Throwing Wrenches Mending Fences Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Agrability uses assistive technology and devices to keep farmers farming as they age, or deal with an injury, long-term illness, or disability. Elaine Palm and the Michigan Sheep Producers came to me to ask if I would interview Sam Wolfe from Michigan State University Extension, who works with Agrability. Sam will be doing a Keynote at the Michigan Sheep Producers' Annual Shepherds Weekend Jan 9-11, 2026 in Lansing, MI.

Topics Covered:

What is agrability?

How can farmers make farming easier as they age?

What can farmers do if they are disabled?

Farming for Veterans

Farming for disabled veterans

What assistive devices and technology can help farmers and ranchers?

How can farmers and ranchers shift their operations if they get injured?

We need you!!! Send us your weekly wins or funny things that happened on your farm or with your family at sarahz@micultivatebalance.com

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

https://www.throwingwrenchesmendingfences.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Connect with Agrability 

Michigan Website: https://www.michiganagrability.org/

National Website: https://www.agrability.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganAgrAbility

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mi_agrability/

Connect with Michigan Sheep Producers:

Michigan Sheep Producers Association Website: https://misheep.org/

Michigan Sheep Producers Association Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganSheep

Christine Stamp aka, Seed Farmer's Wife on Instagram teaches people how to cook for the masses and she is here this week to share with us! If you are looking for tips and tricks to make field meals easier, less stressful and more streamlined then you are in the right place.

15 Ideas for Field Meals

Meatballs

Soups/stews

Hamburgers

Chicken drumsticks

Casserole-Lots of types

Tacos

Bbq beef or pork

Chicken-Mexican style

Hot dogs

Bakes zetti

Baked ham and cheese sandwiches

Baked turkey and swiss

Hot roast beef

Orange Chicken and rice balls

Sesame Chicken and rice balls

15 Tips and tricks to make field meals easier

Throwaway containers and silverware

Cook more than you think

Have desserts ready the night before

Have food done by the time you have to leave for kids sports, aka 3-4pm

Insulated bags!

Send the food with the trucker coming to your grain leg

Print your recipes-put notes in a binder and make notes

Toast all the buns!

Find what works for you and stop comparing

Everything doesn't need to be homemade-boxed or frozen stuff is fine

Create a plan and grocery shop once a week

Stock your freezer with meat before you start harvest or seeding

Ignore the DM's on social media

Find what works for you

Don't put so much pressure on yourself-not everything needs to be handheld

Take Sunday's off!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Connect with Seed Farmer's Wife-Chrstine Stamp

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seedfarmerswife/

Motivation follows action. This is my new mantra, in other words, don't wait until you feel motivated to do stuff, do something and it will help you to get moving.

I just turned 30! MY 20's were an absolutely wild ride and I learned so much about myself that I have completely changed the way I think, feel and act. Shocker I know! I was diagnosed with ADHD and I have learned how to manage it in a way that works for me. This has allowed self-acceptance in a way I didn't think was possible. I learned it all in therapy. . . and on ADHD Tiktok.

3 Things That Help Harness ADHD

1 Know what you need

2 Know how to launch yourself into the land of productivity

3 Set yourself up for success

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Duh, farming involves physical labor, but is it a total body workout? No! The thing about exercise is that if you are really strong in some areas and really weak in other areas it can led to major issues with pain and soreness. It can also increase your likelihood of injury and slow down the healing process.

Today, I have a few questions that can help you to identify what you should do to take care of your body.

Occupation:

Description:

Physical Expectations:

What muscles will be used?

Where will you be sore?

What stretches will help?

What exercises will help strengthen those areas?

What exercises will help you balance those areas?

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Making good decisions that improve your mental health can be difficult when you are in the thick of it. What do you actually do to help yourself feel fewer symptoms of depression or anxiety? 

In today's episode we create a plan for those days when we are feeling depressed, anxious, overstimulated, angry, bored with the monotony of life, annoyance, grief etc. 

Not that doing one of these things can make all of your issues disappear, but they can help you to feel better, lessen the severity of your symptoms and help you to have a better day. This list of activities will improve your mental health and most importantly eliminate the decision fatigue surrounding what to do on the day when your mental health isn't so great. 

Connect with the inspiration for this episode on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sharon.a.life?lang=en 

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

I'm back from a very long maternity leave. In this episode I talk about grief, losing half my grandparents in the same month and my birth story. 

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Emily Reuschel is a keynote speaker, coach, and farm mom and wife. She teaches rural women how to get intentional, live into their passions and live life on purpose. Her personal growth journey has changed and evolved in different seasons of life.

Emily and I have so much in common. Personal growth and development have changed as jobs, roles, life stages, etc evolve and finding a way to live intentionally, be grateful, and be in touch with emotions makes the difference between drowning in the chaos of life and thriving with purpose. 

What is personal development?

How do farm/ranch/rural women do personal development?

How to feel more content

What does balance mean?

What does peace and contentment feel like?

Download the Farm Stress Bundle here: https://www.throwingwrenchesmendingfences.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Connect with Emily Reuschel

Website: https://emilyreuschel.com/

Podcast- Gather in Growth: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kQ6k3C6YmKp6EY58URPH6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyreuschel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyreuschel/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyreuschel

Fair week was the first time I realized what anxiety really felt like in my body. Fortunately, I have an amazing mom who recognized it and helped me to do some deep breathing and bring some perspective to my pre-fair worry. Except that is really an understatement because I was like a bridezilla on steroids, I was a fairzilla for two weeks leading up to the fair.

This episode is all about the things that helped to make our fair week go smoother. I consulted with my mom on this episode because she was the mastermind behind the planning that went into 4-H and the preparing for the fair.

1.      Have a DIY deadline-Anything that doesn't need to be done last minute should be done a week before the fair.

2.      Have a list for things that need to be done last minute i.e. Baking projects, cakes, washing animals, etc.

3.      Pack your camper and do your shopping ahead of time, if you do crafts and things then packing that stuff into the camper saves space in your primary vehicle

4.      Remember that this is about kids learning skills not about winning, one of the most important skills they will learn to how to keep calm when they are under pressure.

5.      Have a plan for food and have plenty of east snacks available.

6.      Have a few ways to lower anxiety available for when the tears inevitably come. For kids a few options can be taking a few deep breathes, taking a walk, dance party, writing a letter to their current self from 5 years into the future.

7.      Keep a flexible routine, this helps to avoid getting hangry, overtired, and exhausted.

8.      Unpack as soon as you get home

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Paige Dulaney and her family farm and ranch in Colorado. She is a mom of three and a busy social media advocate (aka agricultural agvocate). She does a fantastic job and digging into research and facts about our food system, supply chain and agriculture in general. She always keeps her cool and bring the best information to the table.

We also talk about some sanity saving moms hacks and start off the episode with our biggest fear, losing keys in Walmart. We talk about how things might suck for the first few years, but if you can adjust your expectations when trying new things on your farm or ranch, it makes it easier to stay calm and avoid feeling so defeated.

Topics Covered:

Mindset shifts when you try something new

How to choose what to focus on and how to let go of the rest

Seven sanity saving mom hacks

How to have patience with people who don't understand food

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Connect with Paige Dulaney

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paigedulaney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paige.dulaney_/

Mary Pat Sass loves cheese, farming, and journaling. She is a farm wife, entrepreneur and social media influencer. Her what to make for supper video's, mom content and farm lifestyle piece have gone viral because people love her down to earth, funny and real style. 

Mary Pat Sass' Grounded Journals are the perfect prompts to remember the good times, collect memories and share photo's. She created them because she wishes she would have written more down about family, things they have tried on their farm and simple moments with her kids. So, she created these gorgeous journals to help us all do just that. Collect memories, photos and share stories with our future selves and loved ones.

Check out the Grounded Journals here: https://www.groundedjournals.co/

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, post to Facebook or Instagram and tag me! And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast to let us know your key takeaways.

Connect with Sarah Zastrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295514594092240

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throwingwrenchesmendingfences/

Website https://www.micultivatebalance.com/

Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/micultivatebalance/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVcExxS1xgVghkfXQ7e

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevsHpyW/

Connect with Mary Pat Sass

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypatsass

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypat.sass/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marypat.sass

Website: https://www.marypatsass.com/