Endeavor to Connect

In the final chapter of this three-part Kilimanjaro series, Steve Baskis shares the emotional and physical realities of making the final push to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and returning home afterward. Through exhaustion, altitude, cold, illness, and trust, Steve reflects on what it means to climb as a blind veteran and how teamwork becomes essential on the mountain.       This episode also f...

After a long journey across continents, Steve Baskis and the climbing team arrive in Tanzania to begin their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. What follows is a raw, immersive look at life on the mountain—where weather, altitude, illness, and exhaustion test every member of the team. Through field recordings captured along the trail, listeners experience the climb step by st...

In Episode One of this three-part series, host Steve Baskis begins documenting an extraordinary expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro — the tallest mountain on the African continent. Three blind veterans, Steve Baskis, Lonnie Bedwell, and Aaron Hale, prepare to take on one of the world's most iconic summits. Each man carries a powerful story of resilience, service, and rebuilding after vision loss, and...

In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis is joined by his partner Ally for an honest, experience-based conversation about relationships that include blindness or visual impairment. Together, they explore how communication, independence, and mutual respect shape healthy partnerships—especially when visual cues are absent. Topics include first impressions, common misconceptions abou...

As the year comes to a close, host Steve Baskis shares a brief message of gratitude with the Endeavor to Connect community. This end-of-year episode thanks listeners for their continued support and reflects on the importance of connection and shared stories. Looking ahead to 2026, Steve invites listeners to contribute new ideas, topics, and voices that can help shape the future of the podcast. It'...

In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis shares his personal reflections on the connection between blindness and mental health. Drawing from his experience of losing his sight during military service in Iraq, Steve talks about the early challenges of recovery, the feeling of isolation, and the process of learning to adapt. He discusses how blindness affected his independence, rela...

In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis sits down with Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner, to explore the power of adaptive paddling for veterans. Joe shares the origins of Team River Runner at Walter Reed in 2004, its growth to 45 chapters nationwide, and the unique "Out of Sight" programs that empower blind and visually impaired veterans to thrive on rivers, l...

In this inspiring episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis sits down with fellow blind veteran, adventurer, and motivational speaker Lonnie Bedwell. From summiting towering peaks and kayaking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, to mentoring others in adaptive sports, Lonnie shares his pursuit of the Explorers Grand Slam—a challenge to climb the highest peak on every continent and...

On the final day of an unforgettable adventure in Crested Butte, Colorado, blind and visually impaired veterans gather on the Oh-Be-Joyful Trail to reflect on a week filled with physical challenge, camaraderie, and personal growth. In this episode, host Steve Baskis captures raw, heartfelt conversations with fellow veterans and supporters during a mountain hike that marks the culmination of adapti...

In this personal and revealing episode of Endeavor to Connect, Steve Baskis invites you into his home and daily life as a blind Army veteran. Through honest narration and immersive sound, he shares how he navigates the world without sight—offering insights into adaptive living, technology, and the overlooked details most people never consider. It's a rare glimpse into the quiet strength and ingenu...

In this first episode of *Endeavor to Connect*, host Steve Baskis shares his personal story of navigating life after sudden blindness due to a combat injury in Iraq. Steve, a blind Army veteran and founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation, uses Apple's built-in screen reader, VoiceOver, to independently guide himself through 16 thoughtful questions. He speaks candidly about the emotional impact o...

Our mission is to initiate and foster meaningful connections between members of the blind/visually impaired community and society at large. We aim to connect people with resources, provide a platform to share experiences, and tell stories of resilience and courage. Visual impairment and blindness affect a large percentage of the population in one way or another, and we want to help people learn, a...