Today's guest is Helen Lewis who shares valuable insights and tools to help you manage tough times. Helen is a primary producer from Picot's Farm near Warwick on the Southern Downs. She has a keen interest in educating communities about chosen change and unchosen change as well as decision-making for your farm, your business, your family, or your personal life that's based on your values and your longer term vision. Helen also shares some information about the Outback Way Project which highlights the benefits of connections within and between communities and the power of collaboration.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Helen share:

•  the story of her connection to the Southern Downs
• the emotional, physical and landscape impacts of bushfires, droughts and floods
• natural disasters are “unchosen change” 
• the process of managing “unchosen change” 
•  the process of “chosen change”
•  how a local farmers’ group has helped her manage her business through the drought
• the importance of improving your landscape function to mitigate the impact of natural disasters
•  focusing your energy and attention on your Circle of Control can grow your Circle of Influence and diminish your Circle of Concern
•  the value of early decision-making, knowing your “drought trigger point” and being clear on your risk level profile
• land management practices such as planned grazing helps prepare the soil for future weather events
•  values-based decision-making
• tools in the land management toolbox
• the importance of understanding how nature works so you know which tools to use
•  the Outback Way project 
• the Southern Downs Food Map 
• the mindset that you’re either winning or learning is a powerful, positive and pro-active space

 RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Helen Lewis, Picot's Farm

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)