Episode Summary

In this personal three-year reflection, Evan Starnes steps away from the usual tech-heavy format to look back on the journey of Blind Level Tech since its launch in March 2023. He shares how his time at the Colorado Center for the Blind and his early internship at Aftersight helped shape his confidence, skills, and voice as both an audio producer and host.

Evan walks listeners through the evolution of Aftersight’s podcasting world, from the early days of Community Conversations to the creation of Blind Level Tech alongside producer Jonathan Price. He reflects on the guests, co-hosts, spin-off ideas, and creative risks that helped BLT find its identity as a show that makes technology approachable for both lifelong blind listeners and those newer to vision loss.

The episode also opens up a more vulnerable side of the work behind the mic. Evan speaks candidly about the pressure of trying to represent the blind and low-vision community well, the perfectionism that can come with creativity, and the personal struggles that have shaped the show’s highs and lows. It is an honest, human check-in on what it takes to keep building something meaningful week after week.

Looking ahead, Evan shares his hopes for the future of Blind Level Tech, including more demos, more guests, Throwback Thursdays, continued BLT Bites, and a stronger creative rhythm after Aftersight’s current platform transition. Through it all, his goal remains the same: to make BLT a welcoming, informative, and distinctly human space for the blind and low-vision community.

Contact Info

Organization: Aftersight
Website: Aftersight.org
Feedback Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Listener Voicemail: (720) 712-8856

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits

Show: Blind Level Tech
Host: Evan Starnes
Producer: Jonathan Price
Network: Aftersight Originals

• (00:02) - — Evan marks three years of Blind Level Tech
• (02:47) - — Life before BLT and training at the Colorado Center for the Blind
• (04:51) - — Evan’s Aftersight internship and the early podcasting days
• (07:18) - — Community Conversations, Penn Street, and Aftersight’s podcast growth
• (09:35) - — Jonathan Price joins Aftersight and BLT is born
• (11:59) - — The inspiration behind the show and building its sound
• (16:58) - — The vision for BLT: making tech approachable for everyone
• (19:23) - — Memorable guests, co-hosts, and lessons from hosting
• (24:17) - — Personal pressure, perfectionism, and the human side of podcasting
• (26:14) - — What’s next for BLT: more demos, more guests, more growth
• (31:03) - — Closing thanks and an invitation for listener feedback

1) Episode Summary

Evan Starnes opens this shorter solo episode with a quick update on Aftersight’s major platform transition and shares his excitement about getting back to creating more original content for Blind Level Tech. He introduces a new upcoming Thursday mini-series focused on vintage and retro assistive and consumer technology, giving listeners a fun “trip down memory lane” format that will be more relaxed and demo-driven.

The main focus of the episode is a broad overview of the latest Apple product releases and what matters most for blind and low-vision users. Evan walks through the newly announced products, highlights accessibility-relevant features, and frames the conversation around practical use rather than deep technical specs. He discusses the value of these devices for students, everyday users, and those looking to upgrade from older Apple hardware.

He also gives his take on the new iPhone and Mac lineup from the perspective of real-world accessibility, including MagSafe, storage, performance, camera practicality, and how useful certain “Pro” features may or may not be for blind users. The episode closes with an invitation for listener feedback and a reminder that more tech-focused content is on the way as the transition work settles down.

2) Contact Info

Aftersight Contact Info
Aftersight
Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Phone: (720) 712-8856
Website: Aftersight.org

Producer Credit
Produced by Jonathan Price

3) Show Credits

Show: Blind Level Tech
Host: Evan Starnes
Producer: Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight

• (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

1) Episode Summary

In this special Aftersight Original, Kim Wardlow shares the personal story behind her leadership and the road that led her to become Executive Director of Aftersight. She reflects on growing up in Lamar, Colorado, her early love for creativity, 4-H, cooking, service, travel, and the many work experiences that quietly prepared her for nonprofit leadership.

Kim walks listeners through pivotal moments in her life—from studying abroad in Scotland and working internationally, to volunteering at what was then Radio Reading Service of the Rockies, to unexpectedly finding both her calling and her husband through the organization. She also shares how Aftersight has evolved over the years from volunteer-read programming into a wider community-centered organization offering podcasts, peer support, book club, white canes, and more.

This episode is both a personal milestone and a mission-centered reflection. As Kim celebrates her 60th birthday and approaches 25 years with Aftersight, she invites listeners to see the deeper heart behind the organization: building community, increasing independence, and creating meaningful access for people who are blind, low vision, deafblind, or in need of alternatives to print. The episode closes with an invitation to support Aftersight’s work through her birthday giving campaign.

2) Contact Info

Guest / Organization:
Kim Wardlow — Executive Director, Aftersight
Aftersight website: aftersight.org
Birthday campaign / donations: Visit the donate page at aftersight.org

Aftersight:
Aftersight Originals network featuring Navigating Life with Vision Loss, The Blind Chick, Blindsight, and Blind Level Tech

Producer Credit:
Jonathan Price — Podcast Producer, Aftersight

3) Show Credits

Special Aftersight Original
Featuring Kim Wardlow
Opening by Jonathan Price
Produced by Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight

4) Chapter Markers

00:00 — Jonathan’s welcome and special Aftersight introduction
00:53 — Kim introduces herself, Aftersight, and the reason for sharing her story
03:14 — Childhood in Lamar, creativity, 4-H, and early PBS dreams
05:38 — Learning leadership, service, and community values
08:03 — Solar panels, first jobs, and developing a strong work ethic
10:28 — College, Scotland, travel, and broadening her world
12:54 — Early professional life, proposal writing, and service work
15:14 — Volunteering with Radio Reading Service and working at GE Access
17:37 — Friendship, snowshoeing, travel, and a season of transition
20:02 — Layoff, September 2001, and joining Radio Reading Service
22:21 — Meeting Doug, discovering purpose, and seeing the bigger calling
24:43 — Outreach across Colorado, music, and the value of volunteers
27:04 — How Aftersight expanded into podcasts, groups, and broader services
29:29 — Leadership, rebrand, relocation, and adapting through COVID
31:44 — Community, connection, and why the work matters
34:07 — Life purpose, independence, and the mission behind Aftersight
36:31 — Kim’s birthday campaign and invitation to support Aftersight

• (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0