Episode summary

Holly B and Rogan talk with Michael Hingson, New York Times bestselling author of Thunder Dog and an international keynote speaker. Michael, blind since birth, survived the September 11 attacks with the help of his guide dog, Roselle. In this conversation, he explains why guide dogs aren't pets, what pet owners can learn from the trust between a guide dog and handler, and how Thunder Dog came to be. He also challenges how we define disability, shares how he prepares for speaking engagements, and offers practical advice for anyone who wants to start public speaking.

About the guest

Michael Hingson is a New York Times bestselling author and international lecturer who gives over 100 presentations a year for groups including ExxonMobil, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross. He is an ambassador for the National Federation of the Blind's National Braille Literacy Campaign and for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.

Key takeaways

• Dogs want to know the rules and want a clear team leader.
• If a guide dog does something unexpected, Michael assumes there's a reason and follows his lead.
• Disability isn't a lack of ability. Michael argues every person has one, and sighted people are "light dependent."
• Michael prefers "blind" or "low vision" over "visually impaired."

Links and resources

• Book Michael to speak: speaker@michaelhingson.com
• Book: Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero