In this episode, Merle talks with Clara Coleman, founder of Real Farmer Care, about something most farmers struggle with: taking care of themselves.. Coleman experienced burnout herself on a well-established family farm, and realized that grit and long hours weren't enough to sustain her or the people around her.

From there, she tried something simple but powerful. She began crowdsourcing donations and sending farmers small, no-strings-attached cash for self-care.

"Use this to take care of yourself," she'd say, mailing $100 gift cards to farmers across the continent.

Those gift cards have gone toward everything from massage and new boots, to therapy, a hammock, date nights, or even just a night off the farm.

While self-care can still feel uncomfortable or even unnecessary to some, Coleman believes that shame and stubbornness often keep people pushing until they reach a breaking point. Real Farmer Care challenges that mindset by offering farmers permission to rest—something she sees as essential if we want people to continue caring for the land and their communities.

We love hearing your ideas, comments, and stories. Get in touch with Merle by sending your e-mail or audio message to feedback@domore.ag.

In this episode, host Merle Massie connects with students at Queen Margaret's School on Vancouver Island, to hear how a group of small-town teens is quietly transforming their school culture.

Student leaders, Oceana Jarvis, Delphine Koyote and Angela Feng, join Merle, along with former head of school David Robertson, to share how they lead the school's lunch-hour Stigma-free Club meetings as a lifeline for new students, a refuge from loneliness, and a launchpad for real conversations about mental health.

These teens give talks on mental health and anti-bullying, fundraise for local charities, and build simple ways for students to feel seen and included. The idea is to set labels aside and build a school culture where difference is met with welcome and belonging.

Later, Merle is joined by Andrea Paquette, president and co‑founder of the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society, to zoom out to the bigger picture. Students often feel crushing pressure to fit in, and face long-held stereotypes about mental health. Paquette created a Student Mental Health Toolkit for teens, parents and educators, along with a Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit designed for people living in small communities.

This episode explores a simple but radical idea: when teens lead the way and decide to be kind, be curious, and be brave, a stigma-free school isn't just possible, it's already happening.

How are things looking in your community? Whether you have thoughts on the show, or you'd like to be featured, let us know. Tell Merle what your community is doing for mental health – or, tell us about something you've done on your farm or ranch. Have you created something silly, fun, joyful, or built a place that brings people together on your land, send your e-mail or audio story to feedback@domore.ag.

In this episode, host Merle Massie sits down with Kendall Whyte, the Australian founder of the Blue Tree Project. Kendall's brother Jayden pulled off a cheeky prank on the family's sheep farm: he and his friend painted a dead tree bright blue, then waited to see if their father noticed. Today, that blue tree has grown into a powerful symbol for mental health in rural and remote communities around the world.

Note: This episode discusses suicide and its impact on families and communities. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support.

Suicide Crisis Help Line: call 9‑8‑8, text 9‑8‑8, or visit 988.ca or contact the National Farmer Crisis Line: call 1‑866‑327‑6701 (1‑866‑FARMS01)

When Jayden Whyte died by suicide in 2018, the story of the blue tree, shared during the funeral, prompted first one friend, then another, to pull out the blue paint. Soon, that shared energy became the Blue Tree Project, turning grief into hope and action, lightness and fun, and opening big conversations.

The simple, hands‑on act of grabbing a few friends, firing up the barbecue, and slapping bright blue paint on a dead tree (or a stump, a power pole, or an old bit of machinery) opens up real, honest conversations about how people are actually doing. Kendall Whyte says the blue trees act as a conversation starter, prompting families, friends and communities to ask, "Why is that tree blue?" then talk about mental health.

Throughout the episode, Merle and Kendall draw a clear line between awareness and the need for real action. If you've ever looked at a dead tree or a junk pile and thought, "I should do something with that," this episode may be the nudge you need to grab some blue paint, call a few friends, and use your own corner of the yard to start a life‑saving conversation. You can register your blue tree here, and use this link to spot the blue tree closest to you.

Even it's not a blue tree, if you've built something cool on your farm, Merle wants to hear about it. Whether you have created something silly, fun, joyful, or simply a place that brings people together on your land, send your e-mail or audio story to feedback@domore.ag. Our thanks to Rob Stone and Joe Stone for theirs.