All Episodes

March 3, 2023 52 mins
Join us as we welcome special guest, John Samuel, who proves that not all superheroes wear capes…but they may carry a cane.

Author and Ablr CEO, John Samuel, brings a resonating message that echoes from the tallest mountain tops; that being, a more accessible world is possible—when we see the amazing opportunities in our differences. After a diagnosis of a degenerative eye disease, John Samuel’s life—and his chance at success—started to vanish. In a world systemically unequipped for accessibility, disability inclusion is often left out of conversations about diversity. For people with disabilities, it can feel impossible to adapt and thrive when you’re already set up for failure.

But John Samuel was on a mission of discovery and enlightenment that is certain to empower everyone. His 30,000 mile journey against inevitable blindness and search for acceptance took him on travels around the world, to hiking mountains and finding love and raising a family, all highlighted in his amazing book, Don’t Ask the Blind Guy for Directions: A 30,000-Mile Journey for Love, Confidence and a Sense of Belonging.

This heartfelt memoir is an important call towards acceptance and a powerful resource for change for both professionals with disabilities and individuals working to create an inclusive culture at any organization. It empowers one to accept themselves and others, breaks down barriers, and rebuilds a world where everyone belongs.

John Samuel is the CEO and cofounder of Ablr, a disability inclusion and accessibility business working to remove barriers that hinder people with disabilities from all aspects of life. In college, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic and degenerative disease that caused him to lose his eyesight. After struggling to belong and succeed in the sighted world, John now empowers both individuals and organizations to overcome accessibility challenges and build more inclusive environments. Learn more at www.johngsamuel.com where you can connect with him and purchase his book, Don’t Ask the Blind Guy for Directions, as well as watch his incredible TEDx talk. This is a must-listen power-hour every listener will enjoy!

Thank you, amazing Aging Rebels, for listening to the Aging GreatFULLy show! We are proud to be the Listener’s Show and create this show for YOU! If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends and family and leave us a positive show review on your favorite platform! We are GreatFULL and love spotlighting listener reviews on air who do! To listen, stream, connect, share, download, subscribe, visit our host page at or https://www.spreaker.com/show/aging-greatfully-with-gerontologist-holl OR find more ways to listen, audio content & access our line of exclusive #AgingRebels™ Merch at: https://www.latterlifeplanninginstitute.com/aging-greatfully-radio-show.html or you can always connect with host Holley Kelley at: www.HolleyKelley.com. Always remember, you rock and you ROLE model!
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Crime Junkie

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.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.