The People Make the Places

Mike May and friends
  • 5.0 (8)
  • LEISURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

We have years of written and audio travel stories, made even more interesting traveling as a blind person with a guide dog. This history will be combined with interviews and stories from others, blind and sighted. "It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

  1. FEB 7

    2025 Blind Travel Summit Highlights

    Episode 18 is a compilation of the presentations from blind travelers and industry professionals at the November 2025 Blind Travel Summit in Austin Texas. There are 40 voices telling travel stories and sharing travel tips and tricks. The cover photo is of ax throwing, a fun demonstration of unique travel activities, with or without sight.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    59 min

  2. JAN 3

    Four countries in Europe

    In Episode 17, my wife, Gena, her daughter Sarena and I explore in Europe with some side work stops for me. My work colleagues and friends were the highlights on this trip including Mike Busboom in Vienna who I hadn’t seen for 20 years. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    34 min

  3. 12/06/2025

    Ambassador Josh leads the way in three countries

    This is the story of the people and experiences in three places led by my fourth guide dog, Ambassador Josh including Brazil, San Juan Puerto Rico and Mexico. There is no anonymity when traveling with a beautiful dog. Even at 5 in the morning, barely awake, one ends up being an ambassador, like it or not. Key people in this episode include my mother OJ, adaptive technology colleagues and the random service people I met at every turn throughout these Spanish speaking locations. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends.

    32 min

  4. 11/01/2025

    75 years at the Enchanted Hills of Napa

    This is the story of 75 years at the Enchanted Hills Camp in the Napa foothills including my 63 years as camper, staff donor and volunteer. It includes recordings of former camp director, OJ May, Judy Wilkinson, dozens of campers, staff and Stevie Wonder. You can hear his rendition of Amazing Grace with Sara Beck along with  other music inspired written and performed at camp events and weddings.    Here is a link to a folder of Enchanted Hills music including  Mike May and friends https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pufhi1odwb1p7iy02hp10/AEfKQwvUXNtyD8ep0yTYbAo?rlkey=4zcr7i9j43otajyt3amz849bi&dl=1   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    55 min

  5. 10/04/2025

    Year one highlights, Part Two

    This compilation includes stories and actualities from Peru and Ecuador, restored vision from total blindness, the San Francisco Bay Area, Europe and Hawaii. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    46 min

  6. 09/06/2025

    First Year Highlights, Part 1

    This highlights compilation includes stories and actualities from Europe, Chile, Ghana, Bali, Japan, Peru, Ecuador, Yugoslavia, NFL stars, Stevie Wonder, Robert Redford and more.   The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    49 min

  7. 08/02/2025

    The people who make Hawaii special

    Show Notes for episode 12, The People Who Make Hawaii special for Mike May and friends. This story begins in the 70s with my first trip to Hawaii and includes the friends we met over the ensuing 45 years. We interview Brian and Jen Allen who moved to Hawaii 8 years ago and we just happened to meet through an Uber ride. We thank the many people we have met from the airline and hotel staff to the random people on the streets. I have lost track but have probably made 20 trips to Hawaii, most with my guide dogs. The episode photo shows Brian, Jen and Gena. Here is a link to a few more photos. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bvpwcyyhohb9roo7qblzh/AJFljjWCO_cp8yL6Gw76kSA?rlkey=9fd3kjb0eki7bixiawilw8zz6&dl=0 The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. Here are some links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ For additional stories about blind travel and the opportunity for related grants, check out, https://www.blindtravel.org/

    45 min

  8. 07/05/2025

    The people who made Europe special

    The people who made Europe special for Mike May and friends in 1988 and 2008, Spain, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. Join us for a 100 mile stroll on El Camino de Santiago in 2008 along with a 1988 trip from Barcelona to Geneva. Hear my 35 year-old voice on my cassette journal. The People Make the Places podcast shares the complexity of traveling, especially as a blind person, something from which everyone can benefit. To hear an extended recording of the Camino and to view photos of the trip, check out this link https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mfkfq15jf8i5xhqmbg7r4/AKhlRip3aWYaOvZD_HbZ90M?rlkey=ylmwjhn71bpdai1gngpd4fpvw&dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mfkfq15jf8i5xhqmbg7r4/AKhlRip3aWYaOvZD_HbZ90M?rlkey=ylmwjhn71bpdai1gngpd4fpvw&dl=0 Here are links with more content about Mike May and friends. http://crashingthrough.com/the-people-make-the-places-mike-may-and-friends/ Learn about the Blind Travel Summit, November 13-14, 2025, in Austin Texas and about the opportunity for travel grants. https://www.blindtravel.org/ Notes go here

    46 min
See All (18)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

We have years of written and audio travel stories, made even more interesting traveling as a blind person with a guide dog. This history will be combined with interviews and stories from others, blind and sighted. "It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

Information

  • Creator
    Mike May and friends
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    The People Make the Places

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