Sometimes the person steering the boat has the most extraordinary story of all.

In this episode of Charging Ahead, we sit down with legendary coxswain Alan “Woody” Sherman. From a bronze medal at the Paralympics with Team GB to victories at Henley and the Head of the River, Woody has spent a lifetime guiding crews to greatness. Now nearly 80 and still coxing almost every day, he reflects on a life shaped by competition, resilience, and the quiet art of leadership from the stern.

A remarkable story from one of rowing’s true characters.

From the cloud forests of Colombia to the glasshouses of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Oscar’s journey into orchid science is as wild as the flowers he studies.

In this episode, we talk biodiversity, extinction, orchid “cheating,” and why acting now is the only way to protect the next generation. Passionate, funny, and deeply human. This one hits hard.

Charging Ahead with Hamer is a candid, forward-looking podcast about energy, ecosystems, and the decisions shaping our future. We sit down with scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and creators to ask better questions about sustainability, growth, and responsibility. Hear how an ecosystem is like a game of Jenga, how energy policy gets made, and how diamonds are saving lives. It’s unscripted, thoughtful, at times challenging, and grounded in real‑world experience. If you care about the environment, where energy comes from, and how choices are made, this is your seat at the table.

You know Richie for the pieces. The craftsmanship. The moments that end up on the world’s biggest red carpets.

But this episode goes far deeper.

Richie the Jeweler joins Charging Ahead to talk about where his materials come from, why he refuses to look away, and how his work is changing lives thousands of miles from London. This is not about jewelry. It’s about responsibility, impact, and what happens when someone with influence decides to do things differently.

What do seals in the Thames have to do with the UK’s energy future? In this episode, we’re joined by the Liberal Democrats' Sarah Olney for a sharp, fast-moving conversation that cuts through the noise on energy, climate, and politics. From wind, solar, and nuclear power to the real cost of energy facing households today, Sarah offers a rare, behind-the-scenes view from Westminster on where the UK stands, what’s holding progress back, and why this moment matters. Honest, insightful, and quietly optimistic, this episode explores how policy decisions shape everyday life and why investing in renewables now could define the UK’s future for generations.

In this episode, Michael Turner shares his journey from growing up in the Serengeti to a career in development finance and conservation, offering a unique perspective on how sustainable practices can transform energy projects. We dive into his experiences across Africa, focusing on a landmark 100-megawatt wind farm in Kenya that seamlessly integrated renewable energy production with environmental protection. 

Michael discusses the importance of ecosystems, responsible investment, and community engagement, highlighting how conservation offsets and anti-poisoning surveillance became part of the project’s DNA for protecting endangered birds. This conversation also explores the potential for creating a market for ecosystem services—an innovative approach to ensuring long-term sustainability and biodiversity, as well as advocating for broader use of digital media to inspire environmental passion and stewardship in future generations. 

Key Takeaways 

• How finance and ESG principles drive impactful projects 

• The role of community engagement in renewable energy success 

• Why ecosystem services could become the next big market