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⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains deeply personal discussions regarding mental health, depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. If you are currently struggling, please consider listening with a friend or reaching out to the resources listed below.

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Welcome back to your usual episode of Second Nature! I am still pinching myself after seeing us hit #11 on the Apple Podcasts Top 200 for Home and Garden following the release of the Down in Dorset mini-series last week. Honestly, thank you so much for the support—it means the world to Tim and me.

This episode is a bit of a whirlwind. I’m catching you up on my "2026 bingo card" moment, meeting Jeremy Clarkson at his new pub and my recent deep dives into agronomy and wheat nutrition. But more importantly, as we head into Mind Your Head week with Yellow Wellies, we’re opening up a conversation that is incredibly close to my heart.

A Personal Reflection

A year ago today, I was in a very different place. I’m sharing the story of the night I had to call a crisis line, the role my little Corgi, Willow, played in pulling me back to the present, and why I believe it is so vital that we show the "bad days" alongside the highlight reels. I hope that by sharing my own story, I can show that things do get better.

In farming, we know better than anyone that seasons change—and your headspace can, too.

The Suffolk Farming Community Group

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Emily Whitmarsh and Ellis Blackmore. After losing a dear friend to suicide, they took action to ensure no one in their local agricultural community felt isolated. We chat about:

- Moving beyond Young Farmers and the "loneliness" of the tractor cab.

- The reality of current financial pressures and the recent inheritance tax changes.

- Why "pub yields" aren't always what they seem.

Their upcoming monthly meet-up on Friday February 27th at the Gardner’s Arms, Tostock.

You can follow Emily and Ellis on Instagram and Facebook at Suffolk Farming Community Group.

⚠️ Important Note

This episode contains honest discussions about mental health and suicide. If you are struggling, please don't suffer in silence. Help is available:

Samaritans: 116 123

FCN: 03000 111 999

R.A.B.I: 0800 188 4444

DPJ Foundation (Wales): 0800 587 4262

RSABI (Scotland): 0808 1234 555

N IRELAND: 0800 138 1678

Text Support: Text HAWKSTONE to 85258

Connect with the Campaign

Join the conversation next week using #MindYourHead, #Hope, and #SuicidePrevention.

Find out more over on: https://www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head-9-13-february-2026/

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!

Welcome to the very first episode of Down in Dorset, a brand-new mini-series brought to you by Second Nature! I am so excited to launch this special project in partnership with Nature Recovery Dorset, as we explore the vital work being done across the county to restore our landscapes and celebrate the incredible food produced right here on our doorstep.

Joining me as my guest co-host for this series is local farmer Tim Gelfs. Together, we’re heading out to meet the fantastic people doing incredible things for the local area.

Make sure to mark your calendars, as new episodes of this mini-series will be available on the last Friday of every month!

In This Episode: From Dorset Fields To Dorset Plates

In our series premiere, we sit down with two experts who are dedicated to the connection between healthy land and healthy people.

• The Heritage of Watercress: We chat with Tom Amery, CEO of The Watercress Company, based at Waddock Farm, south of Dorchester. Truly a jewel in Dorset’s crown, Tom’s business is the largest of its kind in Europe, supplying all the major UK retailers. Tom shares the fascinating history of this "super-leaf"—from its Roman roots to how his team currently produces up to 45 tonnes a week for half a million customers across the UK.
• Pesticide-Free Pioneering: Tom discusses the massive shift they made 25 years ago to stop using pesticides entirely, turning their spring-fed gravel beds into thriving habitats for thousands of invertebrates. It’s a brilliant example of how commercial farming can work hand-in-hand with nature recovery.
• Reconnecting the Next Generation: Claire King, a former headteacher and founder of the Nutrition Advisory Team (NAT), joins us to talk about the vital importance of food education. We discuss her "NutriKit" and why it is so critical for children to understand food provenance—moving beyond the supermarket shelf to the water, soil, and the people who grow our food.
• Building Resilient Food Systems: We dive into the complexities of modern agriculture and the importance of shortening supply chains to support both the local economy and the environment.

Meet the Team:

• Lizzie McLaughlin: Your usual host
• Tim Gelfs: Guest co-host and local poultry farmer, bridging the gap between farming reality and consumer tables.
• Tom: A watercress champion managing a unique crop that provides nutrition to half a million customers weekly.
• Claire: An education specialist dedicated to teaching the nitty-gritty of health, provenance, and sustainability.

This series is all about how we can help nature recover while still producing world-class food. Whether you're a Dorset local or a food lover from further afield, there is so much to learn from these incredible guests.

What does "nature recovery" mean to you? Get in touch at info@second-nature.co.uk or find me on social media at @LizzieMuddyHeelsMac.

This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council.

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!

Welcome back! With December in full swing, I'm getting into the festive spirit the best way I know how: talking food! This week, we're diving into the history of the classic British Christmas turkey and getting advice from two incredible, successful guests.

🥪 The Social Media King: Fraser of Sensational Sandwiches

I head down to London to celebrate the launch of my good friend Fraser's (Sensational Sandwiches) first-ever shop! Fraser has built a massive following (over 1 million on Instagram!) by making incredible, mouth-watering food content. He sits down with me to talk about:

• 🔑 The secret to making it big on social media and turning a creative passion into a real-life business.
• 🗣️ Why saying "YES" to opportunities is the only way to succeed.
• 🍗 Last year's unusual Christmas-time sandwich

🦃 The Turkey Expert: Kate Martin from Treeway Farm

Next, I catch up with Kate Martin from Treeway Farm, first-generation farmers who supply thousands of turkeys for Christmas dinners across the UK. Kate shares the incredible, year-long process of raising these birds and the challenges the industry faces. Learn about:

• 🗓️ Why their Christmas prep starts all the way back in February.
• 🍳 The best way to cook your turkey (Kate shares the ultimate secret for a juicy bird, and yes, we talk about my disastrous defrosting methods!).
• 🦃 The 500-year history of turkey being the centerpiece of the British Christmas table.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, wherever you are and whatever you're eating! Let me know if you'll be having turkey on your dinner this year!

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac