Fanatical DreamHer

Alyssa Cherry did not grow up with one clear dream mapped out in front of her. What she did have was a belief that the world could be better—and that ordinary people could do something to help make it that way. That belief became personal when Alyssa started paying closer attention to her own family's waste. She composted. She carried reusable bottles. She looked for ways to use less and throw awa...

D'on Lauren Edwards once dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina. She started ballet at three years old, fell in love with the art form, and by 17 was preparing for the possibility of moving to New York City and pursuing a professional career. Then her health changed everything. After becoming seriously ill and later being diagnosed with Behcet's disease, severe arthritis and chronic pain mad...

Rachel Neighbors did not grow up dreaming of owning a plant shop. In fact, her mom used to say Rachel did not like dirt as a child. Now, she spends most of her days with dirt underneath her fingernails. That unexpected turn is part of what makes her story so special. After COVID, Rachel and her husband, Len, moved to Williamsburg and found themselves in a season of reset. A Christmas gift—a Cricut...

Long before Amy Oliver opened the doors to E-Bike Alley, she learned what could happen when she stepped into the unknown and trusted herself to figure things out. After graduating from college in 1988, Amy worked three jobs, saved $3,000, and set off alone for four months of travel through Europe. When fear nearly sent her home—and an expired emergency credit card left her running out of money—Amy...

For Samantha Ward, creating allergen-free baked goods was never about asking people to settle for less. After discovering her own gluten sensitivity and navigating food allergies within her family, she began experimenting in the kitchen to create healthier versions of the foods she had always loved—pancakes, muffins, waffles, donuts, cookies, and the comforting recipes that bring families together...

Some dreams begin so early that they become part of who you are. For singer, songwriter, actress, vocal coach, and producer Betsy Hammer , that dream started when she was just three years old. Encouraged by a preschool teacher who recognized her gifts and parents who filled her home with music and unwavering belief, Betsy never questioned whether she belonged in the entertainment world—only how sh...

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....