Rural Leadership Unearthed

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by David Keetch, a seasoned agricultural researcher who first embraced ag as a highschool student growing up in Adelaide. Now, as Nufarm’s Green-on-Green Program Director, he leads two national projects focused on developing advanced in-crop camera-spraying technologies and herbicide solutions tailored to Australian farming systems.

If it sounds complicated, that’s because...

This conversation is part of a series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, thanks to the Future Drought Fund. These workshops are part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by Tanya Lehmann, a l...

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we sit down with Jason Strong, former Managing Director of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and a leader with more than 30 years’ experience in the red meat and livestock industries. Since wrapping up his role with MLA at the end of 2023, Jason has embraced the chance to shift gears and follow his curiosity and passions. From this vantage point, Jason reflects on some of the big lead...

We’ve just marked National Reconciliation Week for 2025 – the theme centred on ‘Bridging Now to Next’. In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we sit down with a veteran of Indigenous affairs and graduate of the third Australian Rural Leadership Program, John Paterson. John fondly recalls the expansion of perspective the ARLP gave him. Within his cohort, John was looked to for leadership and insight into some of the enduring...

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, the Unbreakable Farmer, mental health crusader Warren Davies, speaks to us about the insights and stories he feels privileged to share in as he travels around rural Australia. He reflects on the forces buffeting the communities he speaks to, and particularly the impact that the rapid transition to renewable energy sources is having throughout country Australia.

In this conversation,...

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation CEO, Matt Linnegar, sits down with former Australian diplomat and founder of Geopolitical Strategy, Michael Feller, for a conversation about leadership in an increasingly chaotic global environment.

Matt and Michael examine how leaders internationally are navigating rapid change and disruption. They discuss the limitations to a ‘transactional’ sty...

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we have joined forces with the Ducks on the Pond podcast to bring you a conversation about advocacy; systems thinking; solutions journalism and more.

In this chat with Ducks on the Pond co-host and founder of the Rural Podcasting Co, Kirsten Diprose, and Catherine Marriott OAM – an ‘agvocate’, ARLF Associate and former WA Rural Woman of the Year, we explore the challenges surrounding h...

Andrew Bryant is a manager of learning at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, responsible for the design and delivery of leadership programs.  

He joins us for this episode of ARLF podcast,Rural Leadership Unearthed, to illuminate what it takes to be a ‘vulnerable leader’. Andrew draws on our second ever episode, with regional arts leader Alysha Herrmann, who describes how she frames the raw and difficult parts of her story ...

There’s a huge amount of symbolism in a new year, and that can bring with it a lot of pressure.

As we mark the start of a year and a new season for the ARLF podcast, Rural Leadership Unearthed, we wanted to give you some inspiration and ideas that we hope will set you up to start the year off in a positive way.

So, we’ve wrapped up a bit of collective wisdom from some past guests, including Aaron Thomas, Megan McLoughlin, OIi Le ...

In this episode, we reflect on the recent challenges and wins for Australian agriculture and take a look at trends that will continue to impact the sector. This is a conversation between two veterans of agricultural advocacy and leadership in rural Australia: CEO of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and former head of the National Farmers Federation, Matt Linnegar, and our inaugural Special Representative for Australian Ag...

In this expansive episode registered nurse, John Wright, reflects on the career he has built as a remote area nurse and clinical educator currently serving some of Australia’s most remote communities. John is a proud emissary for a career that he has found to be rewarding, challenging and rich.

Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, John shares the winding path he walked on his way to join the ranks of a profession of which...

In this raw episode, dairy industry leader, Aaron Thomas, shares the story of his mental health break-down in the midst of a “perfect storm” of personal and professional hardship. As well as managing a dairy farm in Southeast Gippsland, Aaron is working to break down the stigma, shame and lack of support that can see people struggle alone – especially in rural communities.

Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, Aaron candi...

In this inspiring episode, ‘connection cultivator’ and co-founder of the grass-roots group, Resilient Uki, shares her passion for hyper-local community leadership.

Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, Mel explores what she and her community have learned from the devastating NSW floods of 2022. She unpacks how an existing scaffold of connection helped Uki to cope with the trauma and isolation of the flood, and what the...

In this illuminating episode, cotton industry leaders and growers, Liz Stott and Aaron Kiely, share their stories of advocacy for their industry, and contribution to their communities. 

Sitting down with host, ARLF Chief Executive Matt Linnegar, for this special conversation, Liz – deputy chair of the Cotton Australia board, and Aaron – President of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, speak about their pathways in the cotton indust...

In this inspiring episode, Indigenous Midwife and Arrernte leader, Cherisse Buzzacott, shares her story of personal resilience and service to her community. She unpacks the ways systemic prejudice can compromise structures of care available to First Nations women and birthing people, and her determination not to accept what is broken, but to play a lead role in fixing it.

Cherisse is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Fo...

In this thoroughly aquatic episode, Port Fairy abalone diver, founder and director of Fox Wild Abalone, Craig Fox, takes us inside the world of this unique wild harvest industry. Craig revisits one of the darkest times in his professional life, when a highly contagious outbreak of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) swept through the industry’s Western Zone. He speaks about the devastating emotional and financial impact, and the co...

In this generous episode Indigenous leader, Bernice Hookey, shares her passion for disrupting the harmful cycles that exist around intergenerational trauma. She offers insight into her own journey of healing, and how it has led to her passion for fostering and supporting leadership through her amazing work with First Nations women.

Bernice was also sponsored by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to take part in course 29 of...

In this raw episode, double organ transplant recipient and Herd of Hope founder, Megan McLoughlin takes us through the grief of receiving an extraordinary gift from a stranger, and her path to purpose and peace.

Megan describes the experience of managing juvenile diabetes growing up in rural South Australia; losing most of her sight at the age of 26 and the joy and freedom she finds in barrel racing.
Megan undertook a mentorship...

Oli Le Lievre is the founder of the hugely successful Humans of Agriculture podcast and media business. From suburban Sydney to a career in agriculture, Oli has let his curiosity and passion guide him to the frontline of reshaping the narrative about farming.

Having experienced a range of roles on the land in Australia and overseas, and within the agri-corporate world, Oli has faced-down doubt and inner conflict to start a remarkab...