The Blind Chick

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