Rephonic
Artwork for Taking the Lead
Leader Dogs For the Blind
Guide Dogs
Puppy Raising
Orientation and Mobility
Blindness
Leader Dog
Accessibility
Blindness Awareness Month
Usher Syndrome
Meta Smart Glasses
Community Engagement
Leader Dog For the Blind
Transportation
Advocacy
Weddings
Vision Loss
Client Services
American Foundation For the Blind
Assistive Technology
Smart Technology For Disabled

Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with the tools for safe and independent daily travel. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and share real life experiences of those with blindness. Come learn, laugh, and grow with us.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes145Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducation

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Artwork for Taking the Lead

Latest Episodes

On this week’s episode of Taking the Lead, we’re going behind the scenes. We are joined by Andy Hernandez, our Client Experience Supervisor, whose work helps ensure that every person who comes to campus feels comfortable, supported, and ready to focu... more

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In this episode we talk with Leader Dog team member Monica who is working to implement the Behavior Checklist, a system designed to track and support our dogs’ behavior across their entire lifecycle, from puppy raising to on-campus training and breed... more

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On this episode of Taking the Lead we talk with Margaret and Lisa who are co-raising a Future Leader Dog together. They share their experience as co-raisers and the unconventional way they met!

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On this episode we talk with Jeannine Penzone, is a certified orientation and mobility specialist and a certified vision rehabilitation therapist at Leader Dogs for the Blind to give us an update on the Unmet Needs survey.

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Recent Guests

Tony Stephens
Assistant Vice President of Communications at the American Foundation for the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
Episode: Barbie
Lynn Gautreaux
Former Director of Orientation and Mobility at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired and guest instructor at Leader Dog.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: Tightrope
Garret Waldie
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist at Leader Dog
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: Candy Shop
Katie Wattles
Guide dog mobility instructor at Leader Dog with over 20 years of experience
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: All About the Match
Luis Sanchez
Experiencing vision loss and reclaiming independence through orientation and mobility training.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: Life Changing
Tina Godetier
Director of Guide Dog Services with over 17 years of experience.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: Are You Guide Dog Ready?
Erica Erke
Director of Client Strategy and Experience with almost 20 years in Orientation and Mobility.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Episode: Are You Guide Dog Ready?
Stephanie Enyart
Chief Public Policy and Research Officer at the American Foundation for the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
Episode: Not Enough Time
Jeff Petersen
Owner of J&R's Ace Hardware in Porter, Texas, and a guide dog user.
Ace Hardware
Episode: Gaining a New Bestie

Hosts

Christina Heffner
Co-host with a background in journalism, she facilitates engaging discussions centered around guiding and supporting the visually impaired community.
Leslie Hoskins
Co-host, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist who shares expertise in empowering independence within the visually impaired community through personal and professional experiences.
Timothy Cuno
Co-host with firsthand experience of living with vision challenges, Timothy provides insights that resonate with audiences dealing with visual impairments.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 68 ratings
  • Learning More with Every Episode

    I’m one of the fortunate ones who gets to work at Leader Dog. I’m going into my 13th year and I would think I couldn’t learn more than I already have but I’ve learned even more with the addition of this podcast! So informative! As a puppy raiser of eight Leader Dogs, I also love and appreciate all the client stories. Brilliant!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Branvyrewolfen
    United States3 years ago
  • My favorite podcast

    I love the information and perspectives the shares. I only wish the show was longer! Cheers to a job well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BCColorado001
    United States3 years ago
  • Love it!

    After receiving O and M training at Leader Dog, and now awaiting my return date for my first Leader Dog, I discovered this podcast and it quickly became my favorite! Listening to every single one to entertain and educate myself about everything to do with blindness and Leader Dog. I feel like Tim, Leslie, and Christina are entertaining and feel like family. Keep them coming guys! Maybe I’ll run into y’all when I get to Leader Dog for training soon.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Catysdad
    United States4 years ago
  • Taking the Lead - A Podcast Produced by Leader Dogs for the Blind

    This is an amazing podcast produced out by an even better organization! As someone who himself has had and hopes to have again a Leader Dog, this organization works miracles! Leader Dogs for the Blind is an organization focused on helping individuals facing vision loss become more independent. This podcast, Taking the Lead, put on by them contains heart-warming stories, useful tips and practices, and information on an amazing organization! If you are looking for a podcast, love heart-warming sto... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caleb Railsback
    United States4 years ago
  • Great Info!

    Loving the show! I am a one time puppy raiser for Leader Dogs, but this show is providing much more insight into this amazing organization! Informative and enjoyable. Keep it coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeahB906
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the informative and heartfelt storytelling, sharing personal connections to the themes explored. Many express gratitude for the practical advice and resources provided, while also appreciating the humor integrated into discussions.
The podcast is seen as a supportive community hub for those involved with, or affected by, visual impairments, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. Feedback reflects that guests are both knowledgeable and engaging.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

History and Hot Dogs
Q: What has been the most impactful takeaway for participants this week?
Timothy shares that regaining control in the kitchen—like slicing onions and preparing hot dogs—has dramatically boosted confidence and independence, highlighting how these small, practical skills translate into bigger personal empowerment.
History and Hot Dogs
Q: Can you give us a broad overview of what this pilot program is?
Jeannine explains that the pilot program combines categories like reading and identification, communication, technology, personal and home management, and self-advocacy to address not just travel, but everyday activities such as dining, cooking, and shopping, tailoring the week to each client's needs.
Barbie
Q: What are some impactful projects you've worked on at AFB?
Tony reflected on his work with the creation and launch of the blind Barbie which received significant media coverage and public engagement.
Barbie
Q: Can you tell us more about your background and how you came to work with the American Foundation for the Blind?
Tony discussed his journey from being legally blind since birth, going totally blind at 15, and choosing to pursue journalism, which led him into nonprofit communication work focusing on advocacy for the blind community.
Tightrope
Q: How did you come to Leader Dog?
Lynn described his enduring connection with Leader Dog since a colleague suggested him to the organization years ago, stating he loves working there.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Taking the Lead

What is Taking the Lead about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on education and empowerment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, highlighting practical mobility strategies and accessibility innovations. A notable aspect is the personal stories shared by both hosts and guests, who typically have direct experiences with visual impairment, whether through advocacy, training, or innovation. The discussions not only inform but also inspire listeners about the realities and triumphs in the blind community, covering topics like guide dogs, orientation and mobility training, personal journeys, and advancements in assistive technology. Episodes often feature a mix of humor and heartfelt narratives, making the content relatable and engaging for listeners interested in advocacy, acc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Taking the Lead?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Taking the Lead:

1. Central Bark: A Guide Dogs for the Blind Podcast
2. The Oprah Podcast
3. Happier with Gretchen Rubin
4. Airacast
5. Double Tap

How many episodes of Taking the Lead are there?

Taking the Lead launched 4 years ago and published 145 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Taking the Lead?

Recent guests on Taking the Lead include:

1. Tony Stephens
2. Lynn Gautreaux
3. Garret Waldie
4. Katie Wattles
5. Luis Sanchez
6. Tina Godetier
7. Erica Erke
8. Stephanie Enyart

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