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
Why "Just Stay Motivated" Is BS: The Science of Actually Achieving A Goal
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
You're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit. And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated." Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough. There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming. In this episode, you'll discover: Why that...
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My New Year Wish For You..
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After such a heartbreaking, life-shattering year, I wanted to record this little message for you as we head into 2026. ❤️ Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing? You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts. That's where coaching comes in. I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others...
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Why My Mum Wouldn't "Want Me to Be Happy" Right Now - Happiness vs. Healing
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
If you've lost someone, you've probably heard people say "they would just want you to be happy." Well-meaning? Absolutely. Helpful? Not always. In this episode, I'm sharing why that phrase hasn't been landing for me—and what I wish people would say instead. Because grief isn't about forcing happiness. It's about something much more important. Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this one's for you. You don’t owe anyone happiness. But you do deserve healing. Take this episode slowly. Pause when you need to. Let it meet you wherever you are today. Ready to Stop...
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Losing Both Parents Before You're 30 - Real Talk About Grief with Tara Accardo
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
There's a loneliness that comes with loss that's hard to describe until you've felt it. That moment when you realize the person you'd normally call isn't there to answer anymore. Tara Accardo knows this pain intimately. In December 2019, she lost her mom to cancer. Six months later, her dad. Then, her beloved dog of 19 years. Each loss compounding the one before, leaving her asking: "What am I going to do?" But this conversation isn't about finding silver linings or moving on. It's about the messy, visceral reality of grief—and the unexpected strength that emerges when you're forced to...
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How to Actually Validate Yourself (When No One Else Does)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard? Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing. In this episode, I'm sharing a...
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How to Respond to Feedback Without Spiralling (The Pistachio Nut Method)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever gotten feedback at work that just... stung? Like, you worked your ass off on a project, pulled off what felt like a miracle given the circumstances, only to be told you "weren't enthusiastic enough" or "should have felt more excited"? Yeah, that's the kind of feedback that can send you spiraling. In this episode, I'm breaking down why feedback hits us so damn hard in the first place, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'll share my pistachio nut framework for figuring out what feedback is actually worth keeping versus what's just... someone else's baggage you don't need to carry....
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How to Prevent a Panic Attack With Your Exhale (Not Your Mind)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After the hardest year of my life, I discovered something I'd been taking for granted—the one thing that held me when everything else fell apart. This isn't your typical gratitude episode. Because when you're barely holding it together, "just be thankful" doesn't cut it. In this episode, you'll discover: Why one deep breath does nothing (and what actually works) The science behind why your exhales matter more than your inhales The 60-second tool that can stop you from spiraling before a difficult conversation What happens in your nervous system when you sigh (hint: it's not dramatic,...
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Feeling Resentful at Someone? One Sentence That Changes Everything
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever caught yourself smiling on the outside… while dragging around that heavy, invisible rock of resentment on the inside? Yeah. Me too. In this episode, we’re pulling apart that quiet tension so many of us live with — the resentment that comes from unspoken needs, swallowed frustration, and hoping people will magically “just get it.” And I’m sharing the one sentence… the one simple structure… that finally helped me stop feeling like a doormat and start feeling like a grown woman with a spine and a soft heart. If you’ve ever: • dreaded a text from that person • walked on...
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We Are The Leaders We've Been Looking For - With Meaghan Barakett
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
This week, I sit down with Meghan Barakett—founder & CEO of One Girl—a woman who embodies everything this show stands for: courage, community, and choosing to create the good when life doesn’t hand it to you. We talk leadership that starts on the inside. The kind that asks you to get quiet, get honest, and then get moving. We talk about grief, advocacy, and what happens when your identity is used against you online—and why that moment became a turning point, not a dead end. I won’t spoil the full story (you’ll feel it when you hear it), but here’s what you’ll learn: In this...
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The Two Words That Don't Help Someone Grieving (And What Actually Does)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
When someone you care about loses someone they love, it’s hard to know what to say. You want to comfort them, to make it better, but most of us were never taught how to show up in the face of raw grief. After losing both my mum and sister in separate tragedies, I realized we're walking through one of the most universal human experiences - grief- with zero training. No wonder we're all fumbling through it. In this episode, I'm sharing the grief education we all missed: Why we freeze up and don't reach out (and how to get past that) The well-meaning words that actually invalidate pain What...
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.