EP1 Why We're Telling Her Story (And Why You Should Listen)

There are stories happening all around you. In the coffee shop, in the board room, in the carpool line. Women who built something, survived something, started something, lost something and kept going anyway. Most of those stories never make it past a quick handshake and a business card exchange. That changes now. HerStory is a limited podcast series from Chamber Fayetteville and Be Freaking Awesome, hosted by Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford. Each episode features a different woman from the Fayetteville community, sharing the real version of her story. Not the polished version. The actual one, with the pivots and the hard seasons and the moments she almost didn't make it to the room she was born to be in. We're doing this as a lead-up to Chamber Fayetteville's Women of All Generations event on June 16, 2026 at Fayetteville Town Center, and every episode is an invitation to show up for that day. In this first episode, Sami and Angela introduce the show, share why women's stories matter more than ever, and give you a peek behind the curtain at what's coming. In this episode, we get into: Why Fayetteville's women deserve their own spotlight (and what makes this community different) The real reason we wanted to tell her story instead of just showing up at an event Why this podcast is for everyone, not just women What surprised Sami after already sitting down with several guests How shared stories create shortcuts to real connection in a room full of strangers Angela talks about what it was like to be a young woman buying a software company in the early 2000s, operating at the intersection of two very male-dominated industries, and what that experience taught her about who gets heard and who doesn't. Sami reflects on growing up in Fayetteville, trying to leave (the part where she found out 'anywhere but here' doesn't have a college application is a little too relatable), and what Leadership Fayetteville taught her about a city she thought she already knew everything about. What you'll walk away from this episode with is simple: a reason to hit subscribe and a reason to show up on June 16. These aren't just stories. They're the conversations that make a room feel less like networking and more like belonging. And we can't wait to show you what that looks like. Grab your tickets and find out everything about the Women of All Generations event at fayettevillear.com/woag. New episodes drop regularly between now and June, and you don't want to miss a single one. Mentioned in this episode: Women of All Generations event: fayettevillear.com/woag Chamber Fayetteville: fayettevillear.com Be Freaking Awesome podcast: bfreakingawesome.com Leadership Fayetteville (Chamber program) Mentioned in this episode: Women of All Generations | June 16, 2026 The Women of All Generations event is almost here. Join us June 16, 2026 from 3 to 6 PM at the Fayetteville Town Center for an afternoon of real conversation, connection, and celebration. Tickets and sponsorships are available now. You belong in that room. Grab your spot at fayettevillear.com/woag.