The Blind Chick

Episode Summary Penn and Moses share Thanksgiving reflections, then welcome Reverend Ray, a D.C.–based pastor, advocate, and radio host. He recounts losing sight at 14 from a firecracker accident, the education he received at Maryland School for the Blind, and a 37-year career as a Randolph-Sheppard entrepreneur. He details his public-service work in Prince George’s County, why presentation and independence matter at work, and his faith journey that led to founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind. Reverend Ray describes training blind hosts at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, building men’s support groups, and practical inclusion inside churches. He offers a grounded take on “healing” culture and closes with a simple charge: pursue wisdom, work, and wealth—and share them. Contact Info Guest: Reverend Ray — Metropolitan Washington Ear; St. Didymus Church for the Blind (Washington, D.C.) Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org • (720) 712-8856 • aftersight.org Producer credits: Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — jonathan@aftersight.org • (720) 712-8856 Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street and Moses Street Guest: Reverend Ray Producer: Jonathan Price Recording & Post: Aftersight Studios Chapter Markers 00:00 — Cold open: gratitude and winter debate 02:16 — Guest intro: Reverend Ray’s story 04:32 — The long train to Kansas 06:47 — Firecracker accident and blindness at 14 09:07 — Education, possibility, and business mindset 11:00 — 37 years in Randolph-Sheppard 13:23 — Entering public service in Prince George’s County 15:47 — Hiring blind staff and customer-facing excellence 18:05 — Representation, grooming, and “show-and-tell” pedagogy 20:21 — Slides, memory, and being an ambassador 22:46 — Faith wasn’t first; the path toward calling 25:06 — Homelessness, surrender, and a turning point 27:23 — Becoming a pastor 29:43 — Founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind 32:01 — Inclusion in churches: solving real barriers 34:26 — “Healing” culture and harm 36:51 — Theology of acceptance and new-body hope 39:13 — Embracing the uniqueness of disability 41:28 — Staying humble: why paratransit 43:49 — Perks and advocacy in everyday life 46:08 — Metropolitan Washington Ear: shows and training 50:53 — Why coworkers hesitate and how to fix it 53:11 — Tech cost, older adults, and access reality 55:27 — Vans, transport, and men’s support groups 57:53 — Close: Wisdom, Work, Wealth

Episode Summary In this lively post-Halloween edition of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses share stories from their trivia night adventure, conventions, and travel dreams while exploring a deeper conversation about independence and companionship. From the Brain Candy Podcast trivia contest to tales of sailing, NFB conventions, and the upcoming Blind Travel Summit in Austin, this episode blends humor, honesty, and practical insight. Penn opens up about a close friend who felt crushed after being told she was “too much work” to travel with, leading to a discussion on finding compassionate travel partners, affordable accessibility options, and the idea for a new app connecting blind travelers with sighted guides. They also highlight the perks of traveling blind—from early boarding to free museum access—and urge listeners to “get out and be seen.” The episode wraps with reminders about Colorado Gives Day and an upcoming guest therapist who will share strategies for mental health and resilience. Contact Info Email: feedback@aftersight.org | contact@aftersight.org Website: aftersight.org Donate: Support Aftersight this Colorado Gives Day at aftersight.org/donate Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Producer: Jonathan Price Presented by: Aftersight Recording Engineer: Jonathan Price Airs on: Aftersight Podcast Network Chapter Markers 00:00 – Halloween Trivia with Brain Candy 04:30 – Sailing Memories and Katie Boyd’s Episode 06:50 – NFB Colorado Convention Recap 09:20 – The Blind Travel Summit Preview 11:40 – The Travel Buddy Dilemma 14:10 – Finding Independence and Affordable Travel 18:50 – Feeling Like a Burden While Traveling 21:20 – Perks of Traveling Blind 23:45 – The Travel App Idea 25:30 – “Get Out and Be Seen” 28:00 – Travel Stories and Making Connections 30:50 – Iceland, Norway, and the Aurora Borealis 33:10 – Live Recording Plans and Upcoming Guests 34:40 – Colorado Gives Day & End-of-Year Giving 35:30 – Movie Talk and Reflections on Judgment 37:00 – Closing Thoughts: Be Kind, Be Seen, Be Adventurous

In this episode of The Blind Chick Founder of Twin Cities Blind Sailing and co-founder of the U.S. Blind Sailing Association, Katy Boyd traces her vision-loss story, the freedom she found on the water, and how accessible sailing scales from youth camps to ocean racing. Topics include training blind helms with tactile and auditory cues, solo sailing in Mini-Illusions, safety and right-of-way on busy harbors, racing culture, mental-health benefits, and building national and global programs. Clear takeaways: sailing is teachable, teamwork matters, and access grows when local clubs partner and commit. Contact Info Guest/Org: Katy Boyd — U.S. Blind Sailing Association • us-blindsailing.org • Twin Cities Blind Sailing (donations for local growth via program page; national growth, contact Katy via the site) Aftersight (network): feedback@aftersight.org • (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street Guest: Katy Boyd Producer: Jonathan Price Series: The Blind Chick — an Aftersight Original Chapter Markers 00:00 — Opening and guest setup 02:17 — RP diagnosis and reclaiming architecture 04:38 — First sail in Boston and falling in love with the water 06:57 — Harbor stories and the five-horn barge lesson 09:21 — Learning venues: Charles River to open harbor 11:45 — Stress, humor, and decision-making under pressure 14:09 — Big-race goals and “firsts” for blind sailors 16:31 — Youth camps, safe starter boats, and racing pathways 18:50 — Teaching philosophy: rigging, knots, and 3D lake maps 21:13 — Why blind sailors excel at the helm 23:38 — Team dynamics: blind helm with sighted bow calls 25:59 — Solo sailing in Mini-Illusions and guide boats 28:23 — Night sailing logic and nonvisual navigation 30:49 — Independent outings and learning limits (fishing fail) 33:07 — Apps, rules, and racing without assistive tech 35:29 — Practicing blindfolded skills safely 37:52 — Starting programs in Minneapolis and beyond 40:11 — Colorado partnerships and site growth 42:31 — Progress stories: fear to racing to solo 44:55 — Mental health, volunteers, and first-time nerves 47:18 — Transfer effects: confidence beyond the dock 49:36 — How to connect and donate 51:59 — Scaling nationally and internationally 54:18 — Inclusion on the line with Olympians 56:39 — Final message: do not accept imposed limits 58:42 — Close and Aftersight thanks

Penn and Moses dive headfirst into the spooky side of storytelling for this Halloween edition of The Blind Chick. Between haunted houses, eerie Estes Park encounters, and mysterious footsteps in the night, they share their most chilling (and hilarious) ghost stories — from cigarette-scented spirits to musical hammocks and haunted barns. The conversation mixes humor, disbelief, and genuine spine-tingling moments as they recall the haunted homes they’ve lived in across Colorado — and even reveal a terrifying discovery made years after they moved out. They also invite listeners worldwide, including fans from Estonia and Russia, to share their own paranormal experiences. The episode wraps with lighthearted warmth as Penn recounts a funny exchange with her grandson about “The Blind Chick” mascot, reminding us that even amid the eerie, laughter and kindness shine brightest. Contact Info Aftersight 📧 contact@aftersight.org 🌐 www.aftersight.org The Blind Chick 🎙 Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street 🎧 Producer: Jonathan Price Show Credits An Aftersight Original Podcast Produced by Jonathan Price Edited by the Aftersight Audio Team Recorded at Aftersight Studios in Colorado Music by the Aftersight Network Chapter Markers 00:00 — Welcome to The Blind Chick: Halloween Edition 02:20 — Haunted Houses and Talking Scales 04:40 — The Ghost of Blackhawk 09:25 — Footsteps in the Night 16:10 — The Ghost in the Barn 18:30 — Estes Park’s Haunted Home 23:00 — The Midnight Footsteps 27:40 — The Baker’s Ghost Revealed 30:10 — The Loveland House and the Tree 32:35 — The Final Move and the Evil Ghost 39:35 — The Garage Discovery 42:00 — Ghost Stories from Around the World 43:45 — White Cane Day and the “Blind Chick” Story 44:20 — Closing Thoughts and Halloween Wishes

Penn and Moses welcome filmmaker, author, and policy expert Day Al-Mohamed. She shares her blindness story, trauma and recovery, and a practical view of advocacy from campus to Congress to the White House. The conversation covers ADA pressures, why state-level action matters, AI bias and disability, fencing as a confidence lab, and the power of authentic media (“Renegades” on PBS). Day closes with steady counsel for hard seasons: it will be okay—because we plan, support each other, and figure it out. Contact Info Guest — Day Al-Mohamed Website: dayalmohamed.com Books/Film: The Labyrinth Archivist; Renegades (PBS) Aftersight Web: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Producer Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — jonathan@aftersight.org Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street Guest: Day Al-Mohamed — filmmaker, author, disability policy leader Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Chapter Markers 00:00 — Cold open + show intro 00:28 — Cabin banter and Halloween setup 02:49 — Guest intro: policy, filmmaking, and advocacy 05:10 — Blindness origin and the “first question” problem 09:00 — Trauma, community, and rebuilding life 11:27 — From social work to law: rules that actually work 13:51 — Fencing and refusing limits 18:20 — First steps in policy and data-driven advocacy 20:43 — Statehouse internship to Capitol Hill 24:37 — ADA, regs, and where erosion happens 26:58 — What to do now: act local, build state protections 31:43 — How real constituents move votes 36:20 — AI bias, oversight, and disability truth 41:01 — Why stories change policy: books and film 45:46 — “Renegades” and disability history without inspiration porn 50:19 — What’s next: season two hopes and the blind detective 52:44 — The White House guide dog story 55:08 — What I’d whisper then, what I’d shout now 57:18 — Where to find Day + closing and Aftersight CTA

In this heartfelt and often humorous episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street open up about one of the most defining moments of their lives — Penn’s decision to get sober on October 9, 1987, and how that choice led to their lifelong partnership. The pair recounts the story of how a photography session meant to help teenage girls find confidence ended up transforming Penn’s life, sparking her sobriety journey and ultimately bringing the two together. From addiction and recovery to photography, love, and laughter, this episode dives deep into what it means to rebuild your life from the ground up. Penn and Moses share the struggles, the therapy, the humor, and the enduring gratitude that have carried them through 38 years of marriage, recovery, and shared purpose. It’s a story of second chances, unconditional love, and the courage to see yourself — and others — through a new lens. Contact Info Guests / Hosts: Penn & Moses Street — Hosts, The Blind Chick Podcast Organization: Aftersight — Empowering the blind and low-vision community through accessible audio content. 📧 feedback@aftersight.org 🌐 aftersight.org 📞 (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Producer: Jonathan Price Editing & Mixing: Jonathan Price Presented by: Aftersight — Where Blindness Meets Insight Chapter Markers 00:00 — Opening and Technical Glitches 02:20 — Why October 9th Matters 04:42 — The Photography Project That Changed Everything 09:24 — Penn’s Struggle with Self-Image 16:33 — A Baby, a Realization, and Sobriety 21:21 — From Pain to Purpose 26:06 — Falling in Love with Two Little Girls 30:48 — Rehab and Redemption 35:02 — Marriage, Therapy, and Healing 39:29 — Gratitude, Growth, and The Blind Chick Legacy 41:50 — Turning Your Partner Into a Muse

In part two of our conversation with adventurer and founder of Blind Pilots, Scott Garrison, we dive deeper into his remarkable journeys across the globe. Scott shares his upcoming expeditions in Costa Rica, Uganda, and Tanzania, and reflects on the unique sensory experiences of trekking volcanoes and rainforests as a blind traveler. He, Penn and Moses discuss the challenges of navigating trails like the Inca Trail, the importance of trustworthy guides, and the freedom of having independent experiences alongside loved ones. Scott also recounts his intense Kilimanjaro summit attempt, where trust, teamwork, and survival came together in unforgettable ways. This episode is about resilience, trust, and the power of shared adventure in the blind travel community. Contact Info Guest: Scott Garrison — Founder of Blind Pilots Website: blindpilots.org Email: scott@blindpilots.org Facebook: Scott Garrison (personal) + Blind Pilots page Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer at Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Guest: Scott Garrison Producer: Jonathan Price An Aftersight Original Podcast Chapter Markers 00:00 — Intro and recap with Scott 02:00 — Upcoming treks: Costa Rica, Uganda, and Tanzania 04:30 — Independence in travel as a blind couple 06:40 — Volcano hikes and sensory experiences 09:00 — The Inca Trail challenge and dangers 13:40 — Fitness requirements for adventure trips 16:10 — Discovering Aftersight and the Audio Trekkers hike 18:30 — Hiking with blind and low-vision groups 20:50 — Trust and safety in adventure travel 23:00 — Kilimanjaro climb and emergency evacuation 25:30 — How to connect with Blind Pilots 27:50 — Shoutout to Awarewolf Gear and Blind Travel Summit 29:00 — Closing thanks and Aftersight donation reminder

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses welcome Scott Garrison, a world traveler and founder of Blind Pilots, who joined Aftersight’s Audio Trekkers Hike all the way from Guatemala. Scott shares his journey from being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 19 to becoming an adventurer who refuses to let blindness limit his independence. Scott recalls early hints of vision loss, his time as a 15-year-old exchange student in Australia, and his years of living abroad in Prague. He describes the challenges of returning years later with less vision, including resisting the white cane until a friend’s tough love changed his perspective. The conversation turns to the creation of Blind Pilots—a program designed to make international travel accessible and empowering for blind and low-vision individuals. Scott explains how the program blends cultural immersion, local history, tactile activities, and well-trained sighted guides, all to ensure efficiency, independence, and memorable experiences. From luxury picnics on lava fields to adaptive skiing in Colorado, Blind Pilots aims to transform the way blind travelers explore the world. This episode is equal parts adventurous, raw, and practical, showing how resilience, creativity, and community can turn vision loss into a gateway for new horizons. Contact Info Guest: Scott Garrison — Blind Pilots Website: blindpilots.org Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856 | aftersight.org Producer: Jonathan Price, Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Guest: Scott Garrison Produced by Jonathan Price for Aftersight Chapter Markers 00:00 — Intro and welcome back 00:27 — Audio Trekkers Hike recap 02:43 — Scott’s diagnosis with RP 05:05 — Early signs and struggles in sports 06:24 — Travel bug ignited in Australia 08:47 — Life and independence in Prague 11:00 — Camino de Santiago and challenges with independence 13:19 — The cane debate and acceptance 17:21 — Adventures, mishaps, and humor 19:51 — The birth of Blind Pilots 22:08 — Designing accessible cultural adventures 24:31 — Integrating history, food, and tactile experiences 26:47 — Training guides and preparing safe trips 29:11 — Looking ahead with Blind Pilots

Penn and Moses welcome David Redmond from Vision Ireland for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about accessibility in everyday life—from airports and public transit to the awkward magic of speed dating. David shares how he navigates disclosure on dating apps, why voice and character matter more than looks, and how Ireland’s implementation of the European Accessibility Act is already nudging banks, apps, and services toward better design. The trio contrasts EU momentum with current U.S. headwinds around the ADA, then zooms out: universal design lifts everyone, and today’s tech (including AI) is expanding what’s possible for blind and low-vision folks—yes, even flying and autonomous vehicles. Quick updates include Aftersight’s Code Orange launch and details for the Sept 13 Boulder hike. Contact Info Guest — David Redmond / Vision Ireland: vi.ie • Podcast: Talking Technology with VI Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org • (720) 712-8856 • aftersight.org Producer: Jonathan Price Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Show Credits A production of Aftersight. Host: Penn Street • Co-Host: Moses Street Guest: David Redmond (Vision Ireland) Producer: Jonathan Price Chapter Markers 00:00 — Show open & welcome 00:35 — Producer update: Code Orange + Sept 13 hike 02:22 — Travel abroad: airports, transit, and accessibility 04:41 — Dating apps: to disclose or not? 06:58 — Speed dating made accessible 09:25 — When disclosure lands… or doesn’t 11:47 — First impressions, voices, and character 14:07 — What makes a voice attractive 16:31 — Ireland’s European Accessibility Act goes live 18:52 — U.S. ADA worries and cultural whiplash 21:12 — Global ripple effects & corporate compliance 23:21 — “Blind people can do anything” — new frontiers 25:40 — Public-service mindset: why shows like this matter 28:01 — CTAs: hike details, how to connect with Aftersight

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street welcome special guest David Redmond from Vision Ireland. David shares his personal story growing up with congenital glaucoma and other vision conditions in Cork, Ireland, and how his journey led him into the world of accessible technology and media. He opens up about the challenges of vision loss, the role of assistive technology like JAWS, ZoomText, and VoiceOver, and how his career path shifted from mainstream radio to producing podcasts and tech content for Vision Ireland. The conversation explores similarities and differences between Ireland and the United States when it comes to employment challenges, accessibility, and available resources for blind and low-vision individuals. David also highlights the mission of Vision Ireland as a one-stop shop for support, advocacy, and technology training, while sharing his own perspective on building community and friendships within the blind community. Listeners are reminded about Aftersight’s upcoming Accessible Hike in Boulder, Colorado on September 13th, and encouraged to register for a day of inclusion, support, and adventure in the mountains. Contact Info Guest: David Redmond, Vision Ireland Website: https://www.visionireland.ie Aftersight Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Website: https://aftersight.org Producer: Jonathan Price, Aftersight Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Guest: David Redmond (Vision Ireland) Producer: Jonathan Price, Aftersight Chapter Markers 00:00 — Intro & banter with Penn, Moses, and Jonathan 02:01 — Aftersight Accessible Hike announcement (Sept. 13) 03:00 — Meet David Redmond: growing up in Cork, Ireland 04:15 — Navigating school with glaucoma and assistive tech 06:36 — Facing fears and preparing for possible vision loss 08:53 — Everyday independence vs. acting “more blind” in new settings 10:20 — From media studies to Vision Ireland 13:19 — Talking Technology: podcasts, newsletters, and advocacy 15:43 — Employment struggles and accessibility barriers 18:04 — Vision Ireland’s “one stop shop” of services 20:23 — Building friendships through camps and blind community events 22:42 — Differences between U.S. and Ireland’s blindness services 25:01 — Rebranding from NCBI to Vision Ireland 27:16 — Outro & preview of Part 2 with David Redmond