Phoenix Rising: Ashley Purdy’s Second Chance After Losing Her Sight

The Blind Chick · Jan 1, 2026 · 1h 4m

1) Episode Summary

Penn and Moses kick off with a New Year check-in (less “new me,” more gratitude) and give a clear warning that the episode includes suicide.

Ashley Purdy, a blind advocate and speaker, shares the trauma-filled path that led to her suicide attempt at 17, her clinical death for 17 minutes, and the long rehab that followed—including the crushing moment she realized she was blind. Over time, she reframed survival as a “rebirth,” identifying with the phoenix.

The conversation also covers independence, pushing back on “over-helping,” Perkins School for the Blind, isolation and…