PODCAST · sports
Mercantile Radio
by Mercantile Rowing Club
Mercantile Radio features stories, insights and voices from the heart of Rowing, hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Drew Ginn OAM. Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC.
Episodes
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The Courage to Go Solo: Lauren Henry - Episode 54
In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn sits down with Great Britain’s Lauren Henry, fresh from a remarkable World Championships where she became the first British woman to win the World Championship single sculls title. It is a fascinating conversation about racing, resilience, training,...
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Karsten Forsterling: Never, Ever, Ever Give Up - Episode 53
From Olympic heartbreak to World Champion and two-time Olympic medallist. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with Australian Olympian and World Champion Karsten Forsterling for a wide-ranging conversation about persistence, belief, great crews and a remarkable career in...
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Pam Westendorf: The River Is My Happy Place - Episode 52
From Dimboola to Moscow, World Championship silver and a lifetime in rowing. From a country-town beginning in Dimboola to becoming part of the first Australian women’s rowing crew to compete at an Olympic Games, Pam Westendorf’s story spans an extraordinary period in Australian rowing. Pam joins...
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Ed Willes: The Eight - Built Through Failure, Forged for Gold - Episode 51
What does it really take to build an Olympic champion crew? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with Canadian sports journalist and author Ed Willes to explore his book The Eight and the remarkable story of Mike Spracklen, Canada's Men's Eight and the journey that...
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Who Wins in Amsterdam? Noel Donaldson’s Worlds Preview - Episode 50
With the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam approaching, Mercantile Radio welcomes back Noel “Don” Donaldson for a walk along the Yarra with Drew Ginn. From the unique characteristics of Amsterdam’s Bosbaan course to the crews and events that could define the Championships, Don provides...
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The Boat Beside You Becomes the Coach: Scott Rowe - Episode 49
What happens when you swap the podcast studio for a walk along the Yarra? In this return episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM catches up with Scott Rowe for a wide-ranging “walk and talk” about his first season coaching at Mercantile, the club’s European campaign, Henley Royal Regatta,...
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Bobby Thatcher: Building Champions Without Chasing Medals - Episode 48
What does it take to build one of the world's most successful school rowing programs? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn sits down with Bobby Thatcher, Head of Rowing at St Paul's School in London, to explore the philosophy that has produced multiple Henley Royal Regatta victories,...
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Alex Hill: Gold, Grit and More to Give Episode 47
What separates Olympic champions from the rest of the field? According to Alex Hill OAM, it isn't bigger erg scores or harder training, it is clarity. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Olympic Gold Medallist Alex Hill OAM joins Drew Ginn OAM for an insightful conversation about three Olympic...
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Eight Seconds and Nine Months: Teal Cohen on Getting Cut, Getting Strong and Getting Gold - Episode 46
From being cut from the US National Team to becoming a World Champion. Teal Cohen's story is one of resilience, belief and relentless consistency. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Teal shares how one phone call changed her mindset, why consistency beats intensity, and how the USA Women's Four...
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The Boy Who Became an Olympic Coxswain: Neil Hewitt - Episode 45
Some rowing stories define a club. Others define a generation. Neil Hewitt's journey began as a nine-year-old boy at Mercantile Rowing Club, coxing Sunday morning outings with the club's old legends on the Yarra River, Melbourne. It culminated in steering Australia's Men's Eight to an Olympic...
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Andrew Triggs Hodge: Three Gold Medals. One Relentless Mindset - Episode 44
Few athletes redefine themselves as often as Andrew Triggs Hodge. From an unlikely late starter who admits he was never the best athlete growing up, to becoming one of Britain's most decorated rowers with three Olympic Gold Medals and multiple World Championship titles, Andrew's story is one of...
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A Pioneer, an Olympian, a Coach, and the Mother of Olympic Gold, Part 2: Coaching, Parenting & Building the Next Generation with Sue Chapman-Popa - Episode 43
In Part 2 of this special conversation, Sue Chapman-Popa moves from Olympian to coach, mentor and parent, sharing the lessons that helped shape Olympic Gold Medallist Rosie Popa and thousands of athletes who have learned to row on the Yarra. This is a conversation about leadership, trust…
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A Pioneer, an Olympian, a Coach, and the Mother of Olympic Gold with Sue Chapman-Popa - Episode 42, Part 1: Breaking Barriers
Before Australian women stood on Olympic podiums, there were pioneers willing to challenge convention. In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with Olympic bronze medallist Sue Chapman-Popa to revisit one of the defining moments in Australian rowing history: the...
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Martin Cross: Olympic Gold, Henley & A Life in Rowing - Episode 41
Few people have experienced rowing from as many perspectives as Martin Cross. Olympic Champion. World Championship medallist. Coach. Author. Broadcaster. Storyteller. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with one of rowing's most respected voices to explore a lifetime in…
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Five Paralympics, Countless Lessons, One Relentless Pursuit: Erik Horrie - Episode 40
Few athletes embody resilience and longevity quite like Erik Horrie OAM PLY. A five-time Paralympian, multiple World Champion and one of Australia's most successful para-rowers, Erik has spent more than a decade redefining what is possible in elite sport. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Erik...
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Cam Wurf: Three Sports, One Relentless Pursuit - Rowing, the Peloton, and the Hunt for Kona - Episode 39
In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down with one of Australia's most remarkable endurance athletes, Cam Wurf. From representing Australia in the Athens Olympic rowing eight, to riding Grand Tours with some of cycling's biggest names, and now competing at the highest level of Ironman...
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Seville World Cup Review with Drew Ginn, Noel Donaldson and David Colvin - Episode 38
The 2026 international rowing season is officially underway, and what a start it was. Drew Ginn sits down with two of rowing’s most respected voices- Noel Donaldson and David “Chippa” Colvin - to unpack the opening World Cup of the season in Seville, Spain. Returning to the famed course for the...
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Inches Off Gold: Christian Ryan on the Agony of Silver and the Future of Rowing - Episode 37
What does it feel like to execute a race that is 99.9% perfect, only to miss out on Olympic Gold by less than half a second? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Sydney 2000 Silver medalist Christian Ryan to uncover the brutal margins, hidden psychology, and off-water alchemy of...
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The "Melbourne Cup on Water" - The Row to the Henley Royal Regatta - Episode 36
In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Mercantile’s rising young rowers - Gabi Price, Georgie “G” Campbell, and Jake Polkinghorne - ahead of their international campaign. Drawn from Mercs’ youth, U21/U23 and senior squads, the group will race at the Holland Beker before taking on…
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Stay in Your Lane: How Olaf Tufte Built Two Olympic Golds - Episode 35
What does it actually take to survive the most brutal race in the world? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Norway’s most decorated rower, two-time Olympic Single Scull Champion Olaf Tufte. Before he ever touched an oar, Tufte built an unbreakable engine dragging timber on a...
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Breaking the 87-Year Drought - Queensland’s Historic King’s Cup Victory with Randall Martin and John Bowes - Episode 34
In this landmark episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with John Bowes and Randall Martin, the architects behind Queensland’s historic, drought-breaking King’s Cup victory. This is a masterclass in elite coaching, exploring how they navigated 87 years of pressure and a "bloody…
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More Than the Erg: Building Robust Athletes with Kemble Edelsten - Episode 33
We’re joined by legendary Strength and Conditioning coach Kemble Edelsten, the man who has spent over three decades turning schoolboy and schoolgirl rowers into elite level athletes. From the "Coke Can" secret to core stability to why your breathing might be the one thing holding back your erg...
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Stroke of Genius: Unpacking the Marty Aitken Method - Episode 32
What happens when you combine Australian grit with Swiss precision? You get the coaching mastery of Marty Aitken, the man behind one of the greatest Olympic upsets in history. In this episode, we step inside the tactical “war room” of the 1996 Atlanta Games to uncover how Marty coached Zeno…
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Tech Talk with James Tomkins
In this bonus episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down with James Tomkins to unpack what he focused on, thought about, and felt throughout the stroke. This conversation dives into the subtle details that define world-class rowing - from connection and rhythm to efficiency and feel - offering...
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The Power of Faith: Lucy Stephan on Tokyo Gold and the Art of the Call - Episode 31
In this episode, Lucy Stephan trades her Tokyo 2020 gold medal for a coach's whistle, offering a raw and masterfully honest look at the transition. From the "5-4-3-2-1" mental routine she used to conquer the world to the gruelling process of untangling her self-worth from her results, Lucy…
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Mindset and Medals: A Journey with David Crawshay - Episode 30
In this episode Drew Ginn engages in a deep conversation with David Crawshay, an esteemed Australian rower who achieved Olympic glory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. David’s journey exemplifies resilience, mindset, and the essence of doing the simple things exceptionally well. His story serves as...
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The "Anti-Secret" Method: Sharing Our Way to Faster Boats with Ken Davey – Episode 29
In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down with Ken Davey, the founder of Decent Rowing. Recorded in the heart of the Mercantile Rowing Club, this conversation explores the evolution of rowing education, the power of video analysis, and how to bridge the gap between elite coaching and...
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The Architect of the Stroke: Dr. Valery Kleshnev & Drew Ginn on the Science of Speed - Episode 28
What happens when the world’s most renowned biomechanist sits down with one of the greatest technical rowers of all time? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we bridge the gap between the laboratory and the water as we welcome Dr. Valery Kleshnev, Crewlab Founder Simon Hoadley and Drew Ginn OAM...
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From Tassie rivers to Olympic podiums: community, and persistence with Kate Hornsey OLY -Episode 27
From Tassie rivers to Olympic podiums: community, persistence & the love of racing with Kate Hornsey OLY In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM OLY is joined by Tasmanian rowing legend and Olympic medallist Kate Hornsey OLY. This conversation dives deep into Kate’s journey from a...
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The Coach Who Started Over: Nick Bartlett- Episode 26
Nick Bartlett – “The coach who Started Over” There’s a canal in regional Victoria that almost no one knows about. The coach who found it had to lose everything he thought he knew first. In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with Nick Bartlett to discuss the unique challenges and unexpected...
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Switching On- David 'Chipper' Colvin on Average Speed, Elite Focus and the ‘92 8+- Episode 25
Switching On: David “Chipper” Colvin on Average Speed, Elite Focus, and the '92 Eight Chipper’s journey spans decades of elite rowing history, from steering the Oarsome Foursome through their legendary 1990 unbeaten domestic season to the Barcelona Olympics and a hard-fought bronze at the 1997...
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The Architecture of Trust: War Zones, Collingwood and 200km Rows:Reg Crawford- Episode 24
Reg Crawford- The Architecture of Trust: War Zones, Collingwood, and 200km Rows In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with his long-time collaborator and friend, Reg Crawford. From the high-stakes environments of SAS operations to the high-performance culture of the Collingwood Football…
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The Mechanics of Dominance with New Zealand Legend: Eric Murray- Episode 23
Episode 23 The Mechanics of Dominance with New Zealand Legend Eric Murray CNZM In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with New Zealand rowing royalty, Eric Murray CNZM. We dive deep into the journey of the "Kiwi Pair," the transition from the disappointment of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to...
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High Performance Isn’t Loud- It’s Harmonic: Lessons from Nick Green, Oarsome Foursome- Episode 22
High Performance Isn’t Loud - It’s Harmonic: Lessons from Nick Green and the Oarsome Foursome. Who is Nick Green OAM OLY? Nick Green OAM OLY was a member of the "Oarsome Foursome" from 1990 to 1996. The ‘Oarsome foursome” was one of the most dominant crews in history, having won almost every…
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A Conversation with GB Strength and Conditioning Specialist: Alex Wolf- Episode 21
A conversation with GB Strength and Conditioning specialist Alex Wolf Who is Alex Wolf? Former Head of Strength and Conditioning for English Institute of Sport and consultant to various Rowing National Teams. Why is this conversation important? Rethinking Rowing Techniques -Knee vs. Hip Dominance...
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Insights from Hayley Verbunt: Australian Team Coxswain- Episode 20
Insights from Hayley Verbunt, Australian National Team Coxswain Ever wondered what it takes to guide a crew to victory from the coxswain seat? Hayley Verbunt, a national team athlete, recently shared her fascinating journey and expertise on Mercantile Radio, offering a rare glimpse into the art…
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Behind the Scenes of Rowing Excellence: A Conversation with Andrew Guerin OAM - Episode 19
Behind the Scenes of Rowing Excellence: A Conversation with Andrew Guerin OAM What does it take to transform a team, manage coaches, and create an environment where athletes can thrive? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn had the privilege of sitting down with Andrew (Andy) Guerin OAM…
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Inside the Mindset of a National Team Athlete: Paige Barr’s Journey to LA- Episode 18
Inside the Mind of a National Team Athlete: Paige Barr's Journey to LA 2028 What does it take to compete at the highest level in rowing while staying grounded and inspired? Paige Barr, a current member of the Australian Rowing Team, shared her journey, insights, and aspirations on the latest...
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The Naivety to Begin: Cameron McKenzie-McHarg on Beijing Gold and the creation of 776BC- Episode 17
Cameron McKenzie-McHarg, CEO and Founder 776BC and Olympic Gold Medalist In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn sits down with Cameron McKenzie-McHarg, Olympic rower and co-founder of 776 BC, for a wide-ranging, wonderfully honest and passionate conversation. Who is Cameron…
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From Olympic Medals to Coaching Success: Paul Reedy- Episode 16
Paul Reedy From Olympic Medals to Coaching Success An Olympic journey from 1984 in Los Angeles to 2012 London and 16 Rio the journey and insights are World Class. Drew Ginn and Paul Reedy dive deep into the world of rowing as an accomplished athlete and coach! In this episode of Mercantile Radio,...
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The Douglas Dynasty: On Olympic Legacies and the art of being Rowing Parent-Episode 15
Who is David, Gina and Rob Douglas? The conversation features three generations of the prominent Australian rowing family, the Douglas': David Douglas: Olympic Silver Medalist (Mexico, 1968). Gina Douglas: Olympic Finalist (Sydney, 2000 & Atlanta 1996), former U19 World Record Holder (Ergo). Rob...
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The Fight for the Eight: Robyn Selby-Smith on Resilience, Redemption and Rediscovery- Episode 14
Robyn Selby-Smith OLY In this episode, we sit down with Robyn to explore her journey from being an elite rower focused solely on the Olympics and World Championships to rediscovering the vibrant community surrounding masters rowing. We delve into her reflections on a career highlight at the...
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Breaking the Unbreakable: Josh Dunkley-Smith on Breaking the World Record- Episode 13
Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Josh Dunkley-Smith, a world-class rower and former teammate of Host Drew Ginn. Discover how he conquered the 2K ergo challenge and set his sights on breaking a world record with unwavering confidence. In this episode, Josh shares insights from his...
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Sitting in the Discomfort: Grace Brown on the Mental Game of Gold- Episode 12
Who is Grace Brown? Grace Brown is an Australian elite professional cyclist, known primarily as a world-class Time Trial (TT) specialist. Her major achievements include: • 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist (Time Trial) • World Champion (Time Trial) Grace came to professional cycling relatively late,...
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The Game Changer: Peter Antonie - Episode 11
Who is Peter Antonie? Peter Antonie is celebrated as one of Australia’s most durable and versatile rowers, with a career spanning three decades including World Championship Medals as a lightweight and an Olympic Gold in Barcelona in the Men’s Heavy weight double scull. Peter Antonie has been...
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Precision over Power: Emmie Frederico on Technique, Timing and the catch - Episode 10
Who is Emmie Frederico? Emmie Frederico, a rower with deep family connection to Mercantile Rowing Club, has achieved success through hard work and a commitment to technical precision over raw power. Her journey, shaped significantly by a challenging yet rewarding transfer to Syracuse University…
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The Patron and the Pro: Breakfast with Sean Colgan - Episode 9
Sean Colgan – Colgan Foundation and Patron of Mercantile In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down for breakfast with one of rowing’s great characters and most generous supporters, Sean Colgan. Recorded in a bustling Melbourne café on the eve of the Head of the Yarra, this conversation…
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The Architect of Culture: Mark Fangen-Hall on Building Winning Environments- Episode 7
Mark Fangen-Hall - Head Coach Oxford University Boat Club In this episode Drew Ginn OAM OLY talks to Mark Fangen-Hall Head Coach Oxford University Boat Club Head Coach. Mark talks through his experiences in Australia and delves into the mechanics and experiences at the Boat Race, 2025. Who is…
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Melbourne, Princeton, Oxford, The Global Oarswoman with Annie Anezakis- Episode 6
Annie Anezakis from Melbourne to Princeton to Oxford Who is Annie Anezakis? Annie Anezakis was drawn to Rowing at St Catherine’s School through learning to row to becoming a National Champion. She was determined to forge a path through opportunities in the US and was fortunate to be offered a…
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Physio to the Stars; Andrew Fooks- Episode 6
Who is Andrew Fooks? Andrew Fooks is the Director and Sports Physiotherapist at Renew Physiotherapy. Andrew has been a physio with the Australian Rowing team since 2012, Kookaburras Men’s Hockey Team since 2008 as well as the Victorian Institute of Sport from 2006. Andrew’s philosophy in treating...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mercantile Radio features stories, insights and voices from the heart of Rowing, hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Drew Ginn OAM. Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC.
HOSTED BY
Mercantile Rowing Club
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mercantile Radio have?
Mercantile Radio currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mercantile Radio about?
Mercantile Radio features stories, insights and voices from the heart of Rowing, hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Drew Ginn OAM. Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC.
How often does Mercantile Radio release new episodes?
Mercantile Radio has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mercantile Radio?
You can listen to Mercantile Radio on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mercantile Radio?
Mercantile Radio is created and hosted by Mercantile Rowing Club.
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