Motherland Australia

Lezli Burgess was living in Austin, Texas when she met the love of her life. The only problem? He was from Tasmania. Just six months later, she moved to the other side of the world for a man she barely knew. Today, she's raising two young sons with her husband, Cameron, on Bruny Island. But motherhood in one of Australia's most remote communities hasn't always been easy, with no childcare, no hospital, and neighbours who become your lifeline. On today's episode, Lezli shares her extraordinary journey of leaving everything behind for love, building a family and business on a remote island, and why she's found exactly where she belongs. This is her story.
Did you know this week is Farm Safety Week? Kidsafe Victoria has some fantastic farm water safety resources that make it easy to spot potential risks and take action. This week, set aside 10 minutes for a safety check of your property. It's a small investment of time that can provide priceless peace of mind. Visit kidsafevic.com.au to find out more.

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By the time Kirstin Fox was 35, she had been married twice, lost a daughter to stillbirth, and rebuilt her life more times than most people ever will. Growing up on a small farm outside Young in regional NSW, Kirstin never imagined the heartbreak that would shape her life. At just 25 years old, her daughter Phoebe was stillborn – a loss that changed her forever. In the years that followed, Kirstin navigated unimaginable grief, divorce, single motherhood and the challenge of starting over again and again. Yet through it all, she kept finding a way forward. One question became her anchor, and Kirstin discovered a mindset that helped her reclaim her story and keep moving forward, even through life's darkest moments. In this deeply moving conversation, Kirstin opens up about her attempts to protect her heart from further heartbreak, finding love again, and why, at 44, she finally feels like life is only just beginning.
Pregnancy and child loss support services:
Red Nose Grief & Loss Support 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307 
The Pink Elephants Support Network
SPONSORS:
 Living regionally means being surrounded by dams, tanks, troughs and creeks, making farm water safety an important conversation for every family. Kidsafe Victoria's Farm Water Safety campaign shares practical advice to help identify everyday water hazards and prevent child drownings. Learn more at kidsafevic.com.au. 
With deep roots in regional Australia, Elders is committed to supporting farmers, rural communities and the people who sustain life on the land. Together with Motherland, they're backing important conversations and stronger connections across rural Australia. 

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Shianne O'Donoghue-Kent entered her first rodeo at five and by 25 had won Australian rodeo titles, spending most of her life in the saddle. What she didn't expect was becoming a stepmum to four children before 30, or facing a pregnancy that nearly left her unable to walk. At 20 weeks pregnant, Shianne could barely move. Doctors said the pain was normal, but an MRI later revealed two ruptured discs and severe nerve damage that had left her unable to move her right leg. Surgeons warned she could lose her ability to walk altogether. Today, Shianne lives near Echuca on the NSW-Victoria border, where she and her partner Pete run horses, farm hay and livestock, and raise their young daughter alongside Pete's four older children. Today, she speaks candidly about eating disorders, mental health, step-parenting, chronic pain, and the life-changing journey of motherhood.
Support for eating disorders: https://butterfly.org.au
Beyond Blue: 24/7 mental health support line: 1300 22 4636 
Pop Family Speech Pathologists is Australia’s largest online speech pathology practice, supporting families nationwide with expert care and no waitlist. Founded by outback Queensland local Heidi Trusler, Pop was built to make support more accessible for rural and regional families. Learn more or book online at: popfamily.au

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Jess Reynolds lives in the Snowy Valley region of NSW, helping run her family’s Angus stud while raising four daughters with her husband. Warm, funny and incredibly jovial by nature, Jess also has a deeply reflective side that shines through in this conversation. But behind the demands of farming, motherhood and community life, she was struggling in ways she couldn’t explain. It wasn’t until her eldest daughter was diagnosed with autism and ADHD that things began to make sense. Since then, Jess has navigated bushfires, COVID lockdowns, homeschooling, burnout, her own ADHD diagnosis, and the realities of raising neurodivergent children in rural Australia. Today, she shares her story with honesty and vulnerability, including what happened when she finally stopped trying to do it all on her own. This is her story. 
Pop Family Speech Pathologists is Australia’s largest online speech pathology practice, supporting families nationwide with expert care and no waitlist. Founded by outback Queensland local Heidi Trusler, Pop was built to make support more accessible for rural and regional families. Learn more or book online at: popfamily.au
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At just 19, Lacey Long launched her first online clothing store—long before online shopping became the norm. A proud indigenous woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, Lacey later founded Buck Wild Country after struggling to find the kind of country clothing her husband wanted to wear. What began as an idea has grown into one of Australia’s best-known western fashion brands, with a deeply personal mental health story behind the name. In this episode, Lacey shares the story behind the business, balancing entrepreneurship with raising three children, navigating FIFO life and regional moves, and why building a life that works for her family has always come before chasing growth. This is her story. 
For crisis mental health support, please call Lifeline: 13 11 14
Pop Family Speech Pathologists is Australia’s largest online speech pathology practice, supporting families nationwide with expert care and no waitlist. Founded by outback Queensland local Heidi Trusler, Pop was built to make support more accessible for rural and regional families. Learn more or book online at: popfamily.au
Vitality by Verus Coaching is a new wellbeing initiative supporting women through menopause and midlife, with a focus on regional and rural communities. Founder Clare Lawley is inviting women to help shape the program through a short survey or focus group. Learn more at veruscoaching.com.au

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