Blindsight

By AftersightAlternative Health Health & Fitness Mental Health

Blindsight episodes

October 10, 2025 Blindsight — Phoenix: Ashley’s Rise After Darkness
In this powerful episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren speaks with Ashley, a survivor whose journey through trauma, depression, and blindness has forged a message of resilience and rebirth. Ashley opens up about her early struggles with family instability, mental illness, and a life-changing suicide attempt that left her blind but ultimately set her on a path toward self-discovery and purpose.
She discusses the process of rebuilding her life after losing her sight, finding independence at Perkins School for the Blind, and redefining strength through the metaphor of the Phoenix—rising renewed from her own ashes. Ashley and Bill explore themes of mental health, self-foundation, interdependence, and the delicate balance between support and autonomy for people who are blind.
This episode is a raw and inspiring reminder that healing begins when we stop hiding from the fire and start walking through it.
Contact Information
Guest: Ashley — Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker
Organization: Perkins School for the Blind
Host: Bill Lundgren
Producer: Jonathan Price
Podcast Network: Aftersight
📩 For Resources or Questions: [email protected]
☎️ If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling: Dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
🌐 Learn More: www.aftersight.org
Show Credits
Host: Bill Lundgren
Guest: Ashley
Producer: Jonathan Price
Audio Production: Aftersight Studios
Presented by: Aftersight — Empowering the Blind and Low-Vision Community
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction and Content Warning
01:00 — Ashley’s Early Life and Family Struggles
05:00 — Mental Health and Early Depression
07:00 — Trauma, Self-Harm, and Institutional Care
09:00 — The Night of the Attempt
13:00 — Waking Up Blind: A New Beginning
16:00 — Recovery and Perkins School for the Blind
18:00 — Becoming the Phoenix
21:00 — Building a Foundation of Self
25:00 — Learning Independence and Advocacy
30:00 — Accepting Blindness and Teaching Others
39:00 — Mental Health, Balance, and Support Systems
46:00 — Lessons in Interdependence and Resilience
49:00 — Steps Toward Healing and Moving Forward
52:00 — Closing Thoughts and Crisis Resources
53 min
October 10, 2025 Blindsight — Phoenix: Ashley’s Rise After Darkness
In this powerful episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren speaks with Ashley, a survivor whose journey through trauma, depression, and blindness has forged a message of resilience and rebirth. Ashley opens up about her early struggles with family instability, mental illness, and a life-changing suicide attempt that left her blind but ultimately set her on a path toward self-discovery and purpose.
She discusses the process of rebuilding her life after losing her sight, finding independence at Perkins School for the Blind, and redefining strength through the metaphor of the Phoenix—rising renewed from her own ashes. Ashley and Bill explore themes of mental health, self-foundation, interdependence, and the delicate balance between support and autonomy for people who are blind.
This episode is a raw and inspiring reminder that healing begins when we stop hiding from the fire and start walking through it.
Contact Information
Guest: Ashley — Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker
Organization: Perkins School for the Blind
Host: Bill Lundgren
Producer: Jonathan Price
Podcast Network: Aftersight
📩 For Resources or Questions: [email protected]
☎️ If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling: Dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
🌐 Learn More: www.aftersight.org
Show Credits
Host: Bill Lundgren
Guest: Ashley
Producer: Jonathan Price
Audio Production: Aftersight Studios
Presented by: Aftersight — Empowering the Blind and Low-Vision Community
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction and Content Warning
01:00 — Ashley’s Early Life and Family Struggles
05:00 — Mental Health and Early Depression
07:00 — Trauma, Self-Harm, and Institutional Care
09:00 — The Night of the Attempt
13:00 — Waking Up Blind: A New Beginning
16:00 — Recovery and Perkins School for the Blind
18:00 — Becoming the Phoenix
21:00 — Building a Foundation of Self
25:00 — Learning Independence and Advocacy
30:00 — Accepting Blindness and Teaching Others
39:00 — Mental Health, Balance, and Support Systems
46:00 — Lessons in Interdependence and Resilience
49:00 — Steps Toward Healing and Moving Forward
52:00 — Closing Thoughts and Crisis Resources
53 min
August 08, 2025 Pens, Pixels & Possibility: Writing Our Way Beyond Limits: Part 2 with Elyse Draper
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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
22 min
August 08, 2025 Pens, Pixels & Possibility: Writing Our Way Beyond Limits: Part 2 with Elyse Draper
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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
22 min
August 01, 2025 Writing Through the Darkness: Creativity, Mental Health, and Vision Loss (Part 1)
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: [email protected]
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
31 min
August 01, 2025 Writing Through the Darkness: Creativity, Mental Health, and Vision Loss (Part 1)
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: [email protected]
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
31 min
July 25, 2025 A is For Anger
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: [email protected]
Instagram: @tideschangingtherapy
Aftersight Feedback / Inquiries: [email protected]
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
44 min
July 25, 2025 A is For Anger
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: [email protected]
Instagram: @tideschangingtherapy
Aftersight Feedback / Inquiries: [email protected]
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
44 min
June 06, 2025 S is for sadness
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”
38 min
June 06, 2025 S is for sadness
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”
38 min

About Blindsight

From the publisher's feed

Blindsight explores life through a different lens—sharing real conversations at the intersection of blindness, mental health, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by Bill Lundgren, each episode spotlights lived experience, hard-won resilience, and the moments people don’t always know how to talk about out loud. From navigating family dynamics and identity to battling anxiety, depression, or addiction—and finding traction again—Blindsight makes space for honesty, hope, and practical perspective. With compelling guests and real-life stories, it’s a podcast for anyone who wants to understand more deeply, feel less alone, and keep moving forward—one brave conversation at a time.