CNIB Podcast Network

Rhonda is joined by Darleen Bogart, a CNIB veteran of over 50 years! Darleen takes us on a journey of her history with CNIB, from her early days as a volunteer transcriber, throughout her time at the CNIB Library. This also serves as a mini history of the organization itself. Oh, and keep an ear out for one of CNIB’s best kept secrets.

Blinded later in life due to diabetes Retinopathy, Ryan Hooey was quick to discover that braille was not only necessary for literacy, but very, very cool. With a daughter on the way, he has an exciting opportunity to incorporate braille into his life as a parent, while at the same time being the cool dad. Join Rhonda to hear what else Ryan has up his sleeve.

Rhonda sits down with Jo Billard, who is an avid reader of braille books and is passionate about braille advocacy and literacy. She has worked with children in after-school programs and devotes a lot of time to Club at The Hub.

Chris Chamberlin and Rhonda take a deep dive into the past, present and future of Braille, exploring the exciting world of technological pluralism in which we live today.

Rhonda is joined by a long time transcriber, professional dictatypist and an old acquaintance from out East, Robert Just. Robert takes us on a journey through his life with braille in the way Maritimers do: through a series of stories and anecdotes. For instance, what do a Sports Car club, a school for the blind, and a doughnut have in common? Listen to find out!

Rhonda is joined by Sue Vaile, who is an artist who lost her sight as an adult due to type 1 diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, and a stroke. In the beginning of her rehabilitation she was determined to learn Braille simply out of necessity, only to discover that associating the letters of the alphabet in a tactile manor rather than a visual manor helped her not just learn to read again, but also bro...

Rhonda is joined by Barbara Davis, a full time braille user who lost her vision later on in life, back in 2014. The two discuss how blind and Deafblind individuals experience braille differently, along with Barbara’s extensive involvement and advocacy work with organizations including CNIB, ADP, hs, RCH, the founder of EIS, and much more. What do these acronyms stand for, and how does she manage a...

Host Rhonda Underhill-Gray chats with Karen Brophey, Program Lead, Literacy for the GTA Foundation and a long-time advocate for braille literacy. The two discuss upcoming world-wide braille events to look forward to, the dichotomy of the perceived notion that braille is no longer relevant for literacy in this day in age despite all of the progression, inclusivity and advancements in braille techno...

Host James Denas and author Bruce Meyer discuss his book “The Golden Thread: A Reader's Journey Through The Great Books." Here is the conclusion of that discussion.

Host James Denas and author Bruce Meyer discuss his book “The Golden Thread: A Reader's Journey Through The Great Books."

Host James Denas and author Britt Wray discuss her book “Rise of the Necrofauna: the Science, Ethics and Risks of De-Extinction.

CNIB client, advocate and artist Yvonne Felix joins podcast host James Denas for one last foray into all things sci-fi. Books referenced include: “Planet of Dinosaurs” (Anne McCaffrey), “Ember from the Sun” (Mark Canter), the Time Quintet (a series by Madeleine L’Engle) and “Jurassic Park” (Michael Crichton).

In our fifth of six conversations about science fiction, we feature Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai (CNIB’s Head of Research and Chief Accessibility Officer). Podcast host James Denas and the doctor go deep on topics like the role science fiction plays in the development of future scientists, where science fiction becomes science fantasy and why Star Trek is the superior series. They also reference “the Songs...

In our fourth of six conversations about science fiction, we give you an interview with CNIB narrator David Plant. Topics covered include the definition of hard science fiction, science fiction noir, Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov.

In our third of six conversations about science fiction, we give you an interview with narrator Bennett McCardle. Topics covered include the definition of anthropological science fiction, the difference between sci-fi and fantasy and the importance of consistency in storytelling.

In our second of six conversations about science fiction, we interview CNIB narrator Mairi Fulcher. Mairi and James examine the allure of sci-fi and then take a deep dive on Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein (the Modern Prometheus)” and “Machines Like Me” by Ian McEwan.

In the first of six trips down the rabbit hole of science fiction, we interview CNIB volunteer narrator Annabelle Forde. She gets into the early days of her sci fi fandom, the rise of the genre and the link between it and modern culture. James and Annabelle then talk post apocalyptic science fiction - in particular “Moonseed” by Stephen Baxter.

Our summer 2019 topic on CNIB: Read is Science Fiction. Podcast host James Denas introduces the genre as he preps for upcoming interviews with CNIB Recording Studio audiobook narrators, and more!

Welcome to 'Staff Picks', where CNIB Foundation staff share thoughts and memories of some of their favourite books. In Vol. 3, Kat, KMac, Wayne, and Rhonda reflect on their reading habits and revisit “Awaken the Giant Within” (Tony Robbins) and “The Little Sister Series” (Ann Martin).

Welcome to 'Staff Picks', where CNIB Foundation staff share thoughts and memories of some of their favourite books. In Vol. 2, John, Angela, and Suzanne reflect on their reading habits and revisit “If” (a poem by Rudyard Kipling), “The Best Laid Plans” & “In a Cottage in the Woods” respectively.

Welcome to 'Staff Picks', where CNIB Foundation staff share thoughts and memories of some of their favourite books. In Vol. 1, Diana, Kevin, and Yvonne revisit “Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site”, “Start with Why” & “Evolving Ourselves” respectively.

In the third and final installment of our conversation with K.D. Miller, she explores the allure of writing short stories, her favourite writers, and the importance of narrating your own work.

In the second part of our conversation with “Late Breaking” author K.D. Miller, she explores the themes of aging, missed opportunities, and the sense of longing that connects the characters therein.

In this inaugural podcast episode, we present Part 1 of our series of interviews with author K.D. Miller. Here she elaborates on the inspiration behind “Late Breaking”. She also speaks about “The Colville Moment” and the role animals play in the book.

Any good book club thrives on discussion! CNIB: Read takes the discussion online in our Facebook group. Find out how we will be using Facebook to discuss books and how you can get involved.