We're joined this week by the very funny Matt Bragg for a chat about getting up late, weird animals, 9/11 and more! Follow him @mattbraggcomedy on the socials and keep your eyes peeled for his special that is due out in October. If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and the WhatsApp com…

What happens when woodworking meets determination, technology, and a supportive community? Meet Bob Geyer, a retired public works professional turned passionate blind woodworker. After losing his sight to retinitis pigmentosa, Bob nearly gave up his tools—until a chance encounter with Woodworking for the Blind (WW4B) at Enchanted Hills Camp changed…

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, but how do we really use it—and what should we be cautious about? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff dive into the good, the bad, and the “oh my” moments of working with AI. From brainstorming and sparking ideas to getting quick answers, AI can be a useful tool. But with it…

It's the last couple of days of Carl's post fringe holiday and he's in a hotel bar in Dublin with a pint of Guinness. We chat mostly about actors who have got their willies out on screen. Apologies for the slightly lower quality audio on this episode but the mic compression to take out the background noise meant Carl is a bit peaky from time to tim…

In this opening episode of The Blind Drive, Jeff Thompson, Liz Bottner, and Tim Schwartz get real about “ambassadorship,” authenticity, and living blind life on our own terms. With humor and sharp storytelling—from a “Scarlet Letter B” riff to a crosswalk shove gone wrong—they tackle the tension between educating the public and simply being human, …

In this Blind Abilities podcast, Jeff Thompson speaks with Laila Nachar, the Multiple Systems and Pathways Navigator at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota. Laila’s new role is all about helping blind and visually impaired students, ages 14 to 21, prepare for their futures by focusing on pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). She works…

Carl zooms in from the West of Ireland and his post fringe holiday for a chat about hair transplants, loughs, tombs and much more. If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and the WhatsApp community, head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl's post fringe tour starts this month. For all l…

Welcome to the very first episode of Blind Abilities: Unscripted — where tech, news, and everyday life with blindness and low vision all come together, in the moment. No script. No filter. Just straight talk. Join the Unscripted Crew — Cheryl McIntosh, Seyoon Choi, Sree Roy, and Jeff Thompson — as they kick things off with an honest, lively convers…

Envision’s Level Up program is more than a summer camp—it’s a launching pad for blind and visually impaired students stepping into independence, college, and careers. Since 2006, Level Up has combined skill-building with hands-on experiences that prepare students for life beyond high school. From technology training to culinary arts, engineering, h…

We're back and Carl is into the final week of the fringe. We chat about tiredness, revenge and much more! If you like the podcast and want to support it (while gaining access to videos, full length episodes and the WhatsApp community) then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi and sign up for as little as £3 per month. Carl is hitting the road on t…

AI wearables have been an emerging industry for the blind and visually impaired. While there are a number of options, not all are designed using the input of the blind. With direct feedback from blind users, EchoVision Glasses have been shaped by well-respected leaders in America’s blindness organizations such as NFB and ACB, icons such as Stevie W…

We're back this week to catch up on Carl's Edinburgh Fringe fun (and fatigue), James Blunt, vegan parenting and more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and the WhatsApp community then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi and sign up for as little as £3 per month. Learn more about y…

In this reflective and energizing episode of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis join Jeff Thompson to dive into the overwhelming noise of modern life and how it contributes to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Through honest dialogue, they explore the pressures of uncertainty—from shifting politics to economic instabili…

Carl talks us through his first week of the Fringe. We chat smelly hot venues, food prices and much more. If you're heading to the fringe, tickets to Carl's show can be found at www.carldonnelly.info (as can tickets to his Autumn tour). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy TVI / Keep It Light Media

Buckle up for a mid-summer check-in with Peer Ambassadors Amy and Maddy as they reflect on the adventures, growth, and unexpected moments that shaped their summer—and look ahead to the college road just around the bend. From leading mock interviews and connecting with students through Zoom sessions, to hiking trails with all-terrain canes and navig…

Carl gives us his first Edinburgh update having just arrived in town for the fringe. We discuss train problems, strongmen, VPNs and much more. If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and the WhatsApp community then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi If you're in Edinburgh and want to s…

Get ready to explore, experiment, and own the kitchen! In this exciting episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson visits the Ready, Set, Prep program at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota—a hands-on class designed for blind and visually impaired students to learn cooking and life skills in a fully accessible kitchen. From learning how to shr…

We're back this week for a chat about bread, architecture, making up fights in your head and much more! If you like the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and our WhatsApp community then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl is out on tour starting at the Edinburgh fringe this August. All ticket…

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis, joined by Jeff Thompson, explore the evolving landscape of accessibility through the lens of an upcoming all-inclusive hotel designed specifically with people with disabilities in mind. Inspired by entrepreneur Joe Morgan—who previously created a fully accessible theme park and wat…

We're joined this week by the hilarious Red Richardson to brave the heat for a chat about gangsters, hate follows and much more. There are a few slight sound issues due to fans and open windows (it was about 30 degrees when we recorded) but we've touched up the audio to make it nicer. Red is recording his special this August at London's amazing Und…

We're back and still trying to work out why we get sunburned as well as discussing Birmingham, bunking trains and much more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us while gaining access to full length episodes, videos and our WhatsApp community, head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl is out on tour this summer and beyond so check out al…

In this heartfelt episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff tackle the often-overlooked topic of isolation as we age—especially for those living with disabilities. They explore how life transitions, loss of social circles, and the rise of technology can deepen loneliness, even while offering more independence. With personal stories, prac…

We're back this week for a chat about sun safety, children's television and much more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi and sign up for as little as £3 per month and receive full length episodes (plus video) and access to our WhatsApp community. Carl is on tour starting at the Edinburgh frin…

Ever wonder how a book becomes Braille? Or how an employee manual turns into an audio file? The students of the Summer Transition Program (STP) at the University of St. Thomas got to see it all firsthand! During their visit to State Services for the Blind’s Communication Center, students explored the magic behind accessible formats—meeting the tech…

We're joined this week by the very funny comedian Michelle Shaughnessy (@michellesfunny) for a chat about cosmetic surgery, body dysmorphia and much more. If you enjoy the podcast and want to support it while gaining access to the full length patreon episodes, check out www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl is on tour starting at the Edinburgh Fringe. Get …

We're back this week for a chat about Julian's run in with the police, Carl's bad hair and much more. If you like the podcast and want to watch the videos, hear full length episodes and join the WhatsApp community, head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi and sign up for as little as £3 per month. Follow us on social media @wearetvi @carldonnelly @jul…

Discover a world where accessibility meets adventure! In this inspiring episode, Jeff Thompson explores Seable Holidays, a unique travel company transforming vacations for blind and visually impaired travelers. CEO Damiano La Rocca, along with team members Lucy and Daniel, share how Seable provides trained local sighted guides, personalized trip pl…

We're back for a fun chat about Nectar deals, kids parties and much more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to support it while accessing full length episodes, the WhatsApp communities and more then head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi and sign up for as little as £3 per month. Carl is out on tour from the summer starting at the Edinburgh fringe s…

Jeff Thompson welcomes Christine Malec to the Blind Abilities studio to shine a spotlight on the LuminoCity Podcast—an immersive audio experience created for the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Designed with accessibility in mind, LuminoCity goes far beyond traditional coverage by weaving together artist interviews, on-site audio-rich reporting, and …

We're back this week for a chat about half-term, self love, rock and roll and more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to hear full length episodes as well as joining our WhatsApp community, head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl is off on tour later in the year starting at the Edinburgh Fringe. Check out where he's heading and buy tickets at ww…

Despite us repeatedly saying it's episode 289 at the top, it is in fact episode 279 and we're joined by the very funny Matt Richardson (@mattrichardson3) for a chat about hanging out with other comedians, hallucinogens and more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us as well as accessing full length episodes as well as joining our WhatsApp…

We're back this week for a chat about religion, ill parents, karaoke, India and much more! If you enjoy the podcast and want to hear full length episodes as well as joining our WhatsApp community, head over to www.patreon.com/wearetvi Carl is off on tour later in the year starting at the Edinburgh Fringe. Check out where he's heading and buy ticket…

Get ready to LEAP into summer with Learn, Earn, and Prosper! This virtual program is made just for blind and visually impaired students ages 14–21 who want to gain real job skills, build independence, and make lifelong friends—without even leaving home! Led by Hannah Peach, LEAP offers paid work experiences, career-readiness workshops, mentorship f…

Get ready for an unforgettable summer with the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living in Duluth, Minnesota! Designed for students ages 14–21 who are blind or visually impaired, these week-long camps combine fun with real-world skill-building. Whether you’re navigating a sailboat on Lake Superior or kicking into confidence with Taekwondo, each day is pa…