Season 2 Episode 6: Navigating Family, Farming & Generational Expectations with Abi Cook-Singh

Family farms are built on legacy, resilience, hard work and the relationships that quietly hold everything together behind the scenes. But what happens when generations, identities, traditions and unspoken expectations collide under the one roof, on the one piece of land?In this conversation I sit down with the wonderful Abi Cook-Singh, counsellor, researcher, podcast host, and founder of Working It Out Now. After marrying into a fourth-generation farming family on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, Abi experienced firsthand the isolation, pressure, and complexity many women face when stepping into rural family life and business.What began as personal experience became a 14-year passion project exploring one of the most misunderstood relationships in family systems: mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law in farming families. Abi’s award-winning Working Her Out research has sparked conversations across Australia and internationally about communication, identity, legacy, resilience, and the women who so often become the emotional glue holding families together.Together we explored:Abi’s journey from city life and flight attending into a fourth-generation farming family.The hidden emotional load many rural women carry when trying to “fit in”.Why mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law often misunderstand each other, even with good intentions.The powerful story behind a week of shearing, smoko, sandwiches, and the lessons it revealed about identity and belonging.Why curiosity, communication and storytelling are essential for healthy family businesses.The emotional complexity of succession, legacy and generational farming expectations.How changing rural communities, isolation and economic pressures are impacting family dynamics and mental health.Why the conversations families avoid are often the ones that matter most.The role men play in helping bridge communication between generations.How stronger family relationships can create more resilient farms, businesses and communities.This episode is for anyone navigating family business, generational expectations, rural life, marriage, motherhood, identity, or the quiet pressure of trying to belong while staying true to yourself.Together we unpack what it means to build resilient relationships on and off the land, then lay it all out on the Workbench for the Mind.💡 Ready to start the conversation?🌾 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!Let’s get started.💡 Ready to start your journey?📘 Choose You | Free Training: Stay in Touch | Engage Now - Improve Wellbeing — SUZI EVANS🌸 Explore the Workbench for the Mind program: https://www.suzievans.com/workbench📚 Find support with the Grief Book: https://www.suzievans.com/shop🔗 Find all the resources here: https://linktr.ee/suzievans🔗 Connect with Abi:🌐 Working It Out Now: https://workingitout.online/🎙️Working Her Out Podcast: https://workingitout.online/working-her-out-podcast/