Let’s be honest—most people in farming are well and truly over the word resilience. It gets thrown around so much that it’s started to lose meaning, especially when you’re in the middle of a tough season, dealing with pressures on every front.

But in this week’s episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast, guest Dennis Hoiberg from Lessons Learnt Consulting offers a much-needed reset. Instead of repeating the usual lines, Dennis takes a grounded, practical approach to what resilience really looks like in farming life—and how to live it every day.

Host Nick Paltridge brings Dennis back to share what he calls the “Five Planks of Resilience”—a framework built on lived experience and decades of working alongside rural communities. This episode is all about shifting the mindset from coping in crisis to building a better foundation for everyday life.

Rather than expecting people to grit their teeth and push through, Dennis shows how small changes across five key areas can help you stay grounded, make better decisions, and look after yourself and others.

✅ The Five Planks of Resilience

1. Spirituality –
   Understanding what you believe in, your values, and how you make sense of the world helps you find meaning and direction, especially during hard times.

2. Medical –
   Having a plan for your physical health, including regular check-ups, dental care, and knowing how sleep, nutrition, and hydration affect how you feel.

3. Physical –
   Paying attention to posture, movement, rest, and how you carry yourself. Physical habits—like walking regularly or cutting back on sugar—can influence your entire mindset.

4. Connectivity –
   Staying meaningfully connected with your family, mates, community, and workplace. The people around you matter, especially when the going gets tough.

5. Mental –
   Keeping your brain active and engaged through learning, thinking, and reflecting. What you read, say, and surround yourself with influences how well you cope and adapt.

Dennis reminds us that these planks are already present in most people’s lives—it’s just about being more intentional and consistent. Because when you look after yourself first, you’re better equipped to support your family, your team, and your farm.

🎧 Catch the full episode this Friday on the MSF FarmTalk podcast.

This episode is supported by the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.