Episode 11: The Turning Point - Glyphosate and a Farmer’s Truth with Nick Dugmore

In this episode, we sit down with Nick "Duggie" Dugmore - vigneron and founder of Stoke Wines - for a deeply human conversation that moves between vineyard rows and the inner terrain of the body. At 39, Duggie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. As he traced his health journey backwards, he began questioning the invisible exposures shaping both land and body, including glyphosate and its disruption of critical biological pathways. Speaking without blame, Duggie reflects on the parallels between soil health and mental health, the pressures farmers face within chemical-dependent systems, and how illness reshaped his understanding of presence, purpose, and connection. The episode offers a grounded exploration of how the stories of land and human health are inseparably woven.

Social Handles:

Instagram: ⁠@stokewines_au⁠

Website: ⁠stokewines.au⁠

Bio: 

Nick ‘Duggie’ Dugmore is the winemaker behind Stoke Wines on Kangaroo Island, recognised nationally as a Young Gun of Wine for his care for land, craft, and community. At 39, a stage 3 bowel cancer diagnosis set him on a path he never expected. When his surgeon estimated the tumour’s growth at around 16 months, Nick began tracing his exposure with precision — a process that led him to glyphosate and a series of hard truths about the chemicals embedded in modern agriculture.

Determined to understand the science and speak openly about what he uncovered, Nick has documented his journey in a series of essays and personal reflections on his website, offering both rigor and vulnerability. He also co-hosts The Power of Awareness podcast, where he supports others navigating cancer with clarity and compassion.

In this conversation, Duggie brings a rare and necessary voice — a farmer and winemaker living the consequences of exposure, willing to share what he’s learned, and calling for a future where health, farming, and honesty sit at the centre of our choices.

Website: ⁠⁠theinvisibleingredient.org⁠

Citations: ⁠Here⁠

Special thanks to the incredible teams at ⁠farmersfootprint.us⁠ and farmersfootprint.org.au⁠ ⁠as well as ⁠podbyron.com.au⁠ ⁠for their amazing support in producing the show. ⁠

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in The Invisible Ingredient podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Farmer’s Footprint or any affiliated organisation. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical, legal, or professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making decisions relating to health, farming practices, or environmental management.

The Invisible Ingredient shares conversations that awaken awareness of how our food systems, environment, and health are intertwined. We invite you to listen with curiosity, explore the research, and carry forward what resonates on your own path toward healthier people, land, and communities.