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.io Click here to view the episode transcript. 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 https://twitter.com/collide_io https://www.tiktok.com/@collide.io https://www.facebook.com/collide.io https://www.instagram.com/collide.io https://www.youtube.com/@collide_io https://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
