Blind Faith and Outback Steakhouse: Finding Purpose in Life's Darkness - with Kevin Lowe
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Release Date: 03/27/2025
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Let’s be real—long distance isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the ones who are willing to cry on dog walks with sunglasses on. The ones who whisper we’ll figure it out even when every plan falls through. The ones who know love is worth the effort—but still wonder, how the heck do people actually make this work? So in this episode I dive into this topic that's close to my heart - the rollercoaster of long distance relationships. After navigating my own 2 year international long distance relationship with my now-husband Nate (including military life and visa challenges!), I'm...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever been through a breakup that didn’t just hurt emotionally—but physically? Like your chest was caving in or your stomach was in knots? You're not crazy. In fact, there's actual science behind that soul crushing pain. In this episode, we dive deep into what's actually happening in your brain and body when your heart gets broken—and why breakup grief might actually be harder to heal from than grief after death. If you've ever felt like you were "crazy" for not being able to "just get over it," this episode is for you. We'll explore the fascinating neuroscience behind heartbreak and give...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
What if the thing holding you back isn’t fear—but the story you're telling yourself about it? This week on Okay, Now What?, I’m joined by the powerhouse that is Sally Zimney—award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and host of one of the top speaker podcasts in the world—for a real, raw, and laugh-out-loud honest conversation about what bravery really looks like. Spoiler: it’s not the absence of fear. It’s showing up with it. We unpack: Why “confidence” is overrated and what to build instead The power of gumption (and no, not the Aussie cleaning product kind—though...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Let’s be honest: Most of us aren’t just busy - we’re burnt out, overbooked, and quietly wondering if this is just how life’s meant to be. If your schedule feels like a never-ending to-do list and your soul’s running on empty, this episode is for you. This week on Okay, Now What?, I’m joined by the incredible Peggy Sullivan — a leadership coach, TEDx speaker (her talk’s hit over 1 million views!), and author of Beyond Busyness. And let me tell you… this conversation is like a permission slip to finally stop glorifying the hustle and start living with intention....
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
What if the most heartbreaking chapter of your life also held the key to your greatest purpose? In this powerful and tender conversation, I sit down with Kara Byron - founder of Moments by Kara - to talk about the raw reality of being a full-time caregiver to her father in her early twenties, how she turned grief into a lifelong mission of creating meaningful moments, and the difference between moving on and moving forward after loss. We get real about the emotional toll of caretaking, the sacredness of grief, and how to hold joy and sorrow in the same hand. Whether you’ve lost someone,...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
From a young age, we're taught not to interrupt conversations. But I've realised there is definitely a conversation we need to interrupt EVERY SINGLE DAY. It's the one happening in our between our own ears. Because let's be honest - do you ever find yourself spiraling in self-doubt, thinking things like “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess things up,” or “I’m just not the type of person who can…”? Yeah, welcome to being human right?! So in this episode, I dive into a powerful mental interrupt tool—one simple question that can help you stop those runaway thought spirals...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things—yet still feel off? Tired? Resentful? Like you're living life for everyone but you? Yeah… me too. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on one sneaky little word that’s silently controlling so many of our choices—and not in a good way. That word? Should. It seems harmless. Responsible even. "I should call her back." "I should go to that dinner." "I should be happier by now." But when you really pay attention, you’ll notice how heavy that word feels in your body. How tight your chest gets. How small your world...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself spiraling in “why me?” energy—or slapping on a fake smile, insisting “I’m fine” when you’re anything but? Yeah. Been there. Both sides of that coin will wear you out. That’s why this episode? It’s a lifeline. Fresh off an emotional and empowering experience speaking at my first ever women’s leadership conference, I’m unpacking a topic that hits deep: the difference between self-pity, self-denial, and self-compassion—and why knowing how to navigate between them is one of the most important skills you’ll ever learn. In this episode, I share: ✨ The...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
In this powerful episode, we're joined by Kevin Lowe, an inspirational speaker and podcast host who shares his remarkable journey of losing his sight at 17 and discovering an entirely new way to "see" the world. Through launching his own travel agency, creating a podcast during the pandemic, learning how to 'see' through sound and now inspiring others through speaking, Kevin exemplifies resilience in its purest form. His personal equation—"faith plus family equals a life worth living"—reminds us all to identify what gives our lives meaning, especially during our darkest moments. Kevin's...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Whether we care to admit it or not, a lot of us waste A LOT of mental energy overthinking what other people think of us and include their opinions on our decision making criteria in life. And as I've learned the hard way, that's a one way ticket to a life that doesn't even really feel like yours. So why do so many of us fear being judged? And more importantly, how do we stop taking things so personally, even when we hear critical opinions about us?! That's exactly what we explore together in this episode and share with you the life changing example that my coach shared with me that FINALLY...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode, we're joined by Kevin Lowe, an inspirational speaker and podcast host who shares his remarkable journey of losing his sight at 17 and discovering an entirely new way to "see" the world.
Through launching his own travel agency, creating a podcast during the pandemic, learning how to 'see' through sound and now inspiring others through speaking, Kevin exemplifies resilience in its purest form. His personal equation—"faith plus family equals a life worth living"—reminds us all to identify what gives our lives meaning, especially during our darkest moments.
Kevin's story isn't just about overcoming blindness—it's about transforming limitation into possibility and finding purpose in pain. As he puts it, "Through the vulnerability of the brain that I became blind, but it's also through the power of the brain that I learned to see again."
Follow Kevin's journey on his podcast "Grit, Grace and Inspiration" or learn more about his speaking at kevinspeaks.org.
If this episode hit you in the heart and you're ready to turn your own adversity into strength, I want to personally help you. Book a free 30-minute coaching consult call with me (yes, WITH ME—not some team member).
Visit my website here to submit for a coaching call with me!
CLICK HERE to ORDER my book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough.
Want to download a free chapter of my book to give it a read first? CLICK HERE.
To hire me to speak at your organization or next event, visit https://www.kategladdin.com/
Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)
Kate Gladdin welcomes listeners and introduces the theme of personal resilience.
Introducing Kevin Lowe (00:01:06)
Kate introduces Kevin Lowe, discussing his background as an inspirational speaker and blind visionary.
Kevin's Journey Begins (00:02:00)
Kevin shares the timeline of his blindness, marking 21 years without sight.
The Diagnosis (00:02:43)
Kevin recounts his life in 2003 and the medical issues leading to his brain tumor diagnosis.
The Tumor Discovery (00:05:04)
Kevin describes the shocking moment his mother received the news about his brain tumor.
The Severity of the Condition (00:07:07)
Discussion of the tumor's impact and the urgency for surgical intervention.
The Surgery Announcement (00:10:05)
Kevin recalls the reassurance from his neurosurgeon about the surgery and recovery expectations.
Surgery Day (00:12:46)
Kevin reflects on the day of his surgery and the changes it would bring.
Waking Up Blind (00:14:17)
Kevin describes the moment he realized he was completely blind after surgery.
The Aftermath of Surgery (00:15:06)
Discussion of the complications and challenges Kevin faced post-surgery.
The Realization of Blindness (00:16:49)
Kevin shares his emotional struggle and repeated realization of his blindness.
Learning to 'See' Again (00:18:34)
Kevin discusses discovering echolocation as a method to navigate the world as a blind person.
Training in Echolocation (00:19:15)
Kevin explains his training experience with Brian Bucci to learn echolocation techniques.
The Process of Retraining the Brain (00:22:39)
Kevin highlights the neuroplasticity of the brain and how it can adapt to new ways of perceiving the environment.
Here are the extracted timestamps and their titles from the podcast episode transcription segment:
Kevin's Life-Changing Moment (00:22:57)
Kevin describes a pivotal moment where he learns to use echolocation to navigate his environment.
The Power of the Brain (00:25:25)
Discussion on how Kevin's brain adapts, allowing him to perceive shapes and figures through sound.
Mainstream Techniques for Vision Problems (00:26:50)
Kevin reflects on the acceptance of echolocation training in organizations for the blind.
Navigating the World with Confidence (00:28:21)
Kevin shares how echolocation enhances his ability to navigate confidently in public spaces.
Heightened Senses After Losing Sight (00:29:00)
Kevin confirms that losing sight has heightened his other senses, especially hearing.
Resilience and Adaptability (00:30:08)
Kate emphasizes the resilience of the human body and the ability to overcome challenges.
The Role of Choice in Overcoming Challenges (00:30:57)
Discussion on how Kevin's choices and efforts contributed to his journey of adaptation.
Starting a Travel Agency (00:31:27)
Kevin shares how he transitioned from blindness to running his own travel agency.
Building a Brand and Purpose (00:35:40)
Kevin discusses the purpose and fulfillment he found in running his travel agency.
Career Transition During the Pandemic (00:36:48)
Kevin reflects on how the pandemic forced him to pivot in his career.
Using Experiences to Inspire Others (00:37:16)
Kevin talks about his current purpose of inspiring others through his experiences.
Starting a Podcast (00:38:37)
Kevin shares how he began his podcast as a way to connect and inspire during quarantine.
Motto for Overcoming Hard Days (00:41:26)
Kevin reveals his personal motto that helped him through dark times: faith plus family equals a life worth living.
Promoting Kevin's Podcast (00:44:13)
Kevin shares information about his podcast, "Grit Grace and Inspiration," and invites listeners to join his email list.
Kevin's Speaking Engagements (00:45:03)
Kevin discusses his speaking services, encouraging organizations to consider him for their events.
Anniversary Dinner Tradition (00:45:18)
Kate asks Kevin about his tradition of dining at Outback Steakhouse on the anniversary of his blindness.
Connection to Outback Steakhouse (00:46:10)
Kevin explains the humorous connection to Outback Steakhouse and why it holds significance for him.
Celebrating Life After Surgery (00:47:17)
Kevin shares how the anniversary dinner symbolizes a celebration of life, not the loss of his sight.
Reflecting on Emotions (00:47:34)
Kevin discusses the emotional complexity of anniversaries and how they bring back memories.
Cultural Humor (00:48:00)
Kate and Kevin joke about Outback's portrayal of Australian culture and their own experiences with food.
Full Circle Moment (00:48:29)
Kate reflects on the journey and how Kevin's story connects back to the podcast's themes of resilience.
Coaching Offer (00:49:14)
Kate promotes her one-on-one personalized life coaching services for women seeking to regain control of their lives.