Episodios

  • The Blind Chick: 38 Years Sober — Penn Street’s Journey from Addiction to Purpose

    The Blind Chick: 38 Years Sober — Penn Street’s Journey from Addiction to Purpose
    Oct 9 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    43 m
  • Scott Garrison and Trekking Volcanos: Watch Out, That Last Step is a Doosy

    Scott Garrison and Trekking Volcanos: Watch Out, That Last Step is a Doosy
    Oct 2 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • Blind Pilots: Journey through Volcanos with Scott Garrison

    Blind Pilots: Journey through Volcanos with Scott Garrison
    Sep 25 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • Ireland vs USA for accessibility: David Redmond Part 2

    Ireland vs USA for accessibility: David Redmond Part 2
    Sep 11 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Vision Ireland: David Redmond on Advocacy and Accessibility

    Vision Ireland: David Redmond on Advocacy and Accessibility
    Sep 4 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • Superpowers and Spilled Gravel: Shawn Cheshire Unleashed

    Superpowers and Spilled Gravel: Shawn Cheshire Unleashed
    Aug 28 2025
    In this third and final part of Shawn Cheshire’s powerful conversation, she takes us deeper into her story of resilience, adventure, and relentless courage. From navigating hostile ignorance at a hotel to recounting her harrowing cross-country bike ride along the Continental Divide, Shawn shares how she transforms personal grief into legacy-building triumphs. She speaks candidly about shattering misconceptions of blindness, training for the Wonderland Trail, and her mission to expand possibilities for the blind and low-vision community. With raw honesty, humor, and fire, Shawn makes it clear—blindness isn’t a limitation, it’s a superpower.

    Contact Info
    Shawn Cheshire / Choosing to See Foundation: choosingtosee.org
    Film Website: blindasfuck.com
    Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org
    | (720) 712-8856 | aftersight.org
    Producer: Jonathan Price

    Show Credits
    Host: Penn & Moses Street
    Guest: Shawn Cheshire
    Producer: Jonathan Price
    An Aftersight Original Podcast

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 – Intro & Content Warning
    01:20 – Hotel confrontation & misconceptions of blindness
    04:25 – Jonathan shares his biking trauma
    06:49 – What kept Shawn on the bike through falls and setbacks
    09:13 – Blindness as a superpower
    11:34 – Film festivals & Sedona Dave connection
    13:54 – Impact screenings & conversational advocacy
    16:16 – Crossing the Grand Canyon solo
    20:51 – Tour Divide: Canada to Mexico ride
    23:09 – Lessons with guides & being called a pioneer
    25:30 – Staying out of the black hole of grief
    27:34 – Aftersight Hike reminder & closing
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Rising from the Pain Cave: Part 2 Shawn Cheshire

    Rising from the Pain Cave: Part 2 Shawn Cheshire
    Aug 21 2025
    In part two of this powerful conversation, Penn and Moses continue their interview with Shawn Cheshire. Shawn opens up about the devastating year that changed her life: a traumatic brain injury, sudden vision loss, and the painful custody battle that separated her from her child. She shares how therapy became a lifeline, the moment of brutal honesty she had with herself in a shower, and the resilience that carried her into adaptive sports and eventually the Paralympics.
    The discussion digs into stigma—both from the general public and within disability communities—and the surprising challenges Shawn faced as an elite blind athlete. With raw honesty and unfiltered courage, Shawn reflects on the choices that shaped her journey, the discipline forged through trauma, and the deep healing that comes from therapy and community.
    This is a conversation about pain, perseverance, and transformation. Shawn’s story reminds us that identity isn’t something we inherit—it’s something we choose and fight for.

    Contact Info
    Aftersight: aftersight.org
    | feedback@aftersight.org
    | (720) 712-8856

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Penn & Moses Street
    Guest: Shawn Cheshire
    Producer: Jonathan Price
    An Aftersight Original Podcast

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Intro & Hike Reminder
    02:20 — Injury, Vision Loss & Custody Battle
    04:44 — Returning to Work & Identity as a Paramedic
    07:09 — Therapy, Night Terrors & Trauma
    09:24 — The Shower Aha Moment
    11:42 — Choices, Consequences & Growth
    14:03 — Therapy as Practice, Not Stigma
    16:25 — Trauma Defined & No Comparisons
    18:46 — Discovering Cycling & Training Resilience
    21:14 — Stigma & Bias in the Paralympics
    23:34 — Accusations of “Not Really Blind”
    25:26 — Embracing Identity & Handling Judgment
    27:00 — Wrap-Up & Teaser for Part 3
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • Blind AF: Part 1 with Shawn Cheshire

    Blind AF: Part 1 with Shawn Cheshire
    Aug 14 2025
    In Part 1 of our bold and moving conversation with Shawn Cheshire, Penn and Moses explore her remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in South Texas to breaking barriers as one of the first women in her Army specialty, and later serving as an EMT and paramedic. Shawn shares with raw honesty about growing up without love or nurture, surviving abuse, and how the voice of her grandmother’s encouragement shaped her resilience. She recounts her military service as a helicopter armament systems mechanic, the challenges of proving herself in a male-dominated field, and her transition into emergency medical services. The episode builds toward the life-changing on-the-job brain injury that left her blind, as Shawn reflects on the events, traumas, and triumphs that shaped her into the unstoppable athlete and advocate she is today. This is a gripping start to a story you will not forget.

    Contact Info
    Guest: Shawn Cheshire — https://www.shawncheshire.org/
    Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856 | aftersight.org/podcast
    Producer: Jonathan Price: Jonathan@aftersight.org

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street
    Producer: Jonathan Price
    Executive Producer: Aftersight
    Recorded for: The Blind Chick — An Aftersight Original Podcast

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Introduction & Content Warning
    02:14 — Why "Blind AF" and the Power of Shawn’s Story
    03:15 — Childhood in South Texas & Early Trauma
    06:40 — Joining the Army at 17 to Escape
    08:20 — Breaking Barriers as a Female Helicopter Armament Mechanic
    11:23 — Injuries, Discharge, and Moving Forward
    13:47 — Surviving Abuse & Planning an Escape
    16:10 — The Grandmother’s Voice That Saved Her
    18:32 — EMT Training and Leaving in the Middle of the Night
    20:49 — Life as a Paramedic & Finding Purpose
    22:53 — The Accident That Changed Everything
    25:19 — Diagnosis, Vision Loss, and the Long Road of Recovery
    27:15 — Closing & Preview of Part 2
    Más Menos
    27 m