From Braille to Boardrooms: Building a Career While Blind

Jennifer hosts Kathy Gallagher, a lifelong blind professional, guide dog user, and long‑time leader connected to National Industries for the Blind. Kathy shares losing her vision by age five, growing up fully included in school, discovering the freedom of guide dogs, breaking into her first job, an…

Blind Adventurer, Navy Veteran, Single Dad: Lonnie Bedwell Redefines What's Possible

Jennifer sits down with blind adventurer, U.S. Navy veteran, and single father Lonnie Bedwell. He shares how a 1997 hunting accident instantly blinded him, how his three young daughters pulled him out of despair, and why he says he “lost eyesight and gained vision.” Lonnie unpacks his path from sol…

Creative Energy: Navigating Life with Confidence Despite Vision Loss

Jennifer Parrish hosts Detrick Jones, Lighthouse alum and Creative Energy founder. He shares his journey with Cone Rod Dystrophy, youth programs' impact, nonprofit arts mission, blind cooking tips, and tiny home plans for the blind community.  Subscribe to Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on…

Seeing More Without Sight: Motherhood, Call Centers, and Courage with Ana Escobedo

Jennifer Parrish sits down with Ana Escobedo to explore sudden blindness, motherhood, rehabilitation, and how Ana rebuilt confidence and career as lead of The Lighthouse of Houston’s University of Houston FixIt Call Center. Subscribe to Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts, Spo…

More Than Vision: Guide Dogs, Veterans, and Community with Karen Petty

Jennifer Parrish talks with volunteer and retired VA low vision director Karen Petty about childhood vision loss, guide dogs, serving veterans, and her ongoing work at The Lighthouse of Houston helping people see blindness as a beginning, not an ending. Subscribe to Sightless Voices: Unleashing Po…

Volunteer Leadership, Corporate Giving, and Fueling The Lighthouse Mission

Board chair and leadership coach Kim Colburn explains how volunteerism, corporate engagement, and strategic giving expand the impact of The Lighthouse of Houston. He shares his personal journey into service, the psychology of helping, and why leaders must model community involvement. Kim outlines p…

Empowering Health and Community at The Lighthouse of Houston

Licensed Vocational Nurse Laura Scott shares how The Lighthouse of Houston’s Adult Day Program builds community, supports whole-person health, and creates meaningful daily routine for adults who are blind or low vision. She highlights her nursing approach, practical health monitoring, and how simpl…

Lighthouse Lessons: Guiding Sighted Minds into the Unseen World

Seeing isn’t required to build bridges. Today's guest, Chelsea Nguyen, shares about Beyond Our Sight where blind and low vision hosts guide participants through team building exercises while sighted participants wear blindfolds. The process highlights communication, empathy, and partnership. Colla…

Inside National Industries for the Blind with CEO Soraya Correa

Jennifer welcomes Soraya Correa, President and CEO of National Industries for the Blind, to explore meaningful employment for blind and low vision professionals. Correa explains NIB’s nationwide network, the AbilityOne program, policy priorities, and practical strategies that help employers build i…

Pageants, Pedals, and the Power of Poetry: One Advocate’s Renaissance

Jennifer Parrish welcomes Marcela San Miguel back to the show. Marcela discusses her father's passing, leadership in the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and her pageant win. Tandem biking and duathlon participation mark another milestone. She emphasizes grief counseling, finding purpose, and communi…