BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

• Mom of the month: Doc where's my socks? w/ Misha

  This month’s Mom of the Month, Misha, didn’t have time to ease into life after blindness—she had to figure it out fast. With two teenagers who she jokingly calls her second set of parents, she knew there was no option but to push forward. Just five years ago, at 29, Misha lost her vision due to pseudotumor cerebri, a condition that took everything she had known in an instant. Before blindness, she was living life on her terms—holding a high-ranking job at Newark Liberty Airport, enjoying summers outside with friends, and just getting into traveling. Then, everything changed. In this episode, Misha takes us through those first overwhelming months when life felt impossible, the support her mom gave her when she needed it most, and the way her relationship unraveled after losing her sight. But she didn’t stay down for long. After attending JKTC (Joseph Kohn Training Center) in New Jersey, she started rebuilding—learning new skills, sharpening her tech abilities, and stepping into part-time work. Travel is back on her list, and she shares her favorite place she’s been so far. She also talks about the one thing she’s most proud of since losing her sight and how she’s now exploring adaptive sports, with beep baseball catching her interest. Misha’s story is one of real life—messy, unexpected, and full of moments that remind you why you keep going. And honestly? She fits right in with us at BDBU. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

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  45:13
• We all need a therapist w/ Shaii and Izzie)

  In this episode, we’re shining a light on the strength, resilience, and sheer determination of single mothers who do it all. We’re joined by two incredible women—licensed marriage counselor Shaii and former co-host Izzie—who share their personal journeys of navigating motherhood, independence, and self-growth while raising their children on their own. Shaii’s Story: Becoming a single mom right at the start of grad school was never part of the plan, but Shaii took on the challenge head-on. She opens up about her fears of passing down her brittle bone disease and how, despite knowing her blindness was congenital, that wasn’t her biggest concern when having children. She also shares the heartbreaking story of a father figure who entered her son’s life, only to abandon him—an experience that led her to seek a Black male therapist to support her son’s emotional well-being. Plus, Shaii gets candid about the realities of dating as a single blind mother and what she’s learned along the way. Izzie’s Journey: Long-time listeners may remember Izzie, a former co-host and friend of the show. It’s been five years, and she’s back to catch us up on where life has taken her. From becoming a single mom and struggling in an unsupportive Seattle, to returning to New Jersey only to feel stripped of her independence, she shares the emotional and financial challenges that nearly broke her. But her story doesn’t stop there—she found her footing in Colorado, where a local nonprofit provided housing and resources for single mothers, helping her rebuild from the ground up. Izzie also speaks on the importance of therapy, how it has helped both her and her daughter, and the intense eye surgeries she endured while trying to stabilize life as a single mom. This episode is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices, strength, and perseverance it takes to raise a child alone. Shaii and Izzie prove that single blind moms don’t just survive—they thrive. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

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  1:05:33
• Don't Propose, just adopt W/ Melissa and Jasmine

  This episode carries a weight that only a few can truly understand—the profound responsibility of opening your home and heart to a child in need. Today, we welcome cousins Jasmine and Melissa, two remarkable women whose lives have been shaped by fostering, adoption, and an extraordinary family history. Melissa stepped into motherhood in an unexpected yet powerful way, adopting her sister’s daughter after her passing, continuing a legacy of adoption that has been woven through generations of their family. But what makes their story even more unique? Nearly every member of their family, from their grandfather down, has been blind. Their experiences challenge outdated perceptions of what it means to be a blind parent, proving that love and capability know no limits. Jasmine and Melissa give us a rare look into the realities of fostering—what agencies look for in home inspections, the emotional complexity of reuniting children with their biological families, and the deep bonds that form when adoption becomes part of the journey. They also share something even more incredible: Jasmine's children and Melissa’s daughter are siblings—a connection that deepens their family’s already unbreakable ties. Jasmine’s story goes beyond parenting—she is also an athlete who travels to sporting events with her running guide dog, a specially trained companion who allows her to compete with confidence. She shares how she manages the demands of training and travel while raising her children. Meanwhile, Melissa sheds light on an often-overlooked reality—adoptive parents don’t receive maternity leave, leaving them to navigate major life changes without the same support systems in place. And in a twist that challenges traditional ideas of parenthood, Melissa’s kids don’t call her "Mom," nor do they refer to her partner as "Dad"—a choice that works for their family in ways only they can explain. This episode is filled with eye-opening moments, powerful truths, and the undeniable love that fuels their journey as foster and adoptive parents. Their stories aren’t just about parenting—they’re about showing up for kids who need a home, a family, and a future. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

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  1:14:39
• Mom of the Month: I decode blind life for my friends W/ Taylor Leigh Aguilar)

  We sit down with Taylor Leigh Aguilar for the second installment of our Mom of the Month series. Taylor wears many hats—she’s got an IMDb page, runs her own production company, Blind Eagle Productions, and is navigating motherhood as a blind woman. She opens up about losing her vision in her late 20s, the challenges and wins of parenting alongside her totally blind partner, and how she found her way through it all. Taylor shares pieces of her past, from growing up sighted to adjusting to a world without vision. She talks about her time at the Colorado Center for the Blind and the unexpected sources of inspiration that pushed her forward—like the little blind kids who reminded her that parenthood was still in the cards. And, of course, we mix in some fun along the way, like sippy cups doubling as wine glasses and Bucky’s road trip adventures. Beyond motherhood, Taylor breaks down how she shifted from visual arts to tactile storytelling, the work she’s doing with Blind Eagle Productions, and what’s next with her Blind Movement Podcast and docuseries. Her story isn’t just about adapting—it’s about thriving, creating, and proving that limits are meant to be redefined. Follow Taylor Leigh Aguilar: IMDb Instagram TikTok Blind Movement Podcast Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

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  1:14:30
• Commissary Valentines Day Dinner

  Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕 We’re kicking things off with a conversation about our plans, thoughts on the holiday, and how our views on celebrating love evolve throughout a relationship. When is it most important to celebrate? And why does showing up from the beginning matter?We also dive into the significance of Valentine’s Day for kids—setting the tone early for love, appreciation, and even a little gift-giving. Then, we take a hilarious (and slightly cringe) trip down memory lane, recalling the most delusional things we’ve done in the name of “love.”Of course, it wouldn’t be a Valentine’s episode without some wild TikToks! We react to clips featuring a woman choosing food over flowers, the discussion on splitting bills when one partner makes significantly more, and more. Plus, our Playlist Playoff gets spicy—this week’s theme? Songs you’d blast on your way to curse out your ex. 🎶💔Support us onPatreon.Email us [email protected] ourFacebook page.Follow us onTikTok.Follow us onTwitter.Follow us onInstagram.

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  1:04:47

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