Father Land: A special series launching September 3rd!
The secret is out.Introducing... Father Land 💚A special podcast series dropping Wednesday September 3rd right here on the Motherland Podcast channel!Proudly supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia
-------- Â
2:13
--------
2:13
271: Country Music Artist Shenai Johnston On Finding Her Voice Again After Loss
Country singer songwriter Shenai Johnston grew up near Ongerup in WA with music in her veins — singing from the moment she could talk, winning competitions, and chasing her dreams. But at 19, she lost her mum — and with her, the music she loved. She put down the guitar, stopped singing, and tried to navigate life without the woman who had shaped her. Now, Shenai is a mum of three boys, two with autism, and is raising her family on a small farm in Boyup Brook while her husband works FIFO. Life has been chaotic, isolating, and at times overwhelming — but it also brought her back to the thing she thought she’d lost. Her voice. Country music has helped her process grief, navigate motherhood, and tell the stories that matter most. Last year, she recorded her debut EP in Nashville, marking a major milestone in her journey. This is her story. A word from Blundstone, our Winter podcast sponsor...Remember, a quick clean and regular conditioning go a long way in keeping your boots work and adventure-ready. Treat your Blundstones well, and they’ll stick with you through every season! Head to https://www.blundstone.com.au/boot-care for more boot care tips. Raising a child with disability or developmental differences can be isolating, especially in regional Australia. ENVISAGE is a free five-week online program offering support, connection, and practical tools for parents wherever they are located. No diagnosis or NDIS plan needed and free. Learn more at envisage.community. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia
-------- Â
51:57
--------
51:57
270: Diann Hawkins has fostered over 100 children over the past 35 years
When Diann Hawkins saw a small ad seeking foster families, she couldn’t have known it would define the next 35 years of her life. A former nurse, bush cook, and mum of three, Diann had just farewelled her youngest to boarding school. The house was quiet. She was lonely. So she opened her heart (and home) to children in need. From their remote Queensland property, she and her husband Morris have fostered more than 100 children, welcoming newborns through to teens, saying painful goodbyes, and giving every child a safe place to land. Now in her 70s, Diann is still answering calls and still setting extra places at the table. This is the story of a rural mum whose quiet legacy is bigger than she’ll ever admit. This is her story. Thanks to Blundstone for supporting our Winter podcast season. Blundstone Kids boots are tough, comfy, and built for adventure - rain, hail or shine. Rugged, reliable, and ready for anything. Blundstone Kids boots are made to grow with them. To learn more about Blundstone and their range CLICK HERE Following on from National Farm Safety Week, together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. CLICK HERE to access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources:Apply for a Motherland National Conference Scholarship HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia
-------- Â
48:25
--------
48:25
269: Why Kylea Hodgkinson-Jones Swapped Life in the Navy for Life on the Land
Kylea Hodgkinson-Jones didn’t grow up on a farm - she trained as a maritime warfare officer. From life at sea to six months in Antarctica, her Navy career took her to the most extreme, isolated corners of the planet. But burnout and a medical discharge changed everything. Today, Kylea’s raising cattle, and her beautiful daughter Maggie, on a regenerative farm in Queensland’s South Burnett. Her journey from Navy officer to rural mum is raw, powerful, and full of surprises (including the kidney stone that led her to meet her husband). In our chat she opens up about it all, including the birth of her daughter at just 28 weeks, and the relentless fight to bring her home. This is her story.This episode touches on childhood trauma - including references to family violence and sexual abuse. If you need support, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)Style your winter with Blundstone. Boots that are made for layering, tough enough for the farm, comfortable enough for town. From winter denim to chunky layers, they go with everything. Discover your go-to boots this season, built for comfort, worn with confidence. CLICK HERE to check out their range.Following on from National Farm Safety Week, together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. CLICK HERE to learn more and access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources:Scholarship Applications for Motherland's 2026 National Conference are now OPEN. Click here to apply. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia
-------- Â
1:02:11
--------
1:02:11
268: Kath Chiverton on Love, Loss, and Preparing for Boarding School Goodbyes
When Kathleen Chiverton answered a random phone call from me one afternoon, she had no idea it would lead to this conversation. We’d only just met at Motherland’s Clermont event and I knew her story was one rural mums needed to hear. Kath grew up on a remote cattle station in Central Queensland, the youngest in a family of boys, before heading off to boarding school at 13…homesick and lonely. Years later, she fell in love with a butcher-turned-soldier, only to watch him deploy to Afghanistan while she held the fort at home. She’s endured the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages. Survived a horrific school bus accident involving both her children. And now, after everything, she’s preparing to let her eldest go as her daughter heads to boarding school next year. This is a raw, powerful episode about mothering through chaos, grief, and the moment you have to start letting go.Red Nose Grief & Loss: 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307When I’m wrangling the kids, managing muddy mornings, or spending precious time in my veggie patch - my Blunnies are with me every step of the way. They’re a true staple of rural life. So if you’re after boots that work as hard as you do, head to blundstone.com.au to check out their range.This DonateLife Week, rural NSW mum Emily Smith shares how a heart transplant saved her life just weeks after giving birth. Now thriving, she urges fellow mums to register as organ donors at donatelife.gov.au. For more on Emily’s story CLICK HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia
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.
Australia