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Penny Forward

Penny Forward

Auteur(s): Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner
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 The Penny Forward podcast is about blind people building bright futures one penny at a time. We’re blind people learning to be successful in our personal, professional, and financial lives.© 2023 Penny Forward INC Finances personnelles Gestion et leadership Économie
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  • Dancing Dots and Braille Music with Bill McCann

    Dancing Dots and Braille Music with Bill McCann
    Dec 9 2025
    Episode Summary
    This episode continues the conversation with Bill McCann, founder of Dancing Dots, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped his success as a blind entrepreneur. Bill recounts the nerve-wracking scramble of submitting a major grant during a snowstorm—an event that ultimately became a turning point for the company.
    He shares the organic evolution of forming Dancing Dots, from learning business skills out of necessity to building a small but powerful team of collaborators, including his longtime colleague Albert and talented musicians like Matthew Whitaker. Bill explains how humility, resourcefulness, and knowing when to ask for help have been essential parts of entrepreneurship—especially as a blind business owner.
    Bill also speaks candidly about balancing artistry with practicality: how blind musicians can fit music into their lives, why passion must be paired with a plan for sustainability, and the importance of keeping creativity alive even if music isn’t a primary income source.
    The episode closes with a full overview of Dancing Dots’ products, training services, and Braille music resources—plus where listeners can go to learn more or get hands-on support.

    Contact Info
    Guest / Organization
    Bill McCann — Founder, Dancing Dots
    Website: https://www.dancingdots.com
    Services: Braille music production, accessible notation software, Reaper/Logic/Pro Tools training, 30-minute consultation for audio accessibility, Braille music courses, temporary software trials.
    Aftersight & Penny Forward
    Penny Forward
    Website: https://www.pennyforward.com
    Phone: 888-332-5558
    Services: Accessible financial education, business plan consulting, workshops, online courses, 1:1 financial counseling.
    Aftersight (distribution partner)
    Website: https://www.aftersight.org
    Producer Credits
    Produced by Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner
    Audio editing & post-production by Jonathan Price
    Music composed/performed by Andre Louis
    Distributed in partnership with Aftersight

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 – Opening & Episode Setup
    00:30 – Bill’s biggest early business scare
    02:20 – The FedEx snowstorm story
    04:15 – Relief, success, and key turning points
    05:00 – How Dancing Dots organically formed
    06:30 – Learning business skills without business school
    07:55 – Finding collaborators & unexpected help
    10:30 – Running a micro-business as a blind founder
    13:00 – Humility, asking for help, and resourcefulness
    15:20 – Creativity vs. structure: the balance of entrepreneurship
    17:00 – Advice for blind musicians
    19:45 – Fitting music into a sustainable life plan
    22:20 – The state of the music industry
    23:55 – Keeping creativity alive
    24:50 – Dancing Dots services & training
    25:40 – How to contact Bill
    26:10 – Penny Forward services
    27:00 – Closing credits
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    27 min
  • One Score at a Time: Bill McCann & the Story of Dancing Dots (Part 1)

    One Score at a Time: Bill McCann & the Story of Dancing Dots (Part 1)
    Nov 25 2025
    Episode Summary
    This episode of the Penny Forward Podcast features Bill McCann, founder of Dancing Dots, in a deep and engaging conversation about accessible music creation for blind and low-vision musicians. Bill shares his personal journey—from learning Braille music as a child to struggling through inaccessible print scores in high school and college—and how this lived experience inspired the creation of Dancing Dots in 1992.
    Chris and Liz explore the origin story of Goodfeel, the Braille music translation software now used in more than 50 countries, and how Bill’s team expanded into tools like Lime, Lime Lighter, and accessible digital audio workstation training. Bill explains the challenges low-vision musicians face when trying to read standard scores, why simple magnification isn’t enough, and how Lime Lighter solves the problem with large-format, customizable, repeat-aware digital notation. The episode also features a humorous radio spot voiced by Patrick Perdue that demonstrates the real-world stakes of inaccessible print music—especially for trombone players.
    The conversation concludes with the announcement that the discussion will continue in Part 2.

    Contact Info
    Guest — Bill McCann / Dancing Dots
    Website: https://www.dancingdots.com
    Email (general): info@dancingdots.com
    Penny Forward
    Website: https://www.pennyforward.com
    Email: info@pennyforward.com
    Aftersight
    Website: https://www.aftersight.org
    Email for guests & inquiries: jonathan@aftersight.org
    Phone: (720) 712-8856
    Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer at Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Chris Peterson & Liz Bottner
    Guest: Bill McCann
    Audio Editing & Post-Production: Jonathan Price
    Composer: André Louis
    Distributed in partnership with Aftersight
    A Penny Forward production

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Opening & Introductions
    00:34 — Meet Bill McCann
    01:20 — Discovering Music & Braille
    02:28 — Early Challenges Accessing Scores
    03:55 — High School & College Music Demands
    05:22 — The Birth of Dancing Dots
    09:10 — Building Goodfeel
    11:20 — Lime, Lime Lighter & Accessible Tools
    16:24 — Audio Production & Reaper Training
    18:10 — Lime Lighter Radio Spot
    20:15 — Why Magnification Isn’t Simple
    22:45 — Tailoring Tools for Low Vision Needs
    25:02 — Closing & Part Two Teaser
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    25 min
  • Designing Inclusion: How Unicorn Soda Brings Games to Life for Everyone

    Designing Inclusion: How Unicorn Soda Brings Games to Life for Everyone
    Nov 11 2025
    Episode Summary
    Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner welcome the Herb family — Sarah, Stevie, and their 11-year-old daughter Maeve — founders of Unicorn Soda Design Studios, a company creating 3D-printed accessible games and educational tools for the blind and low-vision community. The family shares how Maeve’s blindness inspired a shift in their family’s path, from Stevie’s career as a professional chef to becoming a designer focused on accessibility.
    Together, they discuss parenting approaches that promote autonomy, the creative process behind adaptive game design, and the importance of inclusive, sensory-rich learning materials. Maeve offers her perspective as both the inspiration and product tester behind Unicorn Soda’s designs, describing her favorite games like Lucky Ducks and the Braille Race Game. The family’s mission extends beyond fun — they aim to make Braille literacy and inclusive design more accessible for children and adults worldwide.
    Listeners will also hear about the Herb family’s collaborations with teachers, their work with the National Federation of the Blind’s BELL program, and their plans for Maeve to eventually lead the business. This heartfelt and inventive episode showcases the intersection of family, design, and advocacy in action.
    Contact Information
    Guest Organization:
    Unicorn Soda Design Studios
    Website: unicornsodadesignstudios.com
    Show Partner:
    Penny Forward — Accessible financial education for the blind community
    Website: www.pennyforward.com
    Aftersight — Podcast Network Partner
    Phone: (720) 712-8856
    Email: feedback@aftersight.org
    Producer: Jonathan Price — Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

    Show Credits
    Hosts: Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner
    Guests: Stevie, Sarah, and Maeve Herb
    Audio Editing & Post-Production: Jonathan Price
    Music: André Louis
    Distribution Partner: Aftersight
    Presented by: Penny Forward, a nonprofit providing accessible financial education
    Sponsored by: Wells Fargo, Thrivent, and the NASDAQ Foundation
    In partnership with: APH Connect Center, World Services for the Blind, and Computers for the Blind

    Chapter Markers
    00:00 — Intro: Meet the Herb Family
    02:20 — Parenting and Early Learning with Maeve
    09:00 — From Chef to Designer: The Birth of Unicorn Soda
    13:50 — Games and Accessibility: Design That Clicks
    18:30 — Education Tools and Braille Literacy
    23:00 — The Sound of Play: Designing Sensory Games
    27:20 — Lucky Ducks and Other Favorites
    29:40 — Advice for Families and Blind Kids
    32:10 — The Future of Unicorn Soda Design
    34:20 — Wrap-Up and Partner Acknowledgments
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    36 min
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