Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Heard & Empowered

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by National Industries for the Blind

5.0(5 reviews)

61 episodes

Updated Weekly

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality85

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement77

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Podcast Overview

The Heard & Empowered podcast is where people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired find job inspiration, career opportunities, and a path to success. National Industries for the Blind knows that blindness is not a barrier to employment and career success. Listen now and unlock a world of opportunities with a podcast specifically tailored for people who are blind. Discover the untold stories, limitless career paths, and soul-stirring journeys of people across the United States who have charted their own career paths. Learn more at HeardAndEmpowered.org.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

11/22/2023

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

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Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality85

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement77

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

24 minutes

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good

Publishing Consistency

Every 13 days

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Recent Episodes

July 9, 2026

Building a Meaningful Career After Sight Loss With Israel Bolivar

<p>Israel Bolivar is a full-time sander at Vibrant Works, an organization dedicated to providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. He was named the 2025 Peter J. Salmon National Employee of the Year by National Industries for the Blind, recognizing his outstanding work on KC‑135 aircraft floorboards. Israel, who is totally blind and lost both of his hands at age six in Colombia, has overcome significant adversity and serves as an inspiration to others adjusting to vision loss.</p> <h2>In this episode…</h2> <p>Building a meaningful career after sight loss requires determination, adaptability, and the support of employers who recognize a person's abilities while accommodating for their disabilities. For Israel Bolivar, a full-time sander and aircraft factory worker at Vibrant Works, that journey has been shaped by resilience, independence, and an unwavering positive outlook.</p> <p>In this episode, Israel shares his powerful story of losing his sight and both hands at a young age after an accident in Colombia, immigrating to the United States, and learning to navigate life with confidence and purpose. He reflects on the challenges he faced after earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, including repeated job denials, and how those setbacks ultimately led him to San Antonio, where he found meaningful employment and a supportive work environment.</p> <p>Israel Bolivar, a dedicated member of the working blind community, discusses the importance of workplace accommodations, teamwork, and strong communication. He explains how Vibrant Works helped adapt tools and processes so he could succeed in his role, and he encourages others with disabilities not to fear rejection or setbacks. Through his story, Israel reminds listeners that sight loss is not the end of the road, but the beginning of a new journey filled with opportunity, growth, and purpose.</p>

June 5, 2026

Building a Life Without Limits With Jennifer Parrish of The Lighthouse of Houston

<p>Jennifer Parrish is manager of Business Services at The Lighthouse of Houston, a nonprofit that provides services, training, and employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. She oversees a wide range of contracts that provide services ranging from mailrooms, call centers, switchboard services, transcription, and document scanning. A longtime member of the blind community, Jennifer began her career in medical transcription, earned national recognition from NIB, and now leads teams while also hosting the podcast Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential. Her story reflects resilience, advocacy, humor, and a commitment to helping others build confidence and careers.</p> <h3>In this episode…</h3> <p>For many people, work is about more than a paycheck. It can be a path to independence, confidence, community, and the chance to prove what is possible when the right support and opportunities are in place. But what does it take to move from uncertainty into meaningful work and leadership?</p> <p>It takes training, persistence, and people willing to open doors. Jennifer Parrish offers firsthand insight as a leader, advocate, and podcast host in the blind community, sharing how employment can help people build both skills and self-belief. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of assistive technology, typing skills, mentorship, and connections with organizations that understand blindness and low vision. Taking chances on people also matters, especially when they are ready to grow beyond entry-level roles. Through her work and advocacy, the episode highlights how confidence is built through opportunity, resilience, and community.</p> <p>In this episode of Heard & Empowered, Dean Thompson talks with Jennifer Parrish, manager of Business Services at The Lighthouse of Houston, about meaningful work, leadership, and resilience in the blind community. Jennifer shares why accessible employment matters, how technology and training create independence, and what helped her step into management. She also touches on podcasting, advocacy, and navigating breast cancer.</p>

February 25, 2026

[Mission Driven Series] Transforming Federal Procurement for Broader Access and Impact With Larry Allen

<p>Larry Allen is the Associate Administrator for the Office of Government-wide Policy at the General Services Administration (GSA), a federal agency that provides centralized procurement, real estate, and technology services and shapes government-wide acquisition policy. In his role at GSA, he leads efforts to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and innovation. With over 30 years of federal procurement experience, Larry led Allen Federal Business Partners and served as President of the Coalition for Government Procurement, helping organizations navigate federal contracting and compliance. </p> <h3>In this episode…</h3> <p>Transforming federal procurement to be more inclusive, efficient, and mission-driven requires both deep expertise and a clear commitment to public service. In this episode, Larry Allen, Associate Administrator for the Office of Government-wide Policy at the General Services Administration, joins host Soraya Correa to explore how federal acquisition can be a powerful tool for broader access, innovation, and impact.</p> <p>Larry shares insights from his more than 30 years in federal procurement, including his long-standing connection to the AbilityOne Program and his belief that procurement is not just about buying goods and services, but about enabling mission outcomes and creating meaningful employment opportunities. He discusses ongoing efforts to demystify government acquisition, lower barriers to entry for nonprofits and businesses, and modernize systems through regulatory reform, cultural change, and emerging technologies like AI.</p> <p>Throughout the conversation, Larry emphasizes the importance of trust, education, and leadership — particularly the need for senior leaders to support acquisition professionals as they take informed risks and embrace new approaches. Together, Larry and Soraya reflect on how thoughtful policy, collaboration with industry, and a focus on service and solutions can reshape federal procurement into a more accessible and impactful system for agencies, nonprofits, and the people they serve.</p>

61 total episodes available with 1 transcripts

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Heard & Empowered?: The Heard & Empowered podcast is where people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired find job inspiration, career opportunities, and a path to success.

National Industries for the Blind knows that blindness is not a barrier to employment and career success. Listen now and unlock a world of opportunities with a podcast specifically tailored for people who are blind. Discover the untold stories, limitless career paths, and soul-stirring journeys of people across the United States who have charted their own career paths.

Learn more at HeardAndEmpowered.org.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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