Meet Shannon Bumgarner, Host of the Empowering Women Podcast, in Greenville, SC on July 9

Behind every powerful conversation on the Empowering Women Podcast is a leader who believes in showing up authentically, leading with heart, and helping others ignite the fire within themselves.

This July, attendees in Greenville, South Carolina will have the opportunity to meet the host in person and experience the same warmth, encouragement, and real-life inspiration that listeners have come to love through the podcast.

At the center of her message is one simple but powerful mantra:

Lead human. Ignite your fire within.

It is a philosophy woven into every conversation, every interview, and every connection she makes.

A proud engineer and advocate for women in STEM and industry, she credits much of her journey to the people who believed in her early on. Her father encouraged her to pursue engineering, opening doors she may never have walked through otherwise. Her mother remains her hero, a steady source of strength, support, and love. And her closest friends and STEM community continue to remind her that no one succeeds alone.

When she is not hosting conversations that inspire women to lead boldly, she enjoys the simple moments that matter most. Spending time with her mom has become especially meaningful after losing her father unexpectedly, a life experience that deepened her appreciation for everyday moments and human connection.

She also believes joy matters. Whether it is dancing, strength training, laughing at funny animal videos online, or sharing a great meal with a close friend, she embraces life fully and encourages others to do the same.

And yes, she proudly admits she is one of “those pumpkin spice people.” The countdown to the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks begins long before fall arrives.

Her favorite comfort foods and treats reflect her fun and relatable personality. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids, tiramisu, apple pie, chicken parmesan, buffalo chicken anything, and late-night popcorn all make the list.

But beyond the fun facts is a woman deeply committed to growth, leadership, and helping others step confidently into their purpose.

Some of the books that have shaped her perspective include To Kill a Mockingbird, The Alchemist, The Gifts of Imperfection, and Leaders Eat Last.

She also draws inspiration from thought leaders like Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, Stacey Abrams, Mary Claire Haver, Vonda Wright, and Jayne Morgan.

Her outlook on leadership and life can be summed up through a few favorite quotes:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown

If you are attending the event in Greenville on July 9, make time to connect with the host of the Empowering Women Podcast. Come ready for meaningful conversations, authentic leadership, encouragement, and perhaps even a discussion about pumpkin spice season arriving a little too early.

Most importantly, come ready to be reminded that leadership starts by being fully human.