The Recovering Farmer: Gerry Friesen on Farming and Mental Health

In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Gerry Friesen, also known as The Recovering Farmer. Gerry grew up on a grain and poultry farm in Manitoba, Canada, later running a hog operation with his brother, before transitioning into mediation and mental health advocacy. His personal journey through financial challenges, anxiety, and depression led him to co-found the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program and write his book, The Recovering Farmer. Together, Kristin and Gerry explore the unique mental health struggles in agriculture, from the isolation of farm work to the pressures of identity, technology, and resilience. They talk about the weight of decision-making, the stigma around seeking help, and why community is essential for farmers and those supporting our food systems. This candid and heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone in agriculture, food production, or critical infrastructure, along with anyone who wants to better understand the human side of farming. Gerry’s honesty and wisdom remind us that it’s okay not to be okay, and that talking openly can be the first step toward healing. --------------- Connect with Gerry Friesen — The Recovering Farmer Website: gerryfriesen.ca Book: “The Recovering Farmer” — available through his website and major retailers Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program: manitobafarmerwelnness.ca LinkedIn Instagram @gerryfriesen --------------- Episode Key Highlights 00:03:05 – Gerry’s diagnosis of anxiety and depression while farming 00:05:09 – Why he calls himself The Recovering Farmer 00:09:08 – The “robot in the silo” story and how tech misses the real problem 00:11:23 – The identity crisis farmers face when leaving the land 00:13:26 – Shame, stigma, and the surprising parallels with cybersecurity 00:17:23 – Why ag-specific counseling and wellness programs matter 00:22:24 – Coping strategies farmers can use in the moment 00:27:37 – GPS tractors, beeping alarms, and the stress of tech in farming 00:30:08 – Stress, decision-making, and resilience 00:35:29 – The message Gerry wants every farmer to hear: “It’s okay not to be okay.” --------------- 📘 Sign up for early updates, exclusive previews, and launch news of Kristin’s book, “Securing What Feeds Us” (working title) here. --------------- 🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, webinar, or workshop, visit the website and submit a request. --------------- 🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info: Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official website.   Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! Substack: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry. Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; BlueSky --------------- 🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT AnzenSage is a cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries.  AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience.  Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.​ AnzenOT:  Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple.  Smart.  Swift. AnzenOT is the SaaS Risk Management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.  Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.  Explore the platform at anzenot.com. For demo requests or inquiries, email [email protected] or [email protected]