What happens when your world begins to go dark — literally — before you’ve even hit your teenage years? In this powerful episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with author, speaker, and resilience coach Laura Bratton, who was just nine years old when she learned she would lose her sight.
Laura’s story is not just about blindness — it’s about vision. Vision for what’s possible, even when life takes an unexpected turn. From navigating a decade-long transition to blindness to becoming the first blind student to earn a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Laura has redefined courage on her own terms.
We talk about what it means to truly harness courage, the origin of grit, and how gratitude can ground us when life feels overwhelming. Laura opens up about what she had to give up — and what she gained — and offers insight into how anyone facing adversity can tap into their own inner strength.
Whether you’re navigating loss, transition, or uncertainty, this conversation will leave you with a renewed sense of hope and the reminder that your greatest challenges might also be your greatest teachers.
🔗 Learn more about Laura and her work at: https://www.laurabratton.com/meet-laura
🌐 Connect with Laura on social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bratton-speaking
Connect with Marianne:
- Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne
- Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
- Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne
Subscribe to Message In the Middle:
Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.
Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in th...
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.