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Penny Forward

Penny Forward

By: Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner
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 The Penny Forward podcast is about blind people building bright futures one penny at a time. We’re blind people learning to be successful in our personal, professional, and financial lives.© 2023 Penny Forward INC Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • One Score at a Time: Bill McCann & the Story of Dancing Dots (Part 1)

    One Score at a Time: Bill McCann & the Story of Dancing Dots (Part 1)
    Nov 25 2025
    Episode Summary
    This episode of the Penny Forward Podcast features Bill McCann, founder of Dancing Dots, in a deep and engaging conversation about accessible music creation for blind and low-vision musicians. Bill shares his personal journey—from learning Braille music as a child to struggling through inaccessible print scores in high school and college—and how this lived experience inspired the creation of Dancing Dots in 1992.
    Chris and Liz explore the origin story of Goodfeel, the Braille music translation software now used in more than 50 countries, and how Bill’s team expanded into tools like Lime, Lime Lighter, and accessible digital audio workstation training. Bill explains the challenges low-vision musicians face when trying to read standard scores, why simple magnification isn’t enough, and how Lime Lighter solves the problem with large-format, customizable, repeat-aware digital notation. The episode also features a humorous radio spot voiced by Patrick Perdue that demonstrates the real-world stakes of inaccessible print music—especially for trombone players.
    The conversation concludes with the announcement that the discussion will continue in Part 2.

    Contact Info
    Guest — Bill McCann / Dancing Dots
    Website: https://www.dancingdots.com
    Email (general): info@dancingdots.com
    Penny Forward
    Website: https://www.pennyforward.com
    Email: info@pennyforward.com
    Aftersight
    Website: https://www.aftersight.org
    Email for guests & inquiries: jonathan@aftersight.org
    Phone: (720) 712-8856
    Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer at Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Chris Peterson & Liz Bottner
    Guest: Bill McCann
    Audio Editing & Post-Production: Jonathan Price
    Composer: André Louis
    Distributed in partnership with Aftersight
    A Penny Forward production

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Opening & Introductions
    00:34 — Meet Bill McCann
    01:20 — Discovering Music & Braille
    02:28 — Early Challenges Accessing Scores
    03:55 — High School & College Music Demands
    05:22 — The Birth of Dancing Dots
    09:10 — Building Goodfeel
    11:20 — Lime, Lime Lighter & Accessible Tools
    16:24 — Audio Production & Reaper Training
    18:10 — Lime Lighter Radio Spot
    20:15 — Why Magnification Isn’t Simple
    22:45 — Tailoring Tools for Low Vision Needs
    25:02 — Closing & Part Two Teaser
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Designing Inclusion: How Unicorn Soda Brings Games to Life for Everyone

    Designing Inclusion: How Unicorn Soda Brings Games to Life for Everyone
    Nov 11 2025
    Episode Summary
    Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner welcome the Erb family — Sarah, Stevie, and their 11-year-old daughter Maeve — founders of Unicorn Soda Design Studios, a company creating 3D-printed accessible games and educational tools for the blind and low-vision community. The family shares how Maeve’s blindness inspired a shift in their family’s path, from Stevie’s career as a professional chef to becoming a designer focused on accessibility.
    Together, they discuss parenting approaches that promote autonomy, the creative process behind adaptive game design, and the importance of inclusive, sensory-rich learning materials. Maeve offers her perspective as both the inspiration and product tester behind Unicorn Soda’s designs, describing her favorite games like Lucky Ducks and the Braille Race Game. The family’s mission extends beyond fun — they aim to make Braille literacy and inclusive design more accessible for children and adults worldwide.
    Listeners will also hear about the Erb family’s collaborations with teachers, their work with the National Federation of the Blind’s BELL program, and their plans for Maeve to eventually lead the business. This heartfelt and inventive episode showcases the intersection of family, design, and advocacy in action.
    Contact Information
    Guest Organization:
    Unicorn Soda Design Studios
    Website: unicornsodadesignstudio.com
    Show Partner:
    Penny Forward — Accessible financial education for the blind community
    Website: www.pennyforward.com
    Aftersight — Podcast Network Partner
    Phone: (720) 712-8856
    Email: feedback@aftersight.org
    Producer: Jonathan Price — Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner
    Guests: Stevie, Sarah, and Maeve Erb
    Audio Editing & Post-Production: Jonathan Price
    Music: André Louis
    Distribution Partner: Aftersight
    Presented by: Penny Forward, a nonprofit providing accessible financial education
    Sponsored by: Wells Fargo, Thrivent, and the NASDAQ Foundation
    In partnership with: APH Connect Center, World Services for the Blind, and Computers for the Blind

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Intro: Meet the Erb Family
    02:20 — Parenting and Early Learning with Maeve
    09:00 — From Chef to Designer: The Birth of Unicorn Soda
    13:50 — Games and Accessibility: Design That Clicks
    18:30 — Education Tools and Braille Literacy
    23:00 — The Sound of Play: Designing Sensory Games
    27:20 — Lucky Ducks and Other Favorites
    29:40 — Advice for Families and Blind Kids
    32:10 — The Future of Unicorn Soda Design
    34:20 — Wrap-Up and Partner Acknowledgments
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Access Granted: Tech, Tenacity, and Financial Independence with Mike Gorse

    Access Granted: Tech, Tenacity, and Financial Independence with Mike Gorse
    Oct 29 2025
    Software engineer Mike Gorse shares how early mentorship, Linux accessibility work, and steady investing shaped his career and financial freedom. Hosts Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner explore his journey from Duxbury Systems to SUSE, the lessons he’s learned about networking, relocation, and accessibility in tech, and how a simple, long-term investing approach brought stability and choice. His advice: connect with peers in your field, volunteer to gain traction, stay open to opportunities, and align your work and finances with what matters most.

    Contact Info
    Guest — Mike Gorse
    📧 mike@straddlethebox.org
    🐘 @MikeGorse@mindly.social
    Penny Forward — pennyforward.com
    Aftersight — aftersight.org | feedback@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856
    Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner
    Guest: Mike Gorse
    Producer / Post: Jonathan Price
    Music: Andre Louis
    Presented by: Penny Forward in partnership with Aftersight
    Sponsors: Thrivent and The Nasdaq Foundation

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Intro: Building bright futures
    00:15 — Meet Mike Gorse
    02:10 — Early tech and Braille foundations
    04:23 — First job at Duxbury Systems
    06:41 — Linux and open-source accessibility
    11:05 — Joining Novell and SUSE
    13:23 — Handling discouragement and finding mentors
    15:28 — Advice for career counselors and seekers
    17:48 — Remote work and moving to Austin
    19:50 — Context matters in career paths
    22:11 — Housing co-ops and community
    24:58 — Pros and cons of shared living
    26:43 — Investing wisely and the Simple Path to Wealth
    28:40 — FIRE and financial independence
    30:54 — Networking and creating opportunities
    33:19 — How to reach Mike
    35:25 — Credits and Aftersight partnership
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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