Motherland Australia

• 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

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• 267: Why Ash Napolitano wants to talk about the worst day of her life

  On August 12, 2020, Ash Napolitano’s world shattered when her little boy, Hunter, drowned in a dam on a family property. Today, Ash bravely shares the story of Hunter’s life and the heartbreak of losing him, along with the trauma of that day. The details, while very difficult to hear, are something Ash feels compelled to share in the hope of preventing this tragedy from happening to another family.Ash also speaks about the purpose her and her partner have found amidst their unimaginable pain through launching the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program, a life-saving initiative helping vulnerable kids in rural communities access water safety. This is a raw and powerful conversation. But please be warned, it discusses child loss, grief, and birth trauma.  24/7 Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line on 1300 308 307 or visit rednosegriefandloss.org.auThis season of the Motherland podcast is proudly supported by Blundstone, born in Hobart in 1870 and still going strong today. Built to last and made for every kind of step, Blundstone boots are trusted by generations - we are proud to share their story. To learn more about Blundstone and their story CLICK HEREIt’s National Farm Safety Week this week! Together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. To learn more and access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources CLICK HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

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• 266: Christina Baehr on Raising 10 Kids Off-Grid (And becoming a bestselling author)

  Christina Baehr is one of the calmest, happiest women you’ll ever meet, which is remarkable, considering she lives off-grid in Tasmania’s Huon Valley, homeschools her 10 kids (yes, 10!), runs a hostel with her husband, and somehow finds time to write fantasy novels… five of them. Three were typed entirely on her iPhone during any spare moment to herself she could get. Today, Christina shares her incredible journey, from growing up as an only child in rural Tassie, to marrying an American, to building a life full of chaos, connection, and creativity. We talk homeschooling, mental load, motherhood, and how a tough year led to her most unexpected creative breakthrough. Her story is extraordinary, but the way she tells it makes you feel like anything is possible. This is her story.This season is proudly supported by Blundstone, an iconic Aussie brand that’s been making boots since 1870. Built tough for every walk of life, their range has something for the whole family.  CLICK HERE to explore their story and shop the collection.Next week is National Farm Safety Week 2025. 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: https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

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• 265: The axe-wielding nurse - inside Katrina Head's incredible double life

  Meet Katrina Head, a nurse, mum of three, and…a competitive woodchopper who lives life at full throttle! By day, she coordinates Queensland’s Intensive Care Clinical Network. By weekend, she’s swinging axes at shows across the country alongside her husband and kids. Katrina’s story starts on a farm near Dalby, where her deep bond with her dad shaped her work ethic and love for hands-on challenges. After the heartbreaking loss of her father to suicide in 2017, Katrina found solace and strength in her family, her career, and the woodchopping community. In this episode, she shares candidly about the juggle of motherhood, a demanding healthcare career, grief, and finding joy in unexpected places. Her honesty, humour, and strength shines through in our beautiful chat. A wonderful way to wrap up our Autumn season of the show. Warning: This episode touches on mental health and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline now on 13 11 14.Thanks to our Autumn sponsor Telstra for supporting rural and regional Australia through the incredible Connected Community Grants Program. In partnership with FRRR, these grants help improve digital access and skills in regional communities just like yours to help you thrive at home, at school, and in business. To learn more about the 2025 Telstra grant recipients, CLICK HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

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• 264: Fashion designer Nikki Atkinson shares the private pain behind her merino masterpieces

  Nearly two years ago, I stood on stage at Parliament House in Canberra, emceeing the National Rural Women’s Award. I wore a stunning hot pink gown, hand-dyed, made entirely from 100% Australian merino wool, and created just for me. That gown wasn’t just beautiful, it was meaningful. And it was made by today's guest, Nikki Atkinson. Nikki is the founder of Horrocks Vale Collections, a rural fashion brand crafting one-of-a-kind wedding and formal gowns from Australian merino wool. She’s a mum of three, a hands-on designer, and the 2024 South Australian winner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. She lives with her family on a sheep farm in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges,  a region currently in the grip of a crippling drought. Over the past two years, Nikki’s designs have gained national and international attention, from magazine features to London Bridal Week. But behind Nikki’s success is another story - one she’s never shared publicly. Until now. While raising her kids and building her brand from the bush, Nikki has been facing the biggest challenge of her life: her husband Dallas’s diagnosis with stage 4 cancer. In this episode, we talk about building a brand with purpose, the power of wool, the grit of rural life… and what happens when your world falls apart, but you keep showing up anyway. This is her story.A big thank you to our Autumn sponsor, Telstra - championing regional, rural, and remote families across Australia. From next-gen networks to local community support, they’re redefining what’s possible. To learn more about their 5-year strategy, Connected Future 30, and what it means for you and your community CLICK HERERural Health Connect has more than 400 psychologists available to provide support across a broad range of areas. Sessions are done under a mental health treatment plan - simply share this flyer with your GP and request a referral. If accessing a GP is a barrier for you, you can see one bulk billed through RHC (for MHTPs only) here: https://ruralhealthconnect.com.au/general-practitioner/https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

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