Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2350558/fan_mail/new)

She got told “nobody really cares about motorsports” and made a decision that changed everything. We’re talking with Kendra Sommer, a former TV news reporter who quits her job, flies to the SEMA Show with no network, and turns that leap into real momentum and a real business in automotive media. If you’ve ever wanted a career in motorsports content, this story hits that exact nerve: fear, hustle, and the moment you decide to bet on yourself.

We get into what it actually takes to build CWK Media, from creating a credible brand, to working trade shows like SEMA and PRI, to earning referrals that keep the pipeline full. Kendra shares unforgettable shoots and lessons from the road, including documenting the Hot Rod Power Tour, producing features in Saudi Arabia, and filming a Mercury Racing project that involved 175 mph on a boat. We also talk about the unsexy part that makes the work look effortless: pre-production planning, schedules, interview prep, and keeping a crew aligned when everything changes fast.

Then the conversation takes a sharp, fascinating turn into her new “Getaway Car” segment, a blend of automotive history and true crime storytelling that’s already pulling huge attention online. Along the way we touch NASCAR access, the rise of streaming and motorsports documentaries, and why women in motorsports still fight for attention, sponsorship, and respect even as the culture improves.

Subscribe to the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, share this with a friend who loves cars, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories.

Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2350558/support)

FACEBOOK:

 https://www.facebook.com/womensmotorsportsnetworkandpodcast

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/womensmotorsportsnetwork/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/

TIKTOK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/

https://www.patreon.com/posts/womens-network-144773298

X: https://x.com/IWMANation

FACEBOOK Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/melinda.ann.russell