Best Blind Abilities Team Podcasts (2025)

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Owning Your Future with State Services for the Blind: Inside the Business Enterprise Program 23:53

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11h ago23:53

23:53

In this Blind Abilities conversation, Michael Colbrunn shares a compelling, firsthand look at the Business Enterprise Program through State Services for the Blind and how it created a pathway to self-employment, confidence, and long-term growth. Michael never imagined himself as a business owner, but with training, guidance, and ongoing support fro…

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FridAI - Limitless and Privacy 23:47

4d ago23:47

23:47

In this episode of Business Brain, you dive into the rising tension between innovation, trust, and responsibility in the world of AI. As Shannon and Dave unpack National Salesperson Day, they pivot into the challenge of working with tools that hold immense power but zero accountability. The conversation heats up as they explore the recent acquisiti…

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Tinsel, Tears, and Treats: Finding Holiday Balance 19:15

5d ago19:15

19:15

In this joyful and reflective holiday edition of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff gather around the warmth of the season to explore the memories we hold, the challenges we face, and the ways we find light through it all. They gently unpack how grief and stress can surface during the holidays, while also celebrating how far we've come. With…

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Belief Comes Before Ability 22:55

6d ago22:55

22:55

In this episode of Business Brain, you learn why belief has to show up before skill ever can. You’re pushed to take action immediately—not by buying gear, courses, or tools, but by selling what you already have to get real-world wins fast. As you move, you build confidence, momentum, and the all-important belief that fuels every entrepreneurial ste…

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The Work IS the Reward + Overdoing Customer Service – Business Brain 706 25:00

11d ago25:00

25:00

In this episode of Business Brain, you’re reminded that the work itself is the reward—and that avoiding the arrival fallacy is key to building a Charmed Life. Shannon and Dave push you to reframe your mindset from have to to get to, reinforcing that shared effort fuels momentum. You’ll see how celebrating your team—especially on Extraordinary Work …

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College 101: Student-Powered Advice to Help You Thrive in College 1:14:53

15d ago1:14:53

1:14:53

Thinking about college but not sure what it's really like as a blind or low vision student? In this College 101 conversation, transition coordinator Shane DeSantis teams up with Kira and Mohamed, two blind/low vision college students, to break it all down from a student point of view. They talk about choosing a campus that fits you, connecting earl…

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FridAI Google Antigravity + Context AI 26:31

18d ago26:31

26:31

In this episode of Business Brain, you dive into a Casual FridAI conversation where Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore everything from Google’s playful foray into “antigravity” ideas to the rise of vibe-based coding and whether it helps or hurts creativity. You’re pulled into their energetic breakdown of how intuition and experimentation shape …

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Permissionless UTMs and Persistent Pests 24:03

20d ago24:03

24:03

You’re juggling data, marketing, and momentum, and this episode shows you how to turn all three into leverage. You learn why permissionless UTMs let you track audience behavior without waiting for approval, giving you a sharper view of what actually moves the needle. Then you’re pushed to rethink how you approach follow-ups and persistence — not as…

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FridAI Blind Spot Prompt 22:39

25d ago22:39

22:39

On this episode of Business Brain, you explore how to use AI as a tool for revealing blind spots you didn’t even know you had. With prompts designed to surface hidden assumptions and second-order effects, you learn how to turn AI into a sharper strategic partner. The hosts walk you through asking AI to SWOT your life, push for specific examples, an…

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BITS Has the Solutions: Empowering Blind Tech Users Through Community, Training, and Opportunity 18:32

26d ago18:32

18:32

In this Blind Abilities episode, Jeff Thompson talks with Jeff Bishop, president of BITS—Blind Information Technology Specialists—an all-volunteer organization empowering blind and low-vision individuals through accessible technology, community, and hands-on learning. Bishop outlines BITS' rapid growth, affordable memberships, and expanding reach a…

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Wellness Wednesday: What Do We Do for Wellness and Staying on Track 17:43

27d ago17:43

17:43

Beth, Robin and Jeff dive into what they personally do to replenish their energy whether it be mental or physical. Listen in as they talk about the practices they incorporate into their routines and daily life. From soothing showers, daily intentions, to checking off virtual lists, and celebrating the accomplishments. Check out all the Wellness Wed…

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Brian Rust: From Educator to Entrepreneur 21:19

27d ago21:19

21:19

This episode features Brian Rust, a passionate educator and entrepreneur. Navigating life with vision loss, he shares how he has turned a challenge into success. As a proud graduate of the Ohio State School for the Blind, he continued his education and has had a successful career in teaching physical education, where he’s made a significant impact …

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Lifestyle Business Complacency 23:21

27d ago23:21

23:21

Adding value in business doesn’t always mean solving every problem — sometimes simply naming the issue helps people unlock their own path forward. That mindset protects you from the Consultant Trap, where you feel obligated to deliver solutions instead of insight. Like cognitive behavioral therapy, your real power often comes from reframing the sit…

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Orientation and Mobility: Building Confident Independence for Blind and Low Vision Students 53:45

28d ago53:45

53:45

Orientation and mobility (O&M) gives blind and low vision students the skills to travel safely, confidently, and independently—at home, at school, and beyond graduation. In this conversation hosted by State Services for the Blind (SSB), O&M specialists Jennifer Pelletier and Abdi Mumin, along with Transition Coordinator Shane DeSantis, talk with pa…

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FridAI - GPT Carplay and Context Windows 19:47

1M ago19:47

19:47

You’re living in the future now—where ChatGPT rides shotgun and your car’s dashboard becomes your co-pilot. This week, you’ll explore how AI and CarPlay are merging to make driving smarter and conversations with tech more natural. Discover how Shannon and Dave use GPT behind the wheel and why they wouldn’t buy a car without CarPlay anymore. You’ll …

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The Power of Consistency 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

You know that consistency is the secret sauce of every successful venture. This episode shows you how showing up—again and again—builds your credibility, sharpens your edge, and strengthens your moat against competitors. With the Business Brain hosts breaking down “bullheaded persistence” and the beauty of being “too dumb to quit,” you’ll see why c…

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FridAI - ChatGPT Tricks + Limitless Pendent 22:55

1M ago22:55

22:55

You’ll learn how to supercharge your entrepreneurial workflow with AI as Shannon and Dave dive into the latest ChatGPT tricks, from snapping store photos to capturing screenshots and shaping your business philosophy with better prompts. You’ll discover how adding context helps AI think more like a partner and less like a tool—helping you make sharp…

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Age is Just Another Wave to Ride 24:35

1M ago24:35

24:35

As you navigate the waves of life and business, this episode reminds you that age isn’t a limitation—it’s momentum. Shannon and Dave dive into how your brain evolves from chasing facts to harnessing wisdom, helping you spot patterns and ride bigger waves of opportunity. You’ll learn to see mistakes as tuition and fear as a tool, not an obstacle. Wh…

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Step Up, Dive In, Play On: Exploring Adaptive Sports and Community 12:18

2M ago12:18

12:18

From the Minnesota State Capitol to the halls of the Department of Transportation, White Cane Day 2025 shined a light on independence, confidence, and community. Jeff Thompson takes listeners inside a vibrant gathering of blind athletes, adventurers, and advocates who prove that anything is possible when you step out and give it a try. From sailing…

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FridAI - BrowserAI 21:46

2M ago21:46

21:46

You’re already using AI every day—but are you actually using it smartly? In this week’s Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore the next level of practical AI for entrepreneurs, from using your browser to scrape data instantly to letting AI listen, watch, and analyze what’s happening in your business. You’ll learn how to troubleshoot…

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Wellness Wednesday: Navigating Todays Job Market with Wellness and Confidence 29:27

2M ago29:27

29:27

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, Robin Ennis and Jeff Thompson talk about employment and the many aspects of looking for a job. They discuss how to prepare for interviews, what challenges job seekers face today, and how to stay motivated throughout the process. The conversation also touches on how artificial intelligence is chang…

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The Blind Drive: From Federal Cuts to New Tech: Apple, Aira, and the Shifting Road Ahead for the Blind Drive 39:58

2M ago39:58

39:58

The Blind Drive puts you in the passenger seat with Jeff Thompson and Tim Schwartz as they run down what's shaping life for blind and low vision people right now. From federal cuts hitting the Rehabilitation Services Administration to new pressure in Iowa over blind Iowans' right to keep their shades on (or off), the landscape is shifting fast. We …

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Motivational Endurance 21:21

2M ago21:21

21:21

You already know that building a business is a marathon, not a sprint—but how do you keep running when the finish line keeps moving? In this week’s Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton dive into the concept of Motivational Endurance, sharing ways to recharge your entrepreneurial drive and find joy in the daily grind. From creating a “To D…

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Minnesota Honors White Cane Day: Safety, Freedom, and a Future Without Limits 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

White Cane Day 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol was a celebration of pride, freedom, and possibility. Leaders, students, families, and blind, low vision, and deafblind Minnesotans gathered to affirm a simple truth: the white cane is not just a mobility tool — it is dignity, safety, and independence. Speakers honored the history of White Cane Saf…

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FridAI - Devil's Advocate Prompts 20:01

2M ago20:01

20:01

In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon kick off a lighthearted Casual FridAI conversation that revolves around practical AI tips and how they’re integrating AI tools into everyday problem solving. Dave shares a recent experience using the ChatGPT mobile app to diagnose a foot issue by uploading and annotating photos directly in the app…

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10x instead of 2x 25:55

2M ago25:55

25:55

In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore the difference between 2x and 10x growth mindsets. Shannon shares a quote from a recent event — “focus on 10x, not 2x” — and breaks down how the 2x approach is about working harder and incrementally improving, while 10x thinking requires transformative change, ruthless priori…

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FridAI - ChatGPT Did My Taxes?! 24:31

2M ago24:31

24:31

Dave and Shannon open Casual Friday with a Shopify nod, then spotlight listener David’s “vibe-coded” Replit app for high-school sports. His web iPad tool tracks scoring, fouls, streaks, and biggest leads, exports structured summaries to an AI project, and let him publish recaps before leaving the gym. The hosts urge productizing it as a simple SaaS…

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The Blind Drive: Beyond Compliance: Why Accessibility Must Be Usable to Be Real - Compliance Is for Lawyers—Usability Is for Humans 29:40

2M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of The Blind Drive, Jeff Thompson and Tim Schwartz dig into the heart of something far bigger than a news headline—it's about access, equity, and the right to fully participate in life. A recent class action lawsuit filed against DraftKings for failing to make its sports betting platform accessible to blind users sparks a deeper con…

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Dave and Shannon AMA 23:09

2M ago23:09

23:09

Dave and Shannon kick off episode 692 with a Shopify sponsor read and dive into listener-submitted interview questions. Jeff’s favorite prompt—“How many gas stations are in the U.S.?”—is used to evaluate problem-solving under pressure, not factual recall. Shannon riffs on the persuasive power of specific numbers and “making the truth fantastic,” wh…

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From Screen Readers to Self-Reliance: Cheryl's Journey to Becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist 30:14

2M ago30:14

30:14

In this Blind Abilities conversation, Cheryl McIntosh shares her journey toward becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist, or CATIS, and how she empowers others to build independence through technology. Cheryl teaches screen reader users—primarily JAWS and VoiceOver—through personalized virtual training. She explains that s…

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FridAI: ChatGPT Tasks + AI in the Movies 21:45

2M ago21:45

21:45

Dave and Shannon kick off episode 691 on National Handbag Day, segueing from Shannon’s experiment that grew into selling 7,000 handbags and nearly $4M in revenue. He explains how handbags taught him the power of emotional selling and confidence-driven purchases. The conversation pivots to ChatGPT “tasks” (automations) that perform timely research a…

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Execution > Information 20:52

2M ago20:52

20:52

Dave and Shannon open episode 690 on National Fluffernutter Day with playful banter before diving into the core theme: “execution is the moat, not information.” They argue that oversharing isn’t risky because ideas are plentiful; what matters is doing the work. Dave recalls advice from a VC contact that asking for NDAs is a rookie move—investors ba…

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FridAI Limitless 17:56

2M ago17:56

17:56

Dave and Shannon kick off Casual FridAI by sharing practical body language tactics for Zoom and sales calls: stand to boost energy, avoid crossed arms, gesture intentionally (without smacking the mic), and hide self-view to reduce fatigue. They invite listener tips and note small cues—posture, face-touching, taking up space—shape how others read yo…

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Making Deals 24:41

3M ago24:41

24:41

Dave and Shannon kick off Business Brain ep. 688 on World Sake Day by riffing on a San Diego beach rental and the power of being a customer of your competitors—and your own business. They share lessons from buying and selling: Dave used paid podcast ads to learn the market and build relationships, and both discuss selling cars and iPhones with smar…

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Social Security, Medicare, and Medical Assistance A Parent's Roadmap to Understanding Benefits 1:31:45

3M ago1:31:45

1:31:45

This parent-focused webinar demystifies benefits so you can plan with confidence. Benefits Navigator Marcy LaCroix explains how SSI and SSDI work, why "logic" often feels missing, and how to use work incentives so your teen can try jobs without losing critical supports. You'll hear when and how to apply, what documentation Social Security looks for…

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Unscripted: Apple Store Tripping, CoPilot Be Gone, Straps and Tethers, and Microphones, Interfaces and the Studio Sound 31:11

3M ago31:11

31:11

In this episode of Unscripted, Jeff Thompson and Sree Roy dive into the everyday mix of tech talk and personal takes, all in the natural flow of conversation. Sree kicks things off with a trip to the Apple Store, exploring iPhone crossbody straps and even the Beats lanyard trend. The two reflect on the surprise availability of the iPhone 17—thin as…