In this season finale of Off the Beaten Path, Dave and Deborah sit down with Stan Gowan, who has been legally blind since birth and has spent a lifetime proving that blindness does not limit a full and adventurous life.

Stan shares stories from his recent travels — including navigating the steep, vertical city of Taormina in Sicily, exploring Greek ruins, cruising across the Atlantic, and confidently moving through airports, cities, and ships using skill, memory, and thoughtful preparation. He offers practical insight into how he learns new environments, adapts his navigation strategies in crowded spaces, and balances technology with a deep appreciation for nature.

The conversation explores independence, spatial awareness, mobility training, and the importance of sturdy, reliable tools for travel. Stan also speaks about mentoring others who have recently lost vision, helping them rediscover confidence, purpose, and joy in a life that may look different — but is no less rich.

This episode is a celebration of resilience, autonomy, and the freedom that comes from trusting your abilities. It’s a powerful reminder that blindness is not the end of exploration — it’s an invitation to move through the world with skill, awareness, and courage.

More about Stan

Stan Gowan has been legally blind since birth due to premature exposure to high levels of oxygen in an incubator. Raised as the son of a U.S. Marine, he grew up moving frequently, developing independence and curiosity from an early age.

He earned a BA in Political Science before shifting paths into music, audio engineering, and high-end audio. Later, Stan and his wife Susan returned to school to study Information Technology and programming, leading to a nearly 40-year career developing software for IBM mainframe systems.

Stan received his first white cane during mobility training in high school and has continued refining his navigation skills throughout his life. Now retired, he and his wife travel extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with favorite destinations including Hawaii, Sicily, Portugal, Cabo, and Sedona.

When not traveling, Stan enjoys music, reading, and advocacy work within the blind and visually impaired community. He co-chairs a local vision-impaired support group and regularly presents on travel, cooking, and technology — encouraging those who have recently lost vision to rediscover independence and live fully.

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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In this episode of Off the Beaten Path, Dave sits down with Kasey Hopper — Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, youth soccer coach, visually impaired father, and creator of the 4 Fam Frogs YouTube channel.

Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa himself, Kasey brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Together, he and Dave explore what it means to navigate life between sighted and blind worlds — not just as individuals, but as fathers, husbands, mentors, and advocates.

Kasey shares his journey from studying behavioral sciences to becoming one of the few legally blind Orientation and Mobility Specialists in the field. He talks openly about raising children with vision loss — the fear of keeping them safe, the difficulty of not seeing their faces clearly, and the unexpected humor and trust that strengthen their bond. Dave reflects on his own evolution as a father and husband, and the two discuss the quiet heaviness that can accompany gradual vision decline.

The conversation also highlights:

• Teaching independence through mobility skills
• Coaching youth soccer as a visually impaired dad
• Tandem biking and the power of teamwork
• The importance of humility and asking for help
• Building community through advocacy and social media
• Finding identity and purpose within vision loss

Through stories of camp, coaching, family life, and daily resilience, this episode is a powerful reminder that blindness does not define the boundaries of a full life — and that community, courage, and connection make all the difference.

About Kasey

Kasey Hopper is a dedicated Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind, where he empowers visually impaired students to navigate the world with confidence. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa himself, Kasey brings personal insight and empathy to his work.

He is also a passionate youth soccer coach for his daughter’s 14U semi-competitive AYSO team and runs the @4famfrogs YouTube channel as “Papa Frog.” On his channel, he shares his experiences as a visually impaired dad, husband, and professional, offering a unique perspective on family life and accessibility.

Connect with Kasey

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@4FamFrogs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4famfrogs/?hl=en

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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Sedona Dave sits down with Monica Pruitt to talk about life, adventure, and identity as a blind traveler and athlete. Monica shares her personal journey with hearing aids since childhood, limited peripheral vision, and her reliance on a white cane—along with how she’s built resilience through movement, storytelling, and advocacy.

They dive into Monica’s $10,000 travel grant experience visiting national parks as a blind person, exploring what accessibility actually looks like on the ground—and how parks could better communicate trail difficulty based on terrain rather than pavement.

Together they explore the deeper side of vision loss: diagnosis, identity, and the pressure society puts on blind people to “stay safe” rather than stay alive.

Monica speaks openly about assistive tech like Aira, the power of asking for help, and why accepting support can be an act of strength. She also shares her experience with aerial acrobatics—how it builds trust, confidence, communication, balance, and body awareness—even with vestibular challenges from Usher syndrome.

This is an episode that was so fun to do I know you will love it!

More about Monica

Monica Pruitt, 33, was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type 2, a rare genetic condition that causes both hearing loss and progressive vision loss at age 29. She’s worn hearing aids since toddlerhood and, with less than 20 degrees of peripheral vision, uses a white cane to navigate her world today.

Monica grew up in Maryland and earned her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Though she no longer works in a lab, Monica continues to explore the science of resilience, through social media and circus arts like flying trapeze and acro yoga.

Now based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Monica blends storytelling and movement to spark connection and awareness by highlighting the beauty of inclusion, adventure, and self-trust. Her experiences since her diagnosis prove that freedom doesn’t come from perfect vision, but from clear purpose.

Connect with Monica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendyblindblonde

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBlindBlonde

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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In this episode of Off the Beaten Path, Dave sits down with Steve Baskis for a thoughtful conversation about adaptive sports, leadership, and what it takes to keep moving forward when life changes.

The discussion explores how mindset, trust, and well-designed equipment shape the way blind and low-vision individuals navigate both rugged terrain and everyday environments. Dave and Steve talk candidly about problem-solving, mentorship, and the role of movement in building confidence and resilience.

Together, they reflect on how adaptive sports create opportunities not just for physical challenge, but for leadership, teamwork, and personal growth—on the trail and beyond.

About Steve

Steve Baskis is a blind veteran, athlete, author, and founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation. After completing Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2007, Steve deployed with the U.S. Army’s distinguished 4th Infantry Division, a unit with deep historical roots dating back to World War II. In 2008, while serving in Baghdad, Iraq, Steve sustained catastrophic injuries when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. The blast took his eyesight and caused extensive shrapnel injuries, hearing loss, loss of smell, and nerve damage. For his courageous service, Steve was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

In the years following his injury, Steve rebuilt his life through movement, resilience, and purpose. More than fifteen years later, he has become a nationally recognized advocate for the blind and adaptive community. He is an accomplished athlete, having earned medals at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and in 2013 he received the prestigious Louis Braille Award for his contributions to the blind and visually impaired community.

Steve is the founder of Blind Endeavors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people of all abilities to explore life through movement, leadership, and adventure. Through Blind Endeavors, Steve works in schools, military communities, and institutions across the country to promote awareness, adaptive equipment education, and bold, unconventional programs that challenge perceptions of disability.

An experienced public speaker and motivator, Steve has appeared on The Today Show, in documentaries, and at events worldwide. His adventures include hiking Kilimanjaro, cycling across the United States, kayaking the Colorado River, and summiting four of the world’s tallest peaks. Steve often says, “While I may have lost my physical ability to see, I gained a new vision for what’s possible,” a perspective that continues to inspire others to move forward—no matter the terrain.

Connect with Steve

Website: https://stevebaskis.com/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebaskis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevebaskis

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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In this episode, Dave sits down with Australian chef-turned-adventurer Dale Pierce, whose life took an unexpected turn after sudden vision loss in 2023. Dale shares how he moved from a 32-year culinary career into a new chapter defined by resilience, movement, and wilderness exploration.

He talks about adapting to blindness through cardio, O&M training, and eventually trail running — a journey that led him from treadmill walks to half-marathons, technical trail races, and ultimately completing the legendary Kokoda Track, one of the most demanding treks in the world.

Dave and Dale dig into cane techniques, navigation strategies, the mental challenge of moving through rugged landscapes with limited sight, and the freedom found in nature that no city environment can replicate. Dale also reflects on essential gear, working with run guides, and why embracing low vision — rather than fighting it — has opened a new sense of purpose.

It’s an inspiring conversation about grit, adaptation, and discovering what’s possible when the trail becomes your teacher.

More About Dale

Dale Pierce is a low-vision adventurer based in regional Victoria, Australia, about an hour northwest of Melbourne. Before vision loss reshaped his life, Dale spent 32 years as a chef, working across hotels and restaurants and later serving as a mentor and trainer for apprentice chefs. His background in human resources, work health and safety, and mental health informed his leadership style, allowing him to support hundreds of young chefs and help create healthier, more sustainable kitchen environments. Dale went on to run his own consulting and freelance chef business, focusing on best-practice systems and financial sustainability.

In 2023, Dale experienced sudden sight loss in both eyes due to central retinal vein occlusions, leaving him legally blind. He adapted by building his cardio fitness, immersing himself in orientation and mobility training, and eventually taking up running—progressing from treadmill workouts to outdoor parkruns and his first half marathon in 2024. Since then, he has expanded into trail running and adventuring, using a combination of all-terrain canes, hiking poles, run guides, and Meta glasses to navigate diverse terrain. In 2024, he completed the legendary Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, a 96 km trek known for its brutal elevation and historical significance.

Dale also serves on Vision Australia’s Client Reference Group, working with leadership to improve outcomes for the blind and low-vision community. He and his seeing-eye dog, Yana, have been partners for over a year and continue to grow as a team.

Connect with Dale

Instagram: @dale.pierce.967

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dale.pierce.967

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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I am so pleased to welcome Ted Tahquechi to the show!

Ted and I talk about his transition from managing game development at Atari, Accolade, and Mattel Toys to creating tactile art after losing significant vision in a car accident.

He explained how he developed a process with his wife Carrie, in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art, to transform photographs into touchable artwork using texture extraction and 3D printing.

The project, which debuted at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention, aims to make art accessible to people who cannot see it, following in the spirit of Andy Warhol's philosophy of making art accessible to everyone.

This was such a great interview I am sure you will love it!

More about Ted

Ted Tahquechi spent more than two decades in the video game industry, managing the development of iconic titles at Atari, Accolade, and Mattel Toys. From producing games on the Atari Lynx and Jaguar to managing the Hot Wheels franchise at Mattel, he lived through both the chaotic charm and the caffeine-fueled crunch of early game development. His voice, sound design work, and production credits touched more than 35 titles, including fan favorites like Tempest 2000, I-War, Kasumi Ninja, and Test Drive Off-Road.

A car accident at the height of his games career changed his vision, but not his direction. With total blindness in one eye and low vision in the other, Ted rebuilt his creative world through photography. That journey led him to an unexpected frontier, tactile art. Partnering with the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art, Ted and his wife Carrie developed a process that transforms photographs into touchable works of art using texture extraction and 3D printing. Their tactile photographs debuted at the National Federation of the Blind national convention and have since been showcased at galleries, festivals, and accessible art events nationwide.

Today, Ted is also the voice behind BlindTravels.com, where he shares accessible travel reviews, tips, and firsthand stories for blind and low vision travelers. He speaks nationally about accessibility in art, travel, and technology, always championing the idea that creativity doesn’t end when circumstances change, it simply adapts.

Whether he’s talking retro games, exploring new cities with his guide dog Fauna, or helping others navigate the world with more confidence, Ted continues to prove that vision is far bigger than what we see.

Connect with Ted

Substack: https://substack.com/@nedskee?utm_source=global-search

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedskee/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ted.tahquechi

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/nedskee.bsky.social

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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In this episode of Off The Beaten Path, Dave sits down with the remarkable Laurie McBride—martial artist, advocate, and fierce champion of the DeafBlind community.

Their conversation moves from the mat to daily life, weaving together Laurie’s journey in Taekwondo, her commitment to earning her black belt, and her hands-on work as an employment specialist supporting DeafBlind adults in building meaningful, empowered lives.

Dave and Laurie dive into adaptive self-defense, the art of navigating the world with determination and humor, and what true advocacy looks like when you center individual experience over assumptions.

This episode is inspiring, disarming, and downright fun—come listen to two trailblazers talk resilience, autonomy, and the real power of showing up for yourself and your community.

More about Laurie

Laurie McBride is a DeafBlind advocate, professional, and graphic designer-turned-human services leader based in Mason City, Iowa. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Laurie has spent the past 26 years in Iowa, where she transitioned from a career in commercial printing and newspaper design to a mission-driven role serving the DeafBlind community.

Diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition causing progressive hearing and vision loss, Laurie has worn hearing aids since the age of five and now identifies within the DeafBlind spectrum as hard of hearing and low vision.

After losing the ability to drive and work in her previous field, Laurie returned to school, earning an A.A. and Human Services Certificate from NIACC, a B.A. in Human Services from Buena Vista University (BVU), and completed her M.A. in Organizational Leadership (May 2025), also from BVU.

Since 2019, she has worked as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist at the Helen Keller National Center, supporting DeafBlind individuals across Iowa and Minnesota with job placement, job coaching, transition services for youth, and access to assistive technology. Laurie is also a conference presenter, mentor, and lead trainer in programs that expand communication access for the DeafBlind community.

Outside of work, Laurie is a proud wife, stepmom, and nana, with two cats, one dog, and a passion for Taekwondo, currently training for her Blue Belt Decided. She also enjoys traveling, much of which ties into her advocacy and outreach work across the Midwest.

Connect with Laurie

Website: https://www.ushersyndromesociety.org/blog/finding-purpose-by-laurie-mcbride/

https://www.helenkeller.org/DBAW25/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cougs33

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cougs33av/?hl=en

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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Climbing Kilimanjaro Blind: A Conversation with Joel Isaac
In this episode, Dave talks with Joel Isaac — a Ugandan-born father of two, former software engineer, and passionate adventurer who recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Joel shares how he trained for the climb, the gear that got him through volcanic ash and freezing nights, and the moment he chose safety over ego near the summit. Together they explore what it means to hike, travel, and live with blindness (and autism), challenge assumptions about accessibility, and rediscover the power of presence beyond technology.

More about Joel:

Joel Isaac was born near the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda, East Africa. Soon after birth, Joel and his family had to leave Uganda due to government instability. As a baby refugee, Joel lived in Spain for his first few months and eventually he and his family were resettled in the United States.

When he was still a child, Joel learned he had a genetic condition that would cause him to lose his eyesight. Though this was a looming fear, he attended public schools and tried to ignore the signs of what was to come, engaging in competitive sports and academics like his classmates.

As he was growing up Joel found he had a passion for technology and human behavior, eventually attaining multiple degrees and working in start-ups for the early Internet. Ten years ago, Joel lost his usable vision and is still learning about the advantages and disadvantages to life without eyesight.

After years of sitting behind a desk developing applications and providing accessibility guidance, Joel has an overwhelming desire to return to Africa, put his feet in the soil and acquaint himself with the people and the terrain that were lost to him so many years ago.

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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