Australian Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross athlete Merle Long chats to Andrea and Shane about being born into a paddling family in the USA, his background as an EMT and wilderness first aid trainer, how a Sydney flood led to him making Australia his home, and his experience transitioning from a junior and U23 athlete to the senior team in 2026.

Merle talks about his race prep and mindset, his offseason training routine and the realities of spending months overseas for the European racing season.

He also shares what the Olympic qualification process involves and his hopes for the 2028 LA Olympic Games, where the Kayak Cross event will be held in Oklahoma City, only a couple of thousand miles from his birthplace in Idaho.

Connect with Merle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merle-long-34a372391/ | @merle_kayaks More from Aintree Group: https://aintreegroup.com.au/

Megan Dickinson from The Live Life Whole Project sits down with Shane and Andrea to talk about the work she and her business partner, Sarah Roughhead, are doing to improve health and wellness education for young women across Australia.

Drawing on her own health journey and the experiences she witnessed throughout her career as a physiotherapist, Megan (Meg) shares the story behind The Live Life Whole Project, the country’s only female-specific, evidence-informed health education platform.

The program has grown to reach more than 27,000 girls across Australia, with a new online platform giving teachers greater access to health and wellness resources launching officially in Term 1 2027.

Find out more about The Live Life Whole Project: https://thelivelifewholeproject.com.au Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion about mental health challenges and disordered eating. Please take care while listening and reach out for support if needed. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ https://www.lifeline.org.au/ https://butterfly.org.au/

The Changing World of Recruitment with Tarryn Hogan

In this episode of Q&A with S&A, Andrea and Shane sit down with Tarryn Hogan, Director & Principal Consultant at Rae Recruitment, to discuss the realities of recruitment from both sides of the hiring process.

Tarryn shares her journey from falling into recruitment to building her own business specialising in professional services, and explains what it takes to build trust with clients and candidates in an industry where relationships matter.

The conversation covers the ongoing shortage of talent in accounting and professional services, how businesses can attract the right people, and why finding the right cultural fit can be just as important as technical skills. Tarryn also shares practical advice for candidates, including how to improve your CV, approach interviews, work with recruiters, and make your experience stand out.

Andrea, Shane and Tarryn also explore the impact of AI on recruitment, the changing expectations around working from home, the challenges of running a business, and why Tarryn believes recruitment will always be fundamentally a people business.

Whether you're an employer looking to hire, a candidate considering your next move, or simply interested in the changing world of work, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone working at the coalface of recruitment.

Check out Rae Recruitment:

https://au.linkedin.com/company/rae-recruitment

Get in touch with Tarryn:

https://au.linkedin.com/in/tarryn-hogan-public-practice

General Advice Disclaimer:

The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or other professional advice. Before making any financial or business decisions, you should seek advice from a qualified professional who considers your personal circumstances. Aintree Group and its representatives disclaim all liability arising from reliance on the information contained in this episode.

Family Business & Healthcare Law with Julian Whitehead

In this episode of Q&A with S&A, Andrea and Shane sit down with one of the newest additions to the Aintree Group Legal team, Julian Whitehead, to explore the journey that led him from a family-run law practice to becoming a Director at Aintree Group Legal.

Julian shares the unique experience of spending more than a decade working alongside his mother Clair at the legal firm she founded, the evolution of Whitehead Legal and how a chance introduction to media law sparked a career that would ultimately see him become a trusted advisor to healthcare professionals across Australia.

From growing a specialist legal practice servicing dentists, veterinarians and healthcare businesses, to building a presence in Sydney and navigating the challenges of running a boutique firm, Julian reflects on the lessons, opportunities and relationships that shaped his career.

The conversation also explores the realities of family business, the importance of professional support networks, the future of legal services, and what ultimately made joining Aintree Group Legal the right next step for both Julian and his clients.

Whether you're a business owner, professional advisor, or someone interested in the human side of building a successful practice, this episode offers valuable insights into growth, succession, leadership, and the power of finding the right team.

Connect with Aintree Group:

https://www.aintreegroup.com.au

Connect with Aintree Group Legal:

https://www.aintreegroup.com.au/legal

Connect with Julian Whitehead:

https://au.linkedin.com/in/julian-whitehead-5a501256

General Advice Disclaimer:

The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial or professional advice. You should seek advice tailored to your personal circumstances before making any decisions.

Building Better Leaders Through Authenticity with Tracey Waring

What does it take to build a successful career, lead with authenticity, and know when it's time to reinvent yourself?

In this episode of Q&A with S&A, Andrea and Shane sit down with Tracey Waring, former EY Partner, leadership mentor, and keynote speaker. After a 32-year career at one of the world's largest professional services firms, Tracy shares the lessons she's learned about leadership, personal growth, career evolution, and the power of genuine human connection.

Growing up on a farm in rural Victoria before becoming a global leader at EY, Tracey's journey is filled with insights on resilience, self-awareness, mentoring others, and navigating change. She discusses why careers are no longer linear, the importance of curiosity in an AI-driven world, and how authentic leadership can help individuals and organisations thrive.

Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, or considering your own next chapter, this episode offers practical wisdom and shows that building a meaningful career and life is only one conversation away.

Connect with Tracey Waring:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceywaring

Website:

https://traceywaring.com.au

Tracey's newsletter 'One Conversation Away':

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/one-conversation-away-7444275804303306754/

General Advice Disclaimer:

The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or other professional advice. Before making any financial or business decisions, you should seek advice from a qualified professional who considers your personal circumstances. Aintree Group and its representatives disclaim all liability arising from reliance on the information contained in this episode.

Building a Family for Australia's Most Vulnerable Youth with Susan Barton (OAM)

Susan Barton (OAM) is the founder of Lighthouse Foundation and one of Australia's most respected advocates for children and young people experiencing homelessness.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Q&A with S&A, Andrea and Shane sit down with Susan to discuss the remarkable journey that led her to establish Lighthouse Foundation more than 35 years ago. From a life-changing experience in Sri Lanka that reshaped her perspective forever, to building an organisation that has helped more than 1,500 young people find safety, stability and belonging, Susan shares the story behind one of Australia's most impactful charitable organisations.

The conversation explores the realities of youth homelessness, the importance of relationships over transactions, and why community involvement is critical in helping vulnerable young people not just survive, but thrive. Susan also shares inspiring stories of resilience, hope and transformation, highlighting the profound difference that even the smallest acts of kindness can make.

Whether you're passionate about creating positive change, interested in the challenges facing young Australians, or simply looking to hear an extraordinary story of compassion and purpose, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

To learn more about Lighthouse Foundation or to get involved, visit:

https://lighthousefoundation.org.au/

Content Warning:

This episode contains discussions relating to homelessness, family violence, child abuse, trauma, foster care, and mental health. Some listeners may find these themes distressing. Please take care while listening and seek support if needed.

If you or someone you know requires support, the following services are available in Australia:

Lifeline Australia (24/7 Crisis Support)

13 11 14

https://www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for young people aged 5–25)

1800 55 1800

https://kidshelpline.com.au

1800RESPECT (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Support)

1800 737 732

https://www.1800respect.org.au

Homelessness Australia

https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au

Lighthouse Foundation

https://lighthousefoundation.org.au

The Future of IT & Business Technology with Matt Sutherland

Technology is evolving at an incredible pace, but how can business owners keep up without getting left behind?

In this episode of Q&A with S&A, Andrea and Shane sit down with Matt Sutherland, Founder and Managing Director of QAMBA, to unpack what today's rapidly changing technology landscape means for small and medium-sized businesses.

From managed IT and cyber security to AI tools, Microsoft vs Google, cloud technology and the rise of AI agents, Matt shares practical insights into where businesses should focus their time, money and attention. The conversation also explores how the right technology partner can help businesses make smarter decisions, reduce risk and embrace innovation without feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you're just starting your business or looking to modernise the way your team works, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make more confident technology decisions.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of business technology, AI, and building systems that support sustainable business growth.

Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/it-support-melbourne/

Check out QAMBA: https://qamba.com.au/

General Advice Disclaimer:

The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or other professional advice. Before making any financial or business decisions, you should seek advice from a qualified professional who considers your personal circumstances. Aintree Group and its representatives disclaim all liability arising from reliance on the information contained in this episode.

Creating Connections That Matter with Chelsea Scarlett

This week on Q&A with S&A, the tables are turned as Aintree Group's Marketing & Communications Manager, Chelsea Scarlett, steps out from behind the camera and into the guest chair.

Having spent nearly a decade helping shape Aintree Group's brand, communications, events, podcasts, websites, social media presence, and client engagement strategies, Chelsea shares her journey from a part-time marketing coordinator to leading a growing marketing team within one of Melbourne's fastest-growing professional services firms.

Chelsea shares her insights on how marketing has evolved over the past decade, why social media is essential for modern businesses, the importance of authentic personal branding, and how businesses can connect with both clients and future team members through effective communication.

Chelsea also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of marketing in professional services, the career lessons she's learned along the way, and how a chance encounter with Bollywood dance classes sparked a passion that has become a defining part of her life outside the office.

Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes in a growing business, this episode offers valuable insights into communication, adaptability, and the building of meaningful connections.

Find out more about Aintree Group:

Website: https://aintreegroup.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aintreegroup/

Find out more about Bindaas Bollywood:

Website: https://bindaasbollywood.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bindaasbollywood_dancecompany/

General Advice Disclaimer:

The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or other professional advice. Before making any financial or business decisions, you should seek advice from a qualified professional who considers your personal circumstances. Aintree Group and its representatives disclaim all liability arising from reliance on the information contained in this episode.