Fanatical DreamHer

Ali Schlichter was eight years old when she was already making fresh pesto for her brother as a snack. Food was never just a job for her. It became the place where she learned, worked, created, pushed herself, and eventually built a career that touched nearly every corner of the kitchen—from pastry and butchery to dishwashing and leadership. But after years in the food industry, Ali reached a brea...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp welcomes Jessica Anderson , Delegate for Virginia's 71st House District, for an honest conversation about resilience, public service, and the courage to keep pursuing your dreams—even after experiencing disappointment. Jessica shares how growing up with a resilient single mother shaped her outlook on life, how becoming a single pare...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Dr. Hanh Phi , founder of Nouvelle Dentistry in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Known for her patient-centered approach, commitment to comfort and education, and award-winning practice, Dr. Phi shares the journey that led her from a curious student exploring multiple career paths to becoming a respected leader in dentist...

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with poet and author M. Rowan Nowak , whose books We Choose Repair and The Ritual of Living explore healing, identity, grief, growth, and the quiet courage of becoming yourself. Meredith shares how poetry first entered her life after 9/11, when she wrote her first poem in fourth grade as a way to proc...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Kristina Hughes , founder of Frame Your Feline , to talk about entrepreneurship, creativity, resilience, and the power of reinvention. Kristina shares her incredible journey from actress, comedian, and pageant competitor to becoming a successful serial entrepreneur. Alongside her husband Brian, she created Frame Your...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Caitlin Brozna-Smith , founder of Bella Diva World Dance in Denver, Colorado—a thriving dance studio built on culture, connection, and community. Caitlin shares her journey from a young girl choreographing dances in her imagination to traveling the world and discovering a deep passion for international dance. What beg...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Dr. Camilla Buchanan , a trailblazing OB-GYN, championship cyclist, and lifelong learner whose journey is anything but traditional. From starting her career as a school teacher to becoming one of the first women with children admitted to medical school, Dr. Buchanan shares how her path into medicine was not planned—bu...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , April Kemp sits down with sisters Jessica and Presley Warman—members of the Warman Trio and creators of Her Timeless Life . Together, they share how their love for vintage fashion, music, and personal growth evolved into a rapidly growing brand that is inspiring women across the world. From performing high-energy 1950s and 60s music across the coun...

In this powerful episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Dr. Jennifer Grandis , a world-renowned physician, researcher, and author, to explore what it truly means to pursue your dream in high-stakes, high-impact environments. Dr. Grandis shares her journey through the demanding world of medicine, where she rose to leadership positions while navigating challenges, self-doubt,...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp welcomes Ellen Cochrane , author of the debut novel Follow the Water . The book tells the remarkable true story of Juliane Koepcke , a 17-year-old who survived a mid-air plane breakup over the Peruvian Amazon and walked for 11 days through the jungle to safety . Ellen shares the fascinating journey that led her to write this powerfu...

In this beautiful and inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Brooke Gagnier , the self-taught floral artist and owner of Stem & Thistle Floral in Northern Virginia. Brooke shares the powerful story of how she launched her floral design business at 43 years old , proving that it's never too late to follow a creative dream. What began as arranging flowers for friend...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Abby Steele , owner of the historic Co-Ed Cinema in Brevard, North Carolina. At just 19 years old, Abby made a bold decision — she purchased the very movie theater she had worked at as a teenager. What began as a part-time job at 17 became a full-blown entrepreneurial leap that would challenge her leadership, resilien...

In this energizing and joy-filled episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Naomi Brown , founder and CEO of Nest New Interiors in Longmont, Colorado. After spending over 20 years in corporate and small business roles—ranging from marketing and PR to sales and global product management—Naomi made what April calls "the jump." She left her corporate career behind to fully pursue...

In this vibrant and deeply inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Jel Mojana , founder of Mojana Soaps , a clean beauty brand based in Huntsville, Alabama that's turning heads nationwide—including at a major New York City holiday market. Jel shares her powerful journey from struggling with severe eczema and sensitive skin to formulating her own organic soaps durin...

In this deeply powerful and inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Tina Holt —author of Green Bananas , regional vice president in real estate, coach, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Tina shares her extraordinary life journey, from growing up as the caretaker of an alcoholic parent to building a highly successful career in real estate leadership. With raw hon...

In this remarkable and deeply moving episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Joni Stevens , a woman whose career placed her at the very heart of American history. Joni served at the White House for over 25 years , beginning just ten days after the Watergate break-in in 1972 and continuing through multiple administrations—from President Nixon through President Clinton . From...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Stephanie Kannady at the Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia—a destination often described as nothing short of magical. Stephanie shares her journey through the hospitality industry, from discovering her passion for service in her early twenties to helping build one of the most celebrated boutique hotel experiences...

In this inspiring and full-circle episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp welcomes Jennifer Bushong , CEO of JBE Marketing Group and founder of Inspire Northwest , to share a powerful story decades in the making. From her early career in corporate sales and media to executive leadership roles, festival production, arena management, and ultimately launching her own marketing firm, Jennifer'...

In this vibrant and deeply inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with CC Chu , founder and owner of The Bean Flower in Durham, North Carolina — a beloved community space known for its authentic Asian desserts, cultural representation, and heart-centered leadership. Born and raised in Durham, CC's journey is one of coming home — culturally, creatively, and personally....

In this deeply moving and powerful episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Marissa Collins , Executive Director of Cancer Support Community Central Washington , to share a story of resilience, courage, and choosing purpose in the face of life's hardest moments. At just 31 years old, Marissa was newly married, starting a new job, and building her marketing career when a self-...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Jan Marry , former Virginia Librarian of the Year turned cozy mystery author. Jan's debut novel, Sweet Tea and ANZAC Biscuits , is charming readers with its warmth, humor, and small-town Southern–New Zealand flair, but the journey to publication was anything but simple. From stapling together homemade stories as a chi...

In this powerful and emotional episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with coastal artist Paula Freeman , whose journey from longtime art teacher to thriving full-time artist is a testament to courage, reinvention, and trusting your gut. After twenty years of teaching, raising three children in two years, and giving everything she had to her students, Paula reached a breaking po...

In this powerful and soulful episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with artist Jlyn Henderson , whose striking portraits of women—long necks, wild hair, forward-facing eyes—captivate viewers with their emotion, mystery, and truth. Jlyn didn't pursue art professionally until retirement, when she finally chose to "be brave" and step fully into her creative identity. Her work is d...

In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer , host April Kemp sits down with Vera Duncan , a remarkable young woman whose leadership journey began at just eight years old. Now a college freshman at William & Mary and a 2024 recipient of the elite U.S. Army National Scholarship, Vera shares her story of discipline, humility, resilience, and purpose. From watching her father land a Black Hawk he...

For our 50th milestone episode , Fanatical DreamHer celebrates with a woman who embodies heart, grit, and authenticity: Dawn Hart , founder and owner of Village Sweet Bakery in Arlington, Virginia. Dawn's journey began with decorated sugar cookies at home and grew—step by step, recipe by recipe—into a beloved brick-and-mortar bakery celebrating its 10-year anniversary. In this deeply inspiring con...