Keeping on Track: The importance of mental health with Adam Henson

This week, Becca and Lizzie are joined by veterinarian extraordinaire, Kaz Strycharczyk! Get ready for some lighthearted fun as they chat about their journeys into the world of animal care. Kaz spills the tea (peppermint, of course!) on a wild lambing placement and the social glue that is farm meals.

But the laughs don't stop there! They delve deep into the realities of farming, from the challenges of being a non-farm newbie to the mental wellbeing of farmers and vets.  

Kaz also shares his experience with his YouTube channel, exploring the power of online learning, navigating graphic content, and building trust with the public.

 How can we bridge the gap between farmers and vets?  Tune in for a heartwarming (and sometimes hilarious) look at the future of agriculture, and whether pastures new lie beyond the farm gate!

(TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode, we do discuss veterinary practices in graphic detail)

Big thanks to our main sponsor Howden

And to our secondary sponsor Airedale Financial Ltd

What would you do if you were told that you would never walk again? That was the reality for this week’s guest.

We start this week at the Maize Growers Association conference where we talk all about bridging the gap between farming and the public. 

We then have an inspiring interview with Mike Nixon aka @mikewheelchairfarming who after facing a life-altering on-farm accident, used his unwavering passion for agriculture to push him to adapt and redefine what's possible. 

In this episode, he shares his remarkable story of overcoming both the physical and mental challenges and proving that farming can be accessible to all.

Mike's a champion for on-farm safety and a true inspiration. This episode is a powerful reminder of resilience, the unwavering spirit of the agricultural community, and the importance of staying safe on the farm.

Don't miss it!

Big thank you to our main sponsor Howden.

And, a thank you to our new secondary sponsor Airedale Financial Ltd.

If you need on farm safety advice or are struggling with mental health, please reach out to Yellow Wellies.

In our latest episode , we dig deep with Tom Saunders, a former farmer turned geography teacher who's revolutionising agricultural education. We tackle crucial questions: Should agriculture become a GCSE? Is it only relevant in rural areas? And how can we make farming sexy?

Get ready for a lively discussion as we delve into:

• Tom's unique journey: From the fields to the classroom, Tom shares his passion for agriculture education and his innovative rural group for students.

• Agriculture in schools: Is it time for a dedicated GCSE? Should it be taught nationwide, or stay focused on rural areas?

• The glamour gap: How can we make farming more appealing to young people? We tackle the image problem and explore exciting solutions.

• NFU Conference: We recap the key takeaways from this major farming event.

• Becca's big win: We celebrate Becca's incredible achievement and her contribution to agriculture.

Plus, get ready for a dose of Lizzie's infectious Northern accent as her passion for the topic shines through!

Tune in and join the conversation!

With thanks to our Sponsor Howden.

Football and the environment often feel like worlds apart. Private jets, fast cars, and meat-heavy diets seem at odds with sustainable practices. But can the much loved game truly go green?

Join us for a topical conversation as we tackle this hot topic with two amazing guests:

• Marc Pugh: Former Premier League footballer turned nutritionist, sharing insights on balancing performance with healthy, sustainable eating.

• Katie Cross: Campaigner for Pledgeball, a movement tackling the environmental impact of football.

We'll dive deep into:

• Sustainable nutrition: Does reducing meat actually benefit the planet? How can footballers fuel their bodies responsibly?

• Green Football Weekend: We'll analyze major platforms like Sky's efforts to promote eco-conscious practices in the sport.

• Bridging the gap: Can you be a fan of football while advocating for environmental change?

• Tackling tough questions: We'll ask Marc and Katie directly: how can players reconcile their jet-setting lifestyles with eco-consciousness?

This episode is packed with insights, discussions, and a healthy dose of challenge.

Whether you're a concerned fan, a football enthusiast, or simply curious about sustainable living, join us as we explore the complex intersection of football and the planet.

What is #MindYourHead week? Who can you reach out to for support? What is therapy really like?

With 95% of young farmers saying that mental health is one of the biggest hidden problems today- in a study conducted by the Farm Safety Foundation- it’s no wonder awareness around the topic is needed.

Mind Your Head week is a campaign that aims to raise awareness around mental health and offers support for those in need.

This year, we’ve teamed up with Yellow Wellies to bring you a special episode to end the last day of the campaign.

This time, the shoe is on the other foot as Becca is joined by Steph from the charity to interview Lizzie about her OCD and anxiety.

Plus, we’re joined by Sam Oatey from Oatey Media who opens up about his own struggles with mental health and the pressures of growing up in a farming family.

Listen to this episode and we encourage you to answer the question:

How do you feel today out of ten?

If you need support, please do reach out to Yellow Wellies UK.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.


Disclaimer: Becca and Lizzie are not medical professionals and therefore, advice should be sought from a medical professional.

This episode contains themes of mental health, OCD, anxiety, depression and suicide.

How did ex - dairy farmer Will Evans become a professional footballer ? How did it feel to score against Manchester United? Is he set to return to his farming roots?

He’s been hitting the headlines over the past couple of weeks so we couldn’t resist inviting him onto the podcast .

Will Evans, Newport County AFC’s forward, has started a storm with his goal against Man United in the recent FA Cup home game but his life wasn’t always on the football field.

In fact, his life began in the fields of his families dairy farm where after school activities included tending to the cows before playing the Xbox.

Talking all things farming and football, we find out how Will got his big break, what it was like playing against The Red Devils, and we ask the controversial question:

Should footballers be paid more than farmers?

You’ll want to listen to this one until full time.


As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

How are you feeling out of ten? Where can you access support? Why did Adam Henson set up a podcast dedicated to mental health?

This week’s guest needs no introduction as we welcome BBC’s Countryfile presenter , Adam Henson to talk about his new podcast, Keeping on Track.

With Becca lambing live during the interview, we chat with Adam about the inspiration behind his latest venture, the struggles the farming community face and the signs to look out for.

Plus, we discuss what other influencers in the industry are doing such as Olly Harrison and Kaleb Cooper and ask Adam his views on the current Farming Minister.

If you need support, please do reach out to charities such as Yellow Wellies, DPJ Foundation, RABI  and YANA.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

How did Eden go from a non-farming background to having her own flock? Why did she decide to sell direct to customers instead of stocking supermarket shelves? How much do farmers really earn?

With recent news this week surrounding fair pay for farmers, we welcome Eden from Lancashire Lamb Boxes to talk all her about journey from non-farmer to renting her own farm.

After doing the sums and realising that selling their livestock through the usual routes wasn’t making ends meet, Eden and her husband decided to sell their lamb directly to consumers… capitalising on the reach that social media could bring whilst keeping an eye on high welfare and the environment at all times 

We talk just how much farming really pays an hour, how she has gained over 100k followers on Tik Tok and learn her top tips for starting a business..

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

Why did Will switch from an accountant to farmer? How has he built his YouTube channel? Should farmers have to diversify?

This week, we chat with Will Roobottom from Cowley Hill Farm about his career change into farming.

Finding out about his choice of sheep breed, his silver award at the British Farming Awards and his YouTube channel , Will tells us about his successes and tips to getting started.

Plus, we question just how important diversification is and pose the question “should farmers be expected to find other income despite producing food for the nation?”

Finally, stay tuned for our singing - it’s an embarrassing one !

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

What does 2024 look like? Why did Karl swap career from chef to farmer? Where does the “pretend farmer” name come from?

In our first episode of the New Year, we welcome Karl Franklin, aka the Pretend Farmer, to talk about his unusual journey to farming.

Talking all about his flock, his debate with a plant based campaigner live on TV and his plans for the year, we learn more about the similarities and differences between being a chef and farmer.

Plus, we hear Karl’s predictions for agriculture in 2024.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.