The People Make the Places

Show Notes for Episode 21, May 2026 This episode draws from Mike May’s posts in the Sendero blog about New Zealand and Australia and the origins of accessible GPS. There are featured recordings of Jonathan Mosen and Stevie Wonder. Both Mike and Jonathan pay tribute to one of the founders of access technology, Russell Smith. There are snippets of audio from Mike with a friend in Australia in 1985. This episode expands the concept of “The People Make the Places” to “The people who make the technology.” The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

Episode 20 covers multiple trips to Costa Rica over 22 years, from the city, to the beach, to the rain forest, and the people who made the country special, from the beach to the rain forest, traveling with family and friends. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

In Episode 19 of the People Make the Places, Mike May and Friends, we hear stories of the Consumer Electronics Show since 1984 beginning with the revolutionary Laser Turntable from Finial Technology and the people who make CES memorable to me like my late son, Carson May, friend since high school, Rob Reis and Stevie Wonder. These stories are interspersed with 2026 product interviews by my wife, Gena Harper.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

Episode 18 is a compilation of the presentations from blind travelers and industry professionals at the November 2025 Blind Travel Summit in Austin Texas. There are 40 voices telling travel stories and sharing travel tips and tricks. The cover photo is of ax throwing, a fun demonstration of unique travel activities, with or without sight.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

In Episode 17, my wife, Gena, her daughter Sarena and I explore in Europe with some side work stops for me. My work colleagues and friends were the highlights on this trip including Mike Busboom in Vienna who I hadn’t seen for 20 years. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

This is the story of the people and experiences in three places led by my fourth guide dog, Ambassador Josh including Brazil, San Juan Puerto Rico and Mexico. There is no anonymity when traveling with a beautiful dog. Even at 5 in the morning, barely awake, one ends up being an ambassador, like it or not. Key people in this episode include my mother OJ, adaptive technology colleagues and the random service people I met at every turn throughout these Spanish speaking locations. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends.

This is the story of 75 years at the Enchanted Hills Camp in the Napa foothills including my 63 years as camper, staff donor and volunteer. It includes recordings of former camp director, OJ May, Judy Wilkinson, dozens of campers, staff and Stevie Wonder. You can hear his rendition of Amazing Grace with Sara Beck along with  other music inspired written and performed at camp events and weddings.    Here is a link to a folder of Enchanted Hills music including  Mike May and friends https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pufhi1odwb1p7iy02hp10/AEfKQwvUXNtyD8ep0yTYbAo?rlkey=4zcr7i9j43otajyt3amz849bi&dl=1   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

This compilation includes stories and actualities from Peru and Ecuador, restored vision from total blindness, the San Francisco Bay Area, Europe and Hawaii. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

This highlights compilation includes stories and actualities from Europe, Chile, Ghana, Bali, Japan, Peru, Ecuador, Yugoslavia, NFL stars, Stevie Wonder, Robert Redford and more.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/  

Show Notes for episode 12, The People Who Make Hawaii special for Mike May and friends. This story begins in the 70s with my first trip to Hawaii and includes the friends we met over the ensuing 45 years. We interview Brian and Jen Allen who moved to Hawaii 8 years ago and we just happened to meet through an Uber ride. We thank the many people we have met from the airline and hotel staff to the random people on the streets. I have lost track but have probably made 20 trips to Hawaii, most with my guide dogs. The episode photo shows Brian, Jen and Gena. Here is a link to a few more photos. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bvpwcyyhohb9roo7qblzh/AJFljjWCO_cp8yL6Gw76kSA?rlkey=9fd3kjb0eki7bixiawilw8zz6&dl=0 The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

The people who made Europe special for Mike May and friends in 1988 and 2008, Spain, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. Join us for a 100 mile stroll on El Camino de Santiago in 2008 along with a 1988 trip from Barcelona to Geneva. Hear my 35 year-old voice on my cassette journal. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. To hear an extended recording of the Camino and to view photos of the trip, check out this link https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mfkfq15jf8i5xhqmbg7r4/AKhlRip3aWYaOvZD_HbZ90M?rlkey=ylmwjhn71bpdai1gngpd4fpvw&dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mfkfq15jf8i5xhqmbg7r4/AKhlRip3aWYaOvZD_HbZ90M?rlkey=ylmwjhn71bpdai1gngpd4fpvw&dl=0 Here are links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ Learn about the Blind Travel Summit, November 13-14, 2025, in Austin Texas and about the opportunity for travel grants. https://www.blindtravel.org/ Notes go here

The People Make the Places, Mike May and Friends. Episode 10, Jerry Kuns and the people who embody the greater San Francisco area for me!   Join us on Jose Can You See Blind Guided Walking Tours of San Francisco with host, Jerry Kuns. Hear from participants from a Sendero Group WayFun trip. Learn about two unique vacation spots right in the Bay Area and the technology that brings these experiences to life.   Apologies to Jerry because the recording gave him a lisp. The stories are read by AI voices. My stories are read by my clone voice. .   For episode photos go to, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/c1qalbrcldcl4jy4kw2pj/AEA8fEqZeKZHZ7fXP8l5IW8?rlkey=lhbblvl1oc8cacxoti9f0p5pv&dl=0   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/  

Show Notes for Episode 9. after being totally blind for 43 years, these are  the people who enriched my life as a result of new vision surgeries   This episode draws on key people’s voices from the 2001 award winning BBC documentary, The Man Who Learnt to See.  Here is a link to a folder with the full documentary and the Dateline NBC piece. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/weu9l3z126pyba2geoqyp/AGHgDDwE82g0gKi_qb73n5M?rlkey=2kscvswhzj1h55qmdkz2pdlac&dl=0   In this episode, You will hear the voices of Dr. Dan Goodman, Dr. Ione Fine, Robert Kurson, Bruce Ruben, Sara Beck and more. The full story of Mike May’s life and new vision can be read in Robert Kurson’s bestselling book, Crashing Through. http://www.crashingthrough.com   There is a portion of the song Here Right Now from the musical Ghost and the episode ends with the full version of Crashing Through by Sara Beck. https://sarabeck.net/   The episode photo is of Mike catching a ball in the air. More photos of Mike throughout his life can be seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5wjc81t3bi07mtflocw19/APztNsZXXFKZxrbr_fzSgQs?rlkey=yv6qeaz4o9r52zq060zkfb9dd&dl=0   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

Show Notes for Episode 8, The people who define Peru and Ecuador for Mike May, April 2025   This episode includes original cassette recordings while exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Peru in 1982. In 1983, we went to the Galapagos. 41 years later, we go back to the Galapagos with modern recordings and commentary. The episode ends at 45 minutes with a song written and performed by Mike May.   The key people in this episode are Roxanne, Victor, Gena, Diane, Patrick and the Galaxy Orion group. For photos and videos, search social media for Gena, Blind Woman of Action.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/  

Episode Notes For Mike May, it is the people in Switzerland, Austria, Sarajevo and Chile that define skiing. Episode 7 is about 40 minutes in length. It includes original recordings from early Paralympics events in Europe and skiing and travels in Chile. Here current commentary from Mike May and from Ron Salviolo about their skiing escapades. It even has comments from professional NFL players skiing plus the voice of legendary ski filmmaker Warren Miller and from Robert Redford. The People Make the Places shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here is a link to more details and a full list of all episodes and background on the People Make the Places podcast. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out https://blindtravel.org/

Show Notes for The People Make the Places, S1 Episode 6, Singapore and Bali   This episode is about 45 minutes in length. It includes recorded commentary, interactions with local children, a village dedicated to wood carving and sounds of the environment from the streets to the forest. Mike May and Gena Harper muse about the challenges of communicating and navigating in these two countries. The People Make the Places shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here is a link to more details and a full list of all episodes and background on the People Make the Places podcast. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/Episode Notes This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes for The People Make the Places, S1 Episode 5, Ghana   This episode is about 41 minutes in length. It includes words from Kojo Tetteh, head of two disability organizations in Ghana, cassette recordings of Mike May in Ghana in 1976 and highlights from Terica and Grayson Roberts donating white canes in Ghana October 2024. The experiences are personal with commentary on the travel, technology and people in this West African country most people know little about. It ends with a song written and recorded by Mike May from the shores of Ghana.   The People Make the Places shares the complexity of traveling as a blind person, something at which everyone can benefit from improving. Here is a link to more details and a full list of all episodes and background on the People Make the Places podcast. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/     Episode Notes Notes go here This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes Scotland and UK, Episode 4, 2002-2024 38 Minutes in length This episode continues the Sendero WayFun group’s trip from Ireland to Scotland in 2004 plus current comments from Valorie Stanard, from the WayFun group. It includes a TechShare conference Mike and Gena attended around 2014 in Glasgow. Mike gives the mic to his son Carson, age 10, along with his mother OJ, to narrate their trip around the UK where they just happened to be in front of Buckingham Palace from the Queen Mom’s funeral procession. Mike and his childhood friend Mark Pighin join some Brits for a dining in the dark experience in London. In 2011, Mike and Gena went to London on their 3rd date. Three years later, they were married at Enchanted Hills Camp in the Napa foothills. We hear the voice of Carson May at the wedding, one of the last recordings of his voice before he was killed in an avalanche in 2016. Sneak peek, Episode 5 will take us to West Africa with recordings of Mike’s trip to Ghana in 1976 and a 2024 trip to Ghana on White Cane day by a mom and her 10 year old blind son. For more on Carson May, http://www.carsonmay.org/ For more on Ori Jean May, http://www.2OJ.net This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes for Episode 3 Three trips exploring Ireland over 19 years Please rate and share! This 36 minute episode includes over 20 blind people exploring Dublin and Cork in 2004, two couples walking the Great Western Greenway in 2015 and Mike May and Gena Harper exploring Dublin in 2023. You will hear some original audio as well as some of the original travelers reflecting on the trips today. The communication and navigation tools changed during this time but the zest for exploring and meeting people is a common thread on these three trips. A subsequent episode will continue the second half of this 2004 Ireland WayFun trip to Scotland. Here is a link to more details and a full list of all episodes and background on the podcast. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes https://www.flightforsight.net Check out Flight for Sight in the above link. These episodes will drop at the beginning of each month. Submit your travel stories and feedback to [email protected]. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes This pilot introduces you to me and the idea of "the people make the places." It is not a place itself that one remembers about a trip. It is the special people you meet. There are examples of Sarajevo at the Olympics in 1984, 25 blind people traveling in Ireland and Scotland with the first versions of GPS, riding in the cockpit of a 727 over Iguazu Falls, hanging out with Stevie Wonder and more. Blind people use alternative technology and techniques to navigate. This episode is an overview and future episodes will focus on a particular place and person. Send suggestions and feedback to, [email protected]