Episodios

  • Pens, Pixels & Possibility: Writing Our Way Beyond Limits: Part 2 with Elyse Draper

    Pens, Pixels & Possibility: Writing Our Way Beyond Limits: Part 2 with Elyse Draper
    Aug 8 2025
    Bill Lundgren continues his deep-dive with author and publisher Elyse Draper, exploring how writing can serve as catharsis and empowerment for people with disabilities. They unpack the idea that adaptive technology is simply “tools for the job,” spotlight Elyse’s Super Abled children’s-story app and the VI&B Creatives Workshop, and demystify AI as a creative ally. Practical tips on memoir-style journaling, freewriting without self-censorship, and using AI platforms like Gemini round out an encouraging conversation on turning personal challenges into narrative strength.

    Contact Info
    Elyse Draper — Senior Editor, iPub Cloud
    Email: E.Draper@ipubcloud.org
    Publishing House & Store: https://ipubcloud.org
    VI&B Creatives Workshop: https://viandbcreativesworkshop.com
    Super Abled App: https://super_abled.com

    Aftersight — Non-profit media network
    Phone: (720) 712-8856
    Email: feedback@aftersight.org
    Podcasts & resources: https://aftersight.org/podcast
    Producer Credits: Jonathan Price — Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Host: Bill Lundgren
    Guest: Elyse Draper
    Producer: Jonathan Price
    Recording & Post-Production: Aftersight Studios

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 Intro & Part 1 recap
    02:18 “Tools for the job” mindset
    04:44 Launching the Super Abled project
    07:05 First steps for therapeutic writing
    09:26 Introspection through speculative fiction
    11:53 Writing for yourself vs. an audience
    14:21 AI as a creativity partner
    16:29 How to reach Elyse & project links
    18:58 Storytelling, donations, and final takeaways
    20:25 Closing remarks
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    21 m
  • Writing Through the Darkness: Creativity, Mental Health, and Vision Loss (Part 1)

    Writing Through the Darkness: Creativity, Mental Health, and Vision Loss (Part 1)
    Aug 1 2025
    In this emotionally powerful Part 1 episode of Blindsight, Bill Lundgren sits down with Elyse Draper—author, illustrator, and founder of the VI&B Creatives Workshop. Elyse shares her incredible journey from visual artist to writer, and how the onset of vision loss reshaped her life, family dynamics, and identity. Through raw stories of grief, mental health challenges, and creative survival, Elyse invites listeners into a deeper understanding of how art can be a lifeline. The episode explores the origins of VI&B, the importance of peer support in the blind community, and how writing can offer both healing and purpose.
    Come back next week for Part 2 of this inspiring conversation.
    At the end of the episode, Jonathan Price shares details about the upcoming Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13th—an inclusive outdoor experience for the blind and low-vision community and their supporters.

    📞 Contact Information
    Aftersight Website: https://aftersight.org
    Hike Details: https://aftersight.org/hike
    Email: feedback@aftersight.org
    Phone: (720) 712-8856

    ⏱️ Chapter Markers
    00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
    01:30 – Elyse’s journey from visual arts to writing
    04:45 – Diagnosis, grief, and writing as catharsis
    09:25 – Building VI&B: A platform for blind creatives
    13:15 – Blindness and the new language of art
    18:20 – Accessibility innovations driven by disability
    23:00 – Career gaps for creatives with disabilities
    27:45 – Hike announcement and closing remarks
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    30 m
  • A is For Anger

    A is For Anger
    Jul 25 2025
    Bill and Samantha unpack the stigma around anger and the broader emotional experience for people with low vision or blindness. Samantha shares her unconventional entry into vision-loss counseling through the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, emphasizes that clients with low vision are “just people,” and highlights grief as a common—but not universal—theme. Together they challenge prejudices (sighted vs. blind therapists), explore the “anger umbrella” of nuanced emotions, and offer concrete techniques for naming, expressing, and managing feelings—especially when visual cues are absent. The conversation closes with practical strategies: emotional granularity (using an “emotion wheel”), clear verbal check‑ins (“What’s happening in the room?”), and personalized coping routines (naming the feeling, walking away, sensory resets).

    Key Themes:
    Grief and loss in vision change
    Bias toward/against blind or sighted therapists
    Anger as an umbrella emotion vs. specific labels
    Gender and family conditioning around emotion
    Teaching children emotional language early
    Safety and expressing anger without visual feedback
    Coping strategies: name it, take space, regulate
    Emotional granularity & the Emotion Wheel
    Therapy as education: “You don’t know what you don’t know”

    Actionable Tips:
    Name precisely: Go beyond “angry” to “hurt,” “threatened,” “frustrated,” etc.
    State & step back: “I’m angry; I need 30 minutes. I’ll come back.”
    Ask for context: If you can’t see reactions, verbalize: “What’s happening in the room? How are you feeling?”
    Build a coping menu: Music, walk, shower, time with guide dog—experiment and codify what works.
    Use an Emotion Wheel: Improves emotional regulation and communication.

    Guest Contact:
    Website: https://tideschangingtherapy.com
    Email: samantha@tideschangingtherapy.com
    Instagram: @tideschangingtherapy
    Aftersight Feedback / Inquiries: feedback@aftersight.org

    Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

    2. Chapter Markers (mm:ss – one line each)
    00:00 – Intro & Welcome
    01:00 – Samantha’s Path: Tampa Lighthouse & Finding a Calling
    02:14 – Serving Clients in Florida and Colorado
    04:16 – “Same People, Different Experiences”: Grief & Vision Loss
    06:43 – Bias Toward Sighted vs. Blind Therapists
    08:35 – Challenging Prejudice and Affirming Capability
    10:54 – Setting Up Today’s Focus: Anger
    12:34 – Defining Anger & The Umbrella of Emotions
    14:44 – Gender, Family Messages, and Suppressed Feelings
    16:59 – Teaching Emotional Language to Children
    19:27 – Expressing Anger Safely with Limited Visual Cues
    21:52 – Coping Strategies: Naming, Walking Away, Reset
    24:14 – Anger ≠ Aggression: Normalizing the Feeling
    26:13 – Navigating Others’ Reactions Without Sight
    28:43 – Communication: “What’s Going On in the Room?”
    29:52 – Therapy, Learning, and Transforming Patterns
    32:01 – Emotional Granularity & The Emotion Wheel
    34:25 – From Core Emotions to Nuanced Expression
    36:49 – Reframing Emotions: We Feel Before We Think
    39:16 – Practical Tips & Verbal Validation
    41:43 – Guest Contact Info, Wrap‑Up & Closing
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    43 m
  • S is for sadness

    S is for sadness
    Jun 6 2025
    In this honest and emotionally vulnerable episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with therapist and guide dog user Darran Zenger for a heartfelt discussion on one of our most avoided emotions—sadness.
    Darran opens up about preparing to say goodbye to his beloved guide dog, sharing what it’s like to sit in the rawness of grief while still showing up with empathy and presence. Bill reflects on the loss of his own father and the misguided emotional norms he grew up with, particularly the message that “men don’t cry.”

    Together, they unpack:
    The nature of sadness as neither good nor bad
    The toxic cultural expectations—especially for men—to suppress emotion
    The difference between sadness and depression
    How suppressed grief can manifest as anger or even violence
    Practical tools for navigating sadness: music, movement, journaling, reaching out, and community
    Whether you're grieving, caring for someone who is, or just trying to understand your own emotions better, this episode is a powerful invitation to feel more deeply and heal more fully.

    Chapter Markers 00:00 – Opening: Mental health is not a luxury 01:05 – Introducing sadness: it’s not good or bad, it just is 02:24 – Bill’s personal story about emotional suppression 04:05 – Darran’s guide dog and sitting with loss 07:00 – The masculine pressure to suppress emotion 09:30 – The cost of unprocessed sadness 11:58 – Toxic positivity and being told to “buckle up” 14:27 – The need for empathy over solutions 16:37 – Sadness vs. depression: how to tell the difference 20:36 – What sadness looks like in daily life 22:00 – Music, movement, and peanut butter: self-care ideas 25:24 – Writing and drawing as emotional processing tools 26:56 – The power of bilateral stimulation and nature walks 29:13 – Medication, sleep, and the role of therapy 31:17 – Group therapy and peer support for grief 33:38 – Final thoughts: it’s okay to feel 35:58 – Next time on Blindsight: “A is for Anger”
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    38 m
  • Happy, Joy, and Everything in Between

    Happy, Joy, and Everything in Between
    May 30 2025
    In this emotionally rich and affirming episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren welcomes back therapist Darran Zenger for a deep conversation on the often misunderstood emotion of happiness. Together, they dissect the difference between genuine happiness, put-on smiles, and the more enduring sensation of joy.
    Darran opens up about his own challenges, including navigating life with Usher Syndrome, and how reframing small moments—like enjoying French fries or a favorite soda—can rewire the mind toward happiness. He emphasizes that happiness is a moment-to-moment experience, while joy is the cumulative result of consistent presence and meaningful connection.

    Bill and Darran also discuss:
    Why society often discourages men from feeling emotions
    How feelings are tools, not judgments
    The subtle ways addiction can numb happiness
    The power of gratitude and vulnerability
    Why we need to give ourselves permission to be happy
    From McDonald’s Coke to Brene Brown’s research, this episode is a vibrant blend of personal stories, clinical wisdom, and soul-nourishing reminders that you’re not alone—and that you deserve to feel happy.

    Chapter Markers:
    00:03 – Welcome to Blindsight: Introducing feelings series
    01:52 – Men, emotions, and societal norms
    04:45 – What is happiness? Reframing and redefining joy
    07:13 – Positive affirmations and “fake it till you make it”
    09:38 – Blindness, dating, and reframing rejection
    11:48 – The power of identity beyond disability
    13:57 – Connection over perfection and Brene Brown’s research
    16:22 – Joy vs. happiness: Daily choices and long-term reward
    18:31 – Outdoor joy: Hiking and hunting analogies
    20:45 – Chemical imbalance, grief, and suppressing emotion
    23:12 – The danger of judging emotions as “bad” or “good”
    25:35 – Emotional numbness: Brene Brown and the hand analogy
    27:59 – Using emotions as data: Embracing the full spectrum
    30:25 – Permission for happiness and being your own worst critic
    32:48 – Comparing ourselves, social media, and boundaries
    35:13 – Final encouragement: Give yourself grace and pursue connection

    Contact Info & Feedback:
    Email: feedback@aftersight.org
    Voicemail Line: (720) 712-8856
    Let us know your thoughts, questions, or emotional check-ins. We’d love to hear from you.
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    36 m
  • Vision Loss Isn't a Flaw

    Vision Loss Isn't a Flaw
    May 23 2025
    In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Neva Fairchild—an advocate, counselor, and technological leader in the blind community—for a powerful conversation about resilience, adaptation, and acceptance. Born with a visual impairment that went undiagnosed until preschool, Neva takes us through her journey of coping with undiagnosed Stargardt disease, the challenges of navigating school without accommodations, and ultimately building a career that has reshaped the lives of others with vision loss. Neva shares how she learned to stop hiding her condition, embraced assistive technology, and found her true calling later in life among those who not only lived with blindness—but thrived in it. Her story is a call to action to advocate for better services, honest conversations with doctors and families, and the dignity that comes from asking for help.
    Neva’s journey is one of transformation—from a child who struggled to be understood, to a national leader who now empowers others to live well with vision loss.

    Key Topics Covered:
    Neva’s early signs of vision loss and misdiagnosis
    Learning to pass in a sighted world and the emotional toll
    Breaking through shame and isolation by meeting others with blindness
    How technology and the right support changed everything
    Her work with AFB and advocacy for older adults with vision loss
    The importance of honesty, asking for help, and normalizing blindness

    Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
    01:00 – Neva’s diagnosis and early childhood struggles
    04:45 – Going blind in adulthood: The emotional and medical shock
    07:00 – Coping mechanisms, stubbornness, and a hunger to live fully
    10:00 – The power of blind community and assistive technology
    12:20 – Transitioning from enlargement to screen readers
    14:30 – The shame of visibility and learning to accept her identity
    17:00 – Career in blindness rehab and helping others thrive
    21:00 – Advocacy for better doctor referrals and more vision specialists
    23:45 – Final advice: "Blindness isn’t a character flaw"
    26:00 – Closing thoughts and contact info
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    26 m
  • 12-Step: your questions answered

    12-Step: your questions answered
    May 9 2025
    In this special episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren and producer Jonathan Price respond to listener-submitted questions about their recent 12-part series on the 12-Step Program. From fear of surrender in Step 1 to doubts about spiritual connection in Step 11 and uncertainty about helping others in Step 12, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human.

    Listeners from across the U.S. and beyond wrote in to ask deeply personal questions:
    How do I surrender without giving up on myself?
    What if my moral inventory in Step 4 changes how I see myself?
    How can I make amends without reopening wounds?
    What do I do when God feels distant?
    Can I really help someone else if I’m still healing?
    Bill shares real-world insights and practical, compassionate guidance rooted in decades of therapeutic experience. Jonathan offers encouragement, reframing each question with empathy and hope. The episode ends with a teaser for their next mini-series: exploring four foundational emotions—mad, glad, sad, and scared—and how these emotions interplay with logic, recovery, and identity.
    Whether you’re in recovery or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you are not alone, and healing is possible.

    ⏱️ Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
    00:46 – Letters from Listeners
    02:30 – Shannon (Step 1): Letting Go Without Losing Yourself
    09:45 – Devin (Step 4): Afraid of What I’ll Find
    17:10 – Tasha (Step 9): Making Amends Without Causing Harm
    22:00 – Chris (Step 11): Feeling Spiritually Blocked
    26:45 – Ellie (Step 12): Can I Help While Still Healing?
    31:45 – What’s Next: Mad, Glad, Sad, and Scared
    33:55 – Feedback & Farewell
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    36 m
  • Still Here: A Marine’s Fight to Live Again

    Still Here: A Marine’s Fight to Live Again
    May 1 2025
    In this raw and transformative episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Zach Tidwell, a blind Marine Corps veteran, adaptive athlete, software developer, and suicide survivor. Zach shares the deeply personal story of his journey—from a suicide attempt that left him blind and deaf in one ear, to confronting alcoholism, a devastating Huntington’s diagnosis, and ultimately rebuilding a life of resilience and purpose. Through adaptive sports, therapy, coding, and brutal self-honesty, Zach not only survived—he thrived. Zach speaks openly about the critical importance of speaking up, learning healthy coping strategies, asking for help, and embracing your agency in the face of despair. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing internal battles—or for those supporting someone who is. ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988, and press 1 if you're a veteran. Contact Information: Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 for veterans Aftersight Feedback Line: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Zach Tidwell Website: https://www.zachtidwell.net Podcast: Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell (available on all platforms) Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight 01:05 – Meet Zach Tidwell: Marine, survivor, and adaptive athlete 02:14 – Betrayal, trauma, and the downward spiral 04:38 – Depression, drinking, and suicidal thoughts 06:53 – Surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound 09:11 – “I’m not making salt and pepper shakers” — reclaiming identity 11:31 – Adaptive sports and rediscovering independence 13:52 – The power of speaking up during the lowest point 16:13 – Why Zach became a blind software developer 18:23 – Relapse and the battle with alcoholism 20:46 – Xanagrams and finding purpose through accessibility 22:45 – Accountability, acceptance, and hard choices 25:03 – The final drink: December 5, 2023 27:26 – The Huntington’s diagnosis and choosing to live intentionally 29:53 – Competing in sports and doing it differently 32:19 – Adapting your world by accepting help 34:39 – VA Blind Rehab Services and veteran resources 36:44 – Suicide prevention hotline and how to get help 38:00 – Zach’s projects, book, and podcast 40:10 – Final thoughts: Growth is painful but worth it
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    42 m