9/11 Survivor: Escaping Blind with Roselle | Michael Hingson

𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐒𝐍’𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐄𝐄. 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎.On September 11th, 2001, Michael Hingson was on the 78th floor of the North Tower when the world began to tilt. While the air filled with jet fuel and panic gripped the halls, Michael didn't see a tragedy; he saw a set of variables that required a partner. Alongside his guide dog, Roselle, he began a 1,463-step descent into history.In this interview, Michael moves beyond the survival story to share a masterclass on the inner architecture of trust and resilience. Now the Chief Vision Officer at accessiBe and a #1 New York Times best-selling author, he discusses why light-dependency is a distraction, how his parents’ unwavering belief paved his path to independence, and why he is on a mission to dismantle the digital walls of 2026.What we explore:The Foundation: How growing up with high expectations and a Master’s in Physics prepared him for the unthinkable.The Partnership: Navigating 78 flights of stairs and 40 blocks of debris, redefining the difference between a rescuer and a partner.The Hero Narrative: The internal conflict of being thrust into a global spotlight while simply doing his job.The Science of Sight: Why being light-dependent causes us to miss reality and how to blind yourself to fear.The Digital Frontier: The role of AI in 2026—is it a bridge for accessibility or a new source of bias?The Mission: Why he walked away from a corporate career to change how the world views disability.The Legacy: The core lesson of the Michael and Roselle story for the next 50 years.Connect with Michael Hingson:▸ Website: https://shorturl.at/YkGv8▸ LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/NUqf2Get Michael Hingson’s Books:▸ Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust: https://shorturl.at/buLRQ▸ Running With Roselle: https://shorturl.at/zFpxa▸ Live like a Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith: https://shorturl.at/KNNGN📩 Collabs/Sponsorships: [email protected]𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫:This episode discusses the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a monumental tragedy that profoundly impacted the world. Out of respect for the victims, survivors, and their families, we ask that this sensitive topic be approached with the utmost empathy. The personal accounts, views, and theories expressed by guests are strictly their own and do not represent the position of the host or platform. As a neutral forum for informational and historical dialogue, we do not vouch for guest accuracy or verify subjective claims.𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲:We provide a right of reply to all parties mentioned in our episodes. If you have expert data or a differing perspective you wish to share, please contact us at [email protected].