Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with the tools for safe and independent daily travel. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and share real life experiences of those with blindness. Come learn, laugh, and grow with
Taking the Lead podcast by Leader Dogs for the Blind is an incredible resource for anyone looking to learn more about blindness, guide dogs, and the inspiring work of this organization. As someone who has received O and M training at Leader Dog and is eagerly awaiting my first Leader Dog, this podcast has quickly become my favorite. The hosts, Tim, Leslie, and Christina, are not only entertaining but also feel like family as they share heartwarming stories, useful tips, and information about the organization.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to entertain while educating listeners about blindness and guide dogs. The hosts have a natural chemistry and provide entertaining banter throughout each episode. They also share personal stories and experiences that are relatable and offer valuable insights into living with blindness or vision loss. Additionally, they feature guests who share their own journeys with guide dogs or discuss relevant topics in the field. This combination of entertainment and education makes each episode engaging and enjoyable to listen to.
Another great aspect of Taking the Lead is that it serves as a platform for promoting Leader Dogs for the Blind and raising awareness about their mission. The podcast showcases the incredible work done by this organization in helping individuals facing vision loss gain independence through guide dogs. By sharing success stories from clients, highlighting fundraising events, and discussing various aspects of guide dog training, they inspire listeners to support this cause.
While it may be challenging to find any negative aspects of such a wonderful podcast, one potential drawback could be that some episodes might not fully resonate with listeners who are not directly connected to blindness or guide dog community. However, even these episodes still offer valuable insights into resilience, adaptability, and overcoming challenges which can benefit anyone.
In conclusion, Taking the Lead is an amazing podcast produced by an even better organization - Leader Dogs for the Blind. With its heartwarming stories, useful tips on blindness-related topics, informative discussions on guide dog training processes, and uplifting messages of empowerment, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in blindness, guide dogs, or simply looking for inspiring content. The hosts create a welcoming atmosphere and provide valuable information that educates and entertains listeners. Whether you are connected to the blindness community or looking for a cause to support, Taking the Lead is the podcast for you.
On this episode we talk with Leader Dog Client Mark Hymes who is the Community Program Manager for Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston about his role.
On this episode we talk with client Dr. Allison Weinmann about her experience at Leader Dog.
We talk with Dr. Gail McRae, Leader Dog's first Theriogenologist about her work at the organization.
On this episode we talk with Leader Dogs for the Blind's new Psychosocial Support Manager.
On this episode we talk with Sam Seavey from the Blind Life YouTube channel about his work teaching others about emerging technology in the blindness and low vision field. Find Same on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@theblindlife
On this episode Leader Dogs for the Blind CEO and President Melissa Weisse joins us to talk about one year in her position.
On this episode we talk with a volunteer who is working to recruit puppy raisers and breeding hosts for Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Happy 2025! In this first episode of the new season, cohost Christina Hepner has big news to share! We also talk with a client who is also a Leader Dog team member about her journey with Leader Dog.
On this episode we take a look back at the last 3 years of the podcast.
On this shorter episode we catch up with Timothy on his journey from when he first came to Leader Dog until now and share about our programs and services.
On this episode we have cohost Timothy Cuneio in studio! We catch up on life and talk about tips for navigating the holidays.
On this episode we talk with two of six Leader Dog team members who are co-raising a Future Leader Dog.
On this episode we talk with Dr. Graeme Harper who is a Leader Dog ambassador who's established a student organization of puppy raisers at the college campus he works at.
On this episode we talk with Jill Gaus is a Leader Dog client and board member. She is a licensed nurse, educator and longtime advocate for individuals who are DeafBlind.
We talk with Alan Spaulding, a Leader Dog client who first came to Leader Dog during our 50th anniversary back in 1986 and has had a total of 6 Leader Dogs!
On this episode we talk with volunteer Eric Walters about his volunteer role as a client and puppy driver for Leader Dogs for the Blind.
We talk with team member Beth Dahlke and her father Karl who was a Leader Dog client back in the 1990's.
We talk with Client Erica Rodman on her journey to Leader, her work with disability awareness and advocacy work in her community.
This week we're sitting down with Dani Landolt, the first-ever Chief Impact Officer at Leader Dogs for the Blind! We talk with her about her new position and the work she's doing at Leader Dog.
On this episode we talk with a GDMI and client services representative about things to consider if getting a guide dog when going to college. We also somewhat settle an ongoing debate on the podcast.
On this episode we catch back up with client Stuart McGregor and talk with him about his involvement with Leader Dog and his journey with blindness.
On this episode we catch up with client Walker Jones while he's in class getting his first Leader Dog.
On this episode we talk with Stuart McGregor. Stuart's story and accomplishments are truly inspiring. As a Leader Dog client and advocate, Stuart has dedicated his career to improving accessibility. He currently works as a policy analyst for Accessibility Standards Canada, creating standards to make the world more accessible for everyone. But Stuart's impact extends far beyond that. He is a three-time Paralympian and Boston Marathon champion!
This week's episode featuring Rod Haneline, a true pioneer in the field of orientation and mobility and guide dog mobility instruction for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Rod has been an integral part of the Leader Dog team since 1979. For more than two decades, he served as our Chief Operations Officer, earning international recognition for his extensive knowledge in developing advanced instructional programs. His groundbreaking work combines the use of canes, guide dogs, and GPS technology into integrated orientation and mobility (O&M) and guide dog training methods.
In this episode we talk with Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Kristy Plesscher on our Unmet Needs survey. If you'd like more information about the survey email takingthelead@leaderdog.org.
On this episode we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Eric Bridges, President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). With over two decades of experience championing causes that impact people who are blind or have low vision, Eric provided us with fascinating insights into the groundbreaking work being done at AFB.
On this episode we talk with longtime volunteer Mike Toger about why he got involved with Leader Dog and continues to volunteer.
On this episode we talk with Jeannine Penzone, a mother of two of our Leader Dogs for the Blind clients. She joins us again to share her experience interning at Leader Dogs for the Blind with our Certified Orientation and Mobility team.
On this episode we talked with client Karen Leonetti. She opened up about an obstacle she faced and how she overcame it. Karen shared some great advice for anyone adapting to vision loss.
This episode features Melissa Weisse, the new President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind! Melissa shares her inspirational vision for leading the organization into the future and discusses her goals for this pivotal role.
On this episode we talk with Sue Daniels about her tenure as President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
This week we learned more about one of the new volunteer puppy raising options called co-raising. The podcast features two Leader Dog team members who have experience co-raising several puppies together. They discussed what co-raising involves and shared why they continue to enjoy volunteering as puppy raisers under this model.
On this episode we talk with Raul Gallegos the president of the the National Association of Guide Dog Users about what the association does for guide dog users.
We talk with Leader Dog Client Elizabeth Fryseth who has worked with first responders to teach them about how to best respond to incidences involving people who are blind and visually impaired and have guide dogs.
On this episode we talk with client Dr. Jesse Bolinger who shares with us his journey with blindness and advances in accessible technology.
On this episode we talk with Linda Hawkins, wife of Leader Dog client Jeff Hawkins, about her perspective on her husband's vision loss journey and the impact it's had on her life.
On this episode with talk with Leader Dog client Jeff Hawkins about his journey with vision loss and representing Leader Dog as a keynote speaker.
On this episode we talk with Sharon the manager of residential and food services at Leader Dogs for the Blind about what clients can expect when they come to stay on the Leader Dog campus.
On this episode we talk with Leader Dog Client Maria Kristic on issues people who have guide dogs are seeing with ride shares and accessibility.
On this episode we talk with Ophthalmologist Dr. Matt Trese about what happens when someone is diagnosed legally blind. He also shares technology advances in the blindness and low vision field.
Welcome back to season 5! On our first episode we talk with Leader Dog client Justin Sutton. Justin shares how his journey to becoming a para-cyclist with his Leader Dog by his side.
We are taking you back to some of our favorite episodes before season 5 airs. On this episode we talk with client Leatrice Fullerton who is an advocate in the blindness and disability community. She shares her experience with Leader Dog but also being in advocacy and her work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within many organizations and communities.
We are taking you back to one of our favorite episodes before airing season 5. In this episode, we talk about what it's like as a parent whose children are going through vision loss.
We are taking you back to one of our favorite episodes where host Timothy Cuneio and Leader Dog client Shannon Columb have an honest and open conversation about what it's like losing vision throughout your life.
We are taking you back to our first episode as we take some time to prepare for season 5. Timothy shares about his experience with hiding blind.
In this short episode we go over all of the free programs Leader Dogs for the Blind has to offer.
On this episode we talk about upcoming changes to the podcast.
We talk with Juanita, a Leader Dog client who discusses how blindness can be perceived differently by people and the frustrations that sometimes comes along with repeatedly having to educate or advocate about blindness. Additionally, she shares her personal journey with the highs and lows of getting a guide dog.
We talk with Kathryn Tuck, the Director of Foundation Giving, on what foundations mean to the Leader Dogs for the Blind mission.
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