Dr. Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Ph.D., has been named one of the Top 25 Greatest Innovators in the field of virtual reality(VR), and has been innovating in using the technology to diagnose, analyze, and treat complex mental health conditions for decades. He is also the Director of Medical Virtual Reality at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. In addition to designing and developing these breakthrough technologies, some of his platforms are being used nationwide throughout the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and even to help clinicians train in handling particularly dynamic and difficult patients. In addition to covering all of this, Skip covered how it all came to be, and where he and his peers are driving this incredible future. Other topics include exposure therapy, previous guest Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, 9/11, military sexual trauma, sexual trauma, how innovation occurs, how to coordinate teams from different disciplines in combined efforts, PTSD, how virtual reality is used to train active duty military, how additional immersion accentuates these VR experiences, augmented reality, how virtual reality developers can create entire, immersive worlds, and more. You can find Dr. Rizzo here: https://ict.usc.edu/about-us/leadership/research-leadership/albert-skip-rizzo/ Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Danny Combs is many things; a Grammy-winning musician, entrepreneur, educator, disability advocate and policymaker, to name a few—but today we focused on his work in teaching the autistic community trades, the namesake for his nonprofit, TACT. After his own son was diagnosed with Autism 15 years ago, without being given resources to assist him, Danny decided to pave a path forward for his son and others like him. In just 10 years, TACT has shifted the entire narrative around employing people with Autsim, partnering with companies all over the world, including Toyota and AutoNation, to flip the script on the statistic that 90% of autistic people are unemployed. It's an untapped workforce no one is talking about, so Danny came on the show to do just that, and break down the stigma around the subject. Other episodes mentioned include episode 73 with Kilroy’s Workshop, 83 with Steve Bigari, and 17 with Josh Thurmond. Other topics covered include public perceptions and narratives around disability, how to shift cultures and mindsets, how having a disabled person in you family expands your world view, Northrup Grumman, engineering, being a trailblazer, role models, and more. You can find Danny in the following places: TACT website: https://www.buildwithtact.org/ Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Richard Anderson is a microbiologist with an expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry, who has now written several books: “Evolution of Life: Big Bang To Space Colonies”, a nonfiction book that spans from the beginning of our universe, through the formation of life, all the way through human evolution and to our seemingly inevitable future amongst distant stars. He and Zach tackled those subjects before diving into AI, freedom of speech, censorship, and how LLMs may give way to sentient nonhuman intelligence—topics all covered in Richard’s sci-fi trilogy, the Outbound series. You can find Richard’s work on his website: richardandersonauthor.com Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
George Goulburn left his corporate life in the Australian government to strike out on a new career as a male escort. He and Zach discussed the shift, George’s past and present relationships, monogamy, open relationships, ethical nonmonogamy(ENM), and what work as a male escort is like. Along the way, George offered surprising insights into how men and women differ in this space, what women want from a male escort, and why it’s been so fulfilling for him and his clients—not to mention the ethical concerns in the space, cultural differences around the sex trade in Australia versus the United States, and what an optimal situation would be for workers in locales making moves to decriminalize or legalize prostitution. You can find George on his website: georgegoulburn.com Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Patrick Winn is an award-winning investigative journalist and author whose latest book covered a nearly sovereign Methamphetamine state inside of Myanmar, which produces roughly 70% of the world’s methamphetamine using it’s 30,000 troops to project it’s power in the region. China supports them, and their stimulants are flooding the Southeast Asian black markets in a an entirely different way than Americans have been accustomed to from the relationship between the Mexican and South American drug cartels and the US border throughout the War on Drugs. Other topics include human trafficking, the history of the Wa people and their drug empire, historical ties to the US government through heroin and meth, fentanyl crisis in the US, how China has made a deal to arm and provide infrastructure to the Wa people whilst keeping their drugs outside of China, how investigative journalists find sources, what it takes to be an investigative journalist, how Patrick views risks to himself and his sources, living in Thailand for 18 years, and how to know when a book is finished. You can find Patrick and his work on his website: www.patrickwinnonline.com Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Steve Bigari is a West Point graduate, proponent/facilitator of skilled trades training in underserved communities, and massively successful entrepreneur bringing EI from the cyber world to the real world in all re7alms—from wearables for skilled trades workers like welders, electricians, and carpenters, to medical applications, restaurants, and beyond. The intro for the episode doesn’t do this man or his work nearly enough justice, so buckle up. Steve’sfamily has overcome an incredible amount of strife, from his first daughter being born with what was expected to be deadly birth defects, to adoptinbg multiple children with special needs, almost losing a son to suicide, and almost losing his wife to a brain tumor. They’ve all persevered, and it led Steve to found over 20 companies, build a kingdom of McDonald’s franchises, and now innovate with visionaries like former guest Ron Hardman, and his counterparts at SoundHound AI to lead the fourth industrial revolution. Steve is also bringing skilled trades training to underserved communities with his nonprofit, America’s Family, and it’s newest initiative, 1848 Other topics include why AI is creating jobs rather than taking them, seeing into the future by examining the past, predicting future technologies, why America shifted away from skilled trades to focus on higher education, why skilled trades are the future, how welders are being trained faster than ever, China, Taiwan, national security conerns, America’s skilled trades shortage, why AI applied to the real world is the fourth industrial revolution, how struggle breeds character, persevering through tremendous adversity, almost losing a child, almost losing a spouse, and how life manages to funnel us toward specific paths that culminate in a life’s work. You can find Steve’s efforts in the following places: America’s Family: amfol.org SoundHound: soundhound.com Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Dr. Doug Cardell is an Evidentiary economist, author, and economic policy expert discussing why socialism is—and always has been—doomed to fail. His work has spanned from serving as an aide to a Member of Congress, leading as a corporate CEO, consulting the Arizona Department of Education, and teaching as a Professor of Mathematics. His expertise in economics, economic policy, mathematical modeling, and system dynamics modeling makes him uniquely qualified to discuss the matter, because he’s taken one heck of a deep dive into it all. In this episode you’ll hear why both physical and personal value drives worldwide economies, why capitalism works, what socialism, fascism, and communism really are, why socialism will always fail, how overreaching governments erode civilization, the power of meritocracy, how foreign powers are undermining American higher education, how victim mindsets deprive people of their value, and the slippery slope of losing control of property, autonomy, and free choice. You can find Dr. Cardell on his website at dougcardell.com. Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Christopher Willars turned to crime after being kicked out of the Air Force, and wound up with a 144-year prison sentence after being found guilty as the getaway driver in a robbery. The others involved will all likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars, but Christopher is back out after nearly two decades in prison. Combined, he spent multiple years in solitary confinement with the longest consecutive stint lasting 14 months. But today he’s the face of Life Unit, his nonprofit centered around intervention, education, recovery, and reform—with an entirely new life and family. You can find Chris and his work at ChristopherWillars.com. Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Jill Chalsty is the Founder of the Overcoming Obstacles life skills curriculum, which she developer to fill critical gaps in education systems around the world, and has now taught over 180 million students worldwide. She’s achieved this while enduring breast cancer and a double mastectomy—all whilst caring for her late husband, who battled Dementia—and subsequently having gone on to persevere through the ensuing lung cancer that followed his passing. She found a singular purpose in those dark years that led her on a beautiful pilgrimage that culminated with the writing of her new memoir, Packets of Hope. Expect to learn how bullying shakes the foundation of people throughout their lives, how cyber bullying is even more dangerous, what unconditional love is like, how Jill navigated the complexities of being the sole caregiver to her husband while he battled Dementia and she battled breast cancer and a double mastectomy, why life skills are so important for kids and adults alike, and how her losses led her to traveling the world, sustaining the purpose that kept her going through her ongoing battle with lung cancer. You can find Jill in the following places: Overcoming Obstacles: overcomingobstacles.org Packets of Hope: packetsofhope.com Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.
Levi and Stephanie Ware founded the Melodic Caring Project in 2010 after they had to bring a live concert to a sick child’s hospital room after an emergency bone marrow transplant prevented her from attending. Now they’ve worked with bands like Cold Play, The Black Eyed Peas, Direks Bentley, and other major names to help these kids see through the darkness. They’ve also extended their services to music therapy, songwriting sessions, and more— pushing through times so tough they lost their home whilst raising three children— just because they saw a need and believed in their mission. You’ll learn how music therapy allows the brain to remap it’s abilities by facilitating neuroplasticity, how running a for-profit business can support you nonprofit, how music is distinctly stored in the brain, the power of music therapy, the hardships faced by families whose children are battling rare cancers, and more. Zach’s book is on the way it’s officially in the hands of an editor, and on the final path to publishing! If your new to the show and haven’t heard his incredible story, go back and listen to the show’s trailer, or visit Zach’s website at zachtidwell.com. To get the big news when it’s going to print, join his email list on the website. Follow And Support The Show Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends. Website: https://zachtidwell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388 Instagram: @ZachCTidwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/ X: @ZachCTidwell Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW YouTube: @ZachCTidwell #GIB #GoingInBlind Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.