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Blindsight

Blindsight

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 Blindsight explores life through a unique lens, delving into the lived experiences of people navigating blindness, mental health, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by Bill Lundgren, with Jonathan Price as co-host, the podcast brings insightful discussions on topics that often go unseen. Each episode dives into challenges and triumphs, providing listeners with perspectives on resilience, vulnerability, and authenticity. With expert guests and real-life stories, Blindsight offers a safe space to discuss everything from family dynamics to navigating mental health, making it a must-listen for those seeking understanding and empowerment on the journey of life without sight. This service is made possible by generous donations. Consider supporting us at www.aftersight.org to help keep these resources free. Aftersight also provides free white canes, support groups, and more, all thanks to contributions from our community.2022 Ciencias Sociales Desarrollo Personal Hygiene & Healthy Living Medicina Alternativa y Complementaria Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental Relaciones Éxito Personal
Episodios
  • Vision Loss Isn't a Flaw

    Vision Loss Isn't a Flaw
    May 23 2025
    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, the challenges of navigating school without accommodations, and ultimately building a career that has reshaped the lives of others with vision loss. Neva shares how she learned to stop hiding her condition, embraced assistive technology, and found her true calling later in life among those who not only lived with blindness—but thrived in it. Her story is a call to action to advocate for better services, honest conversations with doctors and families, and the dignity that comes from asking for help.
    Neva’s journey is one of transformation—from a child who struggled to be understood, to a national leader who now empowers others to live well with vision loss.

    Key Topics Covered:
    Neva’s early signs of vision loss and misdiagnosis
    Learning to pass in a sighted world and the emotional toll
    Breaking through shame and isolation by meeting others with blindness
    How technology and the right support changed everything
    Her work with AFB and advocacy for older adults with vision loss
    The importance of honesty, asking for help, and normalizing blindness

    Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
    01:00 – Neva’s diagnosis and early childhood struggles
    04:45 – Going blind in adulthood: The emotional and medical shock
    07:00 – Coping mechanisms, stubbornness, and a hunger to live fully
    10:00 – The power of blind community and assistive technology
    12:20 – Transitioning from enlargement to screen readers
    14:30 – The shame of visibility and learning to accept her identity
    17:00 – Career in blindness rehab and helping others thrive
    21:00 – Advocacy for better doctor referrals and more vision specialists
    23:45 – Final advice: "Blindness isn’t a character flaw"
    26:00 – Closing thoughts and contact info
    Más Menos
    26 m
  • 12-Step: your questions answered

    12-Step: your questions answered
    May 9 2025
    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 beyond wrote in to ask deeply personal questions:
    How do I surrender without giving up on myself?
    What if my moral inventory in Step 4 changes how I see myself?
    How can I make amends without reopening wounds?
    What do I do when God feels distant?
    Can I really help someone else if I’m still healing?
    Bill shares real-world insights and practical, compassionate guidance rooted in decades of therapeutic experience. Jonathan offers encouragement, reframing each question with empathy and hope. The episode ends with a teaser for their next mini-series: exploring four foundational emotions—mad, glad, sad, and scared—and how these emotions interplay with logic, recovery, and identity.
    Whether you’re in recovery or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you are not alone, and healing is possible.

    ⏱️ Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
    00:46 – Letters from Listeners
    02:30 – Shannon (Step 1): Letting Go Without Losing Yourself
    09:45 – Devin (Step 4): Afraid of What I’ll Find
    17:10 – Tasha (Step 9): Making Amends Without Causing Harm
    22:00 – Chris (Step 11): Feeling Spiritually Blocked
    26:45 – Ellie (Step 12): Can I Help While Still Healing?
    31:45 – What’s Next: Mad, Glad, Sad, and Scared
    33:55 – Feedback & Farewell
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Still Here: A Marine’s Fight to Live Again

    Still Here: A Marine’s Fight to Live Again
    May 1 2025
    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 a life of resilience and purpose. Through adaptive sports, therapy, coding, and brutal self-honesty, Zach not only survived—he thrived. Zach speaks openly about the critical importance of speaking up, learning healthy coping strategies, asking for help, and embracing your agency in the face of despair. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing internal battles—or for those supporting someone who is. ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988, and press 1 if you're a veteran. Contact Information: Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 for veterans Aftersight Feedback Line: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Zach Tidwell Website: https://www.zachtidwell.net Podcast: Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell (available on all platforms) Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight 01:05 – Meet Zach Tidwell: Marine, survivor, and adaptive athlete 02:14 – Betrayal, trauma, and the downward spiral 04:38 – Depression, drinking, and suicidal thoughts 06:53 – Surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound 09:11 – “I’m not making salt and pepper shakers” — reclaiming identity 11:31 – Adaptive sports and rediscovering independence 13:52 – The power of speaking up during the lowest point 16:13 – Why Zach became a blind software developer 18:23 – Relapse and the battle with alcoholism 20:46 – Xanagrams and finding purpose through accessibility 22:45 – Accountability, acceptance, and hard choices 25:03 – The final drink: December 5, 2023 27:26 – The Huntington’s diagnosis and choosing to live intentionally 29:53 – Competing in sports and doing it differently 32:19 – Adapting your world by accepting help 34:39 – VA Blind Rehab Services and veteran resources 36:44 – Suicide prevention hotline and how to get help 38:00 – Zach’s projects, book, and podcast 40:10 – Final thoughts: Growth is painful but worth it
    Más Menos
    42 m
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Bill Lundgren is the real deal. As a blind man dispensing advice on health and wellness for the low-vision/blind population, I trust him with my four good senses. He is a warm, good-humored professional and I suggest that every person with visual challenges should listen to his wisdom.

I trust Bill

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Bill totally bridges the gap between blindness and mental health.. an angle that is not addressed enough!
Great podcast!!

Great podcast for those with disabilities

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