Michael Nye - My Heart is Not Blind: Recent Episodes
Michael Nye
How does anyone blind or sighted understand the world? Perception is deeper and more mysterious than we can imagine. Our other senses have their own wisdom separate from sight. This weekly podcast hosted by Michael Nye is a series of narrative histories that focus on the shifting pools of perception and deep transformation.
Michael spent seven years listening. “It takes time to tell a story. Knowing what the world looks like is not a requirement for understanding. Stories are often found resting along the edges of surprise and revelation. Every person - every place is a map to somewhere else.”
Michael Nye practiced law for ten years before pursuing photography full time. He has received a Mid-America National Endowment for the Arts grant in photography and two Kronkosky Charitable Foundation Grants. His documentaries, photography & audio exhibitions, Children of Children, Fine Line: Mental Health/Mental Illness and About Hunger & Resilience have traveled to more than 150 cities across the country. His new exhibition, My Heart Is Not Blind debuted at the Witte Museum. (Trinity University Press released a book, My Heart Is Not Blind in 2019.) Michael received the 2019 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award from the National Federation of the Blind. Visit website for more info: https://michaelnye.org
S3: Fine Line - Episode 12 - Adrianne - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/156wv-YMmDKZs8aQAE5f3aSEs0TIXCwis/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 11 - Molly - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rh4oSoDda09VXWPrTrNsMYayu9SkGCEY/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 10 - Susan - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gWqAbvt8mPdRu-yZfiyUqzWERCyM-7Qi/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 9 - Jeff - Link to transcripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XLn1NUVEEDU2sE0cZxGgSAa9paJLdOyQ/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 8 - Jessica - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PhD0Z_PRC6V1R4iPfiSg8Aj9j-kytvMN/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 7 - Doris - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Y0QK1-cBxiIqp-w9FMwEFpYZbhbzJze/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 6 - Michael - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M4DO55yOglMNQVDlhqOFjhf_7J392aiR/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 5 - Peter - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13RGHJWmdG3pTBbUQ40qKiJ7iNgH7DFW7/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 4 - Taylor - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F2i7oP0gu-P1u7gy5CDk0mc83T8nF2ak/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 3 - Helen - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1Q5f8PQXjzKuS19MqVtfP6FtrZW9O4u/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 2 - John - Link to transcripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13LfMD9p-BiyqCAejKz6z8mkmzNKwn-ft/view?usp=sharing
S3: Fine Line - Episode 1 - Thelma -Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m5vdFw3G-LJnPsSkxgmMm7yQ-taMyQgJ/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 46 - Michael Nye's Acknowledgments - Note: No transcript
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 45 - I Hunger For - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AtJvT_2UO2soFYi3x9e2KX6VYtniKXJ6/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 44 - Tia - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kEK16jjo3vces2fS843qKIGbjKTnzsV_/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 43 - Martin - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UV1Vx1tiuyyddo3Zzqke4jCl1rz5ewXx/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 42 - Judy - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16xi_nka9Xxq-5ipe-b1OSCF0bdDu5vVx/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 41 - Susan & Peter - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11M2LR7m4MIaFIOKQoG7o5kVEHR5ytWmb/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 40 - Kathy - Link to transcript:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gCNZxFXvzPWlmfE8B34xLx-Mg74KIYHy/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 39 - Kindness - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r2tk96BBv52KgbQbn-W5aZIrErjU8X8z/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 38 - Eugenio - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MvFG4VHhGwC62FW0OeF-Ez1EAMBrtfU8/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 36 - Helen - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o47_haqOG57tnrHnjBV1OgLEyJDiS_OM/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 35 - Patty - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-xzrLuO50xIiFAq0tciSpBURySGMwsuo/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 34 - Abdu - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JS2jUVL1fxH-uP5OR-L0xKMcdA0t5oOV/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 33 - Tiffany Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RYFz1ailw7oSiWldbhLOqD0wz11ybb0G/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 32 - Sabas - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16i5pfx936ih8PG8ITvfLEe9wE_18P95h/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience -Episode 31 - Felicita - Link to transcripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13iVWNZtenGyXjIVqXJxBokHRS3PqEKGE/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 30 - Abigail - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12aX4OYsEH5xjhnOrEAfnPw6as2iXMqvt/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 29 - Bertha - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NjJ9DHk0b2fTCUHAKQElNShpHrQY-3-c/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 27 - Sichan - Link to transcripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zRYG38vgP9N6mTEenMm4c6P9_V9snM69/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 26 - Tanya - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19xw7RNiB12svVpI-YUFEtYlQhUwyt_4F/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 25 - Elsa - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KwDMLWZnrf8cvALyHpXxj421qdeU7HqX/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 22 Pearl - Link to transcripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ney4X9s7urc7LuVC0bn8GAViU4hmI8Ig/view?usp=sharing
S2: Hunger & Resilience - Episode 21 - Eric - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s-1l4fyKb_tT_Lf27fRs3xJxvsBZI0UJ/view?usp=sharing
Episode 27 - Calvin Whitehead - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VxP4-4hdOpSrnvRfeaArlfes8zkVgT93/view?usp=sharing
Episode 26 - Sandhye Rao - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsqMRqNX5CMhbknQWkT2EXLedtoSnSSJ/view?usp=sharing
Episode 23 - Jeffery Olivarez - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1okTLZBtVJjvXsesSqs7khRgzSslUCMWw/view?usp=sharing
Episode 22 - Shellford Cantan - Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wF5G0AbwPEdOaeYAL0lHsVc6wSr3nSDb/view?usp=sharing
Episode 19 - Cleo Carranza
I never forget that I’m blind. I think about it all the time. One time, a guy asked if I felt lonely because I didn’t have anybody to talk to. I said, “To tell you the truth, no I don’t. I feel more nervous when I have a lot of people here.” Sometimes I wish people would take off, so I could be by myself. I do my own cooking. I like beans mashed. I do my own housecleaning, and I hang my clothes outside. I vacuum my kitchen and bedroom. I mop with a little lick and a promise. I try to keep my house clean. That’s my motto: Keeping everything clean.
Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mvfXkQab-yXPvKZsd5fcDyZWXWn9_eog/view?usp=sharing
Episode 18 - Paloma Rambana
Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HFeDMKeTsdhUtcxY-uDPRtOmRswPXqbY/view?usp=sharing
Episode 17 - Dominic Helm
Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VP0j5ag7Wazw8KHtuiBwPuPOPFmzP1Oy/view?usp=sharing
Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PB47YBanq53jWnORUPrNGVSrNIkDcNtU/view?usp=sharing
Episode 12 - Ann Humphries
Link to transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aL_u8G-omo9VbW6bOk00wrVBs6Zse5k/view?usp=sharing
Episode 11 - Olivia Chavez
I’ve never felt ashamed or embarrassed to be blind. I had a very rare cancer, so I’ve never felt guilty. There are challenges. I have felt isolated sometimes because of my blindness. I’ve thought that if I could see, maybe people might be more accepting or open with me. Many times conversations are centered on how I read or how I get around, but they’re not interested in my life. It’s more like a curiosity.
Transcript Link: Coming Soon
Episode 10 - Virgil Stinnett
I don’t believe blindness is a disability because I am able to do things that I want to do. I am a pacific islander who just so happens to be blind and carries a white cane. I work in the food service industry as a Department of Defense contractor. I service our troops which I proudly do because they are out there risking their life for our freedom. Currently I have 43 employees.
Transcript Link: Coming Soon
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qyyf-Gauoza_RBhN3WI8C2HfEEzOwISL/view?usp=sharing
Episode 8 - Juanito Castillo
What I’m trying to say is that not everything is always going to be perfect. We’re all flawful. We all have room for improvement. There is an urgency to live while you can. I believe that no matter what you do, moderation is the key to maintaining yourself and maintaining your sanity. I can deal with some imperfections. Not every drum set is going to be in tune and not everyone is going to have duct tape. So, you got to work with what you have. It’s the only way that you’ll fulfill your purpose in life, without being spoon fed the baby food.
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rxx0nz0kwiKQII60ir320HgQWzcJG2fV/view?usp=sharing
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NNigQcPjEAAyajtWnjeF1SqhdrZHLBmq/view?usp=sharing
Episode 6 - Katie Keim
In those early months of blindness, I had to relearn spatial relationships. I was walking with my mother one day near her home. It was a soundless and windless day. I experienced walking by a large ponderosa pine tree and hearing that it was next to me through my arm and my skin. Not through my ears, not through my eyes that didn’t work anymore, not through the smells or taste in the wind, but through my skin I heard it. I have no other way of describing it than hearing it through my skin. So the sensations started to come back to me in the realization that I’d always heard them. I’d always felt them. I’ve always smelled them, tasted them, touched them. But I’d always thought I’d seen them. I realized then, I could still see without seeing.
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H7emTi3bYcG6aMn30i4nU-jBTgr493_Z/view?usp=sharing
Episode 5 - Burns Taylor
Burns Taylor is a teacher, poet and essayist. He said, “My sister was probably the most important person in my life. One night we went outside. She took my hand and pointed it toward the evening star. We sang together, Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. That it was important to make a wish on a star. I couldn’t see and she gave me the faith to believe in myself and in the world around me.” Burn’s latest book — Hands Like Eyes, is a book of poems, songs and fantasies.
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SA1S89z9-HUXC96c0jfgLayjGolJCLD1/view?usp=sharing
Episode 4 - Christina & Weston Wright
If you had asked me if Weston was flawed when he was 6 months old, I might have said yes. Now at 8 years old, I feel like he’s more advanced than I am at 33. He’s perfect. I feel like I know Weston from the inside out. He’s what completes our family. He amazes me with his sense of compassion, his sense of sensitivity for the world. When a car goes by, “Why did that car sound different than ours?” If someone mentions there’s a rainbow in the sky, “What’s a rainbow? What does it look like?” He has a very light touch with the bottom part of his fingertips, just lightly touching things. He can sense when I’m standing nearby, even when I don’t think I’ve made a sound. He will know that I’m there, and he always has, even as a baby.
Transcript Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AEgnT9W5PPwBznXVc0qFDLjSJiiVBnHy/view?usp=sharing
Episode 3 - Chad Duncan
I carved out a very humdrum, predictable, safe existence when I was a sighted person. As a blind person you have to fight, and you have to be strong and confident. I feel more alive since I lost my eyesight. I don’t taste things more intensely than you do. I just appreciate what I taste more than before. Blindness has given me the opportunity to slow down and take the time to listen to what someone is saying. To listen to the person’s breath, their tone, and their pace. That will give you infinite clues about what is really going on.
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rSrptz4Bfl1n-gqJAhYWpU_tD3URXX2_/view?usp=sharing
Episode 2 - Wanda Austin
I really like the cognitive therapy approach in my counseling practice. It focuses on our thought processes and how we can change them to view our situation differently. One discovery I made was Erik Erikson’s Developmental Theory. This theory describes the stages of development people go through from childhood to old age. It really resonated with me. I went through these development stages, adjusting to blindness—not as a child but as an adult. Re-learning trust. Learning to find your identity. When you lose your sight, you have to figure out who you are again— because life is different and what you do is different.
Transcript Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14vXRJs0fx-2VpltIlqlZIdesRvFDYcqd/view?usp=sharing
Episode 1 - Larry Johnson
What bothers me most about how people use the word blind or blindness is that they usually have in their minds a stereotype of what it represents to them. They are thinking about the limitations the inability the problems the obstacles. Sometimes it’s enfolded with a sense of pity or a sense of great admiration. And it should be neither. I don’t want to be thought of as amazing Larry or poor Larry. I just want to be Larry.
Link to Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xd80wspawoZxLpA2Phsv-2yt_p6Smaru/view?usp=sharing
Link to Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17G5MW8j0lWdtksAni6BJfhwBW9RAq0l7/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114331381979469119065&rtpof=true&sd=true