Vision Towards Success

About Vision Towards Success

Centered around career exploration through storytelling, Vision Towards Success highlights work stories and lived experience of members of the blind/low vision community. This show presents awareness of disability identity across the employment landscape as a resource for both employees and employers to embrace the disabled experience as a valuable contribution to workplace culture. Through interviewing professionals across a wide variety of occupations, we aim to educate and increase understanding and demonstrate the value of diversity.

Publisher

Polus Center for Social and Economic Development

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Dec 2021

Latest episode

14 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jul 2026

   S3E5 - Jonathan Mosen Part 2

   In our last episode, we featured an interview with Jonathan Mosen, learning about his life in New Zealand. Today, we continue the conversation with an interview recorded in the spring of 2025, focusing on Jonathan’s new role with the National Federation of the Blind. We’ll hear about what it was like for Jonathan to move to the United States, the challenges that came with that transition, and the recognition he has received, including awards from both the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind. Jonathan also reminds us of the importance of advocacy, especially in these times, saying: “People who are using all this accessible technology, people who are taking advantage of the environment in which blind Americans enjoy a lot of hard-won victories, you can lose them just as readily. And they will be lost unless we continue to organize and advocate and articulate the value that blind people bring.” Interviewer and Producer: Cullen Gallagher This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

2. 

   30 Jun 2026

   S3E4 - Jonathan Mosen Part 1

   In today’s episode, we begin a two-part interview with Jonathan Mosen, an advocate, technology professional, internet radio broadcaster, and podcaster. In this first part, originally recorded in 2022, we get to know Jonathan by hearing about his experiences growing up in New Zealand, his time at the school for the blind, and his work with two of the leading blindness technology companies, HumanWare and Freedom Scientific. We also explore Jonathan’s determination to make opportunities happen, including his strong desire to work in the radio field. As Jonathan recalls: “We used to have, at the Foundation for the Blind as it was called then, these career counselors, and one of them told me that radio was not a career that was viable for blind people anymore, and this is the ’80s, because radio was becoming a lot more computerized and the computer technology wasn’t accessible. And so I refused to accept this. I really wanted to work in radio, and I thought I could do a good job. So I decided that I would just have to make it happen for myself.” We’ll also hear this key piece of advice from Jonathan: “The one opportunity you definitely won’t get is the opportunity that you don’t go for.” Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll hear about the changes in Jonathan’s life since this interview was recorded, including his new role with the National Federation of the Blind. Interviewer: Robert Evans Produced and edited by: Cameron Scott and Cullen Gallagher This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

3. 

   16 Jun 2026

   S3E3 - Michael Forzano

   From audio games and backend coding to advancing accessibility at one of the world’s largest tech companies, our guest, Michael Forzano, has built an impressive and impactful career. Growing up in Yonkers, New York, Michael’s parents noticed early on that his eyes were not responding as expected. A visit to the eye doctor led to a diagnosis of Norrie disease. Despite this, Michael quickly discovered a passion that would shape his future: computers. “I had really been interested in computers from an early age. I started using JAWS when I was, like, seven years old. I just gravitated towards it when I realized that there was something that I could do with it.” That early interest grew into a career in software engineering. Michael went on to develop audio games and eventually became a senior developer on the accessibility team at Amazon. Reflecting on his work, Michael shared, “What really draws me to programming today is the fact that I can build something and put it out into the world and have other people use it, it’s just amazing.” In this episode, we explore Michael’s journey into software engineering, his involvement with the National Federation of the Blind, his love of travel and his experience riding in a self-driving car. Interview and Voiceovers: Syed Safoola Post-production and Mixing: Cullen Gallagher This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

4. 

   2 Jun 2026

   S3E2 - Mike Hess

   A world where everyone with a disability is gainfully employed, that is the vision of Mike Hess, founder of the Blind Institute of Technology. Mike first learned about his vision loss in first grade during a school eye exam. When he was unable to see the balloons on the chart, he was referred to the Cleveland Clinic, where he was diagnosed with macular degeneration and told he would likely lose his vision by age 18. At the time, he didn’t fully understand what that meant, only what his mother told him: “It just means you’re going to be special, son.” Mike later found his path in technology while attending community college in Denver, where he participated in a computer training program for people with disabilities. He went on to work for several Fortune 500 companies, where he began to recognize the disability community as a largely untapped talent pool. This realization ultimately led him to found the Blind Institute of Technology, an organization dedicated to connecting talented individuals with disabilities to meaningful careers in tech. Join us as we get to know Mike, explore his educational journey, and hear the story behind the founding of BIT and the impact it continues to make today. As Mike said in the episode, “Let’s open up more doors for this amazing talent pool.” Links: BIT Website (https://blindinstituteoftechnology.org/) Interviewer: Khayree Lofton Edited by Cullen Gallagher This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

5. 

   19 May 2026

   S3E1 - James Warnken

   From navigating vision loss in childhood to leading in the field of digital accessibility, James Warnken has built a career centered on education and inclusion. Growing up in Northeast Ohio, James was diagnosed at age nine with Stargardt's disease. His early education was marked by inconsistent accommodations and a lack of understanding from educators, often requiring him to advocate for his own needs in ways that proved exhausting. These challenges shaped his experience in school, and, at times, limited his engagement. Everything changed when James entered college. For the first time, he encountered a system that actively supported his success. Originally drawn to marketing, he discovered digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), setting the foundation for his career. Today, James serves as an instructor with the Blind Institute of Technology, where he teaches a digital accessibility course designed to prepare professionals with disabilities for careers in a rapidly growing field. In addition to teaching, he works in accessibility consulting, trains organizations, mentors apprentices, and advocates for more inclusive digital experiences. Join us as we explore James’s journey, from education challenges to building his own business and empowering others with disabilities to succeed in the workforce. On accessibility, James says, “it really isn't hard. It really doesn't cost a bunch of extra money when you approach it the right way. And the right way is doing it all the time, making it just a normal part of doing business, from planning to research, design, development, to launch.” Interviewer: Syed Safoola Edited by Cullen Gallagher This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

6. 

   15 May 2025

   S2E3 - Accessibility Evangelism With Brett Lewis

   Digital accessibility leader Brett Lewis shares his journey as a software engineer, Paralympic athlete, and judo sensei, highlighting the importance of inclusion and accessibility in technology and sports in this interview.

7. 

   22 Apr 2025

   S2E2 - Blindness Education With Eileen Curran

   Eileen Curran, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, shares her personal journey with blindness and discusses her career in blindness education, assistive technology, and publishing in an interview with Steven Smith.

8. 

   8 Apr 2025

   S2E1 - The Art of Voiceover with Satauna Howery

   Blind voiceover artist Satauna Howery shares her experiences and insights on navigating the voiceover industry, offering advice on networking, self-promotion, and overcoming accessibility challenges in this interview with Cameron Scott.

9. 

   13 Oct 2022

   S1E7 - Ann Chiappetta

   Ann Chiappetta shares insights, but the specific topic of discussion remains unspecified in this interview episode.

10. 

    13 Oct 2022

    S1E10 - Mona minkara

    Mona Minkara shares her experiences and insights, though the specific topic remains unspecified in this interview episode.

11. 

    13 Oct 2022

    S1E9 - Stephen Theberge

    Stephen Theberge discusses strategies for achieving success, offering listeners valuable insights into personal and professional growth in this interview.

12. 

    13 Oct 2022

    S1E8 - Chris Downey

    Architect Chris Downey shares insights on designing for the visually impaired, offering a unique perspective on inclusive design; this is an interview.

13. 

    12 Apr 2022

    S1E6 - Sara Minkara

    Sara Minkara, disability inclusion champion and CEO, discusses her journey as a first-generation Muslim Lebanese American and the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities through inclusion, in this interview.

14. 

    29 Mar 2022

    S1E5 - Jay Blake

    Entrepreneur Jay Blake shares his journey of overcoming vision loss after an accident and founding Follow A Dream Racing, demonstrating the power of positive thinking and determination in achieving goals in this interview.

15. 

    15 Mar 2022

    S1E4 - Sammi Grant

    Sammi Grant, an actor and disability activist, shares her experiences and insights on disability representation in the acting industry in an interview.

16. 

    1 Mar 2022

    S1E3 - Barbara Black

    Barbara Black, a Massachusetts educator, shares her journey of blindness acceptance and discusses succeeding in early childhood education in an interview.

17. 

    15 Feb 2022

    S1E2 - Hoby Wedler

    Chemist and sensory expert Dr. Hoby Wedler discusses his work creating inclusive sensory experiences and chemistry camps for the blind, aiming to make the world more accessible in this interview.

18. 

    1 Feb 2022

    S1E1 - Sina Bahram

    Sina Bahram discusses his career, his passion for accessibility, and his work increasing equity for people with disabilities, highlighting his journey and achievements in technology in this interview.

19. 

    16 Dec 2021

    Trailer

    This "Vision Towards Success" trailer introduces the podcast but provides no specific details about its content.

Who has been a guest on Vision Towards Success

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Brett Lewis
• Eileen Curran
• Satauna Howery
• Ann Chiappetta
• Mona Minkara

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

3.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

30

Contact Vision Towards Success

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.