Clubs

S6E12 - A Long Talk's Proven Formula: Information + Empathy = Action

A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth was developed by two black fathers in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, during a moment of national reckoning. There was a collective national and international outcry, but there was also a gap between intention and action. People wanted to help but didn’t know where to start. In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, USRowing came to terms with its own limitations when it came to talking about – and taking action around – diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A Long Talk gives space to have the conversations that people are afraid to have. They lead activation experiences designed to empower participants with knowledge and skills to interrupt problematic thinking and behaviors.
Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams, founders of A Long Talk, are not rowers, but they are proud to be a USRowing Unity Partner, and working with rowing programs across the country.
GUESTS:Kamal Carter, PresidentKyle Williams, Chief Empowerment Officer
FIND OUT MOREwww.alongtalk.comFB, IG & X: @alongtalk2020YouTube: @Alongtalk
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode intro01:50 - Hosts Tara and Rachel talk candidly about policies that led to segregation, and outdated ideas that persist04:10 - Welcome guests and week on a scale of 1-10 09:15 - The Hot Seat Q&A17:53 - Kyle and Kamal met in college at Hampton University20:02 - A Long Talk origin story began in response to a 2020 incident with an NCAA basketball coach29:45 - Connecting with USRowing started with Matt Logue at TRRA32:04 -  A willingness to learn and progress over perfection36:10 - Success looks like…40:56 - Information plus empathy equals action41:58 - A Long Talk’s CPR ( clarify, probe and redirect) training49:44 - How white women can impact change52:56 - Are you ready to take your first steps towards  interrupting ignorance?54:50 - 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, 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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Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:Rachel Freedman - @RowSourceTara Morgan - @CmonBarber

S6E11 - XULA Rowing: Confident to be a Leader Among HBCUs

At the heart of New Orleans, at Xavier University of Louisiana, two coaches decided to challenge tradition—by bringing an elite sport to an unexpected place and building something that had never existed before: the first co-ed rowing program at a Historically Black College and University. Xavier University Rowing Club is a trailblazing force in collegiate sports, championing diversity and unity on Bayou St. John.
Coaches Beth Manley and Chloé Jobin, and rower Victoria Duffey, are at the heart of the grassroots effort fueled by the belief that sports have the power to change minds and communities. Every stroke they take on the water is a step towards breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future for rowing.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode intro
02:05 - Co-Hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan banter
06:14 - The Huddle: A quick get to know guests Beth Manley, Victoria Duffey, and Chloé Jobin
07:41 - Welcome guests and Rowing week on a scale of 1-10: a mixed bag of rain, gators, and flip tests
08:43 - The Hot Seat Q&A
11:18 - For Victoria, the importance of attending an HBCU
14:30 - XULA’s location in New Orleans
15:04 - What sparked the idea of starting a rowing program at XU?
16:55 - No blueprint for starting a rowing club at XULA
19:27 - Partnership with New Orleans Rowing Club
22:07- Victoria: from Crossfit to XULA Rowing Club walk-on and beyond
25:50 - Building club culture of accountability, leadership, and building each other up
30:24 - Training, growth, and plans
33:48 -  About being the first, motivation and the legacy of XULA. Contextualize what you're doing and the space that you're making for other people 
40:23 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Victoria, Chloé, Beth, and XULA Rowing Club, 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.
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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 - /SteadyStateNetworkIG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOarsIG - @AllieswithOarsBLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:Rachel Freedman - @RowSourceTara Morgan - @CmonBarber

S6E10 - Matriarchs of Whitemarsh: Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership and Legacy

As part of our semi-regular club spotlight series, we head to Conshohoken, Pennsylvania to get to know Whitemarsh Boat Club. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, we check in with Linda Chisholm and Jane Voss – two of the club's Founding Mothers – about the early days of getting the club off the ground in 2005, the growth it’s seen in the years since, and what makes this multi-generational club a stand-out.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Hosts Tara and Rachel banter about pipe dreams and logistics of starting a club07:02 - Rowing week on a scale of 1-10: planning for a 10 next week!08:10 - The Huddle: A quick get to know you with Linda and Jane11:04 - The Hot Seat Q&A13:53 - Linda and Jane's rowing origin stories: Rowing moms unite!18:17 - Why start a club in Conshohocken? Why not join a club on Boathouse Row?21:54 - Early days of borrowed boats and fund raising22:28 - About Whitemarsh Boat Club and its place on the Schuylkill River25:56 - Development of Whitemarsh Boat Club programs30:47 - Not so secret secrets to building club culture36:13 - 20 years of Whitemarsh Boat Club39:07 - Linda and Jane's advice for starting a club42:32 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Jane Voss, Linda Chisolm, and Whitemarsh Boat Club, 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 written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. 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 - /SteadyStateNetworkIG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOarsIG - @AllieswithOars
BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:Rachel Freedman - @RowSourceTara Morgan - @CmonBarber
 

S6E7 - Rowing's Cultural Connection for Pacific Islander Youth

At Peninsula Community Rowing Club, Tongan American coach Anthony Heimuli is making an impact in his San Francisco-area rowing community, providing young athletes a deeper understanding of community and self. And with his eyes set firmly on the 2026 Youth Olympics and 2028 Olympic Games, Anthony is working to establish the Pacific Islander Rowing Association to develop high-performance athletes for international competition. 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode Intro2:16 - Rowing week: On a scale of 1-10, Anthony's was a 9 while prepping two youth for New Zealand Coastal Championships02:54 - The Huddle: A quick get to know Anthony03:40 - The Hot Seat Q&A05:22 - Rowing origin story: A very short-lived football career led to a rowing team tryout
07:55 - Being recruited to – and divorced by – the University of Washington
12:48 - After a 10 year rowing hiatus, coaching middle schoolers was “insane”
17:57 - The Pacific Islander community in San Francisco
20:54 - Working with community partners to introduce Pacific Islander youth to rowing
28:22 - Coaching philosophy: "It's just rowing. Let's have fun!"
31:26 - Working to make the Peninsula Community Rowing Club a recognized member of the Tonga Rowing Association
37:47 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Anthony, 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.
.
Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. 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 - /SteadyStateNetworkIG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOarsIG - @AllieswithOars
BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:Rachel Freedman - @RowSourceTara Morgan - @CmonBarber

S6E2: Blind Sculler Kate Lindgren Can See What's Possible

When Kate Lindgren and award-winning coach Peter Forrest met at Peterborough City Rowing Club, it came with more than a few firsts for these two Brits. While they were both self-proclaimed “late onset rowers" – learning to row later in life – neither could have expected the partnership and bond they’ve forged.
Inspired by Kate, whose blindness doesn’t even come close to impeding her rowing in a single, together they are the brains and brawn behind Row the Rhythm, a ground-breaking initiative designed specifically for visually impaired rowers across England.
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro 01:55 - The Huddle04:35 - Rowing Week: 1-1005:45 - A brief history of PCRC’s purpose-built rowing lake07:45 - The Hot Seat Q&A09:16 - Rowing origin stories: Pete needed a knee-friendly sport; walking and cycling no longer “cut the mustard” for Kate13:15 - Kate’s retinitis pigmentosa and learning to feel the stroke 17:00 - Mind mapping your stroke22:35 - Developing the logistics, trust, and respect for a successful blind rower/coach partnership 27:17 - Pete’s philosophy: coach the rower in front of you30:43 - Row the Rhythm, with support from Love Rowing, is bringing rowing to visually impaired athletes across England39:41 - Pete:  British Rowing Inclusive Coach of the Year 2024 40:48 - Advice to clubs on integrating visually impaired athletes 43:36 - Describing the perfect stroke44:24 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Kate and Pete, and get links to the people, clubs, and organizations 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.
.
Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. 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 BY DONATING TO ALLIES WITH OARS: www.steadystatenetwork.com/allieswithoars 
Check out more Steady State Network here: 
FB - /SteadyStateNetworkIG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOarsIG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with Tara at @CmonBarber, and Rachel at @RowSource

S5E6 - How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club

As part of our club spotlight series and in the lead-up to San Diego Crew Classic, we head to California to get to know ZLAC, the oldest women’s rowing club in the world.
Established in 1892, ZLAC's unique structure allows for both competitive and social memberships. You don't have to row. New members are added to generational Crews to bolster cross-program and boathouse interaction and provide personal connections to members in a similar age range for support. As far as we know, ZLAC is unique in this offering. Be prepared to take notes and consider what more your club could do to help build and sustain community.
Through the years, ZLAC programs have produced U.S. National Team members, Olympians, top college rowers, regional racers, and thousands of recreational rowers. The heart of ZLAC’s mission is to support all women and girls through the sport of rowing. 
We're joined by ZLAC's Masters Head Coach Chris Shannon, Athletic Chair Tanya Ferguson, and recent LTR grad Lee Copson.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in02:17 - The Huddle: Get to know Chris, Tanya, and Lee02:54 - Rowing Week05:39 - Hot Seat Q&A09:56 - Chris got just one sculling lesson, then spent months flipping before being invited to a sweep team14:49 - Lee was a social member since high school, and learned to row when she became an empty nester17:38 - Tanya came to rowing after a soccer injury20:52 - A brief look at ZLAC's 130+ year history23:18 - ZLAC’s generational social crews and the bonds they help create among members27:06 - Understanding the inner workings that make ZLAC so special 27:55 - Joining, membership, and programs30:18 - Lee describes San Diego Bay30:59 - ZLAC’s decades-long involvement with San Diego Crew Classic35:14 - Chris, Tanya, and Lee tell us what's ahead in 202441:39 - ZLAC’s Legacy
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To see photos of Chris, Tanya, Lee, and ZLAC founders, 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, Live2Row, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.
 

S4E23 - The Jen Huffman Connection

Jen Huffman gave her son a guilt trip about learning to row. “You would make your great grandpa so happy!” And when your great grandpa is Joe Rantz, 7 seat in the University of Washington crew that took gold at the 1936 Olympics, you learn to row. Jen also took up the challenge and learned to row as an adult, quickly becoming an accomplished masters rower in the Seattle area.
Growing up, Jen didn’t know much about her Grandpa Joe’s rowing history. But late in his life, she found his memorabilia from the crew’s trip to the Berlin Olympics. Jen tells us how a scrapbook she made became the jumping off point for author Daniel James Brown’s now blockbuster book The Boys in the Boat.
Ten years after the book was published, it’s become a George Clooney-directed movie. We talk with Jen about the power of rowing and seeing her grandpa brought to life on the big screen.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro
01:49 - Team huddle: Jen’s rowing bio 
02:13 - Jen’s rowing week rated a 6, and included a “sushi race” in Lake Union in Seattle, WA
05:33 - Hot Seat Q&A
08:34 - Getting to know grandpa Joe
13:18 - Jenn guilt-tripped her son into learning to row, then learned to row herself in 2008
18:24 - Coaching gymnastics, coaching rowing, and taking off your coach’s hat when you’re rowing
25:56 - Jen’s 2023 rowing season
28:45 - The story of The Boys in the Boat book began with a family scrapbook 
34:42 - Being a part of Daniel James Brown’s writing process, and learning about Grandpa Joe chapter by chapter
39:55 - MOHAI exhibit, Joe’s “Amerika” flag, and some Husky Challenger history
43:28 - North Cascades Crew Joe Rantz Boathouse on Lake Stevens
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To see photos of Jen, Joe, and 1936 UW memorabilia, and 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, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.

S4E15 - Indianapolis Rowing Center: From LTR to National Championships

Start your engines! Get to know Indianapolis Rowing Center, host of the 2023 USRowing Masters National Championships. We talk with IRC board President Janet Francis, Masters Head Coach Zach Christopher, and recent LTR grad Lisa Stickley. Developed in the 1980s, the race course at Eagle Creek remains one of the country’s premiere venues, host to PanAm Games, World Rowing Championships, NCAA Championships, and a lot more. Get an inside scoop on Vendors Village, course strategy, and IRC, Indy’s only rowing club.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro/Lead-in02:35 - Welcome and The Huddle05:06 - Rowing week and local tornado07:00 - Hot Seat Q&A12:13 - Rowing origin stories: Zach, Lisa, then Janet17:50 - Rowing into our 80s20:19 - Janet’s role as IRC president, current challenges and plans/ initiatives 24:13 - A local’s perspective on Eagle Creek27:25 - IRC is the only rowing center in Indy, and offers programs for all ages30:41 - Volunteering for Masters Nats31:11 - Recruiting new members33:18 - Rowers sure do love talking about rowing…36:46 - the development of IRC at Eagle Creek for a premiere rowing venue39:55 - committees and community partnerships make big events possible41:37 - Vendor village, the beach where there shall be no swimming, beer garden, and coxswain tosses are approved.43:41 - First Masters Nationals experiences48:51 - IRC Course trade secrets50:44 - Sign off
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To see photos of Janet, Zach, and Lisa, and 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 RowSource, Barb, EB5 Investors, Concept2, and our Patrons.

S4:E13 Midwest Pride: Chicago Rowing Union’s Michael Toutloff

PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL: PART 2We visit Chicago Rowing Union (CRU), the Midwest's only LGBTQ+ rowing organization, and one of just a few such clubs in the world. CRU member and social media manager Michael Toutloff talks with us about the importance of safe spaces and being yourself, finding community and competition on the water, and proudly flying the flag at regattas. 
Listen to Part 1 of our Pride month special – a chat with LGBTQ+ DC Strokes Rowing Club and the Melbourne Argonauts.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Podcast lead-in01:37 - Rachel and Tara banter about Pride month03:30 - Team Huddle: Michael’s bio in 45 seconds04:14 - Tara’s out sick!05:18 - The Hot Seat Q&A09:35 - “Set the wayback machine” - learning to row at Indiana University with tulip blades and wooden shells12:30 - Personal and professional changes led Michael back to rowing after many years off the water17:33 - LGBTQ+ community in Chicago20:10 - Partnering with other LGBTQ+ sports organizations for networking and club growth21:00 - CRU – the only LGBTQ+ rowing club in the midwest – was established in2006 for the Chicago Gay Games22:43 - Comparing experiences at CRU with other rowing clubs, and CRU as a safe space where LGBTQ+ members can be themselves26:07 - Flying the flag of inclusion, and acceptance of the local rowing community30:25 - Supporting DC Strokes’ boycott of the 2022 USRowing Masters National Championship in Florida34:48 - CRU is having a renaissance in 2023
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To see photos of Michael, and 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 Group, Concept2, Live2Row, Barb, EB5 Investors, and our Patrons.
 

S3E10 - Rock City Rowing Builds Community in Arkansas

Rock City Rowing members will tell you that Arkansas is sorely underrated. Located on a beautiful stretch of water in Little Rock, RCR is home to one of just two boathouses in the entire state offering programs for masters and juniors. RCR Head Coach Ted Riedeburg and three masters rowers tell us about bringing rowing back to Little Rock after a long hiatus, and how rowing changed their lives.
GUESTSTed Riedeburg, Head CoachLeslie Cain, novice masters rowerAnne McCormick, masters rowerJulia Watkins, masters rower
TIME STAMPS00:00 Introduction01:45 Rapid Fire Q&A03:58 Rowing Week on a scale of 1-1004:50 Get to know Ted, Julia, Anne, Leslie12:13 Rowing in Little Rock is beautiful and underrated14:00 RCR is one of just two clubs in Arkansas offering juniors and masters16:24 Developing a club by educating the community about rowing18:20 Who’s rowing at RCR and what makes it special?20:35 Leslie, a novice, gives her pitch about why people should row25:00 Anne’s hard worked paid off at Nationals 2021; and the club looks ahead to racing in 202232:21 RCR has big ideas for a potential new multi-purpose boathouse to help connect with the community38:13 RCR seeks to host more juniors events on the Little Maumel River
To see photos of Rock City Rowing, along with 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 our Patrons and Concept2.
 

S3E8 - Coach Brook Yimer: Advocating Inclusion for All

Brook Yimer started coaching as a volunteer in high school. Just six years later he's the program coordinator for STEM to Stern. He’s also Senior Assistant Coach and Youth Lead Coach for Athletes Without Limits, and Assistant Coach at Wakefield High School.
Brook honed his leadership skills as a high school and collegiate rower, which today is clearly represented by his advocacy for – and involvement in – community service. 
 
"I don’t think you have to be part of [a specific] community to do good in that community. I just think it’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure the community is good.” - Coach Brook Yimer
 
TIME STAMPS00:00 - Introduction03:40 - Rapid Fire Q&A04:50 - Rowing Week 1-10: AWL, Serve Your City, life skills, college scholarship aspirations10:56 - When high school program dues were too much for his family, a scholarship helped him get on the water 16:00 - Supportive coaches, rowing tanks, and a new boathouse at Washington College21:35 - High school volunteer coaching with AWL and Serve Your City Youth Program, and new coach lightbulb moments27:35 - How do you know you’re a good coach?31:00 - Community service and leadership33:30 - Has the needle moved on DEI?35:35 - Athletes Without Limits is an example of all-around inclusion: racial, financial, veterans, adaptive youth and masters39:27 - STEM to Stern

S3E6 - Embracing Chaos: Coastal Rowing in New Orleans

Ask most any rower about the perfect rowing conditions and they’ll wax poetic about  glassy calm water and zero wind, when a blade can quietly drop into the water at the catch, release clean, and the boat glides across the surface undisturbed.
But ask a coastal rower about great conditions and the answer will be completely different. It’ll involve navigating waves, executing turns around buoys, and end with a sprinting dive to the finish line on the beach.
We invited John Huppi, Kats Siemens, and Will Kuckro from New Orleans Rowing Club to tell us about The Big Easy – a city with a rowing history that stretches back nearly 200 years – and their vision for the future of coastal rowing in the Gulf South. 
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro and welcome
02:30 - Rapid Fire 
04:22 - Mardi Gras is more important than rowing
07:42 - Recruit by looking outside standard flat water pipeline/training/racing 
11:40 - How Will and Kate as “coastal outsiders” are contributing to NORC’s success
12:30 - With fewer flat water LTWT opportunities, smaller rowers are finding success in coastal 
13:45 - How is coastal different?
16:55 - On-water problem solving and the importance of finesse
21:24 - The thrill of mixed boats and beach sprints
21:24 - The time John was a boat handler for Norwegian Olympians
28:44 - Throw “the perfect stroke” out the window, prepare for chaos
31:30 - What makes a great coastal rowing venue?
34:35 - Hurricane Ida's impact on NORC and training
38:04 - On coaching: helping people overcome challenges
40:39 - Rowers take ownership and redefine rowing training
42:58 - To grow coastal in the Gulf South, NORC is hosting development camps and experiential opportunities, and developing an endurance race on Lake Pontchartrain
44:38 - In a tourist town, coastal touring could thrive
48:58 - Coastal bucket list locations 
52:23 - Turning coastal boats and historic stake races in New Orleans
52:45 - NORC is the only boathouse in the Louisiana with juniors and masters programs
54:40 - LA2028 Olympics: perfect for building audience engagement, race coverage
58:50 - The year ahead at NORC
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