What It's Really Like with Molly Burke

What It’s Really Like is a podcast hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her lived experience as a blind woman to go beyond the superficial and uncover the unexpected stories behind fascinating lives. Each episode features honest, revealing conversations with people whose experiences challenge assumptions and change the way we see the world. Prepare to drop the stereotypes, forget the taboo, and open your mind. It’s a show for thoughtful listeners who know every story is more complicated than it appears. For people who listen with empathy, think with openness, and always leave room to be surprised. Expect funny, intimate, and unpredictable stories that are impossible to pause. From pop-culture personalities and remarkable public figures to people who have lived through the unimaginable, every guest brings unexpected turns and unforgettable revelations. Molly built her career by being raw and vulnerable, and she has seen the real-world impact that can have. Now, she is creating a space that empowers others to share with that same openness. Molly believes that when we understand one another better, we build compassion, bridge divides, and realize we have far more in common than we think. Raw, captivating, and deeply human, What It’s Really Like is for people who are more curious than certain—and who know the most fascinating stories begin when we make room for the awkward question.

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  1. 1d ago

    What It's Really Like Training a Guide Dog for a Blind Person

    In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with a professional guide dog trainer from Guide Dogs of America whose career path is anything but ordinary. Before training guide dogs, she worked as an animal trainer at Universal Studios and spent time training animals at a zoo — experience that now shapes the incredible, highly specialized work she does helping guide dogs prepare to become the eyes of a blind or visually impaired handler. I talk with her about what it actually takes to train a guide dog, the differences between training animals for entertainment versus training for lifesaving service work, and the emotional and technical skill it takes to prepare a dog for one of the most important jobs there is. We also dig into what it's like learning to work with a blind person — the trust, communication, and adjustments that go into that process from the trainer's side. Guide Dogs of America provides expertly trained guide dogs, service dogs, and facility dogs to people in need — completely free of charge, thanks to volunteers, staff, and generous donors.   Learn more about Guide Dogs of America: https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/   Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead! A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.  Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eltie-takes-the-lead-molly-burke/1149412262?ean=9781419778230 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419778234?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackThank you for supporting this episode and the incredible work of guide dog puppy raisers everywhere!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 14

    What It’s Really Like When your Disability is Someone’s Fetish

    The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode. What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Tara Shetterly for an honest, unfiltered conversation about becoming paralyzed, relationships, disability and sexuality, disability devotees, and navigating a world that isn't always designed with disabled people in mind. Tara shares the story of the car crash that changed her life, what it was like going through her paralysis and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what happened when her boyfriend was told to leave after she became paralyzed. Tara also opens up about dating and intimacy as a disabled woman, what it's like to have people fetishize your disability, disability parking, accessibility, ableism, and some of her biggest hot takes about living with a disability. This conversation is about so much more than paralysis. It's about love, identity, sexuality, resilience, independence, and challenging the assumptions people make about disabled people. Subscribe to What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke for new episodes every Friday. FOLLOW TARA SHETTERLY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_shett/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tara_shett YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaTara   LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About

What It’s Really Like is a podcast hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her lived experience as a blind woman to go beyond the superficial and uncover the unexpected stories behind fascinating lives. Each episode features honest, revealing conversations with people whose experiences challenge assumptions and change the way we see the world. Prepare to drop the stereotypes, forget the taboo, and open your mind. It’s a show for thoughtful listeners who know every story is more complicated than it appears. For people who listen with empathy, think with openness, and always leave room to be surprised. Expect funny, intimate, and unpredictable stories that are impossible to pause. From pop-culture personalities and remarkable public figures to people who have lived through the unimaginable, every guest brings unexpected turns and unforgettable revelations. Molly built her career by being raw and vulnerable, and she has seen the real-world impact that can have. Now, she is creating a space that empowers others to share with that same openness. Molly believes that when we understand one another better, we build compassion, bridge divides, and realize we have far more in common than we think. Raw, captivating, and deeply human, What It’s Really Like is for people who are more curious than certain—and who know the most fascinating stories begin when we make room for the awkward question.

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