About this episode
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.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Chuck’s speech at the IPAA Private Capital Conference02:04 - Chuck and Kenny reminisce about Rice football06:04 - Chuck’s Christmas party and 9/1111:58 - First moments after the impact17:25 - Descending the stairs of the South Tower21:40 - Descent from the 85th floor24:39 - Encountering injured individuals26:50 - Meeting a first responder29:14 - Ditching the fire extinguisher30:20 - Encountering a woman on the 19th floor33:00 - Escaping the South Tower36:55 - Surviving the South Tower collapse44:03 - The impact of sharing your story46:18 - Writing down your personal story49:07 - Visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum49:40 - Legacy for future generations52:20 - Life in post-9/11 New York53:35 - Patrick’s personal story56:08 - Importance of storytelling58:05 - Thanks for coming onhttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
