The Rural Well Podcast: Real Talk on Farmer Mental Health with Lauren Van Ewyk & Bridgette Readel

In this powerful episode, we sit down with two passionate voices in agricultural mental health:

Lauren Van Ewyk, CEO of the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance — speaker, registered social worker, therapist, foster mom, sheep farmer, and agricultural mental health advocate, and Bridgette Readel, partner at Ag Mafia and co-host of The Rural Well Podcast.

Together, we have an honest, grounded conversation about the reality of farmer mental health, the emotional weight carried behind the scenes, and what happens when we finally start talking about the hard things.

This episode explores the real stories, the silent struggles, and the hope that grows when rural communities feel seen, supported, and understood.
 
Guest Bios

Lauren Van Ewyk

CEO, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance. Lauren is a registered social worker, therapist, speaker, foster mom, sheep farmer, and national advocate for mental wellness in agriculture. Her work focuses on breaking stigma, increasing access to care, and creating real-world supports for farm families.

Bridgette Readel

Partner at Ag Mafia and co-host of The Rural Well Podcast. Bridgette brings a voice of honesty, relatability, and leadership to rural conversations, helping create space for real dialogue about stress, identity, and resilience in agriculture.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• Why they felt called to create a podcast focused on farmer mental health
• The personal moments that made this work feel urgent and necessary
• How the farm community's response has shaped their mission
• Which podcast topics have resonated most deeply with listeners
• Surprising themes and patterns that emerged through their interviews
• What they've learned about mental wellness through these conversations
• The emotional landscape of farmers today
• What farmers are really carrying behind the scenes
• Why farmers often stay silent about stress and struggle
• The cultural and practical barriers to reaching out
• Misconceptions about resilience in agriculture
• Powerful stories and moments from their podcast journey
• How to move past the "I'm fine" response
• What real conversation looks like around the kitchen table and on the farm
• How farm families can support one another through hard seasons
• A message of hope for farmers listening right now

Episode Highlights

✅ Honest, real conversations about mental health in agriculture
✅ Practical insight for farm families and rural communities
✅ Breaking stigma and normalizing support
✅ Powerful storytelling from inside the ag world

If this episode resonated, share it with someone in agriculture who needs to hear this message:

You are not alone, and your mental health matters.

Thanks for tuning in,

Tracy Brunet

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SHOW RESOURCES

- National Farmer Mental Health Alliance
https://nfmha.ca
- Rural Well Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rural-well/id1763638851

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🔎 Related Phrases:

Mental Health, Lauren Van Ewyk, Bridgette Readel, The Rural Well Podcast, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, Tracy Brunet, Impact Farming Show, Agriculture, Farming, Farmer, Farmlife, Agribusiness, Farm Business, Farm Finance, Farm Management, Sustainable Farming,  Farming Tips, Farm Business Management, Farming Success, Farm Funding Solutions, Agricultural Finance, Farming Innovations, Farm Financial Solutions, Farm Founders, Farm Successors, Agribusiness

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