Blindsight

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 t...

Part 4 of the “Telling Your Story” series explores the moment after you’ve shared your story with a few trusted people—and what it takes to move from private courage to public confidence. Bill and Bethany dive into shame, identity, pride, and the fear of “sticking out,” unpacking how those internal battles shape the way people with blindness show up in the world. The conversation moves through hum...

Episode Summary This episode of Blindsight takes a deep dive into one of the most essential yet difficult skills in mental and emotional health: active listening. Host Bill Lundgren and returning guest-turned-co-host Bethany Joy Boring explore how silence, curiosity, and emotional safety shape meaningful connection—especially within the blind and low-vision community, where non-visual cues and com...

Episode Summary Part Two moves from private reflection to sharing your story with someone else. Bill and Bethany cover how to choose a slice of your story, when to share, and how to assess whether a listener is safe. They model practical tactics: make the story linear by writing or recording, start imperfectly, use an “appreciation anchor” to regulate when emotions spike, and share in proportion t...

Bill Lundgren and guest Bethany Joy Boring open a four-part series on how to tell your story. They frame why full-life “from birth to now” dumps overwhelm, and why starting with one scene creates safety and clarity. Bill shares turning points in hearing and vision loss, including the friend who told him the truth and stayed present. Bethany shows how hiding burns energy and blocks connection, how...

Bill Lundgren interviews Lily Turkstra, a PhD researcher at UC Santa Barbara, on the realities of visual prostheses. They unpack who qualifies, what “seeing” with phosphenes is like, how training works, and why expectation-setting and mental health support are critical. Takeaways: current implants provide rudimentary perception, not natural vision; outcomes vary; support systems and rehab matter;...

Bill Lundgren interviews Lily Turkstra, a PhD researcher at UC Santa Barbara, on the realities of visual prostheses. They unpack who qualifies, what “seeing” with phosphenes is like, how training works, and why expectation-setting and mental health support are critical. Takeaways: current implants provide rudimentary perception, not natural vision; outcomes vary; support systems and rehab matter;...

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....

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....

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-styl...

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-styl...

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, El...

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, El...

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...

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...

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 refl...

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 refl...

In this emotionally rich and affirming episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren welcomes back therapist Darran Zenger for a deep conversation on the often misunderstood emotion of happiness. Together, they dissect the difference between genuine happiness, put-on smiles, and the more enduring sensation of joy. Darran opens up about his own challenges, including navigating life with Usher Syndrome,...

In this emotionally rich and affirming episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren welcomes back therapist Darran Zenger for a deep conversation on the often misunderstood emotion of happiness. Together, they dissect the difference between genuine happiness, put-on smiles, and the more enduring sensation of joy. Darran opens up about his own challenges, including navigating life with Usher Syndrome,...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Neva Fairchild—an advocate, counselor, and technological leader in the blind community—for a powerful conversation about resilience, adaptation, and acceptance. Born with a visual impairment that went undiagnosed until preschool, Neva takes us through her journey of coping with undiagnosed Stargardt disease, t...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Neva Fairchild—an advocate, counselor, and technological leader in the blind community—for a powerful conversation about resilience, adaptation, and acceptance. Born with a visual impairment that went undiagnosed until preschool, Neva takes us through her journey of coping with undiagnosed Stargardt disease, t...

In this special episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren and producer Jonathan Price respond to listener-submitted questions about their recent 12-part series on the 12-Step Program. From fear of surrender in Step 1 to doubts about spiritual connection in Step 11 and uncertainty about helping others in Step 12, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. Listeners from across the U.S. and...

In this special episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren and producer Jonathan Price respond to listener-submitted questions about their recent 12-part series on the 12-Step Program. From fear of surrender in Step 1 to doubts about spiritual connection in Step 11 and uncertainty about helping others in Step 12, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. Listeners from across the U.S. and...

In this raw and transformative episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Zach Tidwell, a blind Marine Corps veteran, adaptive athlete, software developer, and suicide survivor. Zach shares the deeply personal story of his journey—from a suicide attempt that left him blind and deaf in one ear, to confronting alcoholism, a devastating Huntington’s diagnosis, and ultimately rebuilding...