Living Out Loud Podcast Hosts 2nd Annual Women’s Conference

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Amanda Reed and Alley Bell started their podcast four years ago. Photo courtesy of Living Out Loud Podcast.

“Living Out Loud with Alley and Amanda” began four years ago as an inspirational podcast for women. The hosts—Alley Bell and Amanda Reed—reached a career achievement when they turned the podcast into a bigger platform to create an annual Women’s Conference—the theme this year is “Beauty For Ashes” taken from the verse Isaiah 61:3. The second annual conference is slated for Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Each month the podcast hosts one woman to share her story in hopes of encouraging other women in their day-to-day lives, said Amanda Reed, co-founder of the podcast.

Reed said the conference will bring a full day of worship, inspiration and encouragement for the attendees.

This year’s conference keynote speakers are Chrystal Evans Hurst and Trudy Cathy White. Jon and Heather Gilley will be leading in worship. 

In addition to the speakers, Reed and Bell will also conduct Q&A segments with Emily Freeman and a few other special guests. 

Trudy Cathy White is a native Georgian and the only daughter of Jeannette and S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, Inc. An ambassador for the family business, Trudy has held various roles within Chick-fil-A including that of restaurant operator at just 19-years-old.

White, and her husband, John, served as missionaries in Brazil and co-founded Lifeshape and Impact 360 Institute. A developer and encourager at heart, White served as the Director of WinShape Camps for Girls from 2003-2017. She is a speaker, author, dedicated wife, mother of four and grandmother of fifteen. Every day she is fueled by her passion to be intentional with her influence.

In everything White does, she is led by her commitment to obey God’s leadership, nurture family relationships, and promote godly character in the next generation.

Reed said she and Bell still hear great feedback from last year’s inaugural conference and they are anticipating an even bigger crowd this year.

“We are still hearing some women on how [the conference] impacted their life in such a positive way,” Reed said. “We are so excited about this year.”

Reed and Bell have been planning this year’s conference for the past year.

“[The conference] is just a great way for women to refresh and kick off the fall semester – a new season in their life,” Reed said.

Reed emphasized that the conference is open to all women of all ages. She said many mothers last year wished they had brought their daughters, and college students said they wished they had brought their mothers.

She hopes women will grab their friends and travel to Oxford to use this event as a “girls weekend” full of encouragement and bonding.

“We have such a great town,” she said. “It would make for a great getaway weekend for those who live away.”

The cost of the event is $45 and can be paid through the conference’s website, iTickets.

For more information on Living Out Loud, visit the podcast’s website.