The Blind Chick

In this inspiring second part of our conversation with Dr. Charles Powell, we dive deeper into his story of perseverance, grit, and triumph over systemic barriers. From taking the ADA bus to business college to washing dishes at Chick-fil-A while earning his third master’s degree, Dr. Powell shows us what it really means to defy expectations. When the world wouldn't hire him, he founded Divine Visions, a legal consulting business rooted in justice, faith, and service. Dr. Powell unpacks the stigma blind individuals face in employment and challenges the notion of being "overqualified." He also shares the heartwarming story behind the name Divine Visions and how it reflects both his spiritual purpose and his unwavering clarity of vision. This episode is packed with real talk, legal advocacy, a splash of apple pie, and a whole lot of hope. Contact Us: 📧 feedback@aftersight.org 📞 (720) 712-8856 💬 Send us your questions or comments for Penn, Moses, or any of our Aftersight hosts! Follow & Rate: ✅ Don’t forget to hit the five-star rating and subscribe! 📱 Join us on Facebook: The Blind Chick Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome Back & Shoutout to Penn and Moses 01:05 – Charles Shares How He Enrolled in Paralegal School 02:45 – Learning Together: A Blind Student Meets Unsure Professors 04:48 – From 4.0 GPA to a Bachelor's and Beyond 06:50 – Applying for Jobs While Studying—Even as a Dishwasher 09:10 – The Chick-fil-A Hustle and Dishwasher Excellence 11:30 – Launching Divine Visions: When the System Says No 13:55 – Meaning Behind the Name ‘Divine Visions’ 16:30 – Justice, Poverty, and a Slice of Apple Pie 18:55 – Consulting for the Same Offices That Rejected Him 21:00 – Overqualified? Or Just Threatening to the System? 23:20 – Why Blind Workers Make the Best Employees 25:45 – From Chick-fil-A to Corporate Oil and Gas: The Hook for Part 3

In this raw and riveting episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses welcome the unforgettable Dr. Charles Powell—a blind legal consultant, business owner, and fierce advocate for accessibility and policy reform. Dr. Powell shares his powerful journey from sudden vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa to battling alcoholism, identity loss, and depression—and ultimately rising with the help of his fiancée, his daughter, and a newfound community. With candor and humor, he takes listeners through the darkest day of his life and the transformation that followed. This is the real story—what most people don’t hear after the success. Dr. Powell reminds us all that being “blind” doesn’t mean being broken. 🔹 Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:27 – Meet Dr. Charles Powell: “Blind, But Not Broken” 01:45 – The Day Everything Changed 05:13 – Depression, Alcohol, and Losing Identity 07:37 – A Daughter’s Words That Changed Everything 10:02 – First Steps: Community, Technology & iPhone Discovery 12:25 – Learning to Walk Proud with the White Cane 17:12 – From Pity Party to Progress 21:54 – Choosing Family Over Systems 24:11 – Becoming a Paralegal (And Owning the Room) 25:33 – Outro & What’s Next in Part 2 📲 Stay Connected: Have a question or comment for Penn and Moses? 📧 Email: feedback@aftersight.org 📞 Call: (720) 712-8856 🌐 Visit: Aftersight.org

In this exciting follow-up to Part 1, The Blind Chick brings together the voices behind Aftersight’s most beloved shows: Kim Wardlow (Navigating Life with Vision Loss), Bill Lundgren (Blindsight), Evan Starnes (Blind Level Tech), and Marty Sobo (Code Orange), hosted by Penn and Moses Street. This roundtable-style episode dives deep into the heart of each show, exploring their missions, major topics, most memorable moments, and where they’re heading in the future. Plus, we celebrate a major milestone—Jonathan Price’s three-year anniversary and his role in elevating Aftersight podcasts to a global stage. Join us as we laugh, reflect, and look forward to what’s next. Whether you're tuning in for practical tips, powerful stories, mental health support, or emergency preparedness, this episode is a love letter to our listeners—and to the incredible community we’ve built together. 📌 Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro: Blindness as adventure 00:28 – Welcome back: Hosts Unleashed Pt. 2 01:15 – Navigating Life with Vision Loss: Kim’s vision and show overview 05:10 – Blind Level Tech: Evan’s mission, humor, and future goals 09:58 – The story behind BLT Bytes and the Sandwich of the Week 12:25 – Blindsight: Bill on mental health and normalizing therapy 17:05 – Perfectionism, hope, and emotional awareness 18:55 – Code Orange: Marty on preparedness and practical survival tips 21:20 – Thanking Jonathan Price and celebrating 500+ episodes 23:45 – The global growth and future of Aftersight podcasts 25:45 – Closing gratitude and encouragement 📞 Contact Us: Have guest suggestions, feedback, or want to get involved? 📧 feedback@aftersight.org 📞 (720) 712-8856

In this special crossover edition of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses bring together the entire AfterSight podcast family for the very first time. This lively, heartfelt roundtable introduces each host—Kim Wardlow (Navigating Life with Vision Loss), Evan Starnes (Blind Level Tech), Bill Lundgren (Blindsight), and Marty Sobo (Code Orange)—as they share how their shows began, what fuels their passion, and what listeners can expect next. With laughs, stories, and a few technical hiccups, the crew unites around a shared mission: empowering the blind and low vision community through storytelling, education, and advocacy. Whether you’re a techie, a mental health advocate, or simply curious about navigating life with blindness, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to the Blind Chick 01:00 – Introducing the dream episode: All the AfterSight hosts 02:47 – Meet Kim Wardlow & Navigating Life with Vision Loss 05:20 – Kim’s journey from volunteer reader to podcast host 09:41 – Exploring the seasonal approach to NLVL 10:40 – Meet Evan Starnes & Blind Level Tech 12:00 – From tech nerd to intern to podcast creator 14:19 – Tech for everyone: BLT’s mission 15:10 – Jonathan’s podcast “prison” joke 16:08 – Meet Bill Lundgren & Blindsight 18:28 – From no podcast knowledge to host of a vital mental health show 20:50 – Meet Marty Sobo & Code Orange 23:07 – The birth of Code Orange through lived disaster experience 24:30 – What’s next for AfterSight’s podcast lineup Contact Information Website: www.aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses sit down with therapist and avid hunter Darren Zenger for a powerful, raw, and deeply insightful conversation. Darren shares his journey of vision and hearing loss, recovery through the 12-step program, and how he rediscovered his love for the outdoors and hunting using adaptive tech and strong community support. The conversation dives into trauma, addiction, neuroplasticity, and the importance of family systems in healing. Darren's story reveals how blindness and deafness don’t limit one's identity—they demand innovation, patience, and community. Plus, you won’t want to miss the story of how Darren bagged a deer at over 500 yards using adaptive hunting gear. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:28 – Meet Darren Zenger: Therapist, hunter, and mental health advocate 01:45 – The link between trauma and addiction 02:50 – Vision loss and its role in addiction risk 04:10 – Medications and treatments for curbing addiction 05:15 – The importance of mental health in recovery 06:00 – Brain spotting, neuroplasticity, and healing the unseen 09:45 – The blind brain: how sensory loss rewires neural activity 11:20 – Family systems and community in recovery 12:15 – The opposite of addiction is connection 13:30 – Everyday trauma in the blind community 14:10 – Can blind people hunt? (Short answer: YES!) 16:00 – Adaptive hunting: crossbows, scopes, and 5-inch monitors 18:50 – Taking the shot: a 525-yard success 21:15 – Hunting as healing and connection 23:40 – Final thoughts: resilience, community, and not letting blindness define you 25:35 – Closing remarks: Be kind to yourself—and someone else 📞 Contact Info Website: aftersight.org Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street sit down with Darran Zenger, a licensed clinical social worker at Cirque Lodge in Utah. Darran shares his personal journey with Usher Syndrome, his experience with cochlear implants, and how his own life challenges led him to become a trauma-informed addiction counselor. He introduces us to brainspotting, a groundbreaking therapeutic approach rooted in EMDR, and explains how it helps clients unlock stored trauma in the nervous system. This episode is a deep dive into resilience, recovery, and redefining life after trauma. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:28 – Meet the hosts + Moses’s “muse” confession 01:30 – Intro to guest Darran Zenger 02:36 – Darran’s background and where he’s from 05:01 – Living with Usher Syndrome and hearing loss 07:20 – Public school with accessibility support 09:19 – Becoming a stay-at-home dad & finding his calling 10:37 – Fear, faith & the journey to cochlear implant 12:44 – Music, retraining the brain & the power of sound 15:10 – Adjusting to dual cochlear implants 17:38 – Discovering social work & substance use counseling 20:00 – Working at the Moran Eye Center 22:02 – Brainspotting: What it is and how it works 24:27 – Real stories of healing through brainspotting 27:00 – The miracle moments of trauma therapy 29:00 – Closing thoughts & feedback invitation 📞 Contact Info: Email us: feedback@aftersight.org Call us: (720) 712-8856 Website: aftersight.org

In Part Two of this powerful and heartfelt interview, The Blind Chick welcomes back Canadian disability advocate and podcaster Steven Vine, host of Disability Diaries. This episode dives deeper into Steven’s journey navigating life with blindness, a prosthetic leg, chronic pain, and a passion for podcasting. Steven shares how self-teaching and mentorship helped him master his smartphone, the critical role that asking for help has played in his life, and why he transitioned from being an individual in need of advocacy to becoming an advocate himself. He offers a glimpse into the Canadian disability landscape and challenges both able-bodied individuals and the disability community to stop underestimating what is possible. Steven’s words—“If you can do it, do it”—echo throughout this episode as a rallying cry to push past limitations and find purpose through adversity. His humor, sincerity, and resilience shine as he talks podcasting, politics, and the power of community. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Opening and Welcome Back to Steven Vine 00:42 – Learning Technology as a Blind Person 02:20 – The Power of Asking for Help 03:15 – Living with Chronic Pain and Wheelchair Use 04:37 – Positivity, Potential, and the Birth of His Podcast 06:58 – Becoming a Podcaster: Purpose and Passion 09:18 – Building a Show that Advocates and Educates 11:31 – Featuring Diverse Guests from Politicians to Artists 13:53 – The Shift from Needing an Advocate to Being One 16:16 – Empowering the Disability Community from Within 18:30 – Where to Find Steven Vine and His Podcast 20:42 – Clarifying Canadian-American Relations and Booing at Hockey Games 22:46 – Focusing on What You Can Control 24:00 – Final Thoughts from Steven Vine 25:00 – Closing Remarks and Listener Call to Action Where to Find Steven Vine: Podcast: Disability Diaries with Steven Vine (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Buzzsprout, and more) Facebook: Disability Diaries with Steven Vine Email: sgv44isback@gmail.com

In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Canadian podcaster Stephen Vine, host of Disability Diaries. Known for his sharp wit and musical heart, Stephen shares the intimate, harrowing story of how ignoring warning signs, overworking, and a high-stress lifestyle led to a catastrophic health crisis that changed his life forever. After surviving a near-fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), Stephen lost his sight, his leg, and his colon—but not his sense of humor or determination. The conversation explores his fast-paced past as a restaurant owner serving celebrities like Mel Gibson, Linda Blair, and John Candy. Stephen walks us through the day his life changed and the emotional toll that followed. With vulnerability and hope, he shares how he moved from bitterness to purpose—learning to adapt, reconnect with joy, and begin his podcast, which has become a platform for elevating voices within the disability community. Listeners will gain insights into resilience, the power of listening, and how choosing to stop digging can help you climb out of life’s deepest holes. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 01:05 – Penn and Moses banter, Superman joke 02:18 – Guest intro: Stephen Vine of Disability Diaries 03:10 – Quote of the Day: “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens” – Jimi Hendrix 04:38 – Learning to listen after blindness 06:57 – Celebrity clientele from Stephen’s former career 08:45 – Workaholism, stress, and health warnings 11:40 – The day of the aneurysm: ignored signs and collapse 14:01 – Waking from the coma: adjusting to total blindness 16:24 – Drinking culture, grief, and changing relationships with alcohol 18:38 – Healing, rehab, and redefining identity 21:02 – Finding support through Kristin and taking back his life 23:18 – Empowerment, advocacy, and thriving through disability 25:00 – Closing remarks and teaser for Part 2

This heartwarming and visually vibrant episode of The Blind Chick opens with a special birthday celebration for co-host Penn Street. Listeners from around the world, including touching messages from Oksana in Russia and friends from GFI Grand Junction, share their love and gratitude for Penn’s impact. The episode then transitions into an unforgettable conversation with world-renowned blind painter John Bramblitt. John shares his journey as a blind artist, his unique process for understanding color and texture, and how tactile and auditory technologies help him “see” and recreate realistic portraits—including celebrities like Jeff Bridges. From texturized paint techniques to sound-based image translation, John paints a compelling picture of accessibility in art. He and the hosts explore imagination, how we all build “visual” worlds differently, and the importance of feeling oversight in artwork. John also speaks on his work with international museums, his Yellow Dog Art Bar in Texas, and the emotional honesty that fuels his art. The show closes with a reflection on the courage to fail, and how each mistake is a brushstroke on the journey toward success. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – 🎉 Penn’s Birthday Celebration 01:30 – Listener Birthday Messages 02:19 – Tribute to Penn’s Advocacy 03:00 – The Power of Textured Paint for the Blind 04:43 – John’s Ever-Changing Studio Techniques 07:06 – Painting Realistic Portraits Without Sight 09:31 – Tech That Helps Blind Artists “See” 11:54 – NVDA, Cat Eyes, and Future Apps 14:12 – 3D Printing & Tactile Art Innovations 16:35 – Dream World vs. Real World in Art 18:59 – The Importance of Emotional Honesty in Art 21:11 – How to Contact John Bramblitt & Visit His Gallery 23:35 – John's Book & Accessibility Options 24:50 – Final Thoughts on Failure & Art 25:54 – Show Close & Calls to Action

In this episode, The Blind Chick welcomes world-renowned blind artist John Bramblitt. Penn and Moses dive into John's inspiring journey from losing his sight to becoming an internationally celebrated artist. They discuss the impact of blindness on identity, the challenges of transitioning from sighted to blind, and how John found new ways to express himself through art. John shares how painting became a way for him to regain control of his world, developing unique tactile techniques to navigate the canvas. The conversation touches on advocacy, humor, and breaking stereotypes about blindness. Penn also shares how John's art class at the No Barriers Summit helped her reclaim a lost passion for art. This episode is packed with powerful stories about resilience, creativity, and adapting to life’s unexpected turns. Part two of this conversation will be available next week! Chapter Markers 📍 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick! 📍 02:21 – Introducing guest John Bramblitt 📍 04:45 – John's impact at the No Barriers Summit 📍 07:09 – The emotional journey of losing sight 📍 09:11 – John's artistic background and childhood struggles 📍 11:35 – The turning point: Adapting to blindness 📍 16:13 – The social dynamics of blindness: Cane vs. Guide Dog 📍 18:33 – How people treat blind individuals differently 📍 20:58 – Finding purpose through art after vision loss 📍 23:14 – Transitioning from anger to advocacy 📍 27:22 – The therapeutic power of art 📍 29:55 – Closing thoughts & preview for part two Call to Action ✅ Subscribe to The Blind Chick on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review—your feedback helps us grow! ✅ Send us a message: Have a question or comment? Reach out! ✅ Check out our other Aftersight podcasts: 🎙 Blindsight – Tackling mental health in the blind community 🎙 Blind Level Tech – Exploring accessibility in technology 🎙 Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Now in its Advocacy Series! ✨ Stay tuned! A new Aftersight show is coming soon—announcement coming in a few weeks!

In this heartwarming and music-filled episode of The Blind Chick, host Penn Street and co-host Moses Street welcome the legendary Diane “Deeds” Schuur—jazz icon, two-time Grammy Award winner, and all-around incredible soul. With laughter, deep conversations, and a surprise musical performance, this episode is one for the books. 🎂 Penn’s Birthday Surprise! The crew kicks things off by inviting listeners to send physical birthday cards to Penn Street for her special day on March 24th at 1700 55th Street, Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301. 🎵 Music, Advocacy, and Life’s Beautiful Twists: Deeds shares incredible stories about her career, collaborations with music legends like B.B. King, Count Basie, and Stevie Wonder, and her thoughts on music accessibility and the power of sound over visuals. 💡 Deeds’ Life Philosophy: She opens up about gratitude, faith, and the importance of finding joy—even in life’s toughest moments. We hear about her love for soap operas (or as she calls it, The Hung and the Restless), her tech companion Lenny the Laptop, and her skydiving adventure (!), proving she’s as fearless as ever. 🎶 A Birthday Gift Like No Other: In a spontaneous and touching moment, Diane gifts listeners with a live performance, singing a heartfelt song for Penn’s birthday. This raw, unfiltered musical moment will leave you in tears (happy ones, we promise!). 💫 Final Thoughts: Diane shares her wish for world peace, kindness, and gratitude, and reminds us all to embrace life’s journey with open arms. Next Week: We continue our journey with more inspiring guests, stories, and surprises. Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends! 📌 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick! 🎙️ 00:27 – Penn’s Birthday Shoutout! 🎂 02:00 – Diane Schuur on Concert in the Dark Controversy 🎶 05:10 – Life After Touring: Deeds’ Perspective 🏡 07:30 – A Special Song for Penn 🎵 (Tissues ready!) 12:00 – The Power of Music & Gratitude ❤️ 18:00 – What’s Next for Diane? 🌟 22:30 – Why You Need to Listen to Diane Schuur 🎤 25:20 – Wisdom, Laughter & Soap Operas 📺 27:45 – Final Thoughts & Farewells 💛 📲 Connect with Us! 📩 Email: contact@aftersight.org 📱 Follow Us on Social Media: @AftersightOrg 💌 Send Penn a Birthday Card! 📍 Address: 1700 55th Street, Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301

In this heartfelt episode, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur (affectionately called "Deeds") returns to The Blind Chick for a deeply personal conversation. She shares updates on her life, the challenges of Meniere’s disease, her transition to assisted living at the Motion Picture Television Fund, and the loss of her beloved cat, Puss Puss. Deeds reflects on the resilience she’s built throughout her career, her 35 years of sobriety, and how she continues to find joy in music, friendships, and storytelling. She also reminisces about Concert in the Dark, her past experiences on the show, and her connection with hosts Penn and Moses Street. ✨ Stay tuned for Part 2, where Deeds has a special birthday surprise for Penn! Chapter Markers 📌 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 📌 00:27 – Penn’s upcoming birthday & a past birthday surprise 📌 02:46 – A special global birthday card idea for Penn 📌 04:58 – Introducing guest Diane “Deeds” Schuur 📌 07:20 – Deeds’ diagnosis with Meniere’s disease 📌 09:49 – A major life transition & moving to an assisted living facility 📌 13:37 – Reflecting on Concert in the Dark 📌 16:05 – The loss of Puss Puss, her beloved cat 📌 18:28 – Finding peace and spreading joy despite life’s challenges 📌 20:54 – Celebrating 35 years of sobriety 📌 22:50 – Singing & playing piano at her new residence 📌 25:12 – Memories of impromptu piano performances with Penn & Moses 📌 27:37 – Looking ahead: What’s next for Deeds? 📌 30:00 – Closing thoughts & Part 2 preview Follow & Connect 📢 Share this episode to help The Blind Chick continue growing! 💌 Send Penn a birthday card! Let’s fill her mailbox with love. 📍 Website: Aftersight.org 📩 Email: feedback@aftersight.org 📞 Contact: (720) 712-8856 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe & tune in next week for Part 2!

In this episode of The Blind Chick, we continue our conversation with Dr. L Penny Rosenblum, diving deeper into education, advocacy, and empowering individuals with low vision. Penny discusses strategies for parents raising children with blindness, the importance of realistic expectations, and how small steps in advocacy can lead to big changes. We also explore transportation challenges, the impact of policy changes on accessibility, and how individuals can take action in their communities. Plus, a special birthday surprise for Penn Street—make sure to send in your birthday cards and messages! Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction & Penn’s Birthday Surprise 02:16 – Recap of Part 1 & Introduction to Penny Rosenblum 04:34 – Overcoming Overprotective Parenting 06:58 – Teaching Kids Life Skills & Responsibilities 09:20 – The Importance of Explaining the World to Blind Children 11:32 – Navigating Transportation Challenges with Low Vision 13:48 – Adapting to a Life Without Driving 15:58 – Teaching Children to Use Different Forms of Transportation 17:50 – The Impact of Policy Changes on Accessibility & Inclusion 20:10 – The Future of Advocacy in the Blind & Low Vision Community 22:29 – How to Stand Your Ground & Advocate for Rights 24:50 – Encouragement to Take Small Steps in Advocacy 27:15 – Final Thoughts & The Power of Planting Seeds of Change

In this episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses Street sit down with Dr. Penny Rosenblum, an educator and advocate who has made a significant impact in the field of visual impairment. They discuss her background, her personal journey with low vision, and the role her mother played in shaping her advocacy skills. Dr. Rosenblum shares valuable insights on self-advocacy, the importance of accessible education, and strategies parents can use to empower their children with blindness or low vision. Additionally, Moses kicks off the episode with a special birthday initiative for Penn, encouraging listeners to send physical birthday cards instead of just virtual greetings. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, with Part 2 airing next week. Chapter Markers: 📍 00:00 – Introduction to The Blind Chick 📍 01:10 – Special birthday initiative for Penn Street 📍 04:00 – Welcoming guest Dr. Penny Rosenblum 📍 06:30 – The story behind Penny’s name 📍 09:00 – Early childhood experiences and vision challenges 📍 13:00 – The role of advocacy in education 📍 15:30 – Choosing a career in teaching and visual impairment advocacy 📍 18:00 – The importance of having an adaptive ‘toolbox’ 📍 20:25 – Encouraging children to be self-advocates 📍 22:50 – Teaser for Part 2 airing next week Contact & Engagement: 📬 Send Penn a Birthday Card! 📍 Address: 1700 55th Street, Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301 📣 Want to support the show? Leave a review and share this episode! Follow Aftersight’s other podcasts: Blindsight – Exploring mental health and addiction recovery Navigating Life with Vision Loss – A new season on advocacy launching soon! Blind Level Tech – Exploring the latest in accessible technology 📧 Contact us: jonathan@aftersight.org 📞 Voicemail/Text: (720) 712-8856

In this inspiring episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Clark Reynolds, a blind artist who is revolutionizing Braille by bringing it into the 21st century. Clark shares his journey as an artist, his advocacy for Braille accessibility, and his upcoming children’s book, Mr. Dot and His Magical White Cane Adventures. The conversation touches on breaking barriers in the art world, the importance of universal Braille, and the power of community in creative industries. Clark discusses his efforts to integrate Braille into everyday spaces, his dream of making Braille signage more accessible and aesthetically pleasing, and how art has been his light in a world that is getting darker. The conversation also explores the societal perception of disability, the parallels between blind individuals and the X-Men, and the importance of collaboration in breaking stereotypes. 🔹 Key Topics: The importance of Braille and making it universal Clark’s journey as a blind artist and his struggles in the art world Using art to challenge perceptions of disability His book Mr. Dot and His Magical White Cane Adventures The need for community among disabled artists Advocacy for better Braille signage and accessibility 📌 Guest Contact Info: 🌐 Website: Seeing Without Seeing 📷 Instagram: @ClarkReynoldsOfficial Chapter Markers: ⏱️ 00:00 – Introduction (Jonathan Price opens the show) ⏱️ 00:30 – Recap of Previous Episode (Clark Reynolds Pt. 1) ⏱️ 02:16 – Clark Reynolds Introduces His Passion for Braille ⏱️ 04:40 – Advocating for Universal Braille Use ⏱️ 06:58 – Challenges of Braille Accessibility in the UK vs. US ⏱️ 09:23 – Clark’s Journey as a Blind Artist ⏱️ 11:49 – Breaking Barriers in the Art World ⏱️ 14:07 – The X-Men Analogy: Embracing Superpowers ⏱️ 16:24 – Building a Community of Blind Artists ⏱️ 18:53 – Clark’s Upcoming Book: Mr. Dot’s Adventures ⏱️ 21:17 – The White Cane: A Symbol of Freedom, Not Disability ⏱️ 23:40 – Encouraging More Braille in Public Spaces ⏱️ 26:01 – Final Thoughts & Clark’s Message to the World ⏱️ 28:24 – Closing Remarks & Where to Find Clark’s Work

n this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn Street and Moses Street welcome Clark Reynolds, an extraordinary blind Braille artist and soon-to-be-published author. Clark shares his journey growing up with low vision, his love for art, and how he transformed his artistic expression after losing his sight. He discusses his innovative Braille-based artwork, which not only creates beautiful visual pieces but also gives blind individuals a deeper, more meaningful experience. His unique approach challenges the traditional way art is consumed, making Braille an artistic and storytelling medium. The conversation also touches on Clark's experiences with homelessness, his career in dental artistry, and his upcoming projects, including Braille portraits and educational toys that teach Braille in a fun and engaging way. Clark’s inspiring journey and artistic vision redefine accessibility in the art world, proving that blindness is not a barrier to creativity. Episode Highlights & Chapter Markers 00:00 - Welcome to The Blind Chick! Introduction by Penn and Moses Street. 02:07 - Introducing Clark Reynolds: The Braille artist and soon-to-be author. 03:27 - Clark’s background: Growing up with low vision and discovering art at age six. 08:08 - The impact of vision loss and navigating life changes. 10:31 - The shift from dental artistry to exploring tactile art. 17:30 - Learning Braille in just three weeks and using it as an artistic medium. 19:54 - Creating Braille typography and art that tells stories. 22:14 - Braille portraits, the Donald Trump piece, and upcoming projects. 24:36 - Changing how blind individuals experience art vs. sighted people. 26:57 - Clark’s work in education: Teaching over 13,000 children Braille through art. 28:00 - Upcoming projects: Educational toys, Braille puzzles, and a Braille cube. 29:30 - Outro: Teasing Part 2 and other Aftersight podcasts. Listen & Subscribe 🔹 Follow The Blind Chick on your favorite podcast platform! 🔹 Check out other Aftersight podcasts: Blindsight – Mental health in the blind community Blind Level Tech – Accessible technology Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Advocacy season coming soon! 📢 Help Us Grow! ⭐ Leave a 5-star review and share with your family & friends!

In this powerful follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Marty Sobo to continue the discussion on emergency preparedness for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Marty shares firsthand experiences from surviving the California wildfires, highlighting critical gaps in emergency alert systems, evacuation challenges, and the importance of self-advocacy, community support, and preparedness strategies. This episode builds on Part 1, where Marty shared the harrowing details of his experience navigating the LA fires. If you haven’t heard it yet, be sure to listen to Part 1 to fully grasp the impact and significance of this conversation. Key Topics & Takeaways: ? Alert System Inefficiencies: Why emergency alerts vary by location and how some fail to reach those who need them most. ? Disaster Preparedness for the Blind Community: Practical steps to create a personal evacuation plan, including backup supplies, accessible communication strategies, and designating safe meetup locations. ? The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors: Building relationships with your local community can be life-saving in an emergency. ? How to Prepare in Advance: The significance of having a "go bag," storing essential documents at multiple locations, and keeping extra mobility aids (like a folding cane) with trusted family members or friends. ? Emergency Drills & Rehearsing Your Plan: How practicing evacuations can reduce stress and panic when disaster strikes. Chapter Markers: ? 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Blind Chick! Why this episode matters. ? 01:15 – Recap of Part 1: Marty Sobo’s experience with the LA fires. ? 02:30 – Emergency Alert Systems: Why accessibility is a major issue. ? 05:00 – California vs. Colorado: How disaster notifications vary by state. ? 08:45 – The Role of Fire Departments & Local Agencies. ? 12:10 – How to Build a Personal Emergency Plan. ? 16:00 – Self-Advocacy: What to communicate with neighbors & emergency responders. ? 19:30 – The Importance of Practicing Evacuation Plans. ? 24:00 – Final Thoughts: Marty’s key takeaways on disaster preparedness. ? 27:30 – Closing Remarks: Stay prepared & connected! ? Call to Action: ? Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners. ? Share this episode with your friends, family, and community—preparedness saves lives! ? Questions or suggestions? Email us at [Insert Email] or follow us on social media at @Aftersight. ? Subscribe to The Blind Chick wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode of The Blind Chick dives into the harrowing realities of navigating natural disasters as a blind individual. Hosts Moses and Penn Street welcome back Marty Sobo, who shares his firsthand experience of the devastating California wildfires. The discussion highlights the challenges posed by environmental disasters, from emergency evacuations to the importance of preparedness. Marty also recounts his insights from working in fire service and how blind individuals can better prepare for emergencies. Listeners gain a deep understanding of the unique hurdles faced by those with vision loss during disasters and practical steps for creating an emergency plan. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Marty will provide detailed advice on assembling a go-bag and creating a robust preparedness strategy. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction and Overview 02:18 – Welcome Back: Marty Sobo Returns 04:41 – Firestorm Beginnings: Marty’s Account 07:02 – Evacuation Challenges and Traffic Chaos 11:46 – Horror Stories from the Frontlines 14:04 – Preparing for the Unexpected 16:26 – Lessons from the Field: Marty’s Fire Service Background 20:59 – Practical Emergency Preparedness Tips 23:12 – The Reality of Alerts and Miscommunication 27:59 – Closing Remarks and Preview of Part 2

This episode of The Blind Chick continues the conversation with Raquel Perez, a licensed couples and sex therapist, focusing on the intersection of intimacy, mental health, and personal growth. Raquel shares insights into therapy approaches, including ketamine-assisted therapy, and discusses the significance of creating a safe space for exploration and self-awareness. The hosts, Penn and Moses, reflect on their personal experiences with therapy and the role of curiosity in overcoming societal taboos surrounding sex, drugs, and vision loss. Raquel emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma, fostering open dialogue, and finding safety to explore one's inner world. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction and content warning by Jonathan Price 02:19 – Understanding lived experiences and their impact on intimacy 04:30 – Normalizing discussions about sex and relationships through humor 06:50 – Raquel’s unique approach to couples and sex therapy 09:12 – Ketamine therapy: Process, benefits, and misconceptions 13:42 – Addressing societal stigmas surrounding drugs and therapy 16:09 – Drawing parallels between taboo topics like sex and drug use 18:31 – Importance of breaking the secrecy surrounding vision loss 20:52 – The role of curiosity and open conversations in healing 23:09 – How to contact Raquel Perez and her therapy modalities 25:14 – Final thoughts: Embracing curiosity, insight, and self-awareness Contact Information: Raquel Perez Website: www.intimacounseling.com Email: Raquel@intimacounseling.com Social Media: @RaquelPerez.Intima (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) Have questions for Raquel Perez or the hosts? Email us at feedback@aftersight.org or call (720) 712-8856. Don’t forget to tune in next week for more insightful discussions!

This episode of The Blind Chick dives into a candid and eye-opening discussion about sex education, intimacy, and navigating the complexities of relationships within the blind and low-vision community. Guest Raquel Perez shares her journey from being a young mother with retinitis pigmentosa to becoming a sex therapist, highlighting the importance of normalizing conversations about sexuality. The episode addresses stigma, the impact of cultural and familial silence around sex, and the unique challenges faced by blind individuals in learning about intimacy. Key topics include: The evolution of Raquel’s career and her experiences with vision loss. Addressing the lack of sex education for blind youth and its consequences. Strategies for fostering open dialogue about sex and intimacy, starting in childhood. How societal perceptions shape our understanding of relationships and sexuality for atypical populations. Content Warning: This episode contains adult content and is not suitable for young listeners. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Listener Discretion Advised 00:50 – Introduction to Raquel Perez and Her Journey 02:49 – Navigating Vision Loss and the Spectrum of Blindness 07:30 – Challenges of Shame and Visibility in RP Families 12:10 – Raquel's Path to Becoming a Sex Therapist 16:40 – Sex Education and Advocacy for the Blind Community 21:24 – Shifting Perspectives on Sex and Normalizing Conversations 23:49 – Cultural Silence and Sex in Retirement Communities