The Blind Chick

By AftersightSociety & Culture Education

The Blind Chick episodes

August 07, 2025 From “Nope” to Next Rep Part 2 with Jared Ciner
Penn and Moses sit down with Spirit Club founder Jared Ciner to unpack a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to fitness for the blind and low-vision community. Jared shares Michael’s step-by-step journey from “not for me” to thriving in group classes—proof that small wins compound. They discuss functional movement you can do anywhere (no fancy gear required), how partnerships with agencies like Aftersight expand access, and Spirit Club’s new Denver hub launching in-person programs by September. Jared also previews an NIH-supported expansion for brain-injury-friendly content and encourages “exercise snacks”—quick bursts that boost mood and momentum. Listeners get a discount with promo code AFTERSIGHT at checkout. Plus: details on Aftersight’s fully accessible Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13 in Boulder.
Contact Info
Spirit Club
Website: spiritclub.com (virtual & in-person programs; certification coming soon)
Promo code: AFTERSIGHT (discount at checkout)
Aftersight
Website: aftersight.org/hike (Audio Trekkers Hike info) • aftersight.org
General inquiries / guests: [email protected] • (720) 712-8856
Show Credits
Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street
Producer: Jonathan Price
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Cold open, Part 2 setup, Spirit Club promo + hike tease
02:21 — Michael’s story: from “nope” to group classes and front-desk greeter
04:44 — Trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching vs. drill-sergeant fitness
07:08 — Adaptive equipment? Start with bodyweight and real-life movements
09:30 — Breaking down “get up from the floor” into four learnable steps
11:56 — Garden squats, standing desks, and building everyday endurance
14:19 — Partnering with agencies; how orgs stream Spirit Club to members
16:41 — Advocacy: Spirit Club Foundation, funding access, pro certification
19:03 — Join the movement; Denver hub launches in-person by September
21:27 — “Everybody can move”: mood, support, and 100% progress stories
23:51 — Penn’s dance class win; connecting mental and physical health
26:12 — “Exercise snacks”: five-minute bursts that change your day
28:34 — Call-to-action: try Spirit Club, use AFTERSIGHT, and join the Sept 13 hike in Boulder
30 min
August 07, 2025 From “Nope” to Next Rep Part 2 with Jared Ciner
Penn and Moses sit down with Spirit Club founder Jared Ciner to unpack a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to fitness for the blind and low-vision community. Jared shares Michael’s step-by-step journey from “not for me” to thriving in group classes—proof that small wins compound. They discuss functional movement you can do anywhere (no fancy gear required), how partnerships with agencies like Aftersight expand access, and Spirit Club’s new Denver hub launching in-person programs by September. Jared also previews an NIH-supported expansion for brain-injury-friendly content and encourages “exercise snacks”—quick bursts that boost mood and momentum. Listeners get a discount with promo code AFTERSIGHT at checkout. Plus: details on Aftersight’s fully accessible Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13 in Boulder.
Contact Info
Spirit Club
Website: spiritclub.com (virtual & in-person programs; certification coming soon)
Promo code: AFTERSIGHT (discount at checkout)
Aftersight
Website: aftersight.org/hike (Audio Trekkers Hike info) • aftersight.org
General inquiries / guests: [email protected] • (720) 712-8856
Show Credits
Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street
Producer: Jonathan Price
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Cold open, Part 2 setup, Spirit Club promo + hike tease
02:21 — Michael’s story: from “nope” to group classes and front-desk greeter
04:44 — Trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching vs. drill-sergeant fitness
07:08 — Adaptive equipment? Start with bodyweight and real-life movements
09:30 — Breaking down “get up from the floor” into four learnable steps
11:56 — Garden squats, standing desks, and building everyday endurance
14:19 — Partnering with agencies; how orgs stream Spirit Club to members
16:41 — Advocacy: Spirit Club Foundation, funding access, pro certification
19:03 — Join the movement; Denver hub launches in-person by September
21:27 — “Everybody can move”: mood, support, and 100% progress stories
23:51 — Penn’s dance class win; connecting mental and physical health
26:12 — “Exercise snacks”: five-minute bursts that change your day
28:34 — Call-to-action: try Spirit Club, use AFTERSIGHT, and join the Sept 13 hike in Boulder
30 min
July 31, 2025 Fitness Is a Human Right: Spirit Club with Jared Ciner
In this lively and heartfelt episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses recap their recent blindfolded cornhole tournament, sharing laughs, insights, and the importance of focus in blind navigation. Their conversation segues beautifully into the main interview with Jared Ciner, founder of Spirit Club, a fitness organization on a mission to make physical health accessible and inclusive for all people, regardless of ability.
Jared shares the personal and professional journey that led him to create Spirit Club, a revolutionary platform that offers both live and on-demand fitness classes designed with accessibility at their core. He discusses the human right to fitness, building confidence through adaptive movement, and why taking up space—physically and socially—is an act of empowerment.
Penn shares her own experiences with Spirit Club, explaining how it has not only helped her stay active but also helped her build confidence in moving freely as a person with vision loss. Jared also dives into Spirit Club’s group exercise experience, technology innovations, community impact, and the belief that fitness is not a privilege—it’s a right.
🔗 Contact Information:
Guest: Jared Ciner
Website: https://spirit-club.org
Aftersight Contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 (720) 712-8856
🌐 https://aftersight.org
🎟️ Register for the September 13 Audio Trekkers Hike:
https://aftersight.org/hike
🎧 Listen to more episodes:
https://aftersight.org/podcasts/the-blind-chick
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick + Cornhole recap
02:10 – Sound, focus, and how blind folks dominated the game
04:30 – Why blind folks listen better (and win more)
06:55 – Introducing Jared Ciner and Spirit Club
08:50 – Jared’s story: Psychology, fitness, and a missing link
11:15 – Building an accessible fitness platform from scratch
13:45 – What “inclusive fitness” actually looks like
16:20 – Online classes, group sessions, and on-demand options
18:30 – Penn’s personal story: building confidence through movement
21:00 – Creating authentic connection through live-class recording
22:45 – The mission: Fitness is a human right
24:30 – Taking up space, building confidence, and pushing back against shame
26:00 – Final thoughts + Promo for Spirit Club and Aftersight Hike
28 min
July 31, 2025 Fitness Is a Human Right: Spirit Club with Jared Ciner
In this lively and heartfelt episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses recap their recent blindfolded cornhole tournament, sharing laughs, insights, and the importance of focus in blind navigation. Their conversation segues beautifully into the main interview with Jared Ciner, founder of Spirit Club, a fitness organization on a mission to make physical health accessible and inclusive for all people, regardless of ability.
Jared shares the personal and professional journey that led him to create Spirit Club, a revolutionary platform that offers both live and on-demand fitness classes designed with accessibility at their core. He discusses the human right to fitness, building confidence through adaptive movement, and why taking up space—physically and socially—is an act of empowerment.
Penn shares her own experiences with Spirit Club, explaining how it has not only helped her stay active but also helped her build confidence in moving freely as a person with vision loss. Jared also dives into Spirit Club’s group exercise experience, technology innovations, community impact, and the belief that fitness is not a privilege—it’s a right.
🔗 Contact Information:
Guest: Jared Ciner
Website: https://spirit-club.org
Aftersight Contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 (720) 712-8856
🌐 https://aftersight.org
🎟️ Register for the September 13 Audio Trekkers Hike:
https://aftersight.org/hike
🎧 Listen to more episodes:
https://aftersight.org/podcasts/the-blind-chick
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick + Cornhole recap
02:10 – Sound, focus, and how blind folks dominated the game
04:30 – Why blind folks listen better (and win more)
06:55 – Introducing Jared Ciner and Spirit Club
08:50 – Jared’s story: Psychology, fitness, and a missing link
11:15 – Building an accessible fitness platform from scratch
13:45 – What “inclusive fitness” actually looks like
16:20 – Online classes, group sessions, and on-demand options
18:30 – Penn’s personal story: building confidence through movement
21:00 – Creating authentic connection through live-class recording
22:45 – The mission: Fitness is a human right
24:30 – Taking up space, building confidence, and pushing back against shame
26:00 – Final thoughts + Promo for Spirit Club and Aftersight Hike
28 min
July 24, 2025 Tags, Canes, and Confidence (Part 2 with Neva Fairchild)
🔍 Episode Summary & Show Notes:
In this empowering follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Neva Fairchild for Part 2 of her inspiring story. Neva, an advocate, educator, entrepreneur, and unapologetic braille and cane enthusiast, shares practical tools and wisdom for navigating life with vision loss.
From mastering WayAround tags for labeling appliances and tracking repair history, to embracing the white cane as a tool of confidence, this episode dives deep into the intersection of tech, identity, and independence.
Penn and Moses keep it real and lighthearted while tackling serious topics like shame, stigma, and self-worth — reminding us all that blindness is not a character flaw.
Neva also shares insights about:
Her business Experts on Blindness and work as an expert witness in legal cases
Her late-in-life discovery of braille and passion for braille literacy
Her advocacy for older adults who are newly blind and feel trapped in their homes
The myth that using a cane makes you vulnerable — and why it actually empowers you to walk confidently
Real-life humor about travel, crowds, and how blind folks get the best concert seats!
This conversation will move you, challenge you, and most of all — encourage you to embrace the tools that bring freedom.
🎧 Don’t miss this bold, funny, and refreshingly honest episode.
🔖 Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro & Hike Announcement
01:23 — How WayAround Tags Work
03:57 — Appliance Tagging & Memory Tools
06:45 — Buying Tags & App Walkthrough
08:00 — Tech Neva Uses Every Day
09:15 — Experts on Blindness & Legal Education
10:35 — Braille Advocacy & Late Learners
13:00 — Fighting the Stigma of the White Cane
15:00 — Neva’s “Aha” Moment in the Woods
18:00 — Confidence vs. Vulnerability with the Cane
21:00 — Crowds, Airports & Humor
23:00 — Where to Find Neva & Final Thoughts
25:00 — Audio Trekkers Hike Info & Closing
🔗 Resources & Contact
📍 WayAround Website: https://www.wayaround.com
🔗 Neva Fairchild on LinkedIn – The only one by that name!
🗓️ Register for the Audio Trekkers Hike (Sept 17): aftersight.org/hike
📧 Feedback & Questions: [email protected]
📞 Listener Line: 720-712-8856
🌐 Discover more Aftersight Originals: aftersight.org
27 min
July 24, 2025 Tags, Canes, and Confidence (Part 2 with Neva Fairchild)
🔍 Episode Summary & Show Notes:
In this empowering follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Neva Fairchild for Part 2 of her inspiring story. Neva, an advocate, educator, entrepreneur, and unapologetic braille and cane enthusiast, shares practical tools and wisdom for navigating life with vision loss.
From mastering WayAround tags for labeling appliances and tracking repair history, to embracing the white cane as a tool of confidence, this episode dives deep into the intersection of tech, identity, and independence.
Penn and Moses keep it real and lighthearted while tackling serious topics like shame, stigma, and self-worth — reminding us all that blindness is not a character flaw.
Neva also shares insights about:
Her business Experts on Blindness and work as an expert witness in legal cases
Her late-in-life discovery of braille and passion for braille literacy
Her advocacy for older adults who are newly blind and feel trapped in their homes
The myth that using a cane makes you vulnerable — and why it actually empowers you to walk confidently
Real-life humor about travel, crowds, and how blind folks get the best concert seats!
This conversation will move you, challenge you, and most of all — encourage you to embrace the tools that bring freedom.
🎧 Don’t miss this bold, funny, and refreshingly honest episode.
🔖 Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro & Hike Announcement
01:23 — How WayAround Tags Work
03:57 — Appliance Tagging & Memory Tools
06:45 — Buying Tags & App Walkthrough
08:00 — Tech Neva Uses Every Day
09:15 — Experts on Blindness & Legal Education
10:35 — Braille Advocacy & Late Learners
13:00 — Fighting the Stigma of the White Cane
15:00 — Neva’s “Aha” Moment in the Woods
18:00 — Confidence vs. Vulnerability with the Cane
21:00 — Crowds, Airports & Humor
23:00 — Where to Find Neva & Final Thoughts
25:00 — Audio Trekkers Hike Info & Closing
🔗 Resources & Contact
📍 WayAround Website: https://www.wayaround.com
🔗 Neva Fairchild on LinkedIn – The only one by that name!
🗓️ Register for the Audio Trekkers Hike (Sept 17): aftersight.org/hike
📧 Feedback & Questions: [email protected]
📞 Listener Line: 720-712-8856
🌐 Discover more Aftersight Originals: aftersight.org
27 min
July 17, 2025 Neva Fairchild: From Misconceptions to Mastery in Blind Living
In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Neva Fairchild—a fierce advocate, rehabilitation counselor, and accessibility expert. Neva shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood of partial sight, misdiagnosis, and bullying to embracing blindness at 30 and diving into advocacy and innovation. The trio explores Neva's late introduction to the white cane and Braille, her evolving career in vision rehabilitation, and her pivotal role in supporting accessible technologies like WayAround.
Through emotional honesty and humor, Neva opens up about stigma, independence, and the power of learning to navigate life on your own terms. Don’t miss the inspiring insights, practical tools, and bold truths in this episode.
Also: Be sure to check out Neva’s tech-focused episode on Blind Level Tech, and mark your calendars for Aftersight’s upcoming hike on September 13! Register now at aftersight.org/hike.
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome & Reflections from Helen Keller’s Birthplace
02:19 – Dystopian Society Analogy: A Sighted Person’s Insight
03:30 – Introducing Neva Fairchild
04:41 – Accessibility Gaps in the U.S. vs. Abroad
06:55 – Neva’s Early Life and Vision Diagnosis
09:26 – Education, Missed Blindness Skills, and a Military Family Childhood
11:41 – Braille, Cane Travel, and Losing Sight in Her 30s
13:54 – Misconceptions and Delayed Discovery of Blindness Tools
16:10 – College, Social Dynamics, and Career Aspirations
18:25 – How Neva Got Involved with WayAround
20:48 – WayAround vs. PenFriend: Accessible Labeling Then and Now
23:06 – WayAround Tags: How They Work and What They Can Do
25:28 – Using WayAround in Public Spaces & Orientation Features
27:50 – Outro: More to Come + Hike Reminder
29 min
July 17, 2025 Neva Fairchild: From Misconceptions to Mastery in Blind Living
In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Neva Fairchild—a fierce advocate, rehabilitation counselor, and accessibility expert. Neva shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood of partial sight, misdiagnosis, and bullying to embracing blindness at 30 and diving into advocacy and innovation. The trio explores Neva's late introduction to the white cane and Braille, her evolving career in vision rehabilitation, and her pivotal role in supporting accessible technologies like WayAround.
Through emotional honesty and humor, Neva opens up about stigma, independence, and the power of learning to navigate life on your own terms. Don’t miss the inspiring insights, practical tools, and bold truths in this episode.
Also: Be sure to check out Neva’s tech-focused episode on Blind Level Tech, and mark your calendars for Aftersight’s upcoming hike on September 13! Register now at aftersight.org/hike.
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome & Reflections from Helen Keller’s Birthplace
02:19 – Dystopian Society Analogy: A Sighted Person’s Insight
03:30 – Introducing Neva Fairchild
04:41 – Accessibility Gaps in the U.S. vs. Abroad
06:55 – Neva’s Early Life and Vision Diagnosis
09:26 – Education, Missed Blindness Skills, and a Military Family Childhood
11:41 – Braille, Cane Travel, and Losing Sight in Her 30s
13:54 – Misconceptions and Delayed Discovery of Blindness Tools
16:10 – College, Social Dynamics, and Career Aspirations
18:25 – How Neva Got Involved with WayAround
20:48 – WayAround vs. PenFriend: Accessible Labeling Then and Now
23:06 – WayAround Tags: How They Work and What They Can Do
25:28 – Using WayAround in Public Spaces & Orientation Features
27:50 – Outro: More to Come + Hike Reminder
29 min
July 10, 2025 Tips and Tricks for Your Speed Cubing Success
In this thought-provoking and unexpectedly fun continuation, The Blind Chick welcomes back author, tech blogger, and blind speedcubing pioneer Paul Martz for Part 2 of a conversation that bends the mind as much as the Rubik’s Cube does.
Paul, Penn, and Moses unpack how blind speedcubing works, why accessibility gaps in tech still exist (and what we can learn from curb cuts), and how Paul’s book Solve It is breaking down barriers for blind cubers everywhere. Paul shares how he hacks tactile cubes, connects with a small but growing blind cubing community worldwide, and compares speedcubing to the artistry of musicianship.
He also dives into his punk rock days in the 1980s—bands, bar gigs, and brushes with musical legends—proving the life of a blind innovator can be as unpredictable as a scrambled cube. Finally, the team reminds listeners that everyone has a part to play in pushing accessibility forward—one request to Bard at a time.
It’s witty, inspiring, and might just convince you to dust off your old Rubik’s Cube, make it tactile, and get your brain moving again—whether you’re blind, sighted, or somewhere in between.
⏱️ Chapter Markers
00:00 — Welcome Back + Summer Vibes
00:40 — Blind Speedcubing: Why It Matters
01:50 — ADA, Curb Cuts & Digital Accessibility
04:00 — AppleViz, Blogging & Making the Impossible Possible
07:00 — Tactile Cubes: DIY or Buy?
09:15 — Writing Solve It: No Pictures Needed
11:30 — Requesting Bard & Bookshare Access
13:00 — Speedcubing Records & Community
16:00 — Rubik’s Cube as Brain Exercise
18:00 — Paul’s Punk Rock Past
22:00 — Brushes with Fame & Hotel Stories
25:00 — Final Words: Pay It Forward
📚 Get Paul’s Book
Title: Solve It: The Only Speed Solving Guide for Blind Cubers
Find It: Search “Solve It Paul Martz” or visit PaulMartz.com
Where to Request: NLS Bard, Bookshare, RNIB (UK), Sela (Canada)
📞 Stay Connected
Aftersight: (720) 712-8856
Email: [email protected]
29 min
July 10, 2025 Tips and Tricks for Your Speed Cubing Success
In this thought-provoking and unexpectedly fun continuation, The Blind Chick welcomes back author, tech blogger, and blind speedcubing pioneer Paul Martz for Part 2 of a conversation that bends the mind as much as the Rubik’s Cube does.
Paul, Penn, and Moses unpack how blind speedcubing works, why accessibility gaps in tech still exist (and what we can learn from curb cuts), and how Paul’s book Solve It is breaking down barriers for blind cubers everywhere. Paul shares how he hacks tactile cubes, connects with a small but growing blind cubing community worldwide, and compares speedcubing to the artistry of musicianship.
He also dives into his punk rock days in the 1980s—bands, bar gigs, and brushes with musical legends—proving the life of a blind innovator can be as unpredictable as a scrambled cube. Finally, the team reminds listeners that everyone has a part to play in pushing accessibility forward—one request to Bard at a time.
It’s witty, inspiring, and might just convince you to dust off your old Rubik’s Cube, make it tactile, and get your brain moving again—whether you’re blind, sighted, or somewhere in between.
⏱️ Chapter Markers
00:00 — Welcome Back + Summer Vibes
00:40 — Blind Speedcubing: Why It Matters
01:50 — ADA, Curb Cuts & Digital Accessibility
04:00 — AppleViz, Blogging & Making the Impossible Possible
07:00 — Tactile Cubes: DIY or Buy?
09:15 — Writing Solve It: No Pictures Needed
11:30 — Requesting Bard & Bookshare Access
13:00 — Speedcubing Records & Community
16:00 — Rubik’s Cube as Brain Exercise
18:00 — Paul’s Punk Rock Past
22:00 — Brushes with Fame & Hotel Stories
25:00 — Final Words: Pay It Forward
📚 Get Paul’s Book
Title: Solve It: The Only Speed Solving Guide for Blind Cubers
Find It: Search “Solve It Paul Martz” or visit PaulMartz.com
Where to Request: NLS Bard, Bookshare, RNIB (UK), Sela (Canada)
📞 Stay Connected
Aftersight: (720) 712-8856
Email: [email protected]
29 min

About The Blind Chick

From the publisher's feed

The Blind Chick is an Aftersight Original hosted by Penn and Moses Street. It’s a raw, real, and often funny conversation space where blindness isn’t a limitation—it’s part of the story. Each episode…