Reflecting on Three Years of Taking the Lead: A Personal Note

I still remember my first day at Leader Dogs for the Blind when I was asked to help create a podcast. As someone new to the team, I was both excited and nervous about the opportunity to share our clients’ stories and spread our mission with the world. Now, I find myself looking back in amazement at the journey we’ve taken with Taking the Lead.

What started as a new initiative in January 2022 has blossomed into something far beyond what we imagined. From the very beginning, Leslie, Timothy and I clicked in a way that felt magical. The chemistry between us wasn’t just good radio – it was the foundation of genuine friendships that have grown stronger with each episode. I can say with complete certainty that none of us could imagine doing this podcast without the others. Each person brings something unique to the table, creating the perfect blend of perspectives that makes our show special.

Over these years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing so many powerful stories. Our clients have opened their hearts to us, sharing vulnerable moments that moved us to tears, celebrating victories that had us cheering and walking us through all the moments in between. Each story has added a new thread to the rich tapestry of experiences that make up the Leader Dog community.

We’ve also had the honor of featuring conversations with experts, both from our own team at Leader Dogs for the Blind and from across the blindness and low vision field. These discussions have helped us dive deep into important topics, offering valuable insights and practical knowledge to our listeners.

But what truly warms my heart is you – our amazing community of listeners. You’ve taken our mission and carried it further than we ever dreamed possible. Knowing that we have listeners tuning in from around the globe is incredible, but learning that people have discovered Leader Dog through our podcast? That’s beyond wonderful. It shows that this platform has become more than just a show – it’s a bridge connecting people to life-changing opportunities.

As we step into Year 3, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. Thank you for being part of this journey, for sharing our episodes with others and for helping us spread the Leader Dog mission throughout the world. Your support means everything to us, and we can’t wait to bring you more inspiring stories and conversations in the year ahead.

You can listen to our first episode of 2025 from this link or on your favorite podcast platform.

Christina Hepner is a host of the Taking the Lead podcast and team member at Leader Dogs for the Blind.