Broadcasting and balance: How Kirsten Diprose balances family time, passion, and business

How do you grow a business, raise a family, and redefine success without burning out?

In Episode 34 of The One That Works For You, we sat down with Kirsten Diprose, a former broadcast journalist, now a co-host of Ducks on the Pond and founder of Rural Podcasting Co., to talk about the juggle and the joy.

Because behind her calm confidence is a story many of us know too well: pivoting careers, doubting your legitimacy, navigating inconsistent income, and learning to trust yourself in the chaos.

Kirsten’s journey from city-based newsroom to rural business owner is packed with wisdom for anyone trying to build a business that works with their life, not against it.

From media deadlines to microphone magic

Before Rural Podcasting Co. was born, Kirsten was working in broadcast journalism. A career that had her chasing headlines, running newsrooms, and delivering stories on tight deadlines. But moving to rural Victoria changed the pace and the path for her.

She saw a gap in rural stories, especially those told by women that weren’t getting the airtime they deserved. So, she launched Ducks on the Pond, a podcast for rural women that blends storytelling with real conversations about life outside the city bubble.

It started as a passion project. But the more episodes she produced, the more she saw the impact and the opportunity. Rural voices weren’t just needed. They were wanted.

That’s when Rural Podcasting Co. came to life. A business built on amplifying underrepresented stories, supporting first-time podcasters, and showing others that their voice matters even if they’ve never picked up a mic before.

Now, whether she’s coaching a local farmer through their first recording or managing full-scale productions, she brings that same storytelling instinct and steady energy that once powered breaking newsrooms, only this time, on her own terms.

Trusting herself through the early-business doubts

Like many of us, she didn’t immediately see herself as a “legit businesswoman.”

That early transition from employee to business owner was full of self-doubt. She juggled casual work, a PhD scholarship, and podcasting gigs, not yet sure she could make it “real.”

But little by little, the confidence came.

“Trusting yourself is a big part of it,” she said. “There were moments where I worried, ‘Will I get enough work?’ But I always did.”

And that mindset shift—from hoping it’ll work to knowing you’ll figure it out is what allowed her to back herself and build momentum.

Structuring a business that works around family

Running a business while parenting two young kids is no small feat. For her, flexibility isn’t a bonus, it’s essential.

And success isn’t measured by revenue or reach, it’s about freedom and flexibility.

She wanted a business that allowed her to show up for her kids and her clients. And that meant building systems that made space for both.

Think: colour-coded calendars, themed workdays, deep work blocks, and plenty of room for school events.

“It’s always a work in progress,” she said. “But I’m learning how to make it work with my life, not against it.”

That’s the key: Instead of squeezing life into her business, she’s designing her business around the life she wants.

Scaling without burning out

Now that her business is established, her focus has shifted from freelance work to sustainable growth.

She’s exploring ways to scale that don’t stretch her thin, like outsourcing production and eventually building a small team.

“People are the trickiest part of any business,” she said. “But I’m excited about building a team that really aligns with what we’re doing.”

Her goal? Take on larger contracts, stay true to her values, and keep that personal touch.

Redefining success on her own terms

In journalism, productivity was simple: Did you file the story by 7pm?

But running a business? It’s never that tidy.

Now, she celebrates the small wins, like onboarding a new client or getting her systems running smoothly. And she learned to let go of the guilt when things don’t go exactly to plan.

“Just because you didn’t finish something in the time you set doesn’t mean you’re a failure,” she said.

It’s a lesson every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Using her voice to amplify others

At the heart of her work is something simple but powerful: giving people permission to share their stories.

Whether she’s coaching a new podcaster or producing shows for big organisations, her mission stays the same—bridge the urban-rural divide, celebrate community, and make storytelling more accessible.

It’s a business built on empowerment and impact.

And if you’ve ever felt like your story wasn’t “big” enough to tell, Kirsten’s work is a living proof that rural voices, quiet voices, and real voices belong.

Final thoughts—What if you trusted yourself, even before you felt ready?

Trust yourself to figure it out.

Kirsten’s story is a beautiful reminder that you don’t need all the answers to get started.

Sometimes, all you need is the willingness to try.

Her advice? Trust yourself. Take the leap. Adjust as you go.

Want to hear more from Kirsten? Listen to the full episode of The One That Works For You for her insights on business, balance, and what it takes to show up fully.

She’s also offering a 20% discount on sponsorship packages for Ducks on the Pond– just mention this episode when you reach out.