At 56, Louise Taheny has lived a very big life. The twists and turns and setbacks have truly made her who she is today; a very remarkable woman, as you’re about to hear. Louise was born and raised in regional South Australia, and met her husband John, a farmer, in her early 20s. They knew they wanted a big family. First came Edwina, then Tom, Lucy, Will and then, their youngest, Hugo. After five children in six years, when Hugo was born, Louise knew instantly that things weren’t the same as her other babies. A few days after his birth, Hugo was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and that came with its own kind of challenges. More than a decade on, Louise’s husband had a stroke, and then unbelievably in 2022, their son Will was a passenger in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. But just wait until you hear what both Hugo and Will have been up to despite their challenges. Over the years, again and again, everything Louise knew, particularly as a mother, was tested, but her positivity and love for her family has shone through all the hardships. So, after everything that has been thrown her way, what has she learned? This is Louise Taheny’s story.

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Whitney Spicer always dreamed of becoming a mum. What she didn’t expect was that a few sample pots of Bunnings paint would change the course of her life. While raising her babies, Whitney picked up a paintbrush again — and it grew into a thriving art career that now helps support her family. But behind the success is a huge identity shift: going from stay-at-home to the primary breadwinner, navigating guilt, grief, pressure and the constant juggle between creating and mothering. In this episode, Whitney opens up about her why, the lessons she wants to show her kids, and the courage it takes to back yourself when everything is changing. This is her story.

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Amanda Ferrari grew up in Sydney with no ties to agriculture, yet felt an undeniable pull to the bush. That path took her from nannying and ag college nights, to Warren, Trangie, the cotton industry, and eventually to a life with her husband, Ross. Motherhood began with a shock—discovering she was pregnant with twins during a “friends with benefits” chapter. Premature labour, weeks in hospital, a traumatic birth, and deep loneliness shaped her early years of parenting. Later, the arrival of her son Ollie brought her darkest mental health battle yet. Today, Amanda channels her strength and honesty into supporting rural families through The Boarding School Collective, helping parents and children navigate the distance and grief she knows so well. This is her story.

Pregnancy Loss Support: https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/

24/7 Crisis Support: Lifeline 13 11 14

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What happens when the life you built falls apart? Sarah Henney moved to Longreach for love, leaving behind her Gold Coast life to build something new. But years of IVF, raising two little boys and feeling the weight of holding everything together slowly began to take a toll…not just on Sarah, but on her marriage. As the isolation deepened and her marriage broke down, Sarah was forced to rebuild. Now, from the coastal town of Yeppoon, she’s raising her boys and running Outback Linen Co, redefining what happiness and home looks like, on her own terms. This is her story.

Mental health crisis support: Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Based in regional NSW, Birdsnest truly understands regional life. Visit their stores in Cooma or Burleigh Heads, or shop online from your kitchen table. Birdsnest stocks sizes 8–24. Join their supportive ‘wardrobe wingbirds’ on Facebook, Instagram or via their weekly newsletter.

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Kelly Johnson lives a purposeful life running a heartfelt food-waste enterprise from her houseboat on the Murray River. But the road here has been anything but smooth. As a mum to identical twins with autism and a youngest son who survived BECAUSE of a medical mistake, Kelly’s early motherhood years were filled with illness, and deep exhaustion… including one incredibly dark moment she’s bravely chosen to share. Through every challenge, Kelly rebuilt, adapted, and found strength. Now, that same determination powers her mission to turn unwanted produce into wholesome meals that give back to farmers. This is her story.

This episode briefly discusses mental health and dark thoughts. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Have a curious child in Year 3 or 5? Aurora College, NSW’s virtual school for high-potential rural and remote students, offers live, interactive lessons with specialist teachers. Applications for Year 5 (2027) and Year 7 (2027) are open now until 20 Feb 2026. Learn more at aurora.schools.nsw.gov.au

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Demi Crooks always wanted to be a Mum. But she never knew that her journey into Motherhood would be so challenging nor that it would threaten to take her life. After two gruelling rounds of IVF - Demi successfully conceived her first son River. It was a mentally and physically challenging three years - Demi thought the worst was over but the journey was just beginning. After River was born, Demi developed what Doctors called the ‘worst case of Mastitis they’d seen in 25 years.’ It left her literally fighting for her life for 16 days in hospital as she developed sepsis, had multiple surgeries and a secondary infection of Deep Vein Thrombosis which threatened to clot in her heart. All the while, River’s dad, Aston was learning to bottle feed and settle his three week old boy by himself. To make matters worse it was one of the busiest times in the WA grain farming calendar. It was seeding. This is Demi's story.

Birdsnest is based in Cooma, NSW and they’ve helped Aussie women find outfits they love for over 20 years. Enjoy personalised style picks, outfit ideas, and videos. Shop by body shape or style, sizes 8–24, with express delivery and 365-day returns at birdsnest.com.au.

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When Jenny Lutz became a mum at 22, she had no idea how profoundly her world was about to change. After a traumatic birth and months of sleepless nights, her baby boy Greg cried constantly, struggled to feed, and couldn’t be soothed. Living rurally in Queensland, Jenny faced exhaustion, isolation, and heartbreak, navigating early motherhood with no answers and little support. It wasn’t until Greg was 11 that she finally received the diagnosis she’d spent years searching for: autism. In a time when few in rural Australia even knew what that meant, Jenny’s fierce determination to understand and advocate changed everything. By founding the South Burnett Autism Support Group, she’s spent three decades helping regional families find the understanding and connection she once went without. Her story is one of love, survival, and hope... proof that from the hardest chapters of motherhood can come extraordinary strength and lasting change.

Birdsnest is based in Cooma, NSW and they’ve helped Aussie women find outfits they love for over 20 years. Enjoy personalised style picks, outfit ideas, and videos. Shop by body shape or style, sizes 8–24, with express delivery and 365-day returns at birdsnest.com.au.

JUCA is the Australian brand delivering chef-crafted, nutritious baby meals right to your door, Australia-wide. Made with 100% whole foods and no nasties, every pouch is bursting with flavour. Created by a Michelin-starred chef using premium local ingredients. Discover real food joy for your little one at juca.au.

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From a childhood spent building fences and mustering cattle on her family’s remote Northern Territory station, to life in a Swiss city where she could see France from her balcony, Megan Holzwart’s story is one of grit, adventure, and deep reflection on motherhood. After years abroad, she’s now back in the bush, raising two young kids in Katherine and running KICS- the Katherine Isolated Children's Service, a remote, mobile playgroup for socially and geographically isolated children and families. Today, Megan shares her incredible journey - from the challenges of birthing a breech baby in a foreign country, to navigating postpartum anxiety alone during a European lockdown, to rediscovering her roots and redefining what motherhood means on her own terms. This is a story about choosing adventure over comfort and how one woman’s journey from the outback to overseas and back again is supporting the future of rural families in Australia.

At KRB, boarding is about balance, excellence in learning, and care that supports every girl’s wellbeing. It’s where potential is realised every day, and where confidence grows. Learn more at www.krb.nsw.edu.au/boarding

With 100% whole foods, no preservatives, no filler fruits, and nothing artificial, JUCA gives babies the chance to explore flavours beyond sweet, setting them up for a lifelong appreciation of healthy, delicious food. Shipping to the doorstops of families Australia-wide, visit juca.au.

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