In this episode of Stories of Us, Brendan Cullen shares his upbringing on a sheep station in regional Australia with host Sarah Grynberg.

Growing up on Mount Westwood near Broken Hill, Brendan fondly recalls carefree days exploring the vast outdoors with his younger brother.

He describes the daily routines of farm life, including stock work and maintenance tasks on the expansive 150,000-acre property he currently works on.

Brendan candidly discusses the challenges of rural isolation and the toll it took on his mental health, leading to a struggle with depression exacerbated by self-medication with alcohol. However, through self-awareness and seeking professional help, Brendan found the courage to confront his issues and adopt healthier coping mechanisms.

He emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed. Brendan's journey highlights the resilience and strength found in rural communities, even in the face of adversity like droughts, which he also discusses.

If  anything  in  this  podcast  has  brought  up  difficult  feelings  please  reach  out  to  someone  you  trust  for  support  alternatively  you  can  call  LifeLine  anytime  at  13  11  14  for  assistance.

If you  would  like  to  hear  about  another  story  of  resilience,  check  out  our  episode  with  former  NRL  player  Alex  McKinnon  who  faced  a  life  changing  injury  on  the  field. You can find his episode here… https://listnr.com/podcasts/stories-of-us/episodes/alex-mckinnon-forgives-the-player-who-made-him-par?utm_source=listnr&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=internal_share&utm_content=f7657954-164a-4388-b6ef-e53c17109df6%3Bb918973f-1345-4747-9bfa-b0ba009b195e