Blind Girl Chat

In today’s episode we interview TikToker and former Team Canada track and field athlete Dave Johnson, aka Blind Hipster Dave. We talk about everything from his life with retinitis pigmentosa to how he went from shy kid to making hilarious videos viewed by millions. Dave spills on the wild (and sometimes awkward) realities of using a cane, passing as sighted, and getting accused of faking blindness. We also get into dating while blind, life as a pro athlete, and why sometimes you just want to blend in and not be the “representative of blindness” that day. This convo is equal parts hilarious, honest, and relatable.

In this disability pride episode, we discuss the meaning behind the disability pride flag, as well as our own comfort with visible markers of blindness, such as what our eyes look like. We cover topics like our experiences with getting eye surgeries to improve the appearance of our eyes and if and when we choose to wear glasses. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en  

Today, we wanted to share an episode of another podcast that we appeared on! On this episode of Outlook on Radio Western, we chatted with hosts Brian and Kerry about our experiences growing up blind, how we met, and what inspired us to start Blind Girl Chat. We got into everything from summer camps for blind kids to the weird assumptions people make about blindness, plus plenty of laughs along the way. It was a fun, laid-back conversation, and we can’t wait for you to hear it!

In today’s episode of Blind Girl Chat, we’re talking New Year’s resolutions—how to set them, stick to them, and actually make them work. We share tips on setting goals you can achieve, the science behind building better habits, and some of our own resolutions for this year. Let's kick off the year right!. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en   

Today, we’re celebrating an incredible year! 🎉 It’s been a big one for both of us in so many ways—including starting this podcast (still can’t believe it)! The end of the year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and appreciate how much you’ve learned and grown. Let’s dive in! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en   

In this week's episode, we dive into what it's like to travel while blind. With the holiday season in full swing, travel is on everyone's mind, but today we're covering all kinds of travel: public transportation, ridesharing services like Uber, paratransit, and air travel. Plus, we explore the pros and cons of being blind in a city versus a suburb. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en   

On this episode, we tackle all the tricky and sticky situations that come up during the holidays! While it's the happiest time of the year, it can also bring plenty of stressors. From navigating food, cooking, presents, toasts, and loud holiday parties, we cover it all! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en   

Today, we’re diving into something super important: friendship! Being blind might not seem directly related to friendships, but it can make finding friends at school or work a bit trickier. The good news? You're not alone. Friendships can be tough for everyone, blind or not. In this episode, we’ll share a few tools that have helped us build awesome connections over the years. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en   

We’re back! After a long hiatus, we're thrilled to be back in the studio and catching up! In this episode, we dive into the release of blind Barbie, the challenges of the job hunt, and share some updates on what's been going on in our lives. Join us here again in two weeks! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

In our last episode before summer break, we wanted to have a fun little chat about all the embarrassing things that can happen to you as a blind person. If you're blind, you probably are super aware of this; a sense of humor is a necessity. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

Today, we talk all about summer camps for the blind... Blind people kayaking? Hiking? Playing sports in the woods? Well... kind of.  We have two really different perspectives on blind summer camps, which makes this a really interesting discussion.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

Today we explore the intersection of different identities with being blind. How does being blind impact being a woman? Being an immigrant? Being a person of color?  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

Today, we decided to talk about all the surprising upsides of being blind! It seems like most sighted people are terrified of going blind, and we get it: losing a sense you rely on can be scary. But what something many people probably don't consider are all the perks it comes with. So today, we wanted to shed some light on the good parts of being blind.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

Being a parent can be challenging, but being a parent of a child with a disability can be even more intimidating. Oftentimes, parents don't know other people with disabilities and can't imagine how their child is going to be able to live a full life. In this episode, we go through some of our best advice to help parents give their child a supportive environment where they can thrive without being overprotective. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

One of the most common questions you get as a blind person is "How do you use your phone?" or "How do you use your computer?" In this week's episode, we go through how we have learned to use technology over the years, and also spend way too much time complimenting Apple. It's a deep dive into Assistive Technology!! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

In this episode we talk about our very different experiences being a blind girl at school  and accessibility struggles we faced as college students. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Body image struggles are something many women experience. In this episode we talk about our experiences with body image as blind women. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

As a follow up to our dating episode, today we talk all about what it's like to date a blind person. We've discussed dating from our own perspective, so today, we decided to switch it up.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en 

Today, we have a conversation all about cooking and baking when you're blind. Kate joins us again on this episode to share all her baking secrets, and her recipe for one of our favorite treats of hers: Congo Bars (a cross between a chocolate chip cookie and a brownie). If you've ever struggled with knowing how to tell if a quiche jiggles in the center, if your meat is done, or how to seperate the whites and yolks, this is the episode for you! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Sometimes it can feel awkward for blind people to use their cane in public. In this episode, we discuss why these uncomfortable feelings can show up, as well as our experiences overcoming them. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at  [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

In celebration of Mother's Day, we talk to two blind mothers all about the challenges and joys of motherhood. This is our first ever episode with guests, which was so incredibly fun, and we both learned a lot! From squeak shoes to navigating the playground, we get some insights into what it's like to navigating raising a child without vision.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

"You're so inspiring." "I could never do what you do." If you're a person with a disability, you've probably heard this a lot. And although it's meant to be a compliment, it doesn't really feel good. However, it's true that having a disability can actually make things harder sometimes. Today, we discuss the nuances of navigating self compassion as a person with a disability. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/ 

Today, we're talking about all things fashion, makeup, and looking GOOD. It may be surprising to some that blind people care about their appearance. But it really shouldn't be. After all, the saying look good, feel good applies to everyone, regardless of how much you can see. We tackle all the challenges that come with picking out clothes, applying makeup, doing hair, all while not being able to see.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Today, we wanted to talk about something that is important to both of us, Braille! Braille is a system for blind people to read. A person reads Braille by running their fingers across a page of tactile dots. Unfortunately, most blind people actually can't read Braille, meaning most blind people are actually illiterate. Why is Braille so important? Why don't more blind people know how to read it? And how on earth does one possibly carry twenty pounds of Braille Harry Potter books? Find out in this week's episode. Follow us on IG and Tiktok: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat https://www.tiktok.com/@blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on Tiktok and Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Having a guide dog is one of the coolest parts about being blind, so we wanted to dedicate a whole episode to it. However, it comes with a lot of challenges that people rarely talk about. Today, we cover all the pros and cons of having a guide dog, as well as what the transition from using a cane to having a guide dog can feel like. Plus, if you've been wondering who that cutie on the cover is, today Lina introduces her furry companion, Quest!  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

If you're a blind person, you've probably experienced abelism before. Experiencing discrimination due to a disability can take a massive toll on your mental health, which is why its so important to talk about. From apartment hunting, to the gym, to internships, we both describe instances where we've experienced ableism, and how to bounce back. (Don't worry, we still spend a lot of the episode cackling as always.) Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Sighted people often think that physical activity is not safe for blind people. Growing up blind, we rarely got to participate in gym class or organized sports. When we both discovered exercise in college, it completely changed our lives and our relationships to our bodies. Exercise is important for everyone, but in this episode, we argue it's even more important for people with disabilities. Listen to find out why! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Most people think of being blind as a disadvantage, but there are also a  lot of perks that come with it. Deciding whether or not to accept those perks however, that can be a tricky moral dilemma. Getting offered seats on public transportation, cutting lines at amusement parks, even receiving SSI when unemployed, all these situations make for some interesting and tough decisions. Today we talk about the perks that make sense, and those that don't.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

Dating can be challenging (to put it lightly). Now imagine doing it, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE. We've been so excited to make this episode because it's a topic rarely talked about. So yes, blind people date like everyone else (and also have some horror stories to tell like everyone else). Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

In this episode, we're tackling all the most prevalent (and sometimes most ridiculous) blind stereotypes. If you've ever wondered: Do blind people have super hearing? Do we count our steps? Do we all wear sunglasses? Are we all depressed about being blind??? Well, this is the episode for you.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blindgirlchat Email us at [email protected] Follow Juna on IG and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/?hl=en

All things blind, all things girl, no vision required.