Share the Load Podcast
The Share the Load Podcast
We know that having open conversations help to challenge stigma and the Share the Load podcast hopes to spark conversations and to reach people who otherwise may not think about seeking support. We are extremely grateful to Dave, from the Over the Falls Podcast who produced these for us. Thanks also to Suicide and Self Harm Wales small grant scheme which enabled us to start this podcast.
Episode 1: The DPJ Foundation: Ten Years of Sharing the Load | Emma’s Story, Family, and the Future
In the first episode, we sit down with Emma, founder of The DPJ Foundation, alongside her dad, Richard, and Kate, Lois, and Annie – some of the people who work and volunteer at the heart of the charity.
Together, they share the deeply personal story behind why The DPJ Foundation was created, the loss that led to its beginnings, and how a small idea has grown into a vital source of support within the agricultural community and beyond.
As the charity marks its 10-year anniversary, the conversation reflects on its growth, the importance of reaching out, opening up, and sharing the load, particularly in farming and rural life where isolation and pressure can be overwhelming.
This episode also looks ahead to the future of the DPJ Foundation – its plans, its purpose, and why community, conversation, and compassion remain more important than ever.
Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode speaks about loss and death by suicide so may be distressing or activating, particularly for individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or bereavement by suicide. Please take care of yourself whilst listening/watching and feel free to pause, step away, or seek support if needed.
If you are struggling and would like to talk to someone for support please call our Share The Load 24/7 call line on 0800 587 4262 or text 07860 048799
Episode 2: Living with Loss: Lynda and Gerallt's stories of Grief, Love and Life After Suicide
In this deeply moving episode, Emma and Kate from the DPJ Foundation sit down with Lynda and Gerallt, two parents who have each experienced the devastating loss of a son through suicide, in separate and heartbreaking circumstances.
Lynda and Gerallt share their personal journeys — from the moment their lives changed forever, through the shock and aftermath, to the long, ongoing reality of grief. They speak openly about heartbreak, unanswered questions, guilt, love, and what it truly means to keep going when the unimaginable has happened.
This is an honest and raw conversation about loss, the complexity of grief, and the strength it takes to speak out in the hope that others may feel less alone. It also highlights why open conversations, community support, and reaching out for help are so vital — for individuals, families, and especially within close-knit rural and agricultural communities.
Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode speaks about loss and death by suicide, so may be distressing or activating, particularly for individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or bereavement by suicide.
It includes passing references to the way that Lynda’s and Gerallt’s sons died.
Please take care of yourself whilst listening/watching and feel free to pause, step away, or seek support if needed.
If you are struggling and would like to talk to someone for support please call our Share The Load 24/7 call line on 0800 587 4262 or text 07860 048799
Pennod 2A: Tyfu Lan gyda Cholled: Lois a Gerallt yn Trafod Teulu, Galar a Chofio Brawd
In this personal episode which is recorded wholly in Welsh, Lois, a volunteer with the DPJ, sits with her father Gerallt, to talk openly about family, grief, and the lasting impact of losing a son and brother through suicide.
Andrew died before Lois was born, and they share an insight into growing up with the loss of someone she hadn’t met – getting to know who her brother was through stories, memories, and the love that still surrounds him. Gerallt speaks as a father who lives with continuous grief after losing his son, and together they discuss how loss shapes a family over generations.
The conversation reflects on the silent and long-term effects of bereavement, the different ways of processing grief, and how honesty and communication are the basis for helping families carry life forward after a loss. The episode offers a powerful perspective on absence, remembering, and the strength that sharing stories creates – even when the memories are carried by others.
Content warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide and bereavement that may be distressing to some listeners, specifically about individuals with experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or loss as a result of suicide. Discretion is advised. If this episode brings up difficult feelings, remember that there is help available, that you don’t have to carry this alone. Take care when listening/watching and take a break, step back, or find support if needed.
If you would like to speak to someone for support please call our 24/7 Share the Load line on 0800 587 4262 or text 07860 048799
Episode 3: Farming, Education, and Mental Health: Realities, Pressures, and the Next Generation
In this insightful episode, Emma and Kate from the DPJ Foundation sit down with three voices from across farming and agricultural education to explore the realities of life in the industry — past, present, and future.
Joining the conversation are Katie Davies, lecturer at Bridgend College, Wales Women Farmer of the Year 2023 and Beef Farmer of the Year at the British Farming Awards; Gwenna Maycock, a second-year veterinary student at Aberystwyth University; and Stuart Williams, a farmer who has diversified into farming education and is now a lecturer in agriculture and animal studies at Pembrokeshire College.
Together, they discuss the expectations placed on those growing up in farming communities, the pressures faced from a young age, and how education — both academic and practical — plays a vital role in shaping resilient, informed futures.
The conversation also explores what agricultural education needs to do better, how young people are supported (or not), and the ongoing mental health challenges within farming and rural life.
This episode offers an honest, wide-ranging discussion about culture, change, responsibility, and the importance of creating space for conversation, understanding, and support across generations within agriculture.
Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode speaks about loss and death by suicide so may be distressing or activating, particularly for individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or bereavement by suicide. Please take care of yourself whilst listening/watching and feel free to pause, step away, or seek support if needed. If you are struggling and would like to talk to someone for support please call our Share The Load 24/7 call line on 0800 587 4262 or text 07860 048799
