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The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…

Emma Warren
The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…
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  • Episode 21: Behind the scenes - Emma and Rachel Collins, our photographer, chat about our first CWG lunch and the realities of photo fear!
    For our 21st episode, we thought that it would be nice to go behind the scenes and get two of the team chatting together about our recent lunch, and a topic that it seems, strikes fear into the heart of many people - facing that camera and smiling while the shutter clicks away.First off, at the end of June we held our inaugral CWG lunch. It’s really important to us that we’re bringing you content that you want to see, so we invited a few of our local readers to come and have lunch with us at the lovely Cotley Inn to chat to them about what about what the CWG community means to them, what’s important to them and what their real-life issues look like.In our small group we had business owners, content creators, Mums and people who have a job but dream of pursuing their own thing in their spare time - so it was a good cross section of our listeners.We’ll do a separate post about the feedback, but in this podcast Emma and Rachel chat about what the key thoughts on the day were. If you would like to join in with feedback, we’d absolutely love it if you’d fill in our survey here so we can take your views into account.Then we were on to the indisputable fact that if we’re being honest, most of us hate having our photo taken, and that's exactly why Emma sat down with our photographer Rachel Collins, to talk about what makes people feel so uncomfortable being photographed, and why building trust is at the heart of what she does. Rachel has photographed all of the CWG team (yes, eyes closed and all!) many times now, and each time has felt easier and more authentic, thanks to her calming presence and deep understanding of how unnerving it can be to be “seen.” Her approach is gentle, intuitive and rooted in the belief that photography should tell the real story of who you are - not just how you look in a perfectly posed image. The key, she says, is reassuring people that those nerves are normal. Just hearing “that’s totally okay” often brings visible relief to her clients. From there, she focuses on making them feel at ease, moving the attention away from the lens and into the moment.As Rachel points out, working with a photographer is a bit like working with a counsellor. You need to feel safe, open, and understood. A good shoot requires collaboration - clear briefings, shared goals, and, most importantly, mutual trust. Not every photographer will be the right fit, and that’s okay! Rachel encourages people to look for someone whose style speaks to them, and to be upfront about what they need, what they’re nervous about, and what they definitely don’t want from the shoot.Whether you're a small business owner trying to build your brand or just someone trying to get over the fear of being in front of the camera, Rachel's advice is simple and refreshing: be yourself. The most powerful photographs come from showing up as your real, everyday self - and a good photographer will help you feel comfortable enough to do just that.You can find more of Rachel’s thoughtful, reassuring work on Instagram and also here on Substack at @rachelcollinsphoto, where she regularly shares insights, tips, and examples of her signature candid style. You can also head over to her website www.rachelcollinsphotography.co.uk.Don’t forget to subscribe to join the Countrywoman’s Guide community, and be the first to receive our emails This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com
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  • Episode 20: Meet Chloe Fuller - TV Pet Expert & Pet Nutritionist
    Chloe Fuller always thought her life would follow a seemingly perfect script: she was sporty, social, and academically gifted. But everything changed in 2011, when a seemingly minor infection left her severely ill and never fully recovering. At just 13, Chloe faced a reality in stark contrast to her dreams: she lost her friends, her ability to attend school, and the independence that teens typically gain at that age.Suddenly having to get to grips with the idea that her life was not going to be as she’d imagined, she felt isolated, grieving the version of herself she’d lost. But then Chloe found hope in the most unexpected place - watching Crufts on TV. There, she saw a person with an assistance dog and immediately knew: “That’s it. That’s my way out of this.”With no funds for formal training and a three-year wait for a charity-provided dog, Chloe did what few would dare: she trained her own assistance dog from scratch. After researching breeds and methods, she found Mr. Ted - a puppy who had been too sick to be sold with his litter, but whom Chloe describes as “born for it.”Their bond was instant. Mr. Ted, her fated companion, gave Chloe not just help, but hope. "My dog makes it so that I’m less disabled,” she explains, “and suddenly I had something to be proud of again.”But the road was still rocky. A life-threatening flare-up in 2018 became a turning point, and after a harrowing hospital stay, Chloe emerged with clarity and determination: “I just needed to grab the bull by the bloody horns.” Chloe’s tenacity paid off. What started as a three-minute conversation with Clare Balding at Crufts became Chloe’s unexpected debut as a TV presenter. Later, a chance encounter at DogFest - the first public event she attended as a disabled person - led to her signing with an agent and landing regular TV work, and becoming the Features Manager at DogFest itself. Chloe now uses her platform to advocate for disabled voices, tell stories through her dog performances, and show what assistance dogs can truly do. Her story is a raw, inspiring reminder of the power of grief, growth, grit - and a good dog named Mr. Ted, with his sidekick Mr Cinnamon.Chloe and Mr. Ted are gearing up for the next stop on their DogFest journey at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire on the 7th and 8th of June, followed by a summer tour across the UK, including Tatton Park in Cheshire, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Ashton Court in Bristol, Howard House in Leeds, and Loseley Park in Surrey. DogFest celebrates everything we love about dogs - with agility courses, expert training sessions, fun dog shows, and plenty of opportunities to bond with your furry friend. With live music, family entertainment, artisan food and craft stalls, and a bustling marketplace, it’s the ultimate destination for a joyful, feel-good day out! You can follow along on the tour on Chloe’s instagram @thesuperspaniels and get tickets for DogFest here.Thank you for reading. Subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com
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  • Episode 19: Meet Ginny Mills - championing body positivity and real rural life online
    Nestled in the scenic northeast of Scotland, countryside influencer Ginny Mills is redefining what authenticity looks like in the digital age. With a warm presence and a passion for both rural living and body positivity, Ginny’s content offers a refreshing glimpse into her everyday life - one that includes muddy boots, supermarket fashion hauls, and a growing young horse named Remi.Though her full-time job is in healthcare, Ginny has steadily built a loyal online following over the past decade, particularly in the last few years. Her Instagram platforms each offer a unique window into her world. Through her new instagram platform, @countrycurvestyle, Ginny is carving out space for women who rarely see themselves represented in traditional fashion marketing. The response has been overwhelming - from women thanking her for showing how certain pieces look on a size 18 body, to others inspired to embrace their shape more confidently.“I don’t believe in faking it for the feed,” Ginny says. “Social media can be a really fake place. I’m just showing real life - the good, the bad, the muddy.”Her commitment to authenticity has earned her collaborations with brands she genuinely supports, from well-known countryside retailers to emerging clothing lines. She’s especially passionate about working with brands that serve a diverse range of body types - an effort that recently saw her team up with newcomer Gunnar and Hound to showcase their expanded sizing.When asked what advice she’d give to other women navigating life in the countryside or the social media world, Ginny’s answer is simple but powerful: “Be yourself. You can’t fail at being authentically you.” You can find Ginny on Instagram @ginneyymills, @countrycurvestyle, and @thepatchyprince. Thank you for reading. Subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com
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  • Episode 18 : Meet Suzanne Alderson, Author and Founder of Parenting Mental Health.
    In this powerful 30-minute interview, Emma speaks with Suzanne Alderson - author, speaker, and founder of the award-winning charity Parenting Mental Health. With raw honesty and a wealth of hard-earned wisdom, Suzanne shares her personal journey through trauma, crisis, and healing, and how it led her to build a lifeline for tens of thousands of parents navigating the complexities of adolescent mental health. Suzanne’s story began with an experience no parent expects: her 14-year-old daughter, Izzy, attempted to take her own life after facing relentless bullying. In the midst of her own shock, grief, and confusion, Suzanne found herself utterly alone in the waiting rooms of mental health services, surrounded by silent, downcast parents—each isolated by shame and fear. What she needed didn't exist: a space for parents to come together, to be seen, supported, and empowered. So she created one. What began as a Facebook group has since grown into a charity supporting over 50,000 parents navigating the mental health challenges of their children. But Suzanne’s mission goes beyond support—it’s about transformation. She believes adversity, while painful and often overwhelming, can also be a portal to growth, connection, and deep personal change.In our conversation, Suzanne speaks candidly about her own history of abuse, homelessness, and the deep isolation she felt before realizing she wasn’t alone. She reflects on how those experiences shaped her instinct to help others, and how the crisis with her daughter compelled her to confront her own past and start anew—not just for Izzy, but for herself. She speaks powerfully about the transformative potential of adversity, the importance of self-responsibility, and the need for compassionate, safe spaces where parents can find community and strength.We discuss the myths around parenting and perfection, the quiet shame many parents carry, and the critical importance of self-compassion and personal responsibility. Suzanne introduces the concept of “partnering, not parenting”—a philosophy rooted in presence, respect, and emotional safety rather than control or fixing. It’s a powerful reframe for anyone raising children, especially in the context of mental health struggles.Suzanne also speaks to the cost of caregiving—the toll of vicarious trauma, and the need to be honest about how we support those doing good work. She emphasizes that transformation starts within, and that healing requires a commitment to showing up authentically, day by day. “If I haven’t done the work myself,” she says, “then I’m still in the same place, no matter how many people I help.”This interview is filled with insight, heart, and hope. It’s not just for parents, but for anyone who has faced hardship, who’s searching for meaning in their struggle, or who wants to better understand how community and compassion can be lifelines in times of darkness. Suzanne reminds us that while we cannot always shield our children from hardship, we can walk beside them—and in doing so, we often find our own path to healing.To learn more about Suzanne’s work, visit suzannealderson.com, parentingmentalhealth.org, or join the supportive community on Facebook. Her book, Never Let Go, How to Parent Your Child Through Mental Illness is available at all major retailers.Thank you for reading. Subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com
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  • Episode 17 : Meet Emma Fuerbringer, Entrepreneur and Founder of Bluerock Ranch, Canada
    Emma Fuerbringer’s journey to ranch life in Canada wasn’t a straight line. Originally from the UK, she trained in law and fully expected to remain in England. But a twist of fate during her travels brought her to Western Canada, where she met her husband Peter. What started as a brief North American adventure turned into a 26-year love story with Alberta’s sweeping landscapes and tight-knit communities as the backdrop.Although Bluerock Ranch has only been in operation for two and a half years, the dream behind it has been long in the making. Emma and her family spent the early years of their life in Alberta, but it wasn’t until a move to Vancouver Island that their rural lifestyle - with horses at its center - truly took shape. What began as a family saying - “Is this a hill to die on?” - evolved into a powerful value system. The phrase, once used to keep day-to-day drama in check, took on new significance when the Fuerbringer daughters declared their own hill to die on: the chance to own and care for horses during their formative teenage years. That pivotal moment became the catalyst for a new chapter.Rather than simply granting the wish, Emma and Peter gave their daughters a budget, using it as a teaching tool to instill financial responsibility, communication skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. This practical life lesson laid the groundwork for something bigger. Over time, their equestrian lifestyle deepened, and as the girls grew, so did the family’s vision. Eventually, the call of Alberta’s foothills became impossible to ignore. Emma and Peter began searching for land with a view of the Rockies - somewhere that could offer not just space for trail riding, but a place to anchor their values. Today, Bluerock Ranch is more than a home; it's a carefully cultivated legacy. With its blend of horsemanship, Airbnb hosting, and an intern program, the ranch is becoming a gathering place that celebrates the Western lifestyle in a way that’s intentional, inclusive, and deeply rooted in stewardship.At the heart of Emma’s approach to life - and to Bluerock Ranch - is a deep belief in the power of a growth mindset. Rather than waiting to “have it all figured out,” Emma embraces the idea that learning is lifelong, and progress is built not on perfection, but on persistence.This attitude infuses every corner of the ranch. Whether it's building new systems, deepening their horsemanship philosophy, or growing their community impact, Emma and her family lead with curiosity. Mistakes aren’t setbacks - they’re stepping stones.It’s clear that what started as the simple idea of an intern program has grown into something far more meaningful - for both the interns and the ranch itself.The original idea was to invite young travellers to live and work on the ranch in exchange for hands-on experience with horses, and while Emma and Pete had imagined a mutually beneficial exchange, they hadn’t fully anticipated how transformational it would become.The program has now expanded - both in scale and in scope. After Pete posted a simple job listing early in the year, over 500 applicants poured in from around the world, including university students in Europe seeking internships as part of agricultural degree programs.And the future of the program? Emma sees it extending far beyond the ranch gates. There are dreams of interns helping local cattle ranchers monitor predator interactions, supporting conservation efforts on horseback, and contributing to a larger ecological vision.With plans for more accommodations, a growing breeding program, and perhaps even returning alumni, Bluerock Ranch is proving that with enough heart and a little flexibility, you can build something far bigger than you imagined.You can find Emma on instagram here and Bluerock Ranch website here.Subscribe to receive new articles straight to your inbox. Thank you for your support. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com
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About The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…

Countrywoman's Guide is a virtual kitchen table for us all to sit round and learn from each other - whether it be business goings on, life advice or simply a reminder to remember that you matter, we're here. countrywomansguide.substack.com
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