In this episode, I sit down with therapist, speaker, and executive coach, Carolyn Klassen, who holds a Master’s in Marriage, Family, & Child Counselling and an undergrad in Occupational Therapy, for an eye-opening conversation about one of the quietest challenges in rural life: loneliness.
Carolyn, creator of The Loneliness Course, shares why loneliness isn’t always visible, and how many farm women feel isolated even while surrounded by people and productivity. Together, we unpack the concept of social health and why real connection is just as essential to wellbeing as food, water, and sleep.
Carolyn also explains why meaningful connection takes courage, how rural life complicates vulnerability, and why we need to revive the lost art of popping by, picking up the phone, or simply inviting someone in.
If you’ve ever felt unseen in the busyness of farm life or wondered how to help others feel like they belong, this episode will give you the language, tools, and permission to make the first move.
“We do not have to hide that we struggle. What we get to decide is who we share that with—so we can have that sense of knowing that we aren’t alone in our struggle.” – Carolyn Klassen
Resources Mentioned During This Episode
- The Social Health Checkup
- Use coupon code FARM for 60% off the Loneliness Course
About Our Guest
Carolyn Klassen is a seasoned therapist at “Wired for Connection” and the creator of The Loneliness Course. With years of experience supporting individuals through emotional and relational challenges, Carolyn has a deep understanding of how very hard ‘humaning’ can be.
She offers science-backed, heart-forward tools that support healing within a grounded program, bringing together science, compassion, and community wisdom to help people move from isolation to connection.
With a heart for belonging and a gift for creating safe, inclusive spaces, Carolyn speaks to our inherent need for one another. Her work reminds us that healing often starts with being present for ourselves and for each other.
- Contact Carolyn
- Visit the Loneliness Course
- Follow the Loneliness Course on Facebook
- Follow the Loneliness Course on Instagram
Elaine Froese Resources:
- Watch this episode on YouTube.
- Visit the podcast website
- SPEAKING – book Elaine for your next event
- COACHING – explore Farm Transition Coaching
- MEMBERSHIP – become a Farm Family Transition Member
- FREE STUFF – downloadable tools for your farm transition
- CONTACT – take the next steps in your transition
Farm Family Coach Social Media Links
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Timestamps
[0:00:03]3 — Introduction and context of the podcast, recognition of listeners.
[0:01:37] — Introduction of loneliness as the main topic, Carolyn’s work on loneliness.
[0:04:07] — Discussion of “social health” and its importance.
[0:04:54] — The Harvard Study: quality of relationships and health outcomes.
[0:05:30] — The need for meaningful connection, “eight-minute people” and vulnerability.
[0:07:00] — “Facebook fine” concept, technology’s role, insights from women’s conferences.
[0:10:30] — Loneliness not as a personal flaw, causes, and validating the feeling.
[0:13:14] — Post-COVID isolation and modern communication habits.
[0:14:50] — Tools and strategy highlights from the loneliness course and video.
[0:17:01] — Unique rural community issues, financial burdens, multigenerational stress, boundaries, and privacy.
[0:20:30] — The importance of sharing personal stresses and anxiety in the community.
[0:20:57] — Personal anecdotes on dealing with loneliness, sleep apnea, and community support.
[0:25:30] — The challenge and vulnerability in reaching out, anecdotes about social outreach.
[0:26:26] — Scientific research on connecting with strangers, the benefits of vulnerability, and how to overcome social anxieties.
[0:28:36] — Examples of connecting with strangers, benefit of sharing struggles, and the importance of not hiding difficulties.
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