Mention Texas and you might picture the Wild West — flat, dusty highways, and tumbleweeds rolling by. But head to Austin, tucked into the Hill Country, and you’ll find something different.

Right in the heart of the city flows Lady Bird Lake, a stretch of the Colorado River that has become a daily gathering place for runners, paddlers, and rowers alike. On its banks sits a true Austin institution: Texas Rowing Center.

For owner Matt Knifton, this place isn’t just a business, it’s where his story unfolded. His ties to the lake reach back to the 1980s, and over the decades he’s become not just an owner, but a steward — someone who has quietly shaped the culture of rowing in Austin, protected access to the water, and ensured that this shoreline remains a starting line for generations to come.

In this conversation, we also explore how Matt is thinking about the future — and what thoughtful, sustainable growth looks like for a place so deeply rooted in community.

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro

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To see photos of Matt, Katie, and Daniel,  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 RowSource and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It 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 Open Mind by Soundroll.

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Katie Weber was at home on the soccer field and basketball court. But after a brain cancer diagnosis and multiple surgeries left her balance impaired, the athletic identity she’d always known felt suddenly out of reach.

For years, she searched for a way back.

That path led her to Seattle-based organization Seize the Oar, and to a sport that rewards patience, persistence, and the willingness to keep learning. Rowing didn’t just give Katie a new challenge; it gave her a way to rebuild confidence and independence, and redefine what competition could look like.

Through it all, her husband – Will Bull – has been in her corner as a steady supporter, gym buddy, race-day cheerleader, and self-proclaimed number one fan.

Today, we talk with Katie and Will about resilience, partnership, and what it means to navigate sport — and life — side by side.

If rowing has helped you reconnect with a part of yourself that you'd been missing, this episode's for you.

Katie has partial facial paralysis which does affect her speech. We encourage you to follow along with the episode transcript available below.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro

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To see photos of Katie and Will,  and get links to their socials plus 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 and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It 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 Open Mind by Soundroll.

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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 

CONNECT: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

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Three-time Olympic gold medallist Marnie McBean is one of the most decorated Canadian rowers of all time, and a driving force in our sport’s history. She’s been a mentor and leader for generations of athletes and now she’s also serving her country as a Senator in the Canadian Parliament, bringing that same curiosity, leadership, and commitment to service to national issues. 

Get ready to hear about her early experiences testing on the gjessing erg, what rowing taught her about growth and resilience, and how those lessons shape the work she’s doing now to support Canadian citizens on and off the water.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro

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To see photos of Marnie,  and get links to her socials plus 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 and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It 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 Open Mind by Soundroll.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support 

CONNECT: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

Nicki Plucinski discovered rowing as a teenager in Victoria, Australia. Though “woefully uninformed” going into her first 2k race, Nicki’s effort caught her coach’s attention and that day left a lasting impression. Nearly 30 years later, Nicki has turned that early experience into a mission. She founded Ratio Theory Rowing to give athletes the attention, direction, and information they need to succeed. In this conversation, we explore the rowing lessons that carry into everyday life, the work ethic and mindset behind her coaching, the science that drives her approach, and why self-care is a non-negotiable part of long-term success. 

QUICK LOOK

01:04 - Rowing Week on a scale of 1-10: 7 (back on the water after a long hiatus!)

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To see photos of Nicki,  and get links to her socials plus 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 and our Supporters.

.

Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It 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 Open Mind by Soundroll.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support 

CONNECT: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

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Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

Maurice Scott has been on a personal mission to be a face of positive change in the world of rowing. From beginning with zero Instagram followers, to the 2025 launch of Rowfluencers – what he calls the "#1 Rowing Talent & NIL marketing agency in the World" – Maurice has sought to  uplift the sport as a whole. He's dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of rowing through innovative marketing approaches.

 Rowing is the ultimate team sport, but NGOs often overlook the stories of individual athletes. Taking a piece of the playbook from professional sports like Major League Baseball and Formula 1, Rowfluencers seeks to take the power of individual storytelling and amplify it. 

From the first wave of Rowfluencers, Dani Hansen also joins the conversation, sharing her unique perspective as the most decorated Paralympic rower, and Hydrow on screen athlete.

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Season 7 kickoff!

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To see photos of Maurice and Dani,  and get links to their socials plus 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 and our Supporters.

.

Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It 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 Open Mind by Soundroll.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support 

CONNECT: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

We first met physical therapist Lisa Lowe in fall 2020 when she applied for and received one of our changemaker scholarships that allowed her to attend a US rowing conference. We checked in with her a year and a half later for a season three episode to talk about Lisa's experience with rehab following a car accident.

Today, Lisa is a sought after rowing specialist physical therapist near Boston, and guest author for Science of Rowing. She recently created a course called Keys to Working with Rowers, which is designed to help athletic trainers, strength coaches, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation professionals gain a background knowledge of rowing so that they can be confident in their support of rowers.

In this chat with Lisa, we'll talk high school growing pains, collegiate over training, grumpy ribs and twingy backs, knowing when to take a break, and the importance of having a care team that understands the fundamental movement patterns of the sport you love.

In 2025, the Head of the Charles regatta celebrates 60 years - so we thought it was a perfect opportunity to reflect and look ahead at this event that brings together thousands of rowers and fans to the shores of the Charles River in Boston. We’re incredibly honored to talk with D’Arcy MacMahon, one of three original founders of the regatta AND Fred Schoch, whose tenure as regatta executive director stretched 33 years. We’ve paired these two legends together to explore the vision of the founders and the stewardship of that vision over the last six decades.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome

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To see photos of D'Arcy, Fred, and the Head of the Charles, 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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support 

Check out more Steady State Network here: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

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

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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.

.

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

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

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

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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.

.

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

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

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

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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

FB - /AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts: