The Blind Chick

1) Episode Summary 

In this special Aftersight Original, Kim Wardlow shares the personal story behind her leadership and the road that led her to become Executive Director of Aftersight. She reflects on growing up in Lamar, Colorado, her early love for creativity, 4-H, cooking, service, travel, and the many work experiences that quietly prepared her for nonprofit leadership. 

Kim walks listeners through pivotal moments in her life—from studying abroad in Scotland and working internationally, to volunteering at what was then Radio Reading Service of the Rockies, to unexpectedly finding both her calling and her husband through the organization. She also shares how Aftersight has evolved over the years from volunteer-read programming into a wider community-centered organization offering podcasts, peer support, book club, white canes, and more. 

This episode is both a personal milestone and a mission-centered reflection. As Kim celebrates her 60th birthday and approaches 25 years with Aftersight, she invites listeners to see the deeper heart behind the organization: building community, increasing independence, and creating meaningful access for people who are blind, low vision, deafblind, or in need of alternatives to print. The episode closes with an invitation to support Aftersight’s work through her birthday giving campaign. 

2) Contact Info 

Guest / Organization:
Kim Wardlow — Executive Director, Aftersight
Aftersight website: aftersight.org
Birthday campaign / donations: Visit the donate page at aftersight.org 

Aftersight:
Aftersight Originals network featuring Navigating Life with Vision Loss, The Blind Chick, Blindsight, and Blind Level Tech 

Producer Credit:
Jonathan Price — Podcast Producer, Aftersight 

3) Show Credits 

Special Aftersight Original
Featuring Kim Wardlow
Opening by Jonathan Price
Produced by Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight 

4) Chapter Markers 

00:00 — Jonathan’s welcome and special Aftersight introduction
00:53 — Kim introduces herself, Aftersight, and the reason for sharing her story
03:14 — Childhood in Lamar, creativity, 4-H, and early PBS dreams
05:38 — Learning leadership, service, and community values
08:03 — Solar panels, first jobs, and developing a strong work ethic
10:28 — College, Scotland, travel, and broadening her world
12:54 — Early professional life, proposal writing, and service work
15:14 — Volunteering with Radio Reading Service and working at GE Access
17:37 — Friendship, snowshoeing, travel, and a season of transition
20:02 — Layoff, September 2001, and joining Radio Reading Service
22:21 — Meeting Doug, discovering purpose, and seeing the bigger calling
24:43 — Outreach across Colorado, music, and the value of volunteers
27:04 — How Aftersight expanded into podcasts, groups, and broader services
29:29 — Leadership, rebrand, relocation, and adapting through COVID
31:44 — Community, connection, and why the work matters
34:07 — Life purpose, independence, and the mission behind Aftersight
36:31 — Kim’s birthday campaign and invitation to support Aftersight 

• (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

1) Episode Summary 

Penn and Moses bring listeners on-location to Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue for a sound-rich “audio postcard”—live music, vendors, birds, shoppers, perfume wafting from storefronts, and the rhythm of a city that never quite stops moving. They share how walking the avenue night after night turns strangers into familiar faces, how the best meals often live off the main tourist strip, and why listening can be its own kind of “people watching.” 

The episode takes a turn into heart-and-human territory when Penn meets Apollo, a big white standard poodle, and feels a wave of grief and gratitude after recently losing their own dog, Beethoven—“a beautiful sadness.” They close with what the trip taught them the hard way: don’t run your life until your cup is empty. Pause sooner. Rest deeper. And for blind travelers especially: carry your cane proudly—it’s not just mobility; it’s connection. 

2) Contact Info 

Featured voices (on mic): Penn Street, Moses Street, Jonathan Price
Aftersight (questions / feedback): [email protected] | (720) 712-8856
Book The Blind Chick: https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled
Producer credit: Jonathan Price (Podcast Producer, Aftersight) 

3) Show Credits 

Show: The Blind Chick (Aftersight)
Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
Producer: Jonathan Price
Format: Special travel field audio / soundscape episode (Playa del Carmen, Mexico) 

4) Chapter Markers 

• 00:00 — Welcome + Playa del Carmen setup (Fifth Avenue field audio)
• 00:36 — Fifth Avenue vibe + “best vegan food ever” discovery
• 02:33 — Nightly walks, live music, vendors, accents, smells
• 05:59 — Meeting blind travelers + wheelchair users; “cane visibility” matters
• 07:18 — Off the main strip: “old Mexico” feel + dinner highlights
• 08:45 — Apollo the standard poodle: grief, comfort, “beautiful sadness”
• 10:35 — Trip reflections: rest, people met, and why this vacation worked
• 11:24 — New connections: Ash, Eric (musician), Sweet Maria
• 13:23 — Big point: get outside with your cane; it opens conversations
• 15:16 — Self-care lesson: refill the cup before it empties
• 17:01 — Closing: travel encouragement + listener feedback + birthday card mention

• (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

1) Episode Summary 

Penn and Moses check in from Playa del Carmen, Mexico—just a few blocks from the ocean—sharing a nostalgic “then vs. now” look at the Yucatán. Moses reflects on visiting the region as far back as the early 1970s, while the two of them compare Playa’s fishing-village past to today’s explosive growth: a once-small Fifth Avenue now feeling like “the Vegas strip on steroids,” and a jungle-lined two-lane road now a major highway. 

They talk through what they’ve loved (food, social warmth, quieter lodging close to the action) and what’s been hard to watch (beach access shrinking, hotels built right up to the water, old haunts gone or unrecognizable). Penn also notes the accessibility shift—still imperfect, but dramatically improved compared to earlier trips—while pointing out she hasn’t seen other cane or guide-dog travelers during this visit. 

Underneath the travel memories is a deeper thread: aging, change, grief, and gratitude—how you don’t always realize what you had until time has moved on. They share upcoming meetups with friends in the area, invite listeners to share their own “returning after years” stories, and close with listener mail and birthday notes—plus a reminder to be kind to yourself and someone else this week. 

2) Contact Info 

• Listener feedback + birthday ideas/cards: [email protected]
• Mailing address (as stated in the episode):
  Aftersight
  1802 Highway 42, Suite 201
  Louisville, CO 80027
• Producer: Jonathan Price (Aftersight)

3) Show Credits

• Show: The Blind Chick
• Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
• Producer: Jonathan Price
• Network/Org: Aftersight

4) Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Welcome back; quick banter and intros
• 00:10 — Coming to you from Playa del Carmen (Yucatán)
• 00:28 — Moses’ first Yucatán trips (1973/74) and early Playa memories
• 01:09 — “1990-ish” timeline check; realizing how long it’s been
• 01:15 — Playa as a fishing village; Fifth Avenue was only a few blocks
• 01:55 — “Stop here for the bathroom” era; Cozumel as the main reason
• 01:59 — Doing Mexico cheaply: Cozumel airport → ferry → Playa
• 02:44 — Watching Playa “explode” between visits (5x, 10x growth)
• 03:16 — Last big trip 18 years ago; coming back after a gap
• 04:26 — Finding old haunts; almost nothing is the same
• 05:02 — Fifth Avenue today: wild, global, late-night culture
• 06:29 — Eating times, crowds, and the feeling of nostalgia
• 07:27 — Winter of 2000: living right on Fifth Avenue (when it was tolerable)
• 08:47 — Wedding dress + dental work stories: the old Mexico price shock
• 10:06 — The beach reality now: access, guards, and what’s changed
• 12:40 — Accessibility reflections: improved, but still not “U.S. sidewalks”
• 13:45 — Moses’ “shallow male” era: European tourists, celebrity sightings
• 17:14 — Getting older: naps, heat, air conditioning, and “luxury now”
• 18:45 — Upcoming meetups: Scott Garrison’s parents; Megan Huffnagle & Greg
• 21:49 — The deeper point: returning after years, sadness, gratitude, perspective
• 23:12 — Rough year + loss; why this trip mattered
• 24:36 — Fifth Avenue at night; family culture differences
• 26:07 — Social warmth + travel humor (language, Americans jumping away)
• 27:04 — Listener mail + Penn’s birthday; send ideas and cards
• 28:03 — Closing thanks; be kind to yourself and others

1) Episode Summary 

Krista Webb returns for a full-length conversation after the 2025 Blind Travel Summit in Austin, Texas. She shares her deafblind journey with Usher syndrome (Type 2)—born hard of hearing, diagnosed at 19, and living with progressive vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (now under five degrees of central vision at age 38). She talks candidly about what changed (night blindness, stopping night driving, then stopping driving entirely) and what didn’t: her identity as a wife, mom of two boys, and a determined creator. 

From there, the episode turns into a masterclass on creative grit. Krista explains how wood burning went from a $10 tool to a serious craft (and “religion”), how she learned the process (sanding, grip, machines), and how her art opened doors—connecting her to the wider deafblind community and to creators like Matthew and Paul (including the custom hat collaboration tied to “blindness is a spectrum”). 

The conversation widens into travel, confidence, and culture: the crew swaps stories about navigating unfamiliar terrain, being underestimated, and choosing adventure anyway—right up to Krista’s upcoming plan to climb an active volcano in Guatemala (with adaptations like ATVs if needed). They also dig into a surprisingly big topic: “body shaming” vs. what actually happens in blind/low-vision spaces, including the idea of “tech shaming,” how style and comfort intersect with vulnerability, and what respectful guiding should sound like (including when “too much narration” becomes noise). 

Krista closes with a grounded takeaway: you don’t need perfect circumstances to live meaningfully—find something, even small, that gives you a reason to look forward to tomorrow. 

2) Contact Info 

Guest 

• Krista Webb — Instagram: @blindlove.woodburning (DM to connect; she mentions she’s not actively taking orders right now)

Aftersight / The Blind Chick

• Listener email: [email protected]
• Phone (general): (720) 712-8856

Producer Credit

• Produced by Jonathan Price

3) Show Credits

• Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
• Guest: Krista Webb
• Produced by: Jonathan Price
• Aftersight team shout-outs (as mentioned in the episode): Evan, Jennifer, Kim, Michael

4) Chapter Markers 

• 00:00 — Cold open: “old person calendar,” wrinkle cream, and rapid-fire banter
• 00:40 — Re-introducing Krista from the Blind Travel Summit (Austin)
• 01:56 — What Usher syndrome is (types, hearing + vision, balance)
• 04:18 — Diagnosis at 19, RP progression, and stopping driving
• 06:41 — Family life: marriage, motherhood, and adapting as vision changes
• 08:53 — How wood burning started (and why it took over)
• 11:17 — Connecting with Matthew & Paul; “blindness is a spectrum” hats
• 13:42 — Social media, representation, and being “real” in the community
• 18:12 — Travel stories: humor, independence, and doing life fully
• 22:50 — Guatemala trip + volcano climb: excitement, risk, and adaptation
• 30:43 — Body shaming, style, and why comfort matters when you feel vulnerable
• 35:29 — “Tech shaming,” community dynamics, and educating with grace
• 42:32 — Guiding etiquette: asking what help is actually wanted
• 47:02 — What’s next: Krista’s biggest wood-burn project (whimsical, inclusive art)
• 51:43 — Can wood burning be accessible without vision? (hard truth + alternatives)
• 58:45 — Closing message: “even broken crayons still color” + daily purpose
• 61:06 — Where to find Krista + thank-yous
• 63:18 — Final sendoff: kindness to self, kindness to others

Penn and Moses open with a call for listeners to mail physical birthday cards to Aftersight (to be read on air), emphasizing the meaning of handwritten notes over “one-click” social media greetings. They then welcome guest Jordan Hankins (joining from Austin, Texas) for a wide-ranging conversation on vision loss, identity, and rebuilding life with intention. 

Jordan shares her “before and after” story: years of grinding in real estate with freedom and travel as the goal, followed by a major crossroads as her vision rapidly declined. She describes a dark transition period, then a turning point—choosing to travel anyway—and how immersion in wellness communities (including Thailand) reshaped her outlook on healing, lifestyle, and personal agency. 

The discussion explores holistic health practices (nutrition, time outside, movement, acupuncture, herbs, meditation), the challenge of reintegrating into U.S. “grind” culture after experiencing slower, wellness-centered environments, and the practicality of returning to basics (real food, nature, reducing screen time). Jordan also explains why she began publicly documenting her journey—moving from “real estate Barbie” highlights to honest vulnerability—and the importance of boundaries when people reach out for support. 

The episode closes with meditation as a core practice Jordan credits with her transformation, her developing work teaching meditation, and early plans for accessible retreats (starting with Mexico). Penn and Moses underline the theme that life keeps bringing waves—growth is learning to ride them with better tools, self-awareness, and community. 

2) Contact Info 

Guest / Platform 

• Jordan Hankins
• Socials + Podcast: “Sighted by Soul” (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Podcast)

Birthday Card Mailing Address (Aftersight)

• Aftersight
  1805 Highway 42, Suite 220
  Louisville, CO 80027

Aftersight Contact

• Phone: (720) 712-8856
• Email: [email protected]

Producer Credit

• Produced by: Jonathan Price (Aftersight)

3) Show Credits

• Podcast: The Blind Chick (An Aftersight Original)
• Hosts: Penn Street and Moses Street
• Guest: Jordan Hankins
• Producer: Jonathan Price
• Organization: Aftersight

4) Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Birthday cards: why physical mail matters (and where to send it)
• 02:19 — Guest welcome: Jordan Hankins joins from Austin
• 04:30 — Austin vibes, community, and the Blind Travel Summit mention
• 06:54 — “Before”: real estate grind, money, freedom, and travel
• 09:17 — The dark season: fear, uncertainty, and deciding to keep living
• 14:33 — The “screw it” moment: choosing travel as the turning point
• 16:54 — Thailand: wellness communities, retreats, and reframing “healing”
• 21:29 — Coming back to the U.S.: holding onto “mountaintop” energy
• 28:27 — Practical basics: outside time, whole foods, movement, screens
• 33:10 — Social media tension: sharing purposefully without losing presence
• 35:30 — Why she went public: from highlights to real life and vulnerability
• 42:24 — Meditation: YouTube beginnings vs deeper training/retreat learning
• 44:41 — What’s next: retreats (Mexico) + balancing purpose with real estate
• 60:57 — Riding the wave: tools, seasons, and not getting taken under
• 63:07 — Closing: online meditation plans and a call to be kind to yourself

Episode Summary 

Penn and Moses kick things off (from separate locations) with Valentine’s Day around the corner—framing it less as a “couples-only holiday” and more as an excuse to show kindness to anyone (including handing out valentines to strangers). From there, the conversation turns serious: how to stay connected with people you love when you’re on opposite sides of politics and religion. 

Penn shares how painful it felt to hear her sister propose a new boundary—no politics, no religion—after a lifetime of being able to talk about anything. Moses offers a counterbalance: focus on in-person conversations, keep humor as a pressure-release valve (“street humor”), and remember that people often agree on the problem even if they disagree on the solution. They reflect on how social-media hostility amplifies division, and Penn points to a Grammys moment (Bad Bunny’s “approach with love instead of hatred” idea) as a north star for how to engage. 

They wrap with lighter updates: they’re heading to Playa del Carmen soon, they’ll be recording the next “just the two of us” episode from Mexico, and they shout out Evan Starnes and Blind Level Tech for making a real impact. They invite listeners to send feedback and join them on social media—and promise to post an old photo of Moses dressed as Cupid. 

Contact Info 

• Listener feedback: [email protected] (as stated in the episode)
• Aftersight (main line): (720) 712-8856
• Social: Search “The Blind Chick” on Facebook (Penn also mentions Instagram and TikTok)

Show Credits

• Show: The Blind Chick (An Aftersight Original Podcast)
• Hosts: Penn Street and Moses Street
• Producer: Jonathan Price (Aftersight)

Chapter Markers

• 00:05 — Intro: Penn & Moses are back
• 00:26 — Recording separately today
• 00:45 — Valentine’s Day: love beyond romance
• 01:33 — Grade-school valentines (and doing it again as adults)
• 02:31 — “Real life” topics brought to listeners
• 02:58 — Navigating political divides with people you love
• 04:23 — Penn took a class on talking politics across disagreement
• 05:03 — Moses on disagreement with his brother (Marco Polo)
• 07:30 — “Street humor” as a safe-word for joking
• 09:59 — Penn’s sister: deep bond, now opposite political aisle
• 11:01 — The heartbreak: “no religion, no politics”
• 13:18 — Why in-person political conversations work better
• 15:35 — Penn: why this moment feels more harmful than “just policy differences”
• 15:56 — Grammys moment: approaching issues with love vs hatred
• 18:10 — Old rule: don’t talk religion/politics; and why it “worked”
• 20:40 — Listener prompt: how do you keep relationships intact?
• 23:49 — Mexico countdown begins
• 25:12 — Story: walking away from politics in Mexico due to danger/stress
• 27:22 — Playa del Carmen meetup: Scott Garrison connects them with his parents
• 28:43 — Shoutout: Scott guiding blind hikers up a volcano in Guatemala
• 30:57 — Penn’s stomach health issues; excited for Mexico food
• 31:13 — Playa del Carmen then vs now
• 36:31 — Next “just us” episode will be recorded from Mexico
• 36:45 — Shoutout: Blind Level Tech and Evan Starnes
• 39:10 — Kindness + feedback request
• 39:36 — Social media plugs + Cupid photo promise
• 40:16 — Sign-off (and joking about an “X rating” Cupid depiction)

• (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

1) Episode Summary

Bethany Joy Boring joins Penn and Moses for a candid, funny, and deeply practical conversation about living with CHARGE syndrome, navigating combined vision + hearing loss, and the mindset shifts required to move from “proving yourself” to simply being yourself (as introduced in the recording you provided). Bethany shares her guide-dog journey (including the fear and stigma that delayed her cane use), how Toastmasters became her on-ramp to public speaking, and why she believes storytelling and community are essential to resilience. The episode also clarifies coaching vs. therapy (future-forward growth vs. past-rooted healing), introduces her “egg carton” approach to sharing your story safely, and closes with concrete ways listeners can practice gratitude and “step out and thrive.”

2) Contact Info (guest/org + Aftersight + producer credits)

Guest / Bethany

• Step Out & Thrive (official links hub, plus podcast + socials): 
• “Interactive Appreciation Guide” (download page): 
• Note: the official links hub uses the name “Bethany B. Joy.” 

Aftersight

• The Blind Chick (show page / show info): 
• Listener feedback contact (email + phone): 
• Low-Vision Support Group: Weekly Wednesdays at 2:00pm (MST), online via Zoom: 

Producer Credit

• Produced by Jonathan Price (Aftersight).

3) Show Credits

• Podcast: The Blind Chick (Aftersight Original) 
• Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street 
• Producer: Jonathan Price

4) Chapter Markers

00:00 — Show open: “Blindness can be an adventure”
 00:28 — Penn & Moses banter + New Year’s check-in (Jan 2026 mention)
 02:46 — Bethany intro + “spy novel name” riff
 05:09 — CHARGE syndrome explained (what it impacts)
 07:08 — Hearing loss realities + “offline” joke
 09:22 — Finding the unexpected “perks” + parenting humor
 11:36 — Why she resisted the cane + choosing independence
 13:52 — New guide dog user story + social media reactions
 16:16 — Public speaking with hearing loss: reading the room differently
 18:40 — Hearing the audience for the first time (wireless mic moment)
 21:00 — Speaking without notes + connecting to the audience
 23:23 — “How did you start speaking?” + Toastmasters origin story
 25:36 — Purposeful living: everyday “stages” and practicing presence
 27:44 — Listening well: “WAIT — Why Am I Talking?”
 30:02 — Coaching vs therapy (future growth vs past tracing)
 32:13 — Penn’s therapy reflections + disability fatigue and motivation
 34:31 — The “prove yourself” burden + redefining worth
 36:48 — Work, disability, and the pressure to overperform
 39:15 — “What do blind people look like?” + visibility and assumptions
 41:35 — “Superpowers” and the hidden skill-building of adaptation
 43:59 — Thriving vs chasing goals: becoming more alive
 46:24 — Mission mindset: living on purpose (even for small errands)
 48:51 — “Egg carton” storytelling: sharing safely, one “egg” at a time
 51:11 — Bethany’s podcast: Step Out & Thrive + what it’s for
53:29 — Stages beyond big stages: zoom calls, talks, parenting moments
55:53 — Community impact: people change goals but feel more alive
58:17 — Snorkeling vs scuba: tools for deeper work and resilience
60:30 — Where to find Bethany + appreciation guide resource
62:52 — Closing encouragement + Aftersight resources and support group mention

1) Episode Summary

Penn and Moses kick off the new year with humor about “non-resolutions” and sore gym arms, then share why they’re planning a Mexico trip: they’re still grieving the loss of Penn’s guide dog, Beethoven, who passed on December 22, and they want something hopeful on the calendar.

They talk through how vision loss changes travel—starting with the planning stage. Penn explains why location matters (walkability to food, shopping, and the ocean), why she always packs a primary cane plus a backup, and how she’s thinking about bringing new tech (smart glasses) on the trip. Moses adds his essentials—hammock and ceiling fan—and they both reflect on how Mexico has changed over the years, from sleepy villages and “shacks on the beach” to today’s more built-up destinations.

A major focus is airport stress and accommodations. Penn and Moses discuss using assistance through airports (especially through TSA and confusing layouts), how different the experience can be abroad versus in the U.S., and why they don’t hesitate to ask for help. They also share a specific frustration with airline systems that charge extra to speak to a human, and they invite listeners to share travel stresses, solutions, favorite tools, and “cane debacle” stories.

They wrap with practical travel habits—researching thoroughly, reading reviews for noise issues, sticking to a budget, and choosing convenience over unnecessary expenses—plus a warm note about Valentine’s Day as a chance to love people well in many kinds of relationships.

2) Contact Info

Aftersight Feedback: [email protected] | (720) 712-8856
Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer (Aftersight)

3) Show Credits

Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
Producer: Jonathan Price
Network: Aftersight

4) Chapter Markers

00:00 — Intro + Happy New Year banter and gym “non-resolutions”
02:03 — Why travel now: grief, goals, and planning a Mexico reset
04:30 — Mexico then vs. now: from sleepy villages to busy destinations
06:51 — Choosing chill: Playa del Carmen plans and “penthouse” reality check
09:19 — Travel prep with vision loss: canes, backup plans, and smart glasses
11:45 — Old-school travel memories: hammocks, rooftops, and budget lodging
14:11 — Biggest travel stress: TSA, assistance, and “using the blind card”
16:35 — Airport navigation stories: Iceland maze, Denver changes, and help lanes
18:56 — International contrast: being treated better abroad and smooth customs
20:48 — Tools and hacks: what to pack, what helps, and what listeners should share
23:11 — TSA realities: gear, clothing, and why Moses always gets searched
25:37 — Booking strategy: reviews, noise warnings, and choosing walkable locations
27:59 — Frontier nerves: cheap flights, upgraded seats, and expectations
30:24 — Money lessons: car rentals, local transit, and researching costs
32:42 — Mexico logistics: when to rent a car and how they plan movement
35:07 — Show teasers: last week’s Elise + next week’s Bethany episode
37:31 — Valentine’s Day reframed: gratitude, love, and closing invitation to write in

Episode Summary

Elise Draper joins Penn Street and Moses Street for a candid, funny, and deeply real conversation about living with progressive vision loss—and refusing to let society set the ceiling on what’s possible.

Elise shares her diagnosis (PIC), the long road through misdiagnosis, treatments, and the layered realities of chronic eye disease (including autoimmune inflammation, scarring, injections, and early-onset glaucoma). She also explains Charles Bonnet syndrome in practical terms—what it can look like, why it’s so disorienting, and why being dismissed by medical professionals can be as damaging as the symptoms themselves.

The conversation moves from the darkest seasons (depression, isolation, relationships fracturing under the strain) to rebuilding: community support, independence tools like the white cane, and a mindset shift that replaces “lowered expectations” with agency. Elise then spotlights the work she’s leading through the VIMB Creatives Workshop under the umbrella of IPub Global (iPub Cloud): creating a platform for blind and low-vision creatives to publish, get feedback, build professional skills (including resumes), and raise visibility for marginalized voices.

Contact Info

• Guest: Elise Draper — author, publisher, freelance writer; marketing director/CMO (as discussed in the episode)
• Creative Platform: VIMB Creatives Workshop (Elise notes you can find it by searching “VIMB Creatives Workshop”)
• Spotify: “VIMB Creatives Workshop” (as named in the episode)
• Aftersight: Aftersight.org
  • General contact: [email protected] | (720) 712-8856
• Producer: Jonathan Price

Show Credits

• Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
• Guest: Elise Draper
• Producer: Jonathan Price
• Network: Aftersight (Aftersight Original Podcast)

Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Show intro and welcome
• 02:19 — Elise’s name origin and pen name story
• 04:29 — Diagnosis: PIC (punctate inner choroidopathy) and current vision
• 06:51 — Life disruption, resilience, and “switching lanes”
• 11:03 — Early symptoms, misdiagnosis, and not being believed
• 13:26 — Mental health impact, sleep disruption, and depression
• 15:43 — Charles Bonnet syndrome explained (and why it gets dismissed)
• 18:04 — When it becomes unsafe: driving, vivid visuals, and the “time” moment
• 20:28 — Rebuilding independence: DVR support, mentors, and community
• 25:11 — Sheltered employment, systemic ableism, and raising the bar
• 32:28 — The white cane: stigma vs. freedom (and bruises as evidence)
• 34:55 — VIMB Creatives Workshop: what it is and who it’s for
• 39:30 — Submitting work, editing support, workshops, and author branding
• 44:20 — Accessibility hurdles in marketing and practical ways forward
• 46:43 — Elise’s recommended starting point: Free Will (2nd edition)
• 49:06 — Favorite author influence: Octavia Butler
• 51:28 — Wrap-up, gratitude, and Aftersight support message

1) Episode Summary 

Penn and Moses open with a quick New Year check-in and some light banter about January weather in Colorado, then shift into the heart of the episode: grieving the sudden loss of Penn’s guide dog, Beethoven, who passed away on December 22. They reflect on what a guide dog means as a working partner and family member, and they thank the community for the wave of condolences, cards, and memorial gifts. 

They also share brighter moments from the holiday break—traveling to Ouray, Colorado to spend several days with family, enjoying the hot springs, and visiting Box Canyon and its waterfall. The conversation closes with encouragement around mental health support (including therapy), staying socially connected, and a listener invitation to share New Year’s resolutions and stories with the show. 

2) Contact Info 

• Listener Email: [email protected]
• Producer: Jonathan Price — Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

3) Show Credits

• Show: The Blind Chick (Aftersight Original)
• Hosts: Penn Street, Moses Street
• Producer: Jonathan Price

4) Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Show open
• 00:29 — New Year check-in + Colorado weather
• 02:51 — Remembering Beethoven and what he meant
• 07:38 — Community support and shout-outs
• 09:54 — Ouray family trip + Box Canyon
• 14:33 — Mental health, therapy, and staying connected
• 21:46 — Resolutions invite + wrap and calls-to-action