Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell
Self-Improvement
About
Conversations with the biggest, boldest, and baddest people on the planet. From scientists and researchers to athletes, thought leaders, founders, and those who have accomplished incredible feats despite tremendous adversity— Going in Blind is your front row ticket to deep-reaching discussions with people making big waves in the world. Host Zach Tidwell is a completely blind Marine Corps veteran, skier, rock climber, whitewater kayaker, and martial artist who knows a thing or two about overcoming. Join him as he delves into the incredible minds of new guests every week.
Episodes
- 87 Danny Combs: How The Autism Community Is Moving From 90% Unemployment To Fortune 500 Jobs With Skilled Trades
Danny Combs, founder of TACT, explains how his organization helps individuals with autism secure jobs in skilled trades, challenging the 90% unemployment statistic. He details TACT's partnerships with corporations such as Toyota and AutoNa…
- 86 Richard Anderson: From The Big Bang To First Life, Evolution, & Colonizing Space
Microbiologist Richard Anderson joins Zach Tidwell to discuss the evolution of life from the Big Bang to space colonization, as detailed in his book. They also delve into AI, freedom of speech, censorship, and the potential for sentient no…
- 85 George Goulburn: Life As A Male Escort Isn’t What You’d Expect
George Goulburn shares his experience transitioning from a corporate role in the Australian government to a career as a male escort. He and host Zach Tidwell discuss relationships, ethical non-monogamy, and the realities of escort work, in…
- 84 Patrick Winn: How The CIA & DEA Helped Create The Asian Meth State Fueling The World
Investigative journalist Patrick Winn joins to discuss the methamphetamine trade in Myanmar, the Wa drug empire, and the role of international players. The episode also covers his experience as a journalist, the challenges of investigative…
- 83 Steve Bigari: Leading The Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI, & The Future Of America’s Workforce
Steve Bigari, a West Point graduate and entrepreneur, discusses leading the fourth industrial revolution through AI and innovative applications. He also addresses the importance of skilled trades training, particularly in underserved commu…
- 82 Dr. Doug Cardell: Why Socialism Has Always Been Doomed To Fail, Collapsing Governments, & Ideological Subversion In America
In this episode, Dr. Doug Cardell explains why socialism is inherently flawed and doomed to fail, contrasting it with capitalism. The discussion covers economic principles, the dangers of government overreach, and foreign influence on Amer…
- 81 Christopher Willars: 144-Year Prison Sentence, War Behind Bars, Years In Solitary , & A New Life
Christopher Willars, who received a 144-year sentence after being a getaway driver in a robbery, shares his experiences including years in solitary confinement. Now released, he is the face of Life Unit, a nonprofit focused on intervention…
- 80 Jill Chalsty: Bringing Free Critical Life Skills & Packets Of Hope To 180 Million Students Worldwide
Jill Chalsty, founder of the Overcoming Obstacles life skills curriculum, discusses its development to address educational gaps, impacting over 180 million students globally. She also shares her personal journey of overcoming cancer and ca…
- 79 Melodic Caring Project: Rockstars Healing Kids Facing Life Threatening Illnesses With Music
The Melodic Caring Project, founded by Levi and Stephanie Ware, brings music and music therapy to children with life-threatening illnesses. They have partnered with major artists and offer services like songwriting sessions, demonstrating…
- 78 Robert Christophor Coppes: Near Death Experience Research Suggests All Religions Got The Afterlife Wrong
Dr. Robert Christophor Coppes, board member of IANDS and author, discusses his research on near-death experiences. He explores commonalities in afterlife accounts and challenges conventional religious beliefs regarding divine judgment.
- 77 Amie Ichikawa: Politicians Eroding Child Protection Laws, Systemic Fraud & Men In Women’s Prisons
Amie Ichikawa, founder of Woman II Woman, shares her experiences and advocacy against fraud in the penal system, politicians eroding child protection laws, and the presence of men in women's prisons. The episode also touches on prison refo…
- 76 Dr. Heather Spence: Ocean World of Sound & The Secret Communications of Life All Around Us
Dr. Heather Spence, a marine bioacoustics expert, explores how ocean life communicates using sound, the impact of noise pollution, and innovative research on creatures like snapping shrimp. The episode also touches on dolphin communication…
- 75 Mario Duarte: Combating Child Trafficking & Organ Harvesting Rings, Rescuing American Allies From Conflict Zones, And Rendering Humanitarian Aid Around The World With Project Dynamo
Dr. Mario Duarte, CEO of Project Dynamo, discusses his team's international operations to rescue trafficking victims, extract citizens from conflict zones, and provide humanitarian aid. He also shares his experiences and insights regarding…
- #74 Brian Townsend: DEA Agent On Big Pharma Corruption, Opioid Crisis, Fentanyl & Human Trafficking
This episode of Going in Blind features DEA Agent Brian Townsend discussing significant issues including Big Pharma corruption, the opioid crisis, fentanyl, and human trafficking. Zach Tidwell also provides updates on his upcoming book.
- #73 Kilroy's Workshop: Revolutionizing Skilled Trades Training, Rethinking Teaching, & Critical National Security Concerns
Kilroy's Workshop, founded by Ron Hardman, is a skilled trades school and workspace with multiple locations, founded in an airplane hangar. Shop manager Eli Timm, a former student, joined Hardman and host Zach Tidwell to discuss the organi…
- #72 Mark Porro: Acting with Tom Hanks & Seinfeld, Award-Winning Careers, & A Cup of What— Where?
Mark Steven Porro shares details about his extensive career in Hollywood, including acting roles in shows like Hill Street Blues and Seinfeld, and his experiences co-founding a snack food company. He also discusses his award-winning memoir…
- #71 Alexis Arralynn: Escaping a Doomsday Cult, Attempted Kidnapping, & Rebuilding In Hiding
Alexis Arralynn shares her harrowing experience of growing up in and escaping a fundamentalist Christian doomsday cult, detailing childhood abuse, manipulation, and an attempted kidnapping before rebuilding her life.
- #70: Dr. Atinuke Adediran: Disclosureland, Corporate Lies, & Lifting Up Downtrodden Communities
Dr. Atinuke Adediran, author of Disclosureland, analyzes corporate race messaging post-George Floyd, shareholder power, and societal impacts. The episode also touches on DEI, racial equity, community revitalization, and corporate responsib…
- #69 Sacha Dench: The Human Swan, International Freediving Champion, & Conservation Without Borders
Sacha Dench, a geneticist and freediver, founded Conservation Without Borders. She is known for her 7,000 km paragliding journey tracking swans and has also flown with ospreys and plans to fly with vultures.
- #68 Wendy Huffman: Transforming refugee lives through enterprise & peace while depolarizing politics
Host Zach Tidwell speaks with Wendy Huffman, founder of Let's Make the Difference, about her work creating sustainable enterprises in refugee camps. The episode details how her initiatives, including bakeries and peace ambassador programs,…
- #67 Isabella Young: Marrying A Cult Leader & Barely Escaping After Murder
Isabella Young details her escape from a messianic cult where she was married to the leader, claiming to be the Second Coming. She shares her experiences with manipulation and abuse within the cult, and the tragic loss of her son to an all…
- 66 Laszlo Suhayda: Escaping Communism To Warn The World | Socialism in Venezuela, Russia & China
Laszlo Suhayda recounts his escape from communist Hungary in 1956, sharing his story to emphasize the value of freedom and warn against socialism. The episode covers his insights on propaganda, state-controlled media, and the political sit…
- #65 Aaron Turnage: A Child Abuse & Homicide Detective’s Darkness
Aaron Turnage details his 21-year career as a police officer and homicide/child abuse detective, beginning with early ride-alongs. His experiences, including the murder of his partner and two decades of avoidance, significantly affected hi…
- #64 Riana Milne: Top 10 problems plaguing relationships & how to fix them
Riana Milne, an author and therapist, discusses 10 common childhood traumas that affect adult relationships, including abandonment and verbal abuse. The episode covers how these traumas manifest, offers healing strategies, and addresses co…
- #63 Jennifer Hawkins: Buying a business on my credit card saved my son's life
Jennifer Hawkins discusses how purchasing a failing Sylvan Learning Center franchise with a credit card led her to become a top franchisee. This journey later played a role in her son's leukemia diagnosis after previous medical misdiagnose…
- #62 Dr. John Graham: Civil Rights Movements Then Vs. Now, Redemption, and Hand Ups, Not Handouts
Dr. John David Graham shares his life story, from a challenging youth to founding the Good Samaritan Home, which aids over 2,500 individuals transitioning from prison. The conversation explores faith, criminal justice reform, addiction, an…
- #61 Dr. Baruch Halevi: Viktor Frankl, logotherapy, Jewish persecution, life, culture, and religion
Dr. Baruch Halevi joins Zach Tidwell to discuss his journey from rabbi to pastoral counselor, exploring logotherapy, Jewish culture, and personal experiences with suicide and meaning-making.
- #60 T.Y. Lee: Return of the Rooftop Koreans, LA riots, Rodney King, & lasting impacts
This episode features T.Y. Lee discussing his graphic novel "Return of the Rooftop Koreans," inspired by his family's experience during the 1992 LA Riots. The conversation covers the events leading up to the riots, including the Rodney Kin…
- #59 Julie Barth: Unimaginable loss, abuse, & friction doesn’t have to mean suffering
Julie Barth discusses navigating profound loss, including her husband's cancer and her daughter's rare cancer, alongside overcoming abuse. She founded the Colin James Barth Outreach organization to help women in crisis and supports it thro…
- #58 Paul Watkins: Pushing the limits of human performance & implications for the human race
This episode features Paul Watkins, an entrepreneur and ultra-endurance athlete, who shares his experiences in races like the "6633 Arctic Ultra." The discussion delves into the philosophy of pushing human limits, the importance of mindset…
- #57 Dr. Barbara Rothbaum: Treating PTSD with MDMA, virtual reality, and exposure therapy
Dr. Barbara Rothbaum details her extensive research on anxiety disorders and PTSD, highlighting innovations like virtual reality exposure therapy and current studies involving MDMA for veterans.
- #56 Adam Cheyer: Siri Founder shares the past, analyzes the current, & predicts the future
Siri founder Adam Cheyer discusses his career trajectory, AI, machine learning, and the future of AI, including a prediction for 2035. Cheyer co-created Siri, which was acquired by Apple, and also founded companies like Vib Labs and GamePl…
- 55 Ben Patton: Patton Veterans Project, filmmaking, & General Patton's lineage
Ben Patton, grandson of General George Patton, shares his work with the Patton Veterans Project, which uses filmmaking to help veterans with PTSD. Studies show veterans who participate are more likely to seek formal mental health treatment.
- #54 Dr. Holly Wood: Sex dolls, robots, intimacy, open relationships & betrayal
In this episode of Going in Blind, host Zach Tidwell speaks with sex therapist Dr. Holly Wood. They discuss topics including sex robots, AI companions, open relationships, sex addiction, navigating infidelity, and supporting victims of sex…
- #53 Tim "F-ing" Barber: Racing cars professionally, training the next generation, & entrepreneurship
This episode features Tim Barber, who details his progression from childhood go-kart racing to a professional racing career. He also shares his experiences with entrepreneurship, including his current role at TFB Performance, where he trai…
- #52 Dr. Philip Yanos: Growing up on psychiatric hospital grounds to treating serious mental illness
Dr. Philip Yanos shares his experiences growing up on psychiatric hospital grounds and his subsequent career as a clinical psychologist specializing in serious mental illness and stigma. The episode covers his book "Exiles in New York City…
- #51 Tom Lancaster: Maturity crisis, ancient worlds, mountaineering, & differing ideas
Tom Lancaster and Zach Tidwell engage in philosophical discussions about ancient and modern ways of the world, touching upon modern rites of passage and a "maturity crisis." Tom Lancaster is the Founder of Altitude Evolution, which combine…
- #50 Deke Letson: Healing American veterans through adventure
Deke Letson, a former Army veteran, shares his healing journey through adventure and the Marcus Institute for Brean Health, which led him to found Veteran's Exploration Therapy to help other veterans and families.
- #49 Sal Gonzalez: From catastrophic combat to country music star
This episode features Sal Gonzalez, a musician, Marine Corps veteran, and Purple Heart recipient. He shares his story of transitioning from combat experiences to a career in country music, with his new album set for release on November 10,…
- #48 Aaron Vernon: Founder and CEO of Split Atom Labs
Aaron Vernon, founder of Split Atom Labs, shares his career path from early coding to working at Meta, and now leading a startup focused on casual gaming. The discussion delves into coding, LLMs, quantum computing, and accessible design.
- #47 Dr. Robb Kelly: Treating celebrity addictions after recording with the world's biggest bands
Dr. Robb Kelly, once a musician recording with stars like Elton John and Queen, details his struggles with addiction, including a violent incident and homelessness. He now runs the Robb Kelly Group, specializing in substance abuse treatmen…
- #46 Adam Meyers: Police officer founded "Stop the Threat, Stop the Stigma" after fatal shooting
Adam Meyers, a Wisconsin Police Captain, founded 'Stop the Threat - Stop the Stigma' after experiencing a fatal shooting and subsequent addiction. He now works as a Peer Support Specialist to help first responders.
- #45 Mike Bona: Exotic animal trainer, zookeeper, conservationist, and Founder of "Laughs for Giraffes"
Mike Bona, an exotic animal trainer and zookeeper, has shifted his focus to giraffe conservation. He has traveled to Africa, founded 'Laughs for Giraffes' to aid conservation efforts, and uses platforms like this podcast to educate the pub…
- #44 Dr. Jeff Zurek: Forecasting volcanic eruptions & seeing inside Earth
In this episode of Going in Blind, host Zach Tidwell speaks with Geophysicist and Volcanologist Dr. Jeff Zurek about his work in volcanic research, mapping mineral deposits, and scientific consulting. They discuss obtaining a doctoral degr…
- #43 Dr. Charles Drebing: Suicide prevention, peer support & 34 years treating American veterans
Dr. Charles Drebing, a Clinical Psychologist specializing in suicide prevention, shares insights from his 34 years of experience treating American veterans. He also discusses his research and handbooks focused on implementing Peer Support…
- #42 Laura M. Clark: Trailblazing mountaineer & first female to solo Colorado's "fourteeners"
Laura M. Clark, the first woman to solo all of Colorado's peaks above 14,000 feet, shares her mountaineering accomplishments and her roles as a Girl Scout author, leader, and mentor.
- #41 Jamie Hughes: Social psychologist transcended a horrendous childhood to treat others
Social psychologist Jamie Hughes shares his experiences overcoming a difficult childhood to help others, discussing his academic journey, the realities of suicide, and the impact of diet and fitness on mental health.
- #40 Mistress Mia Payne: Professional dominatrix and therapeutic BDSM
Mistress Mia Payne shares her journey from framing to professional dominatrix, exploring the therapeutic aspects of BDSM and its collaborative use with mental health clinicians for client healing.
- #39 Scott Harvey: Hostage negotiator
Scott Harvey, a retired hostage negotiator and police officer, discusses his high-stakes communication strategies, which he now shares with businesses globally. Host Zach Tidwell's book is currently with an editor.
- #38 Josh Brown: Green Beret and Combat Diver with 30 years on active duty
In episode #38 of Going in Blind, host Zach Tidwell talks with Chief Warrant Officer 4 Josh Brown about his 30-year military career, including his experiences as a Green Beret and Combat Diver. They explore his journey from infantryman to…