Phoenix Rising: Ashley Purdy’s Second Chance After Losing Her Sight

1) Episode Summary 

Penn and Moses kick off with a New Year check-in (less “new me,” more gratitude) and give a clear warning that the episode includes suicide. 

Ashley Purdy, a blind advocate and speaker, shares the trauma-filled path that led to her suicide attempt at 17, her clinical death for 17 minutes, and the long rehab that followed—including the crushing moment she realized she was blind. Over time, she reframed survival as a “rebirth,” identifying with the phoenix. 

The conversation also covers independence, pushing back on “over-helping,” Perkins School for the Blind, isolation and social anxiety, and Ashley’s interest in getting a guide dog. The episode ends with encouragement to speak up if someone is in crisis, plus 988 resources and the reminder that one person showing up can save a life. 

2) Contact Info 

Guest: Ashley Purdy — Blind advocate & public speaker (no direct contact info shared in the provided transcript)
Aftersight / The Blind Chick: 

• Website mentioned on-air: aftersight.org
• Email mentioned on-air: contact@aftersite.org (spelled this way in the provided transcript; verify spelling if needed)

Crisis resource mentioned on-air (US):
 

• Call/Text: 988
• Website: 988lifeline.org

Producer: Jonathan Price (Aftersight)
 
3) Show Credits
 

• Show: The Blind Chick (Aftersight Original)
• Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
• Producer: Jonathan Price

4) Chapter Markers (mm:ss)
 

• 00:00 — Show intro
• 00:27 — New Year talk + listener resolutions invite
• 02:41 — Suicide content warning + self-care note
• 04:54 — Ashley joins; Arlington (Virginia) + opening banter
• 07:13 — Childhood: instability, early responsibility, family dynamics
• 09:37 — Crisis stabilization + foster care separation
• 12:02 — Guilt, grief, and how memories can distort reality
• 14:28 — Returning home; “kid raising kids” reality
• 16:46 — Sexual assault at 13; reporting; court outcome
• 19:09 — Self-harm, hospitalizations, and cumulative strain
• 21:35 — The “tipping point” at 17; why she seemed happier
• 23:35 — Memory gaps; what she recalls from that night
• 25:58 — Clinically dead 17 minutes; prognosis; survival
• 28:22 — Rehab + communication; Zootopia/DMV analogy
• 30:48 — Not realizing blindness at first; what she perceived
• 33:15 — “Peace” before attempt; missed warning signs
• 35:39 — Ripple effects; urging listeners to tell someone
• 38:04 — Ongoing hard days; starting Perkins
• 40:04 — Perkins explained
• 42:26 — Over-helping vs independence; soda-can moment
• 44:40 — Finding “your people” and belonging challenges
• 47:06 — Isolation, social anxiety, and partner support
• 49:09 — Guide dog schools and options
• 51:31 — Hosts on guide dog freedom + reality
• 53:57 — Hermit habits + encouragement to get out
• 56:16 — Dogs as daily movement + sensory joy
• 58:36 — Ashley’s advice: know who truly shows up
• 61:00 — Hosts reflect on non-judgment support
• 63:25 — 988 resources + Aftersight wrap + closing encouragemen ...