What does it feel like to survive the unimaginable? Picture this: the 85th floor of the North Tower, the chaos of the first impact, and the desperate journey down countless flights of stairs as the world collapses around you. Billy Forney shares his gripping, deeply personal account of 9/11, filled with moments of terror, resilience, and even unexpected humanity. From navigating through injured survivors and first responders to escaping just as the second tower fell, his story is a raw, unforgettable snapshot of a day that changed everything. Through it all, Billy reflects on how that experience reshaped his life and why sharing it matters now more than ever.

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00:00 - Chuck’s speech at the IPAA Private Capital Conference
02:04 - Chuck and Kenny reminisce about Rice football
06:04 - Chuck’s Christmas party and 9/11
11:58 - First moments after the impact
17:25 - Descending the stairs of the South Tower
21:40 - Descent from the 85th floor
24:39 - Encountering injured individuals
26:50 - Meeting a first responder
29:14 - Ditching the fire extinguisher
30:20 - Encountering a woman on the 19th floor
33:00 - Escaping the South Tower
36:55 - Surviving the South Tower collapse
44:03 - The impact of sharing your story
46:18 - Writing down your personal story
49:07 - Visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
49:40 - Legacy for future generations
52:20 - Life in post-9/11 New York
53:35 - Patrick’s personal story
56:08 - Importance of storytelling
58:05 - Thanks for coming on

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