Episodios

  • A Shot at Life: Zach Tidwell’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

    A Shot at Life: Zach Tidwell’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
    Jun 5 2025
    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
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    30 m
  • Dr. Charles Powell: Breaking Stereotypes, Building Legacy (Part 3)

    Dr. Charles Powell: Breaking Stereotypes, Building Legacy (Part 3)
    May 29 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Dr. Charles Powell Part 2: Blindness, Brilliance, and Building Your Own Table

    Dr. Charles Powell Part 2: Blindness, Brilliance, and Building Your Own Table
    May 21 2025
    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
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    28 m
  • Blind, But Not Broken with Dr. Charles Powell

    Blind, But Not Broken with Dr. Charles Powell
    May 15 2025
    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
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    26 m
  • Aftersight Hosts Unleashed Part 2

    Aftersight Hosts Unleashed Part 2
    May 8 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • Aftersight Hosts Unleashed

    Aftersight Hosts Unleashed
    May 1 2025
    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
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    26 m
  • Locked, Loaded, and Listening: Hunting, Healing, and Hearing Loss with Darren Zenger

    Locked, Loaded, and Listening: Hunting, Healing, and Hearing Loss with Darren Zenger
    Apr 24 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • Healing Beyond Words: Trauma, Sobriety, and Brain-spotting with Darran Zenger

    Healing Beyond Words: Trauma, Sobriety, and Brain-spotting with Darran Zenger
    Apr 17 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    27 m
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