In the past it was always enough to be connected to humanity in a more abstract way, by the glint of possibility. (Kathy Holwadel) [her pronunciation]
abstract /æbˈstrækt/
Although there is the difference between first /æ/ and second /æ/ by accentuation, the first seems quite different from the second one. So I hear even /ɛ/ or /ə/ instead of /æ/. I want to know if she really pronounces /æ/. If yes, what is the difference from the second one?