Blind musician, producer, and speaker Joey Stuckey joins Big Blend Radio's "Table & Compass" Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals on reducing inequality and building accessible communities.

Joey shares the story of surviving a childhood brain tumor, how his parents' insistence on travel and unrestricted access to knowledge shaped who he became, and what decades of navigating the world as a blind man have taught him about the gap between the appearance of accessibility and the real thing.

The conversation moves through national parks, museums, TSA checkpoints, assistive technology, and Joey's own reframing of equity versus equality — landing on a simple, practical philosophy: ask "how can I help?" and let people answer for themselves.

RESOURCE LINKS: - Learn more about Joey Stuckey: https://joeystuckey.com/ - Explore more of Joey Stuckey on Big Blend Radio: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/t/joey-stuckey - Learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals - New episodes of Big Blend Radio's "Table & Compass" Podcast air every first Monday, here: https://table-and-compass.podbean.com/ - Learn more about Joelle Machia & Ryan Slough, Founders & Publishers of Wanderers Compass: https://www.wandererscompass.com/ - Explore Big Blend Radio and Big Blend Magazines: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/

In recognition of Amazon Day (Sept. 5), we're sharing this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast that features co-directors Rob Grobman and Chelsea Greene who discuss their acclaimed documentary film, "We Are Guardians," produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker, actor, and environmental activist Fisher Stevens.

Available worldwide on digital platforms including Amazon, Apple TV, and Tubi, "We Are Guardians" takes viewers deep into the Brazilian Amazon, where Indigenous Guardians risk their lives to protect one of Earth's most vital ecosystems from illegal logging, mining, land grabbing, and deforestation.

The conversation explores the complex intersections of politics, economics, history, science, and environmental stewardship while highlighting the critical role Indigenous communities play in safeguarding the rainforest. Rob and Chelsea share how the film came together, the dangers they faced while filming, and the hope they found through the resilience, courage, and leadership of the people working to protect the Amazon.

They also discuss how deforestation impacts global climate stability, biodiversity, freshwater resources, and local communities, and share practical ways individuals can support conservation efforts through advocacy, consumer choices, and direct action.

Watch the film, host a screening, support Indigenous Guardians, and learn more at https://www.weareguardiansfilm.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Table & Compass" Podcast, hosts Lisa D. Smith, Joelle Machia, and Ryan Slough welcome acclaimed author, naturalist, explorer, and photographer James Michael Dorsey for an inspiring conversation about protecting indigenous cultures, wildlife, and global heritage through respectful travel, education, and storytelling.

Drawing from decades of travel to more than 60 countries, James shares remarkable firsthand experiences with remote indigenous communities, endangered languages, threatened wildlife, and fragile ecosystems. Together, the panel explores how responsible travel, cultural understanding, and international cooperation can help preserve our shared human and natural heritage while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The conversation also examines UNESCO World Heritage Sites, biodiversity conservation, the impact of war on people and landscapes, sustainable tourism, disappearing oral traditions, and why every traveler can help become a steward of culture, history, and nature.

Learn more about James Michael Dorsey, his books, photography, and global work: https://jamesmichaeldorseyauthor.com/

Listen to the Big Blend Radio "Before They Vanish" Podcast with James Michael Dorsey: https://before-they-vanish.podbean.com/

Learn more about Joelle Machia & Ryan Slough, Founders & PUblishers of Wanderers Compass: https://www.wandererscompass.com/

Learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Explore Big Blend Radio and Big Blend Magazines: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/

New episodes of Big Blend Radio's "Table &Compass" Podcast air every first Monday, here: https://table-and-compass.podbean.com/