Shows
Design Your Legacy - Life LessonsThe Blind Kitchen: Cooking Up Legacy with Debra EricksonFood is the love language for many people. So, what do you do when you find yourself, or those you care about, going blind? How do you maintain your dignity as well as identity, if you lose a major part of yourself and are no longer able to make that “New Year’s Eve” soup or that Hanukah dinner? And we won’t even bring up grilling on the BBQ! It’s then easy to socially isolate and become depressed because attending any party or social gathering is difficult. In this episode, Angelina Carleton speaks with Debra Erickson, founder of T...2025-07-2157 min
Conversations With Iris PodcastEp.55 Debra Erickson- Executive Chef and Founder of The Blind KitchenSend a text to Ronnie KeithEp. 55 of Conversations with Iris Podcast! I had the pleasure of interviewing Executive Chef and Founder of The Blind Kitchen, Debra Erickson! Debra Erickson is a blind Chef (the only blind student in Culinary school) and a former Cooking Instructor for the Oregon Commission for the Blind so she walks her talk. She now owns this business, called The Blind Kitchen, whose mission is to help other people with vision loss to cook safely, confidently and independently. She has been often praised for her ability to describe adaptive culinary tools and te...2025-07-1836 min
Eat Better Food Today!Ep. 78- Humans are Meant to Connect. So Why Not Cook? Debra Erickson. The Blind Kitchen.On this episode we are grateful to have Debra Erickson. Debra is a blind Chef (the only blind student in Culinary school) and a former Cooking Instructor for the Oregon Commission for the Blind, so she walks her talk. She now owns The Blind Kitchen, whose mission is to help other people with vision loss to cook safely, confidently, and independently. She has been often praised for her ability to describe adaptive culinary tools and techniques with clarity. #eatbetterfoodtoday #longevity #health Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com for this week's recipe, interviews, books, research, video...2025-06-241h 00
THE SJ CHILDS SHOW-Building a Community of InclusionEpisode 315-Cooking Without Sight: The Blind Kitchen Revolution with Debra EricksonSend us a textWhat happens when you're passionate about cooking but can't see the ingredients? For Debra, founder of The Blind Kitchen, vision loss became the catalyst for culinary innovation rather than limitation.Debra's story begins unexpectedly – she wasn't a natural cook, growing up as one of twelve children with limited kitchen experience. When retinitis pigmentosa claimed most of her vision in her fifties, she made a remarkable decision: instead of abandoning cooking, she enrolled in culinary school as their first legally blind student. There, she developed adaptive techniques that have since transformed kitchen ac...2025-06-1728 min
Simply Be Found HuddleTurning Vision Loss into InnovationDebra Erickson shares how she turned personal challenges into The Blind Kitchen—a business providing adaptive culinary tools and kitchen strategies for people with vision loss.✅ Her journey through culinary school as the only blind student✅ How blind-friendly kitchen tools are designed✅ AI & accessibility’s role in the modern kitchen✅ Empowering blind adults and children with independence🔗 Follow Debra Erickson:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblindkitchenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+blind+kitchen+introInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblindkitchen...2025-06-091h 02
Twenty-First Century DisabilitySavouring Success: Debra Erickson’s Recipe for Empowerment at The Blind KitchenSend us a textIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Debra Erickson, the owner of The Blind Kitchen, who shares her remarkable journey as a visually impaired chef, entrepreneur, and educator. Debra's passion for teaching visually impaired individuals how to cook safely and confidently shines through as she discusses the resources and techniques she provides to help others embrace their culinary skills. Highlights Debra's Personal Journey: - Insights into her life as a visually impaired chef. - The motivation behind starting The Blind Kitchen.Teaching Cooking Skills: ...2025-06-0527 min
Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Christopher H. Loo, MD-PhD🎙️ How Blind People Cook | Debra Erickson on Adaptive Tools & AI for the Visually ImpairedHow blind people cook is a question many people with vision loss or caregivers often ask—this episode with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, offers powerful answers rooted in lived experience and innovation.If you or a loved one is navigating life with vision loss, this conversation will speak directly to your needs. Debra, a blind executive chef with retinitis pigmentosa, explains how she turned daily challenges into tools, methods, and confidence-building techniques that enable the visually impaired to thrive in the kitchen. Through the use of adaptive culinary tools, AI-powered smart glasses, and strategic ki...2025-05-2813 min
Okie SmokinCooking Beyond Vision: How The Blind Kitchen Empowers GrillersSend John & Dolores a Text Message.Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, shares how her organization helps visually impaired people reclaim their passion for grilling and outdoor cooking through specialized tools and techniques. Having graduated from culinary school as one of the only blind students in her class, Debra now uses her expertise to help others navigate cooking with vision loss.• Adaptive tools for grilling include talking thermometers that announce temperatures aloud• Extended grilling gloves protect arms when reaching over open flames• Double spatulas help secure food when flipping, solving a major challe...2025-05-2647 min
BizBlendTenacity in the Kitchen: Deborah Erickson’s Bold Journey with The Blind KitchenIn this episode of BizBlend, we meet Debra Erickson—blind chef, entrepreneur, and founder of The Blind Kitchen. Debra shares how she transformed the challenges of vision loss into a purposeful business that empowers others with similar experiences. From adapting in culinary school to building a company rooted in accessibility and safety, Debra's story is one of tenacity, innovation, and deep purpose. Learn how she navigates the physical and systemic limitations of the world around her, uses creativity to solve real problems, and why her work is far from niche. This conversation is an essential listen for founders, teachers, an...2025-05-1623 min
Tasty Trails Travel Pod#60 Blind cooking with Debra EricksonWhat does it take to navigate culinary school, sharp knives, hot pans — and the food industry — without sight?In this powerful episode, I’m joined by chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen, Debra Erickson, who shares how vision loss shaped her journey into the kitchen and led her to create over 90 adaptive tools and strategies for blind and visually impaired cooks. We talk about inclusive design, the psychology of confidence in the kitchen, how tech is transforming accessibility, and the cultural misconceptions that still exist around blindness and ability.Debra’s story is about more tha...2025-05-1441 min
Real Food Stories117. Blindness Didn’t Stop Her: A Chef’s Story of Courage & CookingWhat if your biggest challenge became your greatest calling?That’s exactly what happened to Debra Erickson, who lost her vision to retinitis pigmentosa. At age 59, she did something extraordinary: she enrolled in culinary school — and became the only blind graduate in her class.Today, Debra is the founder of The Blind Kitchen, where she’s making it possible for people with vision loss to cook independently and confidently.The truth? The kitchen can be intimidating for anyone — sharp knives, hot pans, complicated recipes. Now imagine facing all of t...2025-05-0253 min
Blind Guys Chat#122: Attitude adjusterHello, our stainless-steel saucepans and welcome to ep 122 of BGC. We hope you had a lovely Easter break, if that is something you do. A big shout-out to Jan's father, as he is in hospital having broken his hip trying to realign the TV satellite dish on the International Space Station. Our advice - just go with cable!
Our guest this week is the wonderful Debra Erickson, all the way from Portland, Oregon. Debra might be better known to you from her InstaSpace handle 'The Blind Kitchen'. A fantastic cook, Debra is here to teach Óran a t...2025-04-2445 min
Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the ExpertsIn the Kitchen with Vision LossFor many, losing vision can make everyday kitchen tasks more challenging and even scary. Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, was no different. Then she decidedly faced her fears and learned some tips. Listen in to hear how Debra grew to love cooking now more than when she was fully sighted.2025-04-2400 min
Beverly Explains It All24. Beverly Explains The Blind Chef🎙️ BEVERLY EXPLAINS IT ALL PODCAST Season 2 | Debra Erickson – Blind Chef & Founder of The Blind KitchenThis week, I’m chatting with the incredible Debra Erickson—a blind chef who’s breaking barriers in the kitchen and beyond. She was the only blind student in culinary school, a former instructor for the Oregon Commission for the Blind, and now runs The Blind Kitchen to help others cook safely and confidently.We talk about how vision loss changed her relationship with food, her favorite adaptive tools, and how cooking became a powerful way to get un...2025-04-081h 01
Living the Dream with CurveballCooking Beyond Sight: Debra Erickson's Blind Kitchen RevolutionSend us a textThe kitchen transforms from a place of anxiety to a hub of independence in this revealing conversation with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 28, Debra shares her remarkable journey from someone who barely cooked to becoming the only blind student in culinary school, and ultimately, an innovative entrepreneur revolutionizing cooking for the visually impaired.What does adaptive cooking actually look like? Debra demystifies the process with practical solutions that work remarkably well. She explains how simple tools like cafeteria trays can contain spills, Lazy Susans...2025-04-0727 min
Visions of BVAInterview: Cooking Without Limits - Debra Erickson’s Journey with The Blind KitchenYour unwavering generosity supports BVA’s empowerment of blinded veterans as we rise to life's challenges after vision loss. Support BVA In this episode, we sit down with Debra Erickson, executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen , an innovative online resource that empowers individuals with vision loss to cook safely and confidently. Debra shares her inspiring journey as the only blind student in her culinary school, the challenges she faced, and how she adapted to the fast-paced demands of a professional kitchen. She also discusses the misconceptions surrounding blind cooking, the tools and techniques that...2025-03-0137 min
Blind Level Techculinary tools and tips with Debra EricksonOn this week’s episode, we’re back in full swing with Bebra Erickson, founder and executive Sheff of the Blind Kitchen.
Deborah shares her experiences as a blind culinary student and her mission to provide accessible cooking solutions, emphasizing the need for quality and user-friendly products.
The conversation emphasizes that culinary tools don’t necessarily need wi-fi and apps to be effective, and that culinary tools don’t necessarily need to be specially adapted for those with blindness or low vision.
Learn more and explore Debra’s websight at theblindkitchen.com
Chapters
00:00Welcome and Tech Introductions
03:02Deborah Erickson a...2025-01-0834 min
Navigating Life with Vision LossHoliday Cooking: Taste Without SightEpisode Title: Holiday Cooking: Taste Without Sight
In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, to discuss adaptive tools, techniques, and tips for holiday cooking with vision loss. Debra shares her expertise on making cooking safe, enjoyable, and accessible while helping listeners maintain traditions and create memorable meals. From mastering mashed potatoes to baking perfect pies, this episode offers practical advice to navigate the kitchen confidently.
Debra also highlights tools available on The Blind Kitchen's website, including the boil alert disc, adaptive measuring...2024-12-0340 min
ACB Events20241123 BSCB 2024 Fall ConferenceBay State Council of the Blind
Fall Conference Agenda, November 23, 2024
Welcoming Remarks
Ed Bosso, President of Educational Programs and Superintendent, Perkins School for the Blind
President’s Report
David Kingsbury, BSCB President
Democracy Live Accessible In-Person Voting Technology
Brian Finney, CEO
Juliet Harvey-Bolia, Technician
Short demo in plenary session, small groups of interested attendees will go to a breakout room on the second floor (elevator to the left of the parking lot door) for hands-on demos during the rest of the day
In person and virtual participant introductions
Let us know wh...2024-11-264h 52
White Canes ConnectWhat to Expect in ErieIn Episode 111 of White Canes Connect, co-hosts David Goldstein and Emily Gindlesperger, both Vice Presidents of the NFB of Pennsylvania, discuss the exciting details surrounding the upcoming state convention in Erie. This year marks a return to Erie after over two decades, and the event will take place at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. The venue promises accessibility and convenience, with two hotels connected directly to the center. Emily and David provide a rundown of the convention highlights, including a Veterans Celebration, talent show, and the highly anticipated auction and bingo night. There’s also plenty of...2024-09-181h 01White Canes ConnectWhat to Expect in ErieIn Episode 111 of White Canes Connect, co-hosts David Goldstein and Emily Gindlesperger, both Vice Presidents of the NFB of Pennsylvania, discuss the exciting details surrounding the upcoming state convention in Erie. This year marks a return to Erie after over two decades, and the event will take place at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. The venue promises accessibility and convenience, with two hotels connected directly to the center. Emily and David provide a rundown of the convention highlights, including a Veterans Celebration, talent show, and the highly anticipated auction and bingo night. There’s also plenty of...2024-09-181h 01
Soul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMindJungian Coaching for Young Adults and ChildrenIn our new podcast episode, "Jungian Coaching for Young Adults and Children," hosts Debra Maldonado and Robert Maldonado, PhD, continue their series on niches for Jungian Life Coaches. They discuss a popular niche for parents is to coach parents and their children in a Jungian model and why it is a powerful process for them and well-needed in our society. Episode Highlights:Understanding Developmental Stages: Discover Erik Erickson’s stages of development and their profound impact on children, particularly ages 5-12 (Industry vs. Inferiority) and adolescence (Identity vs. Role Confusion).Jungian Concepts for Kids: Debra and Rob...2024-09-0933 min
White Canes ConnectErie 2024: Tracy Soforenko’s Path to Leadership and AdvocacyIn Episode 110 of White Canes Connect, co-hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein gear up for the upcoming National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania State Convention, which will be held from November 7–10, 2024, in Erie, PA. The episode features an insightful conversation with Lynn Heitz, NFB of Pennsylvania’s president, and Tracy Soforenko, NFB of Virginia president and national representative for the event. The discussion covers the significance of hosting the convention in Erie for the first time since 1992, aiming to reach a broader audience of blind individuals across Pennsylvania. Tracy shares his personal journey with the NFB, from...2024-09-0947 minWhite Canes ConnectErie 2024: Tracy Soforenko’s Path to Leadership and AdvocacyIn Episode 110 of White Canes Connect, co-hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein gear up for the upcoming National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania State Convention, which will be held from November 7–10, 2024, in Erie, PA. The episode features an insightful conversation with Lynn Heitz, NFB of Pennsylvania’s president, and Tracy Soforenko, NFB of Virginia president and national representative for the event. The discussion covers the significance of hosting the convention in Erie for the first time since 1992, aiming to reach a broader audience of blind individuals across Pennsylvania. Tracy shares his personal journey with the NFB, from...2024-09-0947 min
The Real Ex's of Portland PodcastEp 63: Discovering your Life’s Passion and Purpose with Ratika HansenThe Real Ex's special guest is Ratika Hansen, Sofie's close friend and former co-worker. Ratika is a mother of twin boys, has a full-time corporate job, is a three-time Amazon Bestselling contributing author, and is a lifelong learner. Her mantra is to learn it, use it, love it, and share it. Among other workshops, she is a certified facilitator of the Passion Test, a simple yet profound way to get clear about what is most important to you and align your life with those things. Living our true passions allows us to transform our lives and bring our very b...2024-06-2144 min
Blind AbilitiesThe Blind Kitchen: Adaptive Tools, Helpful Strategies, and Specialized Knowledge to Blind and Visually Impaired People – Meet Founder Debra EricksonPodcast Summary: Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind abilities Studio to introduce us to and bring us up to date with The Blind Kitchen, the web site, the audio described videos and what to expect in the coming months. With over 90 items on the store shelves, Debra has an adaptive […]2024-05-2031 min
Blind AbilitiesThe Blind Kitchen: Adaptive Tools, Helpful Strategies, and Specialized Knowledge to Blind and Visually Impaired People - Meet Founder Debra EricksonDebra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind abilities Studio to introduce us to and bring us up to date with The Blind Kitchen, the web site, the audio described videos and what to expect in the coming months. With over 90 items on the store shelves, Debra has an adaptive tool for just about anyone. Whether you need it or someone you know that needs it, Debra has it and more than likely, has a blog or video demonstrating its uses with safety and vision loss in mind. We hope you enjoy! 2024-05-2031 minSoul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMindSpotlight: The Reason You Don’t Trust OthersIn this episode, we explore the stages of development by Erik Erickson, who was analyzed by Anna Freud and went on to develop his own theory on child development. This is part one of this topic which will span two episodes. Join us as we discuss: How we develop trust or mistrust;Where shame and doubt come from;Why some are better than others at taking initiative;The identity crisis and what age it begins.This podcast represents the opinions of Debra Berndt Maldonado and Robert Maldonado, PhD. The content here should not be taken as medical/m...2024-05-0748 min
Life After Corporate164. The Power Of Your Rererral Network With Rachel Erickson - How to get to six figures your first yearDiscover the secret weapon behind skyrocketing business success. In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the transformative power of a strong referral network as Deb Boulanger talks with Rachel Erickson, the trailblazing CEO who turned her 20-year corporate experience into a thriving consulting empire. Learn how the art of building connections can fuel your entrepreneurial journey and why your network might just be your net worth. For any service entrepreneur listening to the story of Rachel Erickson, the takeaway is clear: undervaluing oneself is a significant misstep in the path to entrepreneurial triumph. Un...2024-02-1531 min
The Business of ApparelTailoring Success Outside of the 9 to 5 with Debra BoulangerTailoring Success Outside of the 9 to 5 with Debra Boulanger In this episode, Rachel sits down with the remarkable Deb Boulanger, founder of the Launch Lab for Women Entrepreneurs and the Great Do-Over, for a candid conversation about the leap from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. Deb shares invaluable insights on harnessing the spirit of an intrapreneur to fuel your own business venture, drawing on her personal journey and the challenges she faced while adapting to the digital marketing landscape. She emphasizes the power of your corporate experiences and the pivotal role of coaching and community in the...2024-01-1216 min
White Canes ConnectRecapping 2023 State Convention in Your Words In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David look back at the 2023 NFB of PA State Convention with emails and a voicemail from attendees. The emails were read using AI, so let us know your thoughts. We also talk about the 2024 State Convention in Erie coming in November. We share some audio clips with holiday messages from previous guests of the podcast, like Suzy Wilburn from Southeastern Guide Dogs (ep 060,) Sue Brasel, The Blind Angel Gardener (ep 080,) and Juliette Warren from Philly Achilles (ep 082) to name a few. We discuss some of our favorite episodes o...2023-12-2140 minWhite Canes ConnectRecapping 2023 State Convention in Your Words In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David look back at the 2023 NFB of PA State Convention with emails and a voicemail from attendees. The emails were read using AI, so let us know your thoughts. We also talk about the 2024 State Convention in Erie coming in November. We share some audio clips with holiday messages from previous guests of the podcast, like Suzy Wilburn from Southeastern Guide Dogs (ep 060,) Sue Brasel, The Blind Angel Gardener (ep 080,) and Juliette Warren from Philly Achilles (ep 082) to name a few. We discuss some of our favorite episodes o...2023-12-2140 min
iCantCU PodcastFrom Business to Blindness: My BEP Director JourneyIn this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my experience with the BEP director job application. Despite scoring 95 out of 110 on the test, I received no interview. I also discovered that my references were not contacted. Was the process pre-planned, and the job was just posted for legal reasons? There's speculation that the acting director might have been the intended choice. I expressed surprise at not even receiving a token interview, especially considering my blindness and business background. I also touch on my participation in an event focused on diabetes and health, organized by Yvonne Hughes. This event i...2023-08-3049 min
White Canes ConnectExploring The Blind Kitchen: Chef Debra Erickson's Culinary VisionIn this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen. Discover the unique techniques she employs in the kitchen, relying on her innovative tools to craft exquisite dishes. She explains how she learned the techniques while at culinary school after she lost her sight. Chef Debra tells us about some of the tools she uses. Some were made specifically for people who are blind, while others were made for anyone in the kitchen. Whether you're a food enthusiast, advocate for inclusiveness, or simply curious about remarkable...2023-08-2254 minWhite Canes ConnectExploring The Blind Kitchen: Chef Debra Erickson's Culinary VisionIn this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen. Discover the unique techniques she employs in the kitchen, relying on her innovative tools to craft exquisite dishes. She explains how she learned the techniques while at culinary school after she lost her sight. Chef Debra tells us about some of the tools she uses. Some were made specifically for people who are blind, while others were made for anyone in the kitchen. Whether you're a food enthusiast, advocate for inclusiveness, or simply curious about remarkable...2023-08-2254 min
AT Banter PodcastAT Banter Podcast Episode 344 - Debra Erickson and the Blind KitchenSet the table and get your Pepto Bismo ready, this week the gang in headed into the kitchen – The Blind Kitchen to be exact! Rob, Ryan and Steve sit down with Debra Erickson, executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen, an organization that brings adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. They talk about Debra’s own vision loss, what prompted her to make a career shift into the culinary arts, tips on how to make a kitchen accessible, and much more!
Show Tran...2023-07-2644 min
Blind Grilling ExperienceVeggies and kabobs with Chef Debra from The Blind KitchenChris is joined by Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen to talk about her grilling collection and share a recipe for kabob marinade.
Visit Debra at
TheBlindKitchen.com
Send questions and comments to blindgrilling@gmail.com
Visit our sponsors:
https://lanesbbq.com/
https://kickashbasket.com/?ref=MgW7rNTx
If you want to listen on the AINC Audio Information Network of Colorado by phone, you can call: 303-786-7777
Press 2, then 4 and then 28 for Blind Grilling Experience
2023-07-1050 min
Blind Grilling ExperienceVeggies and kabobs with Chef Debra from The Blind KitchenChris is joined by Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen to talk about her grilling collection and share a recipe for kabob marinade. Visit Debra at TheBlindKitchen.com Send questions and comments to blindgrilling@gmail.com Visit our sponsors: https://lanesbbq.com/ https://kickashbasket.com/?ref=MgW7rNTx If you want to listen on the AINC Audio Information Network of Colorado by phone, you can call: 303-786-7777 Press 2, then 4 and then 28 for Blind Grilling Experience2023-07-1050 minSoul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMindCultivating Love and Intimacy with OthersAs we continue our series on the great minds of psychology, we take on the second part of Erik Erickson’s Stages of Development. Understand the development of the psyche through early, middle and late adulthood. We discuss:How to cultivate intimacy in relationships Why some people unconsciously choose isolation and rejecting loveHow we need to give back in order for us to feel balanced in middle adulthoodThe stage of wisdom and entering your later years feeling that you had a life well-livedThis podcast represents the opinions of Debra Berndt Maldonado and Robert Maldonado, PhD. The con...2023-05-1629 minSoul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMindThe Reason You Don’t Trust OthersIn this episode, we explore the stages of development by Erik Erickson, who was analyzed by Anna Freud and went on to develop his own theory on child development. This is part one of this topic which will span two episodes. Join us as we discuss: How we develop trust or mistrust;Where shame and doubt come from;Why some are better than others at taking initiative;The identity crisis and what age it begins.This podcast represents the opinions of Debra Berndt Maldonado and Robert Maldonado, PhD. The content here should not be taken as medical/m...2023-05-0948 min