Blether Together with Farmstrong Scotland

Thankfully, menopause is far less 'taboo' as a topic than it used to be. But there is still so much to do, to make sure that women experiencing menopause, and those around them, understand what is happening and what it means for health, wellbeing,and relationships.Dr Heather Currie MBE is a specialist gynaecologist and renowned menopause expert (and breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle!) from Dumfries and Galloway. She joins Sarah for this month's Blether Together.Thanks also to crofter Sally Crowe and Caithness, and Lesley Mitchell who farms near Hawick, for sharing their menopause stories for this episode.LINKS: On 16th October 2025, there is a Farmstrong Scotland 'menopause special' live event taking place, at Guardswell Farm, Kinnaird, Inchture. Find out more online here.Farmstrong Scotland's menopause resource - created in partnership with Dr Heather Currie MBA - is online here.Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123Mentioned in this episode:Help Us Build Better Wellbeing – Share Your Voice in the Farmstrong Scotland SurveyThe Farmstrong Scotland Annual Survey is now open. This survey shapes everything Farmstrong does. By taking part, you’re helping us understand what matters most to farmers and crofters right now, and makes sure we continue to deliver support that’s relevant, practical and truly useful for our community. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference. Please fill in the survey at this link: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/help-us-build-better-wellbeing-share-your-voice-in-the-farmstrong-scotland-survey

James Logan, Chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and East Lothian farmer, joins host Sarah Stephen to talk about:- navigating the challenges of farm succession- managing the leadership and responsibility of the Royal Highland Show- why agricultural shows are so important for bringing people and communities together.It’s an honest and open blether about farming life, leadership, and the importance of finding time for connections... with some top wellbeing tips from 'Granny Warnock from Biggar' as well.Take a moment for yourself: try Farmstrong Scotland’s How’s It Going? tool: answer eight simple questions and get access  to resources tailored to support you.Farmstrong Scotland helps farmers, crofters and their families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.  Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123Mentioned in this episode:Help Us Build Better Wellbeing – Share Your Voice in the Farmstrong Scotland SurveyThe Farmstrong Scotland Annual Survey is now open. This survey shapes everything Farmstrong does. By taking part, you’re helping us understand what matters most to farmers and crofters right now, and makes sure we continue to deliver support that’s relevant, practical and truly useful for our community. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference. Please fill in the survey at this link: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/help-us-build-better-wellbeing-share-your-voice-in-the-farmstrong-scotland-survey

In our latest podcast, host Sarah Stephen met with Gerard Vaughan, Programme Director for Farmstrong in New Zealand, at opposite ends of the day as the sun was rising with Gerard and setting with Sarah. A warm and insightful chat on what inspired the start of the Farmstrong programme 10 years ago, what makes the Farmstrong principles different, and finishing off with some useful tips and ideas from Gerard on the small steps we can take to introduce good habits for our wellbeing, including 'catch it, check it, change it' - a technique used to challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts and change them into more positive ones.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In a first for Blether Together, we are joined by not one but two guests for a lively, warm and open conversation.Host Sarah Stephen met with Russ Mill and Glen McLellan to find out more about the annual Come Ashore Cup, taking place on Saturday 7th June at Orkney Rugby Club.The event was set up in 2022 by Russ, in memory of his cousin and popular Caithness farmer Alexander Mill who sadly died by suicide in 2021. Tune in to hear Sarah, Russ and Glen discuss just how important social events like this one are for farmers, crofters and the agricultural community, to get off farm and come together for a bit of fun and laughter, and why Glen says it’s a day that really “fills his bucket”.Content note: This episode discusses suicide and mental health. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're excited to share a brand new podcast episode featuring someone who embodies what Farmstrong's Five Ways to Wellbeing are all about.In this powerful episode, host Sarah Stephen chats with Wallace Currie, a 28-year-old farmer’s son, who shares his journey of resilience, vulnerability, and growth. Wallace shares how creating his own podcast Rural2Kitchen, supporting the Young Farmers, taking notice of the world around him, and embracing continuous learning have become the cornerstones of his approach to wellbeing.Fresh from completing a daring abseiling challenge to raise awareness and funds for Farmstrong, he demonstrates how pushing personal boundaries can benefit both personal wellbeing and the wider farming community.Tune in for a conversation worth your time in #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and beyond!Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, Rebecca Dawes talks to Kirsty Ritchie of Mind & Mission where she explains more on the twelve different ways of thinking, how our mindsets are influenced, and how we can change the way we think to give us a more positive outlook on life. How you think is how you feel! Listen in to find out what kind of thinker you are, and for tips on the ways you could improve your mindset by adapting your thinking.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, to tie in with Stress Awareness Month, host Sarah Stephen met with Dr Heather Meikle, Senior Counselling Psychologist at First Psychology and Wellbeing Advisor at Farmstrong Scotland, to discuss tips on combatting stress - especially important at busy times of year such as lambing and calving.From our research, farmers and crofters across Scotland have told us that stress is something they'd like to be able to handle better. In response to this, with the help of our psychology expert Heather we have created some detailed resources on how we can all improve the way we deal with stressful situations. So, give this episode a listen and see what you could do to help yourself in demanding times.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

When Callum and his wife Zara moved to the Isle of Arran to start farming in their own right back in 2023, they imagined the hardest bit would be adjusting to island life in a new community. Five months after they moved, Callum sustained life-changing injuries in an ATV accident.In this podcast episode, Blether Together host Sarah Stephen caught up with Callum to find out how he and his family have worked through the upheaval of the accident, and the tools Callum has used to stay positive despite his challenging recovery…Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, to tie in with World Sleep Day 2025 - 'Make Sleep Health a Priority' host Sarah Stephen met with Alyson O'Brien, Head of Sleep Action to discuss tips on getting a better nights sleep, especially important  at busy times of year such as lambing and calving.From our research, farmers and crofters across Scotland have told us that getting the right amount of good quality sleep can be challenging. In response to this, with the help of our sleep expert Alyson we have created some detailed resources on how we can all improve our sleep techniques with small changes to create better sleep habits. so give this episode a listen and see what you could change to help get the most out of every night.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Michael Goldie is a fifth generation farmer and breeds pedigree Suffolk sheep along with his mum Helen, who started breeding the flock 60 years ago. Michael also works as an agent for NFU Mutual and NFU Scotland, which is where he believes part of his resilience and recovery strategy came from when, earlier this year, his flock was unfortunately hit with the Schmallenberg Virus resulting in him losing around 70% of his lamb crop. Michael discusses with host Sarah Stephen, how he dealt with the situation physically and mentally, and how making a plan of recovery early on has helped him move forward and think about the farming year ahead.Note: While occurrences of the virus are rare, the advice to farmers is to be vigilant and to speak to your vet if you have any concerns.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Listen to the recording of the last in our winter webinar series, Give Wellbeing a Sporting Chance, when we speak to Scottish rugby sensation, Stafford McDowall. Stafford had his name down to study agriculture at Newcastle University as an 18-year-old, but he deferred the place while he tried to break into the professional rugby ranks, juggling training sessions with farm jobs. The chance to make rugby his livelihood did come knocking during that gap year out and Stafford headed for the bright lights of Glasgow and a life away from the family farm which stands a stone’s throw from the Irish Sea at Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway. Now, whenever he gets some time off, Stafford enjoys returning home to the farm and has started studying for a business management qualification, which he hopes will be useful in the long-term when his playing career is over, and he comes home to take over the reins. Of course, with luck on his side, that won’t be for a long while yet. After all, Stafford is still only 26 and is playing the best rugby of his life as a back in the Glasgow Warriors squad. But what does it take to play rugby at such a high-level, keep your foot in the door at home and manage expectations of succession in the future?Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In this episode of Blether Together, host Sarah Stephen caught up with Rob Wainwright OBE before he sets off on Doddie's Grand Tour 2025 - an 800-mile charity cycle from Dublin to Edinburgh to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.Rob relocated to the Isle of Coll in the 90's to farm with his family after his rugby career as a Scotland international came to an end. Listen in to the podcast to find out more about island farming, Rob's passion for looking after his wellbeing, and raising money for charities close to his heart.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Our special Christmas bonus recording is with the one and only Jim Smith! You don’t have to be a teuchter to enjoy this, it’s got something for everyone. Jim tells Sarah about his farming background, how going to Young Farmers helped on his journey to becoming a stand-up comedian and the reason he regularly takes time out to go to the cinema or out for dinner with friends. Listen to the end for Jim’s hilarious impressions of some very well-known voices! Jim also gives some great, simple wellbeing improvement tips, a listen that's guaranteed to make you smile.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Host Sarah Stephen caught up with Iona Murray; one half of Fed by Farmers and no stranger to podcasting, she’s on the other side of the interview this time, answering the questions instead of asking them! Iona tells us about her career, which spans being a school teacher, going to work at Dumfries House, working with Cammy Wilson at The Sheep Game, and now adding starting her own business I'M Wellness to her list of achievements, where she is a holistic health and wellness practitioner. Iona also discusses going through a tough time during the covid pandemic and the good habits she picked up as a result of coming through it.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Host Sarah Stephen talks with Cora Cooper on her journey from law graduate to partner in a farming business in Muirkirk, Ayr. Working as a team with her husband and three young children, Cora discusses their farming system of 3,500 hill ewes on over 5,000 acres of hill ground, and their passion for delivering for both nature and food production.Cora and David have built their business around their family, and Cora talks about the priorities, the challenges to get where they are and the wellbeing routine that she has implemented to make her day a bit less hectic.Supported by NFU Scotland The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.IMAGE CREDIT: SOMERVILLE CAPTURESFarmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Listen in to the recording of our first webinar in the new series, Give Wellbeing a Sporting Chance, with Sam Whitelock.Farmstrong Chairman John Scott welcomes Sam Whitelock, farmer and New Zealand rugby player.As well as giving some insights to his impressive rugby career, Sam also gives an open and honest account of life on the farm and in particular the challenges the family faced when they suffered an outbreak of Salmonella. He speaks about how this affected both their business and wellbeing, and how it led to him getting involved in Farmstrong in New Zealand. Sam gives some interesting and useful advice on the wellbeing steps he integrated to manage the high pressure of leading the New Zealand rugby team, managing sport and the farm, and the importance of taking time to appreciate what you have around you. There were some great questions, so be sure to listen to the end and you can hear who Sam names as the hardest rugby player he’s ever played against!Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Scottish rugby player Stafford McDowall has thrown his not insignificant 6ft 4 inches might behind Farmstrong Scotland, and talks with host, Sarah Stephen, on the succession planning that's underway for his farming future.Stafford had his name down to study agriculture at Newcastle University as an 18-year-old, but he deferred the place while he tried to break into the professional rugby ranks, juggling training sessions with farm jobs. Of course, with luck on his side, that won’t be for a long while yet. After all, Stafford is still only 26 and is playing the best rugby of his life as a back in the Glasgow Warriors squad and in the Scotland team.Listen in to this interesting half-hour on the ins and outs of professional rugby and how Stafford is preparing himself for one day, returning to the family farm....Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In this episode we talk to Isla Mackenzie – raised on a dairy farm on the Isle of Lewis and now working perfecting parts for the cars that Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton and George Russell drive at Grand Prix around the world for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. Host Sarah Stephen finds out more about what farming and F1 have in common and Isla’s career in motorsport, including her own journey to get behind the wheel and race.Isla tells us about the barriers she’s faced and how wellbeing plays a vital part in ensuring she is mentally and physically ready for the track.We find out what it was like growing up on the Isle of Lewis and how Isla felt about moving for university and her job, now living near Northamptonshire, and why she made an effort to go out and join a local football club even though she admits to being no good at it!Race along and give it a listen!Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

In the latest episode of Blether Together, kindly supported by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, host Sarah Stephen talks with Michael Blanche on his journey to becoming a first-generation farmer, and how he stayed tenacious and resilient through the knock-backs and challenges. It all started in 2003 when Michael went to buy ten sheep but returned with 50, purchased on a credit card so in his own words he actually started with nothing. Over the years he rented 150 acres over seven holdings, all on short-term lets, whilst trying to secure his own tenancy. After seven attempts, this was finally possible and now farms at Culteuchar, near Forgandenny in Perthshire.  Sarah asks Michael how he stayed motivated to continue with his dream and what advice he has for those starting up. They discuss imposter syndrome and how he overcame it, and, like many in farming, monetary constraints continue to be the biggest worry he faces. And of course, we couldn’t not touch on his own podcast, The Pasture Pod, which was inspired by Will Evans from Rock and Roll Farming, and has been a constant source of positive relief from the hardship that can be faced in farming.  More recently, he has recorded a documentary podcast series focused on time management, supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. During his conversations with farmers, crofters, researchers and advisors, he investigates how to make the most of the 12 seasons he has left before retirement, and what we can all do to meet the 80-20 rule - you can get 80% of the benefits from 20% of the input. Michael explains “we think hard work is the answer, and for many it may be, but for lots, it is not. You might be doing things right, but are we doing the right things?” Full of laughs and meaningful insights, the episode finishes off with Michael describing why he supports Farmstrong Scotland and believes in the benefits of connecting with other people. He tells us about his daily meditation, and how a simple list of tasks can help him focus on what is important. Take 30-minutes out from your day to sit back and listen to our next podcast, or why not tune in while you work away…there is even a terrible attempt at an Australian accent and a confession about the very first podcast Michael recorded!  And to enjoy Michael’s full time management series, click here.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

Rory Christie is a partner in the Dourie Farming Company Ltd., a dairy and piggery business that he runs with his brother Gregor in Wigtownshire, Southwest Scotland. Rory, founder of the co-operative The Milk Suppliers Association (MSA), oversees the dairy farm where 1100 dairy cows calve in February and March each year and spend the majority of the year outside. Gregor takes care of the pig side of the operation which is an indoor Danish-like system. A family business started by their grandfather and now stretching 70 years in operation, there have been many ups and downs over those years with significant challenges impacting Rory. This podcast finds out more about the business and is a very honest and open account delving into how Rory defines success and how he copes with and has managed the stress he encounters.Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123