When you think you've finished as the 1st runner up, but 5 days later you find out you actually won - Now THAT'S a pageant story to remember!  And on today's Pageant Junkies Podcast, Tori Cowen, Miss Florida 2014, tells her side of the story and what she was thinking when she realized she would be going to Miss America.

Today's interview with Miss Florida 2015 Mary Katherine Fechtel, is the perfect way to kick off Miss America week... Mary Katherine talks about fighting to keep her non-traditional platform, having a sister who's also successful in pageants, and how a trip to Germany helped her prepare for the title of Miss Florida! Plus, we finally put the whole "sharpie thief" thing to bed... In today's Pageant Junkies Podcast...

Whew! Thanks for your patience - Here's our full summary of our experience from Miss America 2017! Inside today's episode you'll hear LOTS of name dropping taking place - and there's also a special announcement at the end for all of you die-hard Junkies out there... :)

OK - tough question here... Do you love your state organization enough to remain involved even after your competition days are over?  Deidre Miller did!  And now, this 20-something finds herself as the Co-Executive Director of the Miss Idaho Organization!  How did it happen?  Spoiler Alert:  She Asked - LOL! :)  Just goes to prove you don't have to win in order to make a big difference!  Hear her whole story on today's Pageant Junkies Podcast...

You think you're competitive?  Zoey Grenier was a highly decorated, international ski racer, before an injury forced her to consider other options for college.  Crazy, because that's when her pageant journey first began!  And although pageants may not have been Zoey's first choice, she knew they would push her to become a better version of herself.  Zoey is driven and her perspective is fascinating... Hear for yourself on today's Pageant Junkies Podcast.

For our 100th podcast, we're crazy, over-the-moon excited to talk to Katie Stam Irk, Miss America 2009!  In today's special episode, learn why Katie has never even seen her own Miss America preliminary performance  - and discover how she felt being on the judge's panel that selected Mallory Hagan!  Katie is the real deal... And the perfect pick for a centennial celebration of the Pageant Junkies 100th podcast.  ENJOY!!! :)

After listening to this interview again, I'm reminded that a successful pageant career is all about the right perspective. Oh - and it helps to have a meddling brother too :)  Enjoy the "1st RU Podcast" - aka, the 2nd most popular podcast in Pageant Junkies history - from none other than Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011...

She’s short, she has an unusual platform and a non-traditional talent. And despite all of this – Miss Oklahoma 2011, Betty Thompson went on to finish as the 1st Runner Up at Miss America 2012! And in today’s podcast, you’ll hear what she told Laura Kaeppeler when they were the last two ladies holding hands, standing on-stage… Plus, Betty talks about what she wishes she would’ve known before starting her own pageant journey on today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast…

Allyn Rose became a media sensation for being a pageant contestant who voluntarily chose to have a double mastectomy.  In today's podcast, Allyn talks about her decision to remove both her breasts, the scrutiny she endured after her announcement, and what her life is like post-surgery.  This podcast is eye-opening and well worth your time over this Thanksgiving weekend. :)

Today we continue our "Pageant Junkies Top 12 Podcasts of All Time" - Coming in at #11, and originally published on February 26th, 2015 - it's Miss Arkansas 2014 and 2nd Runner Up at Miss America - Ashton Campbell!

She tells us she hasn’t even seen her own Miss America interview yet – but in today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast, it’s easy to see why Ashton Campbell, Miss Arkansas 2014 was named the 2nd Runner Up at Miss America. We see “Purpose” and “Gratitude” all over her – and those 2 characteristics make a winner every time. Enjoy!

It's pretty rare to hold state titles in both the Miss America and Miss USA systems... And after you win one title and you decide to try for a second, Candice Bennatt says, "It's like putting your head in the lion's den..." lol!  But Candice is no dummy - she's currently a law student in Louisiana - And in today's podcast, she talks candidly about what each system taught her during her incredible pageant journey.  Enjoy!

Even though she was Miss America 2011, she’s STILL under the age limit to compete today! And during today’s podcast, Teresa Scanlan opens up about her age – and the significant challenges she faced as a 17 year old Miss America – on the 3rd most popular podcast in Pageant Junkies History…

Today – We chat with none other than Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan!!! Teresa generously shares her whole pageant story… The good, the bad, and the ugly! But besides her amazing journey to the crown, Teresa also offers some excellent advice to pageant contestants today – the kind of advice that could change the entire Miss America Organization – if we let it. We hope you love this special edition of the Pageant Junkies Podcast!

PS - Because we are re-airing this episode, I'm afraid we couldn't remove the message at the beginning of the interview - which is no longer available... My apologies Junkies!

Coming in at #10 on our list of the Pageant Junkies "Top 12 Podcasts of All Time" is Miss South Carolina 2011, Bree Boyce! Originally released on July 7th, 2015, Bree's interview is super eye-opening, and her Top 12 finish at Miss America is something Junkies will never forget...

Today, Bree Boyce is known as “that pageant queen” who lost 112 pounds on her way to Miss America. But what’s not well-known, is that Bree also suffered from anorexia during her year as Miss South Carolina 2011. How did she go from obese to anorexic? And how did her life turn into a media-frenzy, literally overnight? Those answers and much more regarding Bree’s full story, can all be heard on today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast.

Here we are! It's time to name our Top 5 Most Popular Pageant Junkies Podcasts!!! Coming in as the "4th Runner Up" is none other than the amazing Hannah Robison, Miss Tennessee 2015...

Hannah Robison is a walking example of how being yourself is truly “enough”. She’s the first Miss TN in 7 years who wasn't blonde – and the first Miss TN in 14 years who wasn't a vocalist! How did she stick to her guns and refuse to change who she was, with so much going against her? Trust me - There's great wisdom in today's Pageant Junkies Podcast...

Honestly, I can't begin to describe today's podcast - It simply has to be heard. Enjoy our "3rd Runner Up" interview (the 4th most popular podcast of all time), from Taylor Wiebers, Miss Iowa 2015.

She’s the first Double Preliminary Winner at Miss America in 15 years (FIFTEEN YEARS SHE SCREAMS!!!)… And today, Miss Iowa 2015, Taylor Wiebers, shares her whole pageant story – including the moment when she realized she wasn’t advancing to the Top 10. Every Junkie on the planet should hear this interview – Taylor is a class act and a wonderful example for all pageant contestants to follow – win or lose!!!

Don't worry - The Pageant Junkies Podcast isn't going anywhere... However, Founding Junkie Carrie Cox is starting a brand new movement - And we thought you might wanna know about it!

At Feminine Revolutionz, we believe your life works best when you lean into exactly what you want. Further – we believe smart, capable women can still be lovely, and dare I say, attractive. In fact, we believe your life comes into greater alignment when you pursue both! You don’t have to settle – and you certainly don’t have to choose between being known as someone with brains, or someone with beauty.

We also believe personal development is the springboard to professional success – and that leadership is about serving others who are brilliant in their own right. That reframing your life, gives you the opportunity to re-claim your life, and so much more…

Join our social media pages to learn more... @FeminineRevolutionz on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

With Revolutionary Love,

Carrie Cox

After listening to this interview again, I'm reminded that a successful pageant career is all about the right perspective. Oh - and it helps to have a meddling brother too :)  Enjoy the "1st RU Podcast" - aka, the 2nd most popular podcast in Pageant Junkies history - from none other than Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011...

She’s short, she has an unusual platform and a non-traditional talent. And despite all of this – Miss Oklahoma 2011, Betty Thompson went on to finish as the 1st Runner Up at Miss America 2012! And in today’s podcast, you’ll hear what she told Laura Kaeppeler when they were the last two ladies holding hands, standing on-stage… Plus, Betty talks about what she wishes she would’ve known before starting her own pageant journey on today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast…

Even though she was Miss America 2011, she’s STILL under the age limit to compete today! And during today’s podcast, Teresa Scanlan opens up about her age – and the significant challenges she faced as a 17 year old Miss America – on the 3rd most popular podcast in Pageant Junkies History…

Today – We chat with none other than Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan!!! Teresa generously shares her whole pageant story… The good, the bad, and the ugly! But besides her amazing journey to the crown, Teresa also offers some excellent advice to pageant contestants today – the kind of advice that could change the entire Miss America Organization – if we let it. We hope you love this special edition of the Pageant Junkies Podcast!

PS - Because we are re-airing this episode, I'm afraid we couldn't remove the message at the beginning of the interview - which is no longer available... My apologies Junkies!

Honestly, I can't begin to describe today's podcast - It simply has to be heard. Enjoy our "3rd Runner Up" interview (the 4th most popular podcast of all time), from Taylor Wiebers, Miss Iowa 2015.

She’s the first Double Preliminary Winner at Miss America in 15 years (FIFTEEN YEARS SHE SCREAMS!!!)… And today, Miss Iowa 2015, Taylor Wiebers, shares her whole pageant story – including the moment when she realized she wasn’t advancing to the Top 10. Every Junkie on the planet should hear this interview – Taylor is a class act and a wonderful example for all pageant contestants to follow – win or lose!!!

Honestly, I can't begin to describe today's podcast - It simply has to be heard. Enjoy our "3rd Runner Up" interview (the 4th most popular podcast of all time), from Taylor Wiebers, Miss Iowa 2015.

She’s the first Double Preliminary Winner at Miss America in 15 years (FIFTEEN YEARS SHE SCREAMS!!!)… And today, Miss Iowa 2015, Taylor Wiebers, shares her whole pageant story – including the moment when she realized she wasn’t advancing to the Top 10. Every Junkie on the planet should hear this interview – Taylor is a class act and a wonderful example for all pageant contestants to follow – win or lose!!!

Here we are! It's time to name our Top 5 Most Popular Pageant Junkies Podcasts!!! Coming in as the "4th Runner Up" is none other than the amazing Hannah Robison, Miss Tennessee 2015...

Hannah Robison is a walking example of how being yourself is truly “enough”. She’s the first Miss TN in 7 years who wasn't blonde – and the first Miss TN in 14 years who wasn't a vocalist! How did she stick to her guns and refuse to change who she was, with so much going against her? Trust me - There's great wisdom in today's Pageant Junkies Podcast...

I find it absolutely fitting that on Election Day, our 6th most popular podcast belongs to Meg McGuffin, Miss Alabama 2015! Fitting, because you may remember a little comment she made about Donald Trump during her on-stage questions at Miss America... But just for the record - Today's interview isn't about politics at all...

Talk about ups and downs… Meg McGuffin quickly became Miss AL’s Outstanding Teen, but then it took her THREE YEARS just to win a local pageant, in order to compete at Miss Alabama! In today’s podcast, Meg shares the good, the bad, and the crazy when it comes to her pageant journey – And it’s worth every minute! Enjoy!

One of our first podcasts released in 2016, Megan Ervin's interview comes in at #8 on our Top 12 Podcasts of All Time... It's almost a mini-tutorial of how to win your state title - Which is exactly why it's been so popular! Enjoy!

If you need a little motivation to kick yourself into gear for 2016, look no further than today’s interview with Megan Ervin, Miss Illinois 2012! This lady is DRIVEN – and Megan offers several tips and tools to help any young woman interested in competing on the Miss America stage. Plus – Learn all about Megan’s 41 pound evening gown named, “Big Red” on today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast…

Coming in at #10 on our list of the Pageant Junkies "Top 12 Podcasts of All Time" is Miss South Carolina 2011, Bree Boyce! Originally released on July 7th, 2015, Bree's interview is super eye-opening, and her Top 12 finish at Miss America is something Junkies will never forget...

Today, Bree Boyce is known as “that pageant queen” who lost 112 pounds on her way to Miss America. But what’s not well-known, is that Bree also suffered from anorexia during her year as Miss South Carolina 2011. How did she go from obese to anorexic? And how did her life turn into a media-frenzy, literally overnight? Those answers and much more regarding Bree’s full story, can all be heard on today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast.

Today we continue our "Pageant Junkies Top 12 Podcasts of All Time" - Coming in at #11, and originally published on February 26th, 2015 - it's Miss Arkansas 2014 and 2nd Runner Up at Miss America - Ashton Campbell!

She tells us she hasn’t even seen her own Miss America interview yet – but in today’s Pageant Junkies Podcast, it’s easy to see why Ashton Campbell, Miss Arkansas 2014 was named the 2nd Runner Up at Miss America. We see “Purpose” and “Gratitude” all over her – and those 2 characteristics make a winner every time. Enjoy!

Whew! Thanks for your patience - Here's our full summary of our experience from Miss America 2017! Inside today's episode you'll hear LOTS of name dropping taking place - and there's also a special announcement at the end for all of you die-hard Junkies out there... :)