Am I a Creep for Wearing Smart Glasses?
iCantCU Podcast
Are people who wear smart glasses creeps and weirdos—or are critics overlooking how blind people use this technology? In episode 300 of iCantCU, I respond to the growing backlash against Ray-Ban Meta and other camera-equipped smart glasses. While some people misuse the technology, blind and low-vision users rely on it to read signs, locate exits and restrooms, identify objects, and navigate unfamiliar airports, hotels, and convention spaces. I also recap my trip to Austin for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention. I talk about working the NFB of Pennsylvania exhibit table,...
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Giving Rokid Style Smart Glasses One Last Chance
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 299 of iCantCU, I give the Rokid Style smart glasses one more chance after a string of frustrating failures with voice commands, recording, and general reliability. With some strange iPhone issues possibly contributing to the problems, I’m heading to the Genius Bar before leaving for Austin and the National Federation of the Blind National Convention. I also talk about the word “blind” and why people should not be afraid to use it. Blindness is not a dirty word, and dancing around it often makes things more awkward than simply saying what it is. I also touch on why braille...
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Rokid Style Smart Glasses Real World Test
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 298 of iCantCU, I share a personal update on Ziggy’s ongoing lymphoma treatments and the unexpected emergency caused by a corn cob that may require surgery. It’s been an emotional and stressful few days, and I wanted to bring everyone up to speed. I also take a deep dive into the Rokid Style smart glasses after using them during a trip to Baltimore. From navigation and video recording to accessibility frustrations and comparisons with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I break down what works, what doesn’t, and where I think smart glasses are heading for blind users. I also talk about:...
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Real Life, Real Loss, Real Progress
iCantCU Podcast
In this deeply personal episode, I share why it’s been a little while since the last show, including the passing of one of my closest lifelong friends, Ken Stock. I talk about friendship, grief, and how loss changes perspective. I also give an honest update on Ziggy’s lymphoma treatment, the emotional toll it’s taking, and how life has a way of piling challenges on all at once. Then I dive into my progress with the Business Enterprise Program—what the assessments involve, why I’m excited about vending opportunities, and what the future could look like as I pursue entrepreneurship as...
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Rokid Style Delays and Choosing Ziggy Over Vegas
iCantCU Podcast
Episode 296 of iCantCU, I break down the Rokid Style Smart Glasses, compare them to my Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, and explain why I made the difficult decision to cancel a long-planned YouTube workshop in Las Vegas. On the tech side, I dig into the Rokid Style specs—38.5 grams, 10-minute recording limits, multiple aspect ratios, 12-hour battery claims, and AI integrations including Google Maps and large language models. I also explain why the lack of 16:9 recording matters to creators, how Rokid’s silence after my order raised red flags, and why the Ray-Ban Meta currently wins by default....
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Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Took Me From PHL to Podfest
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of I Can’t See You, I break down how the Ray-Ban Meta glasses became a real travel tool—from PHL to Podfest in Orlando. I used “Hey Meta, what’s in front of me?” to read signs, confirm gates, navigate MCO, and find my way around the Renaissance at SeaWorld and the conference sessions. Along the way, I share a funny airport moment when people thought I was talking to them, plus the soft pretzel mission that finally paid off (pretzel braid, Apple Pay, done). I also recap Podfest highlights—AI, video workflows, and new strategies like Pinterest—while sharing where...
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The Unexpected Connection Between Chinese Food and Audio Description
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 294 of iCantCU, I kick off 2026 by connecting a few things that don’t seem related at first: Chinese food on Christmas, audio description on TV and movies, and what happens when accessibility goes mainstream. I share what the holidays look like in our house—with Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and both kids’ birthdays packed into a few short weeks—along with stories about a cloth menorah, cookie decorating that didn’t go quite as planned, baking classes at Sur La Table, and Ziggy’s absolute obsession with his Christmas pickles. From there, I get to the bigger point....
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Testing Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses at Meta Labs NYC
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 293 of iCantCU, I take you along for a cold—but memorable—day trip to New York City with Jane, where holiday chaos, quality time, and cutting-edge tech collide. The highlight was our visit to Meta Labs, where I spent hands-on time testing the new Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses to see what they might offer the blind community. I walk through what worked, what didn’t, and why the built-in screen reader both impressed and frustrated me—especially when it came to non-standard gestures and demo limitations. We talk about navigation, open-ear audio, live translation,...
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Why My Picture Might Be Hanging at the Train Station
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode, I catch you up on everything that’s been keeping me busy around the NFB of Pennsylvania. As convention chair for our 2025 convention in Harrisburg, I walk through how the weekend went—sponsors, auction totals, banquet fundraising, Family Feud night with Amazon gift cards and consolation candy bars, and the great support we got from the Best Western Premier staff. I talk about how grateful I am for Jane’s help running things behind the scenes and how I’m emailing every attendee to say thanks and gather honest feedback. Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without...
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From Hershey to NYC: Rideshares, Roadblocks, and Resilience
iCantCU Podcast
October was nonstop. I was in Hershey, Pittsburgh, and New York twice, and on every single trip, there was a transportation curveball. SEPTA canceled trains, Amtrak was late, ride shares were pricey or didn’t show, and I even had to cross a four-lane road in Pittsburgh with no traffic light. I still made it to Dancing in the Dark, the PATTAN Tech Adventures event, the Blind Travel Foundation fundraiser, and Laugh for Sight, picking up ideas for our NFB of PA state convention along the way. I talk about why I lean toward Lyft, how arthritis makes travel trickier, and why sponsors need to jump...
info_outlineIn this episode of iCantCU (#272), I dive into a whirlwind, last-minute trip to Pittsburgh.
It was a bit of an adventure, starting with a long train ride and a stay at a very questionable hotel. I mean, the smell alone deserves its own segment! But despite the less-than-ideal accommodations, I made the most of my one full day in the Steel City. Between navigating a tricky Lyft ride, representing the NFB of PA at the PaTTAN Tech Adventures event, and even catching a Pirates game, I squeezed a lot into just 24 hours. Spoiler: tickets to the ballgame were only $10!
Listen to hear how I turned a chaotic day into a memorable one, complete with unexpected kindnesses and, of course, a story about some very smelly hotel carpets. Hold your nose and join me as I recount it all!
Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/272
Links Mentioned (product links are affiliate links so that I may earn a commission.)
- Sony ZV-E10 camera : https://amzn.to/4fFBSxM
- Crunchy Peanut Butter Kind Bars - YUM!: https://amzn.to/4cYfm0E
- Be My Eyes app (free): https://www.bemyeyes.com/
- Seeing AI app (free): https://www.seeingai.com/
- Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU
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White Canes Connect Podcast Episode 110
In episode 110, co-host Lisa Bryant and I 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.
Find the podcast on
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709
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White Canes Connect On Twitter
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Are You or Do You Know A Blind Boss?
If you or someone you know is crushing it in their field and is also blind, I want to hear from you! Call me at (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Please include your name and town, and tell me who the Blind Boss is and why I need to have them on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at iCantCUPodcast@gmail.com.