Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R.

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On the last day of Self-Care Awareness Month, this conversation arrives right on time. My own schedule got away from me this month, which is a good reminder of why self-care starts with self-awareness: noticing what we need, and giving ourselves grace when life doesn't go as planned.

In this episode, Dana Hinnant, Gabby Mendonca, Nasreen Bhutta, Sylvia Perez, and I challenge the spa-day version of self-care and get honest about what happens when we slow down enough to hear what we actually need. We talk about boundaries, people pleasing, self-advocacy, accommodations, and why community support can make us more independent, not less.

• Self-care as reflection, routine, and inner listening rather than a reward
• Noticing needs through slowing down, check-ins, journaling, prayer, and therapy
• Boundaries as protection for peace of mind and energy
• The roots of people pleasing and the courage to disappoint others
• Self-advocacy when asking feels uncomfortable, including requesting accommodations
• Interdependence and support networks as strength and self-respect
• Simple skincare non-negotiables: SPF 30+, a gentle cleanser, hydration, and moisturizer

We'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little reminder to pause, listen to themselves, and honor what they need.

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

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May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

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An audience measures attention. Understanding transforms people.

August is Children's Eye Health Month, and families everywhere are heading back to school. In this episode, we sit down with Mary Noga, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the School Nurse Certification Program at University of Illinois Chicago, to talk about the Small Steps to Eye Care Action Plan she implemented at Indian Prairie School District 204, where she previously served as Health Services Coordinator, and why the gap between a vision screening and a completed eye exam matters so much for a child's ability to learn and thrive.

Mary Noga, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the School Nurse Certification Program at the University of Illinois Chicago

Sylvia and Gabby

00:00 Welcome And Why Vision Matters
02:02 Growing Up With Low Vision
07:10 Meet Mary Noga And The Gap
10:23 Small Steps Action Plan Explained
21:04 Barriers That Block Eye Exams
30:55 Partnerships That Boost Follow-Through
37:40 Inclusion Tools And Back To School
45:45 Resources And Closing Thoughts

Mary has been a nurse for 19 years, and has worked as a school nurse for the past 18 years.  Mary recently completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Population Health Nursing. Mary's advocacy and service focuses on children's vision and eye health and removing barriers and improving access to eye care.  Mary has previously worked as the Health Services Coordinator and Licensed School Nurse in a large suburban school district in Illinois. Mary currently serves as the Director of the School Nurse Certification Program and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago.  Mary is dedicated to educating the next generation of school nurses and being the voice for children with visual impairments.

This platform works to shift how we see one another through A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™. This episode is a reminder that access starts early, and that something as ordinary as a vision screening can shape a child's whole experience of school.

• Small Steps for Big Vision website, https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/small-steps-for-big-vision/ 
• Small Steps Action Plan, https://preventblindness.org/document/small-steps-to-eye-care-action-plan-a-conversation-guide/

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

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May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

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Episode Title & Number: Walking the Path of Life: Sylvia's Camino de Santiago Journey 6-#6

Summary of the show: Sylvia shares her inspiring journey across the Camino de Santiago, highlighting the importance of interdependence, adaptive strategies, and inclusive infrastructure for travelers with disabilities. This episode explores how travel can be a powerful act of resilience and community building.

Key topics & timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome & Episode Overview
01:06 - Sylvia’s Camino de Santiago Journey
02:49 - Preparing with Sight Loss
03:53 - Overcoming Control & Embracing Presence
05:41 - Packing Light & Adaptive Gear
07:32 - Building Deep Human Connections
09:01 - Navigating Diverse Terrains Safely
11:11 - The Multilingual Sensory Environment
18:15 - Finding Peace, Joy & Reflection
19:39 - European Accessibility & Inclusion
22:18 - Visiting Once: Assistive Tech
25:34 - What US Cities Can Learn
30:28 - Sylvia’s Personal Vision & Future

Sylvia's Bio: 
Sylvia has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals with visual impairments through leadership roles at several prominent organizations. An inspiring strategist and advocate for high-quality vision rehabilitation, equity, and inclusion, she brings a powerful perspective shaped by her own lived experience with blindness. Beyond her professional duties, she serves on multiple industry boards, contributes as a content writer and podcast co-host for platforms like Bold Blind Beauty, and is an active member of Daring Sisters, a nonprofit empowering blind women. Devoted to her family, Sylvia is also a proud wife of 30 years and the mother of an adult daughter. 

Connect with Sylvia: 

• LinkedIn: @SylviaStinsonPerez
• Website: Total Impact Partners
• Instagram: @SylviaSPerez
• Facebook: @Sylvia.S.Perez

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

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Episode Title & Number: Claiming Your Space: Lynn Jensen on Self-Advocacy & Everyday Courage 6-#5

Summary of the show: This episode of Bold Blind Beauty on A.I.R. features Lynn Jensen, a seasoned vision rehabilitation therapist and author of The Best Kept Secrets for Travelers with Sight Loss. Today's conversation redefines self-advocacy as an everyday practice of quiet courage for the blind and low-vision community. Moving beyond public speaking and policy, Lynn Jensen discusses challenging low societal expectations, standing tall in your autonomy, and using travel as a masterclass for building confidence. 

Key topics & timestamps:
00:00 - Why Self Advocacy Is Essential for Blind and Low Vision Individuals
02:24  - Meet Lynn Jensen: From Nurse to Vision Rehabilitation Specialist
03:25 - Losing Sight Suddenly at 27: Lynn's Personal Journey
05:12 - How Peer Support Builds Confidence After Vision Loss
07:07 - Creating Community Through Vision Rehabilitation and Workshops
09:37 - Learning to Trust Yourself, Others, and Your Mobility Skills
11:52 - Travel, Independence, and the Power of Self Advocacy
13:49 - Hidden Disabilities and the Biggest Barrier to Accessibility
18:03 - Raising Awareness: Why Representation Matters
20:35 - Practical Self Advocacy Strategies You Can Start Using Today
24:30 - Communicating Needs and Setting Boundaries
33:25 - Advocacy, Resources, and Community Connections 

Lynn's Bio: 
Lynn Jensen is a registered nurse, a certified vision rehabilitation therapist, and the author of Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss. She lives in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and her new and retired guide dogs, Quest and Misty. 

Connect with Lynn: 

• Website: blindtraveltips.com
• Email: [email protected]

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Episode title and number: Permission to Be Human Navigating Sight Loss & Mental Health 6-#4

Summary of the show: This episode dives into the emotional landscapes faced by those experiencing sight loss, emphasizing the importance of mental health, self-awareness, and supportive therapy. Join us as we discuss practical strategies, cultural barriers, and how to find a therapeutic fit for your journey.

Key topics & timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:14  - Meet Janelle Landgraf: Trauma-informed therapy and EMDR explained
05:09 - Navigating how you perceive yourself and the world
06:41 - The Ongoing Grief Cycle
10:53 - Knowing When to Seek Help
15:02 - Cultural influences and access to mental health resources
22:53 - A discussion on medication and collaborative goals
24:25 - How to establish a high-trust therapeutic relationship
44:21 - Nutrition, movement, and the HALT method
51:26 - Closing Thoughts: Redefining yourself and finding your worth.

Jenelle's Bio:  
Jenelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. She is LGBTQ+ affirming and committed to social justice. 

Resources & Links:

• 988 Crisis Line (U.S.)
• Canadian Support: Dial 211

Connect with Janelle: 

• Double Vision Blog
• Double Vision Podcast 

Special Mention:

 Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength. Your journey with sight loss is unique, but supported mental health is foundational in moving forward. 

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

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Episode title and number: Creating Content with Heart: Embracing Authenticity, Inclusivity, and Community Support 6-#3

Summary of the show: 
In this episode, a vibrant discussion unfolds about the realities of creating accessible, inclusive content and navigating the emotional landscape of advocacy. Join us as we explore strategies for staying authentic, managing burnout, and inspiring positive change through storytelling. 

Key topics & timestamps:
00:00 Why Representation Shapes Culture
01:43 The Responsibility of Disability Creators
03:50 Where Meaningful Content Ideas Come From
06:49 Curiosity, Lived Experience, and Storytelling
10:18 Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
11:54 Authenticity Over Perfection
12:50 Creating Engagement Beyond Likes
17:56 Why Stories Help Others Feel Less Alone
22:11 Preventing Advocacy Fatigue Through Collaboration
29:03 Final Reflections: Representation with Intention 

Anne's Bio: 
Anne Mok is a blind storyteller, content creator, and emerging voice actor who uses narrative to advance accessibility, inclusion, and representation. Her work bridges lived experience and storytelling to reshape how disability is seen and understood. 

Connecting with Anne & our co-hosts:

• Anne Mock - @purposeinview
• Sylvia Perez -
• Gabby Donza - TikTok | Instagram
• Nasreen Nazarene - Connect via Bold Blind Beauty

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Episode title and number: Brazenly Blind: Lachi on Disability Culture, Language, and Structural Change 6-#2

Summary of the show: 
Disability advocate and recording artist Lachi joins Bold Blind Beauty On AIR to discuss disability identity, blind culture, accessibility in the music industry, and the power of claiming the word disabled. In this powerful conversation, Lachi, Steph, Gabby, and Sylvia explore aging into disability, dismantle euphemisms, the vibrancy of disability culture, and how style, storytelling, and initiatives like Ramped and Glam Canes are reshaping access and representation in the music industry. 

Key topics & timestamps: 
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview​
03:00 – Lachi’s Story & Audiobook Voice​
07:30 – “Just Say the Word Disability”​
15:30 – Aging into Disability​
20:30 – Identity, Community & Connection​
27:15 – Disability Culture in Full Color​
31:00 – I Identify as Blind & Ramped​
41:00 – Glam Canes & Changing Entertainment 
47:00 – Inviting Listeners to Claim Disability Identity
49:00 – Where to Find Lachi and Closing Reflections
1:02:03 – Closing Reflections

Lachi's Full Bio:
Lachi is a world-touring recording artist, award-winning music executive, Disability Culture champion, Recording Academy National Trustee, and producer of a GRAMMY-Nominated album. Born legally blind, Lachi created the U.N.-recognized organization RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities), a consultancy group, collaborating on disability-inclusive solutions with the likes of Netflix, Live Nation, and more, while bringing opportunities to its growing global network of creative professionals with disabilities. Lachi is also the host of PBS American Masters series Renegades, which celebrates unsung American heroes with disabilities. Lachi's latest book, I Identify as Blind (Penguin Random House / Tiny Reparations Books), is a collection of essays using humor, straight talk, and celebrity interviews to celebrate and amplify Disability Culture, identity, and power to mainstream discussion. 

Named a USA Today Woman of the Year, an ADCOLOR Innovator and included on both the 2025 Billboard Pride and 2025 Forbes Accessibility 100 lists, Lachi’s cultural activism has landed her spots on national ads and TEDx stages, discussions with the White House, NPR, and the BBC, and features in People, TIME Magazine, Good Morning America and the New York Times. 

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Episode title and number: Celebrating the Power of Women’s Friendship 6-#1

Summary of the show:
In this Galentine’s Day–themed episode, Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. explores the transformative power of women’s friendship, centering voice, visibility, and mutual uplift. Through honest dialogue, the cohosts reflect on optimism, vulnerability, encouragement, and the intentional ways women can support one another beyond surface-level celebration by showing up consistently, holding space during difficult seasons, and affirming each other’s worth. This conversation reminds us that friendship is cultivated with care, and when nurtured intentionally, it becomes a force that strengthens confidence, courage, and community. 

Bullet points of key topics & timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome
02:10 – What Do You Hope Your Friends See in You?
07:45 – Feeling Seen and Valued
15:30 – The Boldest Thing a Friend Encouraged You to Do
21:40 – Showing Up Without “Fixing”
27:55 – Using Our Voices to Lift Other Women
32:40 – Closing Reflections
33:56 – Episode Close

Happy Galentine’s Day from all of us at Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R.

Today, we’re celebrating the women who show up, tell the truth, hold space, and remind us who we are when we forget. May you feel seen, valued, and supported; and may you reach out to a friend and let her know the difference she makes in your life.

Here’s to friendship that is intentional, affirming, and powerful in all the quiet, everyday ways that matter most.

Supporting Our Advocacy Work:
⦁ Be a part of the change! Support our advocacy efforts. 

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Episode title and number:  When Blindness Becomes Your Superpower | Artist Sadie McFarland 1-#3

Summary of the show:
In this episode of Connected & Curious with Andy, host Andy Chadwick interviews 24-year-old artist and content creator Sadie McFarland. Sadie, who lives with optic nerve hypoplasia and panhypopituitarism, shares how she navigates her personal and professional life while advocating for greater accessibility and understanding.

Bullet points of key topics & timestamps:
00:00 – Podcast Introduction & Welcome
01:15 – Introducing Sadie McFarland and Her Whimsical Art Journey
05:03 – Navigating Life and the Digital World with Visual Impairments
08:43 – Workplace Accessibility and Building a Community for Advocacy
13:18 – Inclusive Design and How to Properly Assist Blind Individuals
17:44 – Creative Expression through Musical Theater and Worship Flags
22:13 – Faith as a Foundation and the Joy of Custom Art
30:52 - Final Message of Hope and How to Connect with Sadie

Supporting Our Advocacy Work:
⦁ Be a part of the change! Support our advocacy efforts. 

Connect with Sadie McFarland:

• TikTok Shop: @beautifullyblindartbysadie also Instagram & Facebook
• TikTok (personal): @sadiemcfarland1
• Facebook: @sadiemcfarland
• Instagram: @sadiemcfarland

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️

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Episode title and number: Holiday Heart-to-Heart: Friendship, Courage, and Our Favorite Things 5-#11

Summary of the show:
This year‑end episode of Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. is a “favorite things” celebration where the team shares what brought them joy, the bold moments that stretched their courage, and how they supported one another through big life changes. They close by naming fun, fearless actions for the new year—setting boundaries, embracing the unknown, and deepening their impact—while reminding listeners they are bold, brilliant, and that their journeys matter.

Bullet points of key topics & timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome 
01:03 – Favorite Thing This Year
07:21 – “Wow, I Did That” Courage Moment
15:16 – Who Inspired You on the Team
25:05 – Fun, Fearless Action for the New Year
31:50 – Closing Reflections

Supporting Our Advocacy Work:
⦁ Be a part of the change! Support our advocacy efforts. 

Featuring:

• Andy Chadwick
• Anne Mok
• Dana Hinnant
• Gabby Mendonca
• Nasreen Bhutta
• Sylvia Stinson-Perez
• Stephanae McCoy

Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R. features thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the richness of disability experiences, rooted in A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, & Representation)™.

Connect with Bold Blind Beauty

YouTube · Podcast · LinkedIn

May Bold Blind Beauty always be known not for the noise it made,
but for the understanding it cultivated.

Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music  https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958

Thanks for listening!❤️