Owensboro Podcast Celebrates Local Women With Annual Luncheon; Here’s What it Meant to Me

The term "broad" was once used as an insult for a woman who was bold, unique, and challenged the status quo. Becca McQueen-Ruark and Jackie Smith are determined to reclaim the word and showcase those who give it a whole new meaning.

"Interviewing Inspiring Women" is the mission of "The Broad Pod." However, they end up inspiring all of us as well. These two lovely ladies invite local leaders, mothers, small business owners, and just all-around cool gals to chat about their lives. They just wrapped up their second season of shows and here are the incredible broads who joined them:

Denise Jarboe
Suzanne Cecil White
Dr. Andrea Moore
Jill Carrico
Sergeant Whitney Adamson Payne
Laura Chapman
Suzanne Craig
Laurna Strehl
Rebecca Spinks
Elizabeth Williams
Mary-Katherine Maddox
Navji Dixon
Shaina Tinnell
Nicole Nieman
Kirby Green
Dr. Laura Spencer Murphy
Heather Henderson
Jenni Smith
Tatum Nicole Helm
Tricia Ahart
Summer Aldridge
Brittany McKinley
Sara Aud

I was beyond honored when they reached out to me to join them for their second season. Imposter syndrome is real y'all. Like many women, I often think I'm not doing enough or I can't juggle all the responsibilities of a mom, wife, daughter, friend, employee, or any other hat I wear.

Becca and Jackie have a set of questions they ask every guest on their podcast that give us the chance to toot our own horns, and boy do they toot along with us!  Conversations about what we're most proud of, overcoming adversity, mom life, guilty pleasures, and pop culture.

Once the season of shows is complete, the ladies host an award ceremony to thank everyone for joining them and honor each guest with a Broad Pod Superlative. Then one woman is chosen as "Broad of the Year" by a panel of impartial judges who live in other states.

That "Broad of the Year" luncheon was yesterday and it was such an amazing event. Hosted by the rockstars of the Party Space Place and Something Borrowed, the room was filled with positivity, love, and encouragement. Jackie and Becca were absolutely hilarious as they introduced each broad. In preparation for the event, they asked us to share our favorite songs which they played as we came to accept our certificates.

Mine was Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" and DJ Yondell cranked it up as I accepted my award for "The Fireball Broad." It made me feel so special to be with my mom, old friends, new friends, and women I admire. My eyes definitely leaked a little.

Once every woman was recognized and made to feel like a million bucks, the official 2024 "Broad of the Year" was announced. 2023 recipient, the fabulous Tracy Naylor, did the honors. She had no idea who it was as she pulled the folded piece of paper from her pocket.

As she read the description of the winner, she got verklempt as she discovered it was her dear friend, Suzanne Craig. It was heartfelt and very moving. If you'd like to hear why she was chosen, you can listen to her Broad Pod episode here. It's clear what an inspirational woman Suzanne is and this is her year! She was also chosen for the 2024 Girls Inc. Athena Award.

The ladies also have a passion for helping families navigate infertility. They've started a support group and often discuss the topic on their show to bring awareness. The coolest part of the Broad of the Year luncheon was at the end when the ladies announced that the event raised $1,100 to help one of the special broads, Summer Aldridge, on her journey to grow her family.

A thousand thank yous to Jackie and Becca for producing The Broad Pod and giving local women a platform to share their passions. Thank you for truly seeing all of our strengths. Thank you for encouraging us to embrace who we are. Thank you for celebrating what makes each one of us unique. Thank you for your authenticity. Thank you for gathering a tremendous group of powerful women together to join you on this mission to inspire.

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