Living with CHARGE Syndrome: Deafblindness, Guide Dogs & Thriving | Bethany Joy Boring

What this episode covers

1) Episode SummaryBethany Joy Boring joins Penn and Moses for a candid, funny, and deeply practical conversation about living with CHARGE syndrome, navigating combined vision + hearing loss, and the mindset shifts required to move from “proving yourself” to simply being yourself (as introduced in the recording you provided). Bethany shares her guide-dog journey (including the fear and stigma that delayed her cane use), how Toastmasters became her on-ramp to public speaking, and why she believes storytelling and community are essential to resilience. The episode also clarifies coaching vs. therapy (future-forward growth vs. past-rooted healing), introduces her “egg carton” approach to sharing your story safely, and closes with concrete ways listeners can practice gratitude and “step out and thrive.”2) Contact Info (guest/org + Aftersight + producer credits)Guest / BethanyStep Out & Thrive (official links hub, plus podcast + socials): “Interactive Appreciation Guide” (download page): Note: the official links hub uses the name “Bethany B. Joy.” AftersightThe Blind Chick (show page / show info): Listener feedback contact (email + phone): Low-Vision Support Group: Weekly Wednesdays at 2:00pm (MST), online via Zoom: Producer CreditProduced by Jonathan Price (Aftersight).3) Show CreditsPodcast: The Blind Chick (Aftersight Original) Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Producer: Jonathan Price4) Chapter Markers00:00 — Show open: “Blindness can be an adventure” 00:28 — Penn & Moses banter + New Year’s check-in (Jan 2026 mention) 02:46 — Bethany intro + “spy novel name” riff 05:09 — CHARGE syndrome explained (what it impacts) 07:08 — Hearing loss realities + “offline” joke 09:22 — Finding the unexpected “perks” + parenting humor 11:36 — Why she resisted the cane + choosing independence 13:52 — New guide dog user story + social media reactions 16:16 — Public speaking with hearing loss: reading the room differently 18:40 — Hearing the audience for the first time (wireless mic moment) 21:00 — Speaking without notes + connecting to the audience 23:23 — “How did you start speaking?” + Toastmasters origin story 25:36 — Purposeful living: everyday “stages” and practicing presence 27:44 — Listening well: “WAIT — Why Am I Talking?” 30:02 — Coaching vs therapy (future growth vs past tracing) 32:13 — Penn’s therapy reflections + disability fatigue and motivation 34:31 — The “prove yourself” burden + redefining worth 36:48 — Work, disability, and the pressure to overperform 39:15 — “What do blind people look like?” + visibility and assumptions 41:35 — “Superpowers” and the hidden skill-building of adaptation 43:59 — Thriving vs chasing goals: becoming more alive 46:24 — Mission mindset: living on purpose (even for small errands) 48:51 — “Egg carton” storytelling: sharing safely, one “egg” at a time 51:11 — Bethany’s podcast: Step Out & Thrive + what it’s for 53:29 — Stages beyond big stages: zoom calls, talks, parenting moments 55:53 — Community impact: people change goals but feel more alive 58:17 — Snorkeling vs scuba: tools for deeper work and resilience 60:30 — Where to find Bethany + appreciation guide resource 62:52 — Closing encouragement + Aftersight resources and support group mention

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