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

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This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

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.

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This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

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!