With farmers Catriona Gemmell and Jack Young
Recorded in front of a bright-and-early AgriScot audience, this live Blether Together brings plenty of laughs, honest chat about the tougher bits, and simple ideas you can try when the wheels feel a wee bit wobbly.
Catriona farms with her family and runs her own rural bookkeeping and VA business. She is also a keen runner and triathlete who uses movement to de-stress. Jack works in a busy family farming business, thrives on graft and goals, and is fresh out of the Young Farmers world where community is a superpower.
Listen to the episode
Also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
What you will hear in this episode
You will hear Catriona and Jack rate their wellbeing, why chasing a perfect “10” is not the goal, and the small resets that keep them steady. For Catriona, movement is medicine: short runs, bigger challenges and giving herself headspace in a busy family season. For Jack, it is getting stuck into a job, ticking off goals and celebrating progress.
You will hear how different families “do the talking.” Jack’s clan holds daily kitchen-table committee meetings where problems get said out loud. Catriona grew up in a household where things were more likely to be bottled up, and she is learning to name what is going on so it does not explode later.
You will hear about isolation and community. As life moves beyond Young Farmers, staying connected takes effort. Club nights, marts, winter meetings, a regular sport, even a planned cuppa - they all top up your wellbeing bank account and make tough weeks easier to carry.
You will hear a frank nod to succession. It can feel awkward, but small, regular conversations beat one big, high-pressure moment. Listening first, talking often and working together moves everyone in the right direction.
You will hear practical “when it goes wrong” ideas. Eat first, then reassess. Tell one trusted person what is actually on your mind. Go for a short walk or run to clear the cobwebs. Start with one sentence rather than a big speech.
Finally, you will hear extra quick takes from the AgriScot floor, including SAYFC voices Jillian Kennedy and Emily Simpson, and sheep farmer and influencer William Murray, on what life after young farmers looks like.
