Heard & Empowered

In this week's episode, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Brandye Lacy, the marketing coordinator at Travis Association for the Blind, also known as Austin Lighthouse. With a passion for writing and advocacy, she excels at crafting and telling compelling stories while championing causes that break down barriers to equality and equity. Brandye began losing her vision when she was in seventh grade and in...

Do you ever wonder if there is a purpose for blindness? How can it be seen as a gift? This week, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Blake Lindsay, an author, public speaker, voice artist, and the director of communications and outreach for Envision Dallas. They explore these questions as well as discuss Blake's fascinating story. While enjoying a 22-year career in radio broadcasting, Blake also spent 7...

Dr. Hoby Wedler welcomes a familiar voice back to the podcast this week as he sits down with the Executive Vice President at Bosma Enterprises, Lise Pace, live from the 2024 NIB Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Lise shares her remarkable journey from a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa in her early 20s to the thriving and fulfilling career she enjoys today. Despite the initial shock of the...

Dr. Hoby Wedler welcomes a very special guest to the podcast this week: the one and only Soraya Correa, the new president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind. After starting her career as a clerk typist, Soraya rose through the ranks of the federal government to join the Senior Executive Service. She held key leadership roles at the General Services Administration (GSA), the National Aero...

This week, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Dan Kelly, the Vice President of Public Policy for the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) and President and CEO of IFB Solutions. Dan is a dedicated advocate for the blind and visually impaired community, whose unwavering dedication shines through every aspect of his work. He discusses his experience with retinitis pigmen...

In this episode, Dr. Hoby Wedler has the distinct pleasure of welcoming to the podcast Kevin Lynch, president and CEO emeritus of National Industries for the Blind (NIB). He retired April 30, 2023, from a 44-year career working and serving for the blind and visually impaired community in various capacities.   Kevin, a visionary leader, shares his inspiring journey from working with the Association...

The human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity is strong, especially in today's guest, MaryBeth Clare. She sits down with Dr. Hoby Wedler to discuss the setbacks she faced after losing her vision, and how those were replaced by the determination and desire to grow that have kept her going in her role as lead cashier and stocker for the military Base Supply Center at Mountain Home Air Force Base...

In this episode, Dr. Hoby Wedler sits down with Rob Buettner, Vice President of Relationships & Business Services at Beyond Vision, to talk about leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and where they merge. After being diagnosed with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy as a young adult, Rob faced uncertainty and darkness. It wasn't until he found a community of other people with the same disease that r...

Today, National Industries for the Blind (NIB)'s Spring Conference and Public Policy Forum wraps up with the annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, so it's very fitting that this week Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by NIB's Vice President of Public Policy, Rick Webster. Rick brings a unique perspective to the podcast as a sighted person passionately committed to creating employment opportunities for BVI...

This week, Dr. Hoby Wedler dives deep into the world of policy change and advocacy with two remarkable individuals, former Congressman, Luke Messer and Jeff Mittman, CEO of Bosma Enterprises. Luke, with his extensive background in politics and public service, and Jeff, a true advocate for the blind and visually impaired through his leadership at Bosma, bring together a wealth of insight and passio...

Are you ready to stand up and make a real impact on the world for BVI folks? In this motivating and inspiring episode of Heard & Empowered, Dr. Hoby Wedler welcomes Vivian Fridas to the podcast to share how, regardless of ability, we can all thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world. Vivian was born with cone-rod dystrophy, and the discrimination she faced sparked her commitment to championi...

As we gear up for National Industries for the Blind Public Policy Forum 2024, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Shannon Satterfield, Director of Professional Services at IFB Solutions, to share his extraordinary journey of struggle and advocacy. Shannon was born with achromatopsia and before joining IFB Solutions, he encountered numerous challenges despite his academic achievements. Rejections were fre...

You're in for an inspiring episode this week as Lee Nasehi, the President and CEO of VisionServe Alliance, joins Dr. Hoby Wedler! The impact of Lee's long-standing dedication to the blind and visually impaired community cannot be overstated, and it has brought significant changes. Today, Lee shares her journey of becoming a seasoned advocate and expert in assisting people who are blind to find emp...

If you're looking for inspiration on your job search, this week's conversation is sure to deliver. Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Yasmin Campbell, a graduate of the NSITE program and a champion for self-belief, self-advocacy, and furthering opportunities for the BVI community. Yasmin's plans took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, prompting a reevaluation of her car...

Are you encountering challenge after challenge in your job search? If so, you need to listen in. Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined this week by LaKenia Garnes, the Purchasing Assistant for the Base Supply Center at Lighthouse for the Blind Seattle. She shares how she overcame obstacles and job rejections to finally find a position that she loves and where she's thriving.   Despite holding a Bachelor's deg...

In the search for your dream job, hard work and dedication truly do pay off, a truth vividly embodied by this week's guest, Brandi Hunter.   Serving as the Human Resources Staffing Coordinator at Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM), Brandi shares with Dr. Hoby Wedler her inspiring journey to securing a job she is passionate about. Her path, however, was not always straightforward. She r...

Get ready for an inspiring story of tenacity and hard work as Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Thomas Stivers, Systems Administrator for the Travis Association for the Blind at Austin Lighthouse. Ever since high school, Thomas had big dreams of working with computers, but it wasn't until later in his career that these dreams would become reality. Thomas enrolled in a computer science program in colleg...

Reynaldo Villarreal is the director of workforce development at Valley Center for the Blind (VCB) in Central California, one of NIB's associated nonprofit agencies. He joins Dr. Hoby Wedler to share his story about blindness and the impactful work he does at VCB. Rey explains the impact a nonprofit like Valley Center for the Blind have on employment within the BVI community, and how he doesn't con...

Scarlet Nishimoto endured over 60 job application rejections due to the bias and social stigma that exist around blindness in the hiring world. But her unstoppable and relentless nature, along with her heart-centered mission of helping the BVI community, led her to continue searching. Discover how she has built a meaningful, purposeful, and successful career at VisionCorps under the Contract Manag...

Explore Nina Bektic-Marrero's remarkable journey from facing the adversity of war and vision loss to becoming a shining example of success in the business world. Nina's story is not just about overcoming obstacles, it's about transforming them into stepping stones towards greatness. Find out how she navigated from a humble beginning as a switchboard operator at the Veterans Administration under th...

A story of perseverance and overcoming obstacles, Scott Collins shares why it's never too late to give yourself the opportunity to succeed. From losing his vision to retinitis pigmentosa to becoming the head of NIB's Contract Management Support (CMS) program, discover his unconventional journey and how he got to be in a position today where he helps others with visual impairments find fulfilling a...

Discover the innovative ways in which nonprofits can generate income to fund their mission of empowering the blind and visually impaired community. Special guest, Teri Shirk, President & CEO of CABVI joins us again on this episode to share her insights on incorporating for-profit arms to serve nonprofit organizations in this fascinating show.   For full transcript and show notes, please visit: htt...

Join our host Dr. Hoby Wedler for Part 1 of an enlightening conversation with Teri Shirk, President and CEO of Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI). Teri shares insights on how NIB's associated nonprofit agencies provide fulfilling jobs, financial independence, and a transitional process from social security benefits to a well-paid job with even better benefits for th...

Meet Sharon Giovinazzo as she talks about how National Industries for the Blind (NIB) agencies can help people with vision loss reach their career goals. Find out how you can gain employment, achieve financial freedom, and secure benefits while making a real difference in the blind and visually impaired community.   For full transcript and show notes, please visit:  https://heardandempowered.org/1...

Join our host, Dr. Hoby Wedler, as he sits with Sophia McCall to discover how she learned to live with blindness as an adult due to diabetic retinopathy. Sophia was able to find a path of self-confidence and independence through the support of Lighthouse Central Florida and others in the BVI community.   Discover more about her journey, struggles, and accomplishments on this episode of Heard & Emp...