The Blind Chick

In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, John Romano from Disaster Central joins Penn and Moses to explore emergency preparedness through a lens of accessibility, technology, and community resilience. John shares the heart behind the Be Ready app and how it helps people with disabilities plan ahead for disasters — not only with gear and gadgets but with mindset and connection. The episode features raw stories of past emergencies, including how one blind man refused to leave his guide dog behind during a flood. Listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming pilot programs and advocate for inclusive planning in their own cities. The message is clear: preparedness isn’t just about surviving a storm, it’s about building strong community ties before the storm ever hits. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:27 – Jonathan introduces John Romano & previews Code Orange 01:30 – The mindset of preparedness and the role of battery banks 02:30 – Customizing the Be Ready app for your household 04:50 – Real stories: flood evacuations, guide dogs, and being left behind 07:00 – Planning on the community level: Colorado Functional Needs Conferences 09:25 – 70% of first responders are your family and friends 11:40 – How to bring this program to your city 13:55 – Funding models & donor support for Be Ready 15:55 – Future features: AI & GIS integration 18:15 – Predictive tech and where emergency preparedness is heading 20:35 – The real call to action: Get involved! 22:55 – The power of preparation and community kindness 25:15 – Let's not admire the problem — let’s solve it 27:40 – Closing thoughts and thanks 📞 Contact Info & Resources Disaster Central: https://disastercentral.org Be Ready App: Included in pilot discussions via Disaster Central Interested in the pilot program? Contact Curtis Garrett or Atlantis Community to request local training and preparedness offerings. 🗣️ Key Quotes “70% of your first responders are your family and friends.” — John Romano “Let’s not just admire the problem. Let’s work the problem.” — John Romano “This isn’t about doing it for us — it’s with us.” — Penn Street 📲 Other Shows by Aftersight Blindsight – Mental health and blindness Blind Level Tech – Accessible tech reviews and interviews Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Weekly show coming back this fall with a 16-week safety series Code Orange – Coming soon! Focused on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness

In this eye-opening episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street sit down with John Romano—nonprofit leader, former relief worker, and founder of Disaster Central. John shares how his experience as a pilot, motorcyclist, and Hurricane Sandy relief worker shaped his approach to risk mitigation and inspired the creation of the Be Ready app. The conversation explores how the Be Ready app simplifies emergency planning, especially for individuals with disabilities and access needs. Though accessibility features are still evolving, the app already offers powerful tools like cloud-based document storage, community contact sharing, and preparedness prompts for building continuity in crises. John breaks down his "Dare to Prepare" program, built in collaboration with global research partners and Independent Living Centers across Colorado. From Thailand to Estes Park floods, the stories shared reinforce the urgent need for personalized disaster readiness. The episode ends with a hopeful call for community input to shape the next generation of inclusive emergency tech. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:28 – Penn and Moses return from Iceland 01:45 – Introducing John Romano 03:20 – Motorcycle, piloting, and risk management 05:10 – Hurricane Sandy and discovering his purpose 07:22 – Founding Disaster Central 08:40 – Including people with disabilities in emergency planning 09:45 – Developing the Be Ready app 11:35 – Climate change and disaster trends 13:00 – The app as an easy button for preparedness 14:15 – Features: Cloud vault, encrypted storage, pets & guide dogs 17:00 – Accessibility and shared household planning 18:25 – Using the app with family and caretakers 20:25 – Uploading documents and offline access 22:50 – Teaching preparedness like fly fishing 24:00 – The “Dare to Prepare” training program 25:30 – Working with SILCs and CILCs in Colorado 27:40 – AI, accessibility, and the future of the app 29:00 – Outro and teaser for next week's deep dive 📱 Follow & Subscribe Listen to more Aftersight Originals: Blindsight – Mental health & resilience Blind Level Tech – Accessible tech and innovation Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Advocacy, safety & daily life 🌐 Aftersight.org | 🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts

In this raw and inspiring continuation of Zach Tidwell’s story, The Blind Chick dives deeper into Zach’s journey of survival, addiction, recovery, and resilience. After surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound and waking up totally blind, Zach faced cognitive dissonance, identity loss, and multiple layers of trauma—but he also found something unexpected: purpose. Zach walks us through the blurry, painful months of relearning everything from brushing his teeth to walking again, confronting the reality of permanent blindness, and battling crippling depression—all while defying odds. His path includes learning to snowboard, going back to college, coding an award-winning app, and discovering a new identity through service to the blind and disabled community. He candidly shares his relapse into alcoholism and how he ultimately found the strength to get sober, develop accessible tech, and start a podcast and book that continue to help others. Zach’s story reminds us that failure isn’t final and that purpose can be forged in even the darkest fires. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro + Welcome Back to Part 2 00:28 – Zach’s Awakening + Immediate Aftermath of Attempt 02:54 – ICU, Life Support, and “He’s Still in There” 05:13 – Learning He’s Totally Blind + Initial Reactions 07:16 – Blind Rehab, Adaptive Sports, and Getting Back Up 09:39 – Depression Despite Independence + Sobriety Struggle 12:03 – The Turning Point: Speaking Up to a Therapist 14:19 – The Trigger: Statistics Class + Alcohol Relapse 16:41 – Dropping Out to Code: Creating Accessible Tech 19:04 – Battling Huntington’s Diagnosis + Deeper Addiction 21:20 – Zanagrams: Building the First Fully Accessible Game 22:44 – Sobriety, Speaking, and a Future Reclaimed 24:51 – Final Words: Speak Up + Adapt to Thrive 27:07 – Where to Find Zach + Outro

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses welcome Zach Tidwell, a blind Marine Corps veteran, suicide survivor, and resilience advocate whose story will leave you speechless—and ultimately inspired. Zach opens up about his time in the military, the deep emotional wounds following betrayal and traumatic brain injury, and the dark spiral into alcoholism and isolation that followed. At his lowest point, Zach attempted to take his own life and survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His recovery, however, would become a testimony not only to medical miracles but to the power of community, perseverance, and purpose. This is part one of a two-part episode. While today's conversation dives into the pain and trauma Zach endured, next week’s episode will celebrate the transformation—highlighting how Zach rebuilt his life, embraced his blindness, launched a podcast (Going In Blind), and became a voice of hope for others battling mental health challenges. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of depression, suicide, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro: Blindness is an adventure 00:27 – Summer vibes, camping, and introducing Zach Tidwell 02:46 – A “Hollywood” journey: the setup before the turnaround 05:12 – Military legacy and why Zach joined the Marine Corps 07:26 – Deployment betrayal: The Jody story and its aftermath 09:53 – Motorcycle accident and traumatic brain injury 12:07 – Downward spiral: alcohol, depression, and impulse 14:26 – Functioning alcoholic with hidden pain 16:39 – Faking wellness: snowboarding, dirt bikes, and silence 19:00 – The Marine mindset: Suffer in silence 21:23 – March 27: Holding a gun to his head 23:49 – Family fallout and silence during visits 26:32 – March 31: The suicide attempt 28:52 – Jonathan’s close and preview for part two

In this powerful conclusion to our three-part series with Dr. Charles Powell, we dive into his inspiring story of perseverance, professionalism, and pride. Charles shares a transformative moment in his career—an interview that turned into a life-changing opportunity with one of the largest oil and gas companies in the country. With authenticity and passion, he breaks down the stereotypes placed on the blind community—both from the outside world and within. We talk about technology, independence, appearance, work ethic, and the need to raise the bar—not just for others to see what’s possible, but so our own community stops selling itself short. Dr. Powell also opens up about the influence of his blind grandfather, who ran a working farm with grit and dignity long before there was assistive technology. This episode is a rally cry to challenge assumptions, claim our value, and celebrate the unsung mentors whose stories shaped us long before hashtags or headlines. Key Topics Covered: How Dr. Powell landed a role with a billion-dollar company Challenging and embracing stereotypes in the blind community Personal pride, grooming, and presentation as advocacy Honoring the legacy of blind family members who paved the way The role of representation in media and mentorship The growing movement of disability pride and leadership Why we must let go of control and allow purpose to grow organically Quotable Moments: “I didn’t do all this to prove I was blind and could do it. I did it because I wanted to contribute to my family.” – Dr. Charles Powell “We need to break our own stereotypes before we expect the world to.” – Dr. Charles Powell “You don't need a big start. Just start. The movement is already growing.” – Penn Street Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Part 3 with Dr. Charles Powell 01:08 – Charles Returns to Finish His Story: The Job Interview That Changed Everything 03:40 – Showcasing Assistive Tech in the Interview 05:15 – The Surprise CEO Reveal and Job Offer 06:55 – Working for a Billion-Dollar Company 08:20 – Breaking Stereotypes from the Inside 10:30 – Blind Pride: Dressing, Grooming, and Showing Up 12:05 – Public Perception vs. Blind Capability 13:40 – Changing the Narrative Within the Blind Community 15:05 – Penn Reflects on Representation and Role Models 16:30 – Building a Movement: Connection, Advocacy, and Collaboration 18:25 – Celebrate the Wins and Keep the Fire Burning 20:00 – Charles on Legacy: Honoring His Blind Grandfather 23:00 – The Real Motivation: Family, Not Fame 25:10 – Penn on Learning from Her Mom’s Low Vision Journey 26:30 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action 28:00 – Gratitude for the Audience and Aftersight Team 28:45 – Final Encouragement: Be Kind to Yourself and Others Final Words from Penn: “To all our listeners: thank you for making The Blind Chick a top-ranked show. Your ratings, your shares, your belief in what we’re doing—it’s everything. This week, be kind to yourself. Be kind to someone else. It’s good for your soul.” Connect with Dr. Charles Powell: You can find Dr. Powell and his organization, Divine Visions, online to learn more about his advocacy, consulting, and business support services. Stay in Touch: Follow The Blind Chick on your favorite podcast platform, leave a five-star review, and join us next week for another empowering conversation. Produced by: Jonathan Price at Aftersight | jonathan@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856

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