreak that would shape her life. At just 25 years old, her daughter Phoebe was stillborn – a loss that changed her forever. In the years that followed, Kirstin navigated unimaginable grief, divorce, single motherhood and the challenge of starting over again and again. Yet through it all, she kept finding a way forward. One question became her anchor, and Kirstin discovered a mindset that helped her reclaim her story and keep moving forward, even through life's darkest moments. In this deeply moving conversation, Kirstin opens up about her attempts to protect her heart from further heartbreak, finding love again, and why, at 44, she finally feels like life is only just beginning. Pregnancy and child loss support services: Red Nose Grief & Loss Support 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307  The Pink Elephants Support Network SPONSORS:  Living regionally means being surrounded by dams, tanks, troughs and creeks, making farm water safety an important conversation for every family. Kidsafe Victoria's Farm Water Safety campaign shares practical advice to help identify everyday water hazards and prevent child drownings. Learn more at kidsafevic.com.au.  With deep roots in regional Australia, Elders is committed to supporting farmers, rural communities and the people who sustain life on the land. Together with Motherland, they're backing important conversations and stronger connections across rural Australia.  https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

  8. Jun 21

    304: Rodeo Champion Shianne O'Donoghue-Kent on Becoming a Stepmum of Four & a Pregnancy That Nearly Took Her Mobility

    Shianne O'Donoghue-Kent entered her first rodeo at five and by 25 had won Australian rodeo titles, spending most of her life in the saddle. What she didn't expect was becoming a stepmum to four children before 30, or facing a pregnancy that nearly left her unable to walk. At 20 weeks pregnant, Shianne could barely move. Doctors said the pain was normal, but an MRI later revealed two ruptured discs and severe nerve damage that had left her unable to move her right leg. Surgeons warned she could lose her ability to walk altogether. Today, Shianne lives near Echuca on the NSW-Victoria border, where she and her partner Pete run horses, farm hay and livestock, and raise their young daughter alongside Pete's four older children. Today, she speaks candidly about eating disorders, mental health, step-parenting, chronic pain, and the life-changing journey of motherhood. Support for eating disorders: https://butterfly.org.au Beyond Blue: 24/7 mental health support line: 1300 22 4636  Pop Family Speech Pathologists is Australia’s largest online speech pathology practice, supporting families nationwide with expert care and no waitlist. Founded by outback Queensland local Heidi Trusler, Pop was built to make support more accessible for rural and regional families. Learn more or book online at: popfamily.au https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Trethewey
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    342
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Motherland Australia
  • Show Website
    Motherland Australia

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