In this bite-sized Cultivate episode, join me, Steph Schmidt, a psychologist, farmer, and mum of 3. I explore the power of movement—not as punishment or pressure, but as permission to shift stress and reconnect with your body.

Whether you're shearing sheep, feeding out hay, or stuck in a tractor cab for 14 hours, this episode helps you rethink movement in a way that works for you.

From tiny micro-movements to driveway walks and squats in the sheep yards, I share how movement can send signals of safety to your nervous system, anchor you to the present, and improve your day—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

What you'll learn:

• Why movement matters (even when you're exhausted)

• Simple strategies to build movement into your day

• How to use movement as a mindfulness practice

• Ways to stay accountable (even if you hate gyms)

Links & Resources:

• Farm Life Fitness⁠

• Fat Farmers

• Kate Ivey Fitness

• Saltbush Stretch

• Active Farmers⁠

Make sure you subscribe or follow to stay up to date with future episodes.

Share this episode with someone who might benefit from it.

Send me your thoughts and feedback - steph@stephschmidt.com.au

Welcome to the Cultivate mini-series — bite-sized episodes from Farm Life Psych with Steph Schmidt that plant small seeds of change to support your mental health and wellbeing through the ups and downs of life on the land.

In this first episode, we’re talking about sleep — or the lack of it. Whether you’re out in the paddock working long hours or at home juggling everything else, sleep often gets sacrificed during seeding and other high-pressure seasons.

In this practical chat, Steph shares simple, evidence-based strategies to help you:

• Wind down and switch off (even with a wired, racing mind)

• Set up your space and body for rest

• Work with — not against — your sleep patterns

• Navigate alcohol, caffeine, and screen use mindfully

If your brain’s stuck in overdrive or you’re just plain exhausted, this one’s for you.

Stay up to date - www.stephschmidt.com.au/littlerocks

Send me your feedback - steph@stephschmidt.com.au

Share on socials and tag @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych

In this solo episode of Farm Life Psych with Steph Schmidt, Steph returns after a break to share a powerful yet simple idea she’s leaning into right now—finding the AND.

Join farmer and psychologist (and mum of 3 amazing boys), Steph Schmidt, as she shares practical, paddock-tested strategies to navigate life on the land.

Life on the land is full of challenges—especially with the ongoing drought and uncertainty so many are facing across Australia. But amidst the stress, there can also be strength, connection, even tiny sparks of joy.

Steph unpacks what the AND means, why it matters, and how you can start practicing it today using three powerful steps:

• Acknowledge the hard

• Notice the joy

• Do what matters

Whether you're in the thick of seeding or navigating another hard season, this episode offers a compassionate check-in and some practical, doable tools to help you show up for what matters—without ignoring the struggle.

🔗 Connect with Steph on Instagram and Facebook - @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephschmidtfarmlifepsych/

or at stephschmidt.com.au

Help to share the message of Find The AND by sharing this episode with someone you care about, and share your AND moments on social media #FindTheAND

00:00 Introduction to Farm Life Psych

00:59 Welcome Back and Life Updates

02:08 The Importance of Finding 'AND'

04:11 Practical Strategies for Finding 'AND'

08:24 Acknowledging the Hard

10:07 Noticing the Joy

12:02 Doing What Matters

13:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, we dive into the Circle of Control, a simple yet powerful framework for managing stress and uncertainty—especially relevant in tough seasons like drought and floods. When so much in farming is outside of our control, how do we shift our energy toward what we can influence?

I explore:

• How to use the Circle of Control to navigate uncertainty.
• Managing difficult decisions—like expanding land holdings during dry conditions.
• Coping with guilt and grief, including losing an animal in your care.
• Practical strategies to direct your focus where it matters most.

I also answer two listener Ask Steph questions that tie into this theme, sharing real-life examples of how farmers can use this framework to reduce overwhelm and make clearer decisions.

Read More: Watch out for an upcoming article with AuctionsPlus where I explore the Circle of Control in farming.

Resources & Links:

• Follow me on Instagram: @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych
• Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephschmidt.farmlifepsych
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://stephschmidt.substack.com/

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend or on social media and tag me!

It’s been a long, hot minute since I last recorded Farm Life Psych, but we’re here now. In this episode, I’m checking in—not just with myself, but with you too. If you’ve been feeling the weight of dry conditions, long harvests, or just the constant juggle of farm, family, and life, this episode is for you.

I’ll share some of the struggles and lessons from the past few months, as well as a simpleself-check-in exercise to help you pause, reflect, and take small steps forward. Because when life feels relentless, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply stop and notice.

🎧Tune in to hear:
✔️ A personal update on farm stress, mental load, and navigating burnout
✔️ A simpleself-check-in exercise to reconnect with yourself
✔️ Why we often avoid checking in—and what happens when we finally do
✔️ How to assess what’sworking andwhat’s not in your daily habits
✔️ Small, doable actions to help you manage stress and build resilience

🛑Take a moment to pause, check in, and take one small action for yourself today.

💬Let’s continue the conversation!

📩What’s one thing you noticed when you checked in with yourself today? Send me a message on:
📍Instagram & Facebook:@stephschmidt.farmlifepsych
📍LinkedIn:Stephanie Schmidt
📍Email:steph@stephschmidt.com.au

💡Got a tricky challenge or a question for the podcast? Submit it for the ‘Ask Steph’ segment here:stephschmidt.com.au/asksteph.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or your partner—and don’t forget to follow or subscribe! 🎙️✨

Join Steph Schmidt: Farmer, Psychologist, Farm wief and Mum based in South Australia.

In this episode, Steph navigates through the ups and downs of farm life while offering valuable advice on mental well-being. She shares a "Find Your Feet" grounding techniques and tackle an "Ask Steph" question regarding managing the stress of working with farmers during a drought while living on a farm.

Key Topics:

1. Introduction to Grounding Techniques (00:00:00 - 00:02:11):

- Importance of taking moments to ground yourself in everyday life via focused breathing, using your senses, or feeling your feet on the ground.

2. Life on the Farm (00:02:11 - 00:05:17):

- The complexities of dealing with much-needed but potentially damaging rainfall.

- The emotional rollercoaster of weather impacts on crops and property.

3. Finding Your Focus (00:05:17 - 00:06:06):

- Overcoming scattered thoughts post-school holidays and learning to prioritize tasks effectively.

4. A Grounding Exercise (00:06:06 - 00:09:36):

- Step-by-step guide to a three-minute grounding exercise focusing on feet and body awareness.

- Encouragement to incorporate this practice into daily life and observe its benefits.

6. Ask Steph: Managing Farm Life and Work Boundaries (00:11:13 - 00:24:16):

- Tackling a listener's question about handling the emotional and logistical challenges of farm life during drought conditions.

- Practical advice on managing household water restrictions, laundry logistics, and maintaining emotional boundaries between work and home.

- Importance of self-care and seeking professional supervision in mental health roles.

7. Maintaining Balance and Well-Being (00:24:16 - 00:26:38):

- Emphasizing the need for self-care to ensure the ability to support others effectively.

- Discussion on the ongoing challenges and stresses of farm life and how to manage them.

Share the Love:

- Share your thoughts and experiences with Steph at [Email: steph@stephschmidt.com.au].

- Connect with Steph on social media:

- Instagram: @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych

- LinkedIn: Steph Schmidt

Quote of the Episode:

> "We can't give from an empty cup. So we can't keep giving to our clients, keep giving to people around us if we are not actually taking that time in caring and taking care of ourselves as well."

Resources:

- Reach out for individual support if needed:

- Consult with your GP or a mental health practitioner

- Grounding exercises and how to incorporate them into daily life

**Listener Question Submission:**

- Have a question for the "Ask Steph" segment? Submit your queries to HERE for a chance to be featured in future episodes.

Thank you for tuning in to the Farm Life Psych Podcast with Steph Schmidt. Stay grounded and take care! 🎙️🌾

Following on from the mini-sode of Episode 11 - this week we explore the things that get us stuck.

Exploring Catalysts and Kryptonites in Farm Life Psych

In this episode of Farm Life Psych, host Steph Schmidt, a farmer, psychologist, farm wife, and mum, explores the idea of "kryptonites" - those little things that get us stuck. She shares her own experiences of feeling stuck and out of control, particularly during busy school holidays. She discusses the concept of identifying 'kryptonites'—the elements that lead to feelings of being stuck—and encourages listeners to notice these feelings to better manage them. Steph also shares listener feedback about personal catalysts that aid in well-being, emphasizing awareness and connection to the environment. The episode focuses on reflecting on emotional responses and making intentional choices to cope with challenges. Steph invites listeners to engage in discussions about their own 'kryptonites' and experiment with self-awareness over the week.

Finding Your Catalyst: Enhancing Well-being Amidst the Farm Life JuggleIn this episode of Farm Life Psych, host Steph Schmidt, a farmer, psychologist, farm wife, and mother, introduces the concept of 'mini sodes' in the spirit of Bluey. She explores strategies to help navigate the challenges of farm life and tough times, focusing on identifying personal catalysts for improving mental health and well-being. Steph emphasizes the importance of finding that one activity, such as exercise or good sleep, that can trigger positive changes in other aspects of life. She encourages listeners to experiment with different catalysts and share their experiences on social media, fostering a community of ideas and support.

00:00 Introduction to Farm Life Psych

00:42 Navigating Tough Times

02:16 The Concept of a Catalyst

03:25 Personal Catalysts for Well-being

04:50 Finding Your Own Catalyst

06:04 Conclusion and Call to Action