Stockmanship for The Mind

A Good Headspace for Decisions

We all know that life feels better in a good headspace right? So what do we do when we find ourselves in a bad mood, everything looks hard and we feel rubbish? Its kind of tempting to think that something about our life or ourselves needs to change in order for us to feel better. How many of us have made big decisions from that place of ‘I just can’t take this anymore!?’ But what if there’s a bigger perspective that we are missing? What if those difficult feelings that we just want to get away from are actually giving us valuable information? What if they are letting us know that we’ve got stuck in some low-quality thinking? What if ‘I just can’t take this anymore’ is exactly right, but it's our current thinking we need to ditch before we can see anything clearly? What if that’s part of the rollercoaster of human mood and, we’re just getting a little red flag to let us know not to make any decisions until we feel better? What if we see our life the most clearly when we feel OK? When we’re calm and at peace? What if thats the time to make decisions?

How do I be OK when I'm not OK?

Have you heard the phrase 'It's OK to not be OK?' What does that even mean? How is it possible to have peace of mind when everything is going wrong and it feels like we're going to implode/explode!? When we've got the toxins of anxiety coursing through our veins, when we're drowning in remorse or shame, when we're grieving?  How do we embrace those difficult times? Even when we didn't choose them? How do we have that experience without getting lost or taken down by it?

Letting Go of The Stories We Tell Ourselves - with Jamie Butler

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught up in the stories we tell ourselves? For many of us, there's a quiet narrative running in the background of our mind: "Am I good enough?" "What do people think of me?" "Why does this always seem to happen to me?" When life is going smoothly, we may barely notice these stories. But when we're faced with challenges—grief, illness, the end of a relationship, or simply a difficult period in life—they can suddenly feel very real, colouring the way we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us. What if those stories aren't the truth? What if they're simply thoughts passing through, like a heavy weather system, however convincing they may seem? In this episode, we explore what becomes possible when we begin to see our stories for what they are and gently let them go. We talk about how an understanding of the Three Principles can bring comfort, perspective, and a deeper sense of wellbeing, even in the midst of life's toughest moments. My guest is Jamie, a Hampshire dairy farmer, coach, and Three Principles practitioner. Alongside running a busy farm, Jamie also manages a glamping site, fishing lakes, a training centre, and meeting space at Meon Springs. https://www.meonsprings.com/ This is a warm and honest conversation about resilience, perspective, and the freedom that can come when we stop carrying stories that no longer serve us.

Listening & Lived Experience with Emma Jones, Dairy Farmer.

Emma Jones is, above all, a Cheshire dairy farmer. Working on her family farm, she experiences first-hand both the rewards and the realities of modern farming, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities. On this episode we have a lovely chat about how life works, the power of listening and the immense value of all of our lived experience. Alongside her farming work, Emma is a dedicated advocate for mental wellbeing in agriculture. She volunteers with Shout [https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/text-shout/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], a text-based mental health support service, and Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy [https://www.agchap.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], which provides practical, emotional, and pastoral support to farming families. Through these roles, she helps ensure that people in rural areas have access to the support they need, particularly during difficult times. Emma is especially passionate about the intersection of farming, mental health, and inclusivity. She champions the idea that agriculture should be a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive. Through her writing on Facebook and LinkedIn, Emma offers honest, insightful reflections on farming life, rural communities, and wellbeing. Her posts combine practical experience with warmth and authenticity, making them both thought-provoking and relatable. I highly recommend following her work.

Where family meets business - the communication challenge - with Joe Evans, Deputy Chairman of the CLA

On this episode we welcome Joe Evans, Deputy President of the CLA (Country Land and Business Association). We have a great chat about communicating in family business - the highs and lows!  Joe grew up on his family farm in Herefordshire and spent much of the first decade of his career working for HSBC Group in Asia. In 2012 he and his wife Keeley returned 'home' where he took over the day to day running of Whitbourne estate from his father. Working together with one of his farming tenants, Joe runs the home farm as an extensive organic grazing enterprise with significant focus on environmental stewardship schemes. He has been involved with the CLA as chair of the Herefordshire branch and chair of the Environment Committee and is now Deputy President.