Sue Ryan came to rowing through her journey as a breast cancer survivor, and she’s embraced the sport as both a challenge and a source of community. We talk about how the sport helped her move past childhood trauma, how it has shaped her cancer recovery, and the ways she’s found strength on and off the water as a member of Whitmarsh Boat Club, WeCanRow Philadelphia, and the Survivor Rowing Network.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome 01:59 - Rowing Week 03:58 - The Huddle 04:20 - Hot Seat Q&A 07:28 - Despite being “horribly uncoordinated,” Sue got hooked when she learned to row with WeCanRow Philadelphia 09:45 - Trauma in Sue’s youth led to disassociation from her body but rowing and therapy have helped her reconnect 13:15 - Social network as key to cancer recovery, and finding a welcoming club culture at Whitemarsh Boat Club 17:49 - Recovery: strength training, lymphedema, lifting, asking for help 21:00 - Being a voice of strength for her teammates 22:00 - Working with a sports psychologist, and Sue’s mantra 29:14 - How rowing has changed Sue and paying it forward to help new rowers 33:04 - Sue’s rowing “sales pitch” 33:40 - What Sue wishes someone had told her before she learned to row 34:00 - Sue describes the perfect stroke 36:50 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos of Sue, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

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Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Think of all the companies represented in your boathouse. Maybe it’s boats manufactured by Vespoli, Pocock, or Hudson, and ergs and oars by Concept2. Maybe your coach keeps communications going using iCrew, or you open up the ErgZone app for training workouts. All of these companies – and nearly 20 others – are members of the Rowing Industry Trade Association (RITA).

On this episode we talk with two founding members of RITA – Michael Naughton, the COO of Nielsen-Kellerman; and Glen Burston, the Owner and Operations Manager of Hudson Boat Works. We’ll talk about how the association has opened up communication with World Rowing; about rules and regulations that impact companies and clubs; about what it would take to get more young kids into rowing, and more adults working in the rowing industry.

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome 03:19 - Rowing Week on a scale of 1-10 04:25 - The Huddle 06:25 - Hot Seat Q&A 11:23 - Michael and Glen’s rowing origin stories began in high school after turning away from other sports 17:35 - Finding profession in the rowing industry 22:03 - How RITA came to be and the vision for the association 24:48 - Balancing the needs and interests of RITA members 29:22 - RITA’s relationship with NGOs 30:44 - RITA members and member benefits 39:00 - Acknowledging three major disciplines: traditional, coastal, and indoor 41:38 - Considering ways to make rowing more accessible 47:24 - RITA at HOCR, sparking innovation, and industry job shop talk 51:02 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos of Michael and Glen, and get links to the people, clubs, businesses, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Indianapolis Rowing Center was like lots of other clubs, running several small Learn to Row sessions each year but struggling with retention.

Then IRC rower, coach, and brand new Board member Lisa Stickley proposed something big. Really big. She wanted to develop a new type of introduction to rowing program that would get 120 registrants in the boathouse door and on the water all within the month of July.

With the support of the Board and club membership, IRC’s First Strokes program moved from big idea, to social media marketing campaign, to eight sessions a week for four weeks, plus three big social events. As of today, the retention rate is 40%.

Find out from Lisa how she made it happen and how your club can think outside the box to truly use LTR to grow membership and create community connections.

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QUICK LOOK

0:00 - Intro 05:05 - Lisa’s Rowing Week was an 11! 06:57 - The Huddle 08:37 - Hot Seat Q&A 11:23 - Rowing origin story 15:05 - Transition into competitive rowing, the rower life cycle, and Lisa’s “iron sharpens iron” motto 20:43 - About Indianapolis Rowing Center 23:25 - The idea that became IRC’s First Strokes program 25:39 - Big goal: register 120 new rowers 30:28 - Coaches, volunteers, and operational logistic strategy 39:10 - Phase 2: retention and integration of new rowers into club programs 42:48 - Club culture shifts 47:52 - Considerations for future growth of First Strokes 49:25 - Keys to success: fun and friends 53:31 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos of Lisa, IRC's huge First Strokes program, and to get links to the people and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Like plenty of other college rowers, Jordan Hanssen felt he had more to prove on the water. So after graduation he committed to training with a goal of making the National Team. But when he spotted a flier in the boathouse challenging rowers to take on an ocean, the trajectory of his rowing career – and life – changed completely.

We sat down with Jordan to talk about his 2006 World Record-setting Atlantic row, and a second Atlantic crossing that ended with a capsized boat in the Bermuda Triangle. But the story of the boat – named for his late father and outfitted with scientific instruments and satellite communications – didn’t end there.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and banter

02:04 - Rowing Week

03:19 - The Huddle

03:51 - Hot Seat Q&A

08:39 - Oar the Rainbow de-brief

12:21 - Rowing Origin Story: learning to row in college and a very memorable first head race

15:07 - From National team dreams to pulling together a team for a race across the Atlantic, and creating OAR Northwest

19:31 - Setting a Guinness World Record; rowing the Atlantic a second time with a new purpose

23:31 - CWF Africa to the Americas Expedition: Dakar, Senegal bound for Miami, FL capsized 72 days in

25:56 - The “10 most cowboy days” of Jordan’s life searching for, finding, and retrieving, the boat

28:08 - The boat’s namesake, its last mission and “funeral,” and handling grief

37:36 - Seeking to make OAR Northwest: The Film

39:47 - Connect with Jordan

40:45 - Wrapping up his pandemic project Tiny Boat Sessions

43:04 - Steady State Network news and notes

45:50 - Outtake

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To see photos of Jordan, his teammates, and their boat the James Robert Hanssen, and get links to the people, organizations, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Lea Park-Kim wanted to row in college, but realized she couldn’t give it the time and dedication she wanted. For her it was all or nothing so she stepped away to focus on academics. Several years later, with her professional life on track, she found her way back to the water. Today Lea is a disciplined, motivated, and insightful rower, coxswain, and coach at River City Rowing Club in West Sacramento, CA.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome 04:00 - Rowing Week on a scale of 1-10: tendonitis, injury, and “customer relations” 09:40 - The Huddle 13:15 - Hot Seat Q&A 15:28 - Rowing Origin Story 20:29 - Coxing personality: absorb all she can; give rowers what they need in a way they can best receive it 25:16 - Taking a holistic approach to coxing ROWsist 28:34 - Coxing levels I, II, III 32:41 - Chatter in the boat? Absolutely no. But: here are tips for signaling your coach when things aren’t ok. 37:24 - Bringing her professional skills as a communications director to the boathouse, and how rowing time management has made her more efficient at the office 39:23 - About RCRC, Lea’s many rolls, and her transition to coaching with the support of other RCRC coaches 44:30 - The creep of AI into developing training plans and club communications 47:24 - A look back at the season, and a look ahead to growing as a coach and coxswain 50:44 - A consideration of the post-practice huddle 55:47- Lea’s idea of a perfect stroke 57:11 - Steady State Network news and notes 59:52 - Outtake

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To see photos of Leah and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Carolyn Webster-Stratton had been an active masters rower when she flipped over her handlebars while out for a bike ride in 2013. She can’t remember the first two weeks after the accident, but clearly remembers doctors painting a grim prognosis of her future with a traumatic brain injury. With a personal mantra of “keep going” and a dedication to recovery that includes daily long sessions on the erg, Carolyn returned to rowing in July 2025. After 12 years off the water, she's switched from sweep to sculling and is building new neural pathways.

GUEST Carolyn Webster-Stratton  Founder, The Incredible Years  Professor Emeritus, University of Washington Member, Vashon Rowing Club

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro 00:25 - Banter 02:25 - Rowing Week 03:45 - The Huddle 07:24 - Hot Seat Q&A 11:11 - Carolyn’s rowing origin story 13:58 - A bike accident, a brain injury, and stubbornly pushing (instead of resting) through recovery 22:54 - The best rowing advice Carolyn ever received 20:28 - The human brain, the simplicity of repetition on the erg, and dealing with feelings of inadequacies when returning to the water 26:00 - Honoring where you’re at in rowing 33:00 - What the rowing life has given Carolyn 36:20 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, iCrew, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Cara Stawicki won gold in the Lightweight Women’s pair at the 2019 World Championships, but as a high school swimmer, a walk on to Lehigh University’s rowing program, and even as she moved into international competition, Cara struggled with confidence. A well-meaning phrase: “you have so much potential” was repeated so often she wondered why she wasn’t reaching that potential. Today, as the Founder of Be Brave High Performance, she facilitates peak performance and well-being in athletes, coaches, and industry leaders through mindset training and personal development.

GUEST Cara Stawicki Founder, Be Brave High Performance 3x US National Team member 2019 World Champion, LW2-

QUICK LOOK 00:00 - Episode intro 01:56 - Cara’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10 02:36 - The Huddle 04:01 - Hot Seat Q&A 06:07 - Cara’s rowing origin story 09:22 - Defining moments that helped shape Cara’s path 11:26 - Working through setback and challenging times 13:46 - Building a community of trust 18:19 - Love affair with the pair 22:00 - Cara’s transition to coastal rowing was “freeing;” the opportunities coastal brings 27:44 - Be Brave began as a blog to give back to the rowing community 29:49 - Performance doesn’t happen in isolation: considering the whole athlete 36:29 - Rituals and mind set on race day 40:22 - How Be Brave High Performance is helping athletes 43:11 - Self-talk and the inner critic 44:17 - Advice to Cara’s younger self 44:51 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, iCrew, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

Dive into the world of coastal rowing and beach sprints with guests Ben Booth and Mark Oria, co-authors of the new book 'Ride the Waves: A Complete Guide to Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint.'

Our conversation delves into the unique aspects and growing popularity of coastal rowing, training tips, and the differences from flat-water rowing. We also introduce youth rowers Cooper and Noah of Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association, highlighting their experiences and passion for the sport.

The conversation underscores the importance of love for rowing, proper training, and the expanding opportunities within coastal rowing, including upcoming championships, training camps, and the debut of beach sprints at the Olympics.

Sponsored by Breakwater Realty Group, the episode also promotes community engagement and support for rowing initiatives.

GUESTS:

Marc Oria - Head Coach, US National Beach Sprint team; co-founder of Next Level Racing

Ben Booth - Co-Founder, Next Level Racing; boat designer at Next Boat Works

Noah Oberly and Cooper Disque - Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association members

FIND OUT MORE Ride the Waves: A Complete Guide to Coastal Rowing & Beach Sprint

00:00 - Episode intro 01:34 - Hosts Tara and Rachel talk candidly about the topic 05:50 - Welcome guests and Rowing Week on a scale of 1-10: 07:00 - The Huddle: Ben then Marc 09:19 - Growth of coastal and beach sprint in the past 5 years 12:43 - New Book! Ride the Waves 15:47 - Extreme conditions + knowledge + skills = success 18:18 - camps 19:29 - Welcome Cooper and Noah 20:42 - Rowing Origin Stories: Cooper then Noah 22:33 - The Hot Seat Q&A 24:56 - The kids ask the experts 32:37 - Reframing the flat water rowing experience and benefits of adding beach sprints and coastal to flat water programs 34:48 - What’s on Noah and Cooper’s racing schedule this Summer? 35:54 - How to bring coastal to your club. Tips and cautionary tales. 37:33 - On the schedule: youth nationals, national team trials, ID camps, Youth Olympics, 2028 Olympics in LA. 40:19 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

.

This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

.

Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support

Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork IG - @SteadyStateNetwork BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: Rachel Freedman - @RowSource Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber