The Blind Samurai with Brian Kadien

40 Episodes
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By: Brian Kadien

Learning from hard life experiences and going blind along the way, I carved out a path that got me to where I am now.  The hope is that you, the listener, will benefit from listening to and applying some of the lessons learned.  Stay with us and get to know me and the path that I have been on and walking now!  This is Brian Kadein...please join me for each episode

Born to Transcend: A Conversation with Ariana Zariah (260512)
#512
Last Tuesday at 7:00 PM

In this episode, we have Ariana Zariah as our special guest.  Ariana is the founder and master teacher of Namaste Healing Arts.  In our conversation, she walks us through her life's journey, which has taken her on a non-conventional path of self-discovery.  


The Blind Samurai Story, part one: Wide Open! (260505)
#505
05/05/2026

What do you do when you are told you will no longer have your eyesight?  How do you cope?  What do you do?  Who do you blame?  Join us in this episode as Brian shares his story of his journey into blindness.


Blinded by the wine success: special guest Amy Yancey (260414)
#414
04/15/2026

In this episode, we have as our special guest a wine sommelier, Amy Yancy, who has worked through losing her sight and is now building a new way forward.  After a reset due to the loss of her site, she is now a certified wine sommelier in her own right.

Amy Yancey at https://www.instagram.com/pocketsommgvl/#


The year of the fire horse with special guest, Colleen Lemma (260407)
#407
04/07/2026

In this episode, we take a look at the zodiac, the role it plays around us, and what the year of the fire horse means.  And we do all of this with special guest, Colleen Lemma at Sacred Soul Empowerment.


Movement Madness with Sean Herman (260324)
#324
03/24/2026

In this episode, we have a special guest back with us, sharing his journey.  We welcome Sean Herman, who runs Musou Movement, which is located in Greenville, SC. 


March madness in jiu-jitsu with special guest Scott Kingston (260319)
#319
03/19/2026

In this episode, we have as our special guest Scott Kingston, who is an instructor at the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in Greenville, SC.  We have a candid conversation about jiu-jitsu and everything else.  Join us.


Women's Health in 2026 (260224)
#2024
02/24/2026

In this episode, we focus on women's health 2026.  To help us work through this discussion, we have three special guests with us.  We have Lara Farnsworth with Fletcher Fitness Greenville, Erica James with The Booty Shop Greenville, and Elizabeth Stump-McGinn with The Regenerate Wellness Center in Greenville, SC.


Mindfull Emotions with Josh McGinn (260217)
#217
02/17/2026

As we continue our focus on men's mindfulness, we have as our special guest,  Josh McGinn, who is with Regenerate Your Wellness located in Greenville, SC. In this episode, we are focusing on mindful emotions.


Mens Mindfulness". Relationship with special guest Sam Hunter (260211)
#211
02/11/2026

In this episode, we continue our series on Men's Mindfulness.  We are in the 721 Ministries studio hosting our episode, and with us is Sam Hunter.  We are focusing on relationships... and in particular, relationships with men and the struggle men face in building and maintaining relationships with other men.  Join us!


Mindfulness Month: Healing and Trauma (260203)
#203
02/06/2026

In this episode, we have in the studio two special guests:  Aaron Mastny from the Rebirth Retreat Center in Greenville, SC, and Jake Daybell with the Polarity Plunge, also in Greenville, SC.  In this episode, we talk about healing, but healing done in a totally different way.  Great discussion...join us!


Energy Files: Invisible Engery, Part 1 (260113)
#113
01/15/2026

In this episode, we have 3 guests in the studio as part of our series on the Energy Files.   We welcome Billy Fletch of Fletch Fitness, Josh McGinn of the Wellness Center, and welcome back, Damon LaChapelle of LaChapelle Body Works


Turning Trauma and Tragedy in Triump (260106)
#106
01/06/2026

We're in a new year, and in this episode, we have as our guest Aaron Mastny with the Rebirth Center.  We take a very personal dive with Aaron, looking at turning trauma and tragedy into triumph...a true story of Rebirth!


The Christmas Story revisited, with special guest, Sam Hunter (251224)
#1224
12/24/2025

In this episode, we have as our special guest Sam Hunter from 721 Ministries.  We are in the 721 Ministries' media studio shooting this episode, which includes not only audio, but video via the YouTube channel.  We are taking a deeper look at the Christmas stories and correcting a few myths about the story.  Join us!


Special Guest Conner DeAngelis (251216)
#1216
12/16/2025

In this episode, we have back in the studio our special friend and guest, Conner DeAngelis.  We spend some time catching up on Conner's focus and training. Join us.


Chimes, Angels and the Divine; A conversation with Ivy Galliano (251209)
#1209
12/09/2025

In this episode, we have a quest with a doctor's degree in Metaphysical Healing and Studies, an angelic interpreter and sound healer...special guests, Ivy Galliano.  Join us as we take an alternative look into healing.


Training the Teenage Athlete #3 with special guest, Alex Cordova. (251111)
#1111
11/11/2025

We continue in our series on Training the Teenage Athlete.  In this episode, we have as our special guest, Alex Cordova.  We dive into the discipline that Alex embraces to stay in shape and move forward with his Jujitsu training.


Healing and Wholeness with special guests Josh an Elizabeth McGinn (251104)
#1104
11/04/2025

As we continue to talk about healing and wholeness, we have as our special guests, Josh and Elizabeth McGinn, who run the  Regenerate Wellness Center located in Greenville, SC.


Energy Files Part 5: Energy in music, books, movies and other areas of our culture (251028)
#1028
10/28/2025

In this episode, we continue our Energy Series as we talk about energy in music, books, movies, and other areas of our American culture. To help us in this episode, we have two special guests joining us in the studio for this discussion.  We have returning with us, Damon LaChapelle, who is the owner of LaChapelle Therapeutic Bodywork located in Greenville, SC, and Jim Cunningham with Greenville Cycling & Multi-Sport, also located in Greenville, SC



Energy Files, Part 4: Optimization and Maintenance with Damon LaChapelle (250930)
#930
09/30/2025

We're in Episode 4 as we continue our series on the Energy Files.  In this episode, we have with us returning guest,  Damon LaChapelle, as we continue our discussion on energy maintenance and optimization.


Energy Files, Part 3: Energy Maintenance and Optimization for Combat Sports and Martial Arts (250909)
#909
09/09/2025

We continue our series on Energy Files with special guests, Billy Fletcher and Damon ...  We take a deep dive into what contributed to our ongoing energy maintenance and optimization.


Women in Sport, Part 3 with guest Della Scott (250902)
#902
09/04/2025

In this episode, we are in our third episode, focusing on women in sport. Today, we have a very special and amazing guest who will encourage and motivate you.  We have as our special guest, Della Scott.  Join us!


A conversation with the fittest blind woman on earth, Erica James (250819)
#819
08/22/2025

In this episode we continue our series on Women in Pports.  We have as our special guest Erica James.  Erica shares a lot in common in that she is also visually impaired.  However, this has not stopped her in what she has been able to accomplish.  Take a listen!


New Series: Women in sports with special guest Allison Brown (250722)
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07/26/2025

In this episode, we begin a series of episodes that focus on women in sports. We have in our studio today as our guest an artist, jewelry designer, and the highest-ranking female Jiu-Jitsu athlete in the Alianz Jiu-Jitsu School here in Greenville, SC.  Welcome Allison Brown


Energy Vampires with Special Guest Damon LaChapelle (250701)
#701
07/01/2025

In this episode, we talk about energy and what robs and affects the energy within us and around us.  As we continue this series on Energy, we have back with us, Damon LaChapelle of LaChapelle Therapudics located in Greenville, SC.  Join us as we look at what robs and impacts our internal energy.


Working with Teenage Athletes with Special Guest Sean Herman (250624)
#624
06/24/2025

In this episode, we talk with Sean Herman about working with teenage athletes in the disciplines of movement, micro-movements, balance, and training associated with achieving a healthy lifestyle balance. Sean owns and operates his movement gym, MUSOU MOVEMENT, located in Greenville, SC, which focuses on developing and enhancing all types of movements, including martial arts, acrobatics, and dance.


Keep moving forward and up....the last six months (250610)
#610
06/12/2025

In this episode, we take a quick look at the past few months and see where things have come and where we are going.  Brian brings to heart his ongoing challenges and triumphs as he continues to embrace his blindness and its impact on his life.  Listen in!


Training the Teenage Athlete - Part One with Braelen Meredith (250527)
#527
05/27/2025

In this episode, we focus on the challenges, concerns, and rewards of training teenage athletes. It requires a special kind of focus and discipline to work with younger athletes. Our guest in this episode is Braelen Meredith, the owner of Braelen Speed School at the Total Optimization Training Lab in Greenville, SC. 


Talking scrap with Joseph "mini money" Schneider (250513)
#513
05/13/2025

In this episode, we talk scrap with Joseph "mini money" Schneider, fellow Jiu-jitsu wrestler and chief content creator for The Blind Samurai Media Group.  We dig into what's behind and what motivates Joseph Mini Money!


Special guest Rafael Dos Santos, Instructor of true Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (250507)
#506
05/06/2025

In this episode, we are honored to have as our guest, Rafael Dos Santos, head instructor at Alliance Jiu Jitsu Greenville and a very special friend to many.  Rafael has been very instrumental in bringing awareness of and instructing true Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.


Energy Files Part 1 with Damon LaChapelle (250429)
#429
04/29/2025

This begins part one of the energy files.... This is a special five-part series with cohost Damon LaChapelle.  In this series, we dive into our understanding of energy as it applies to all aspects of our bodies and our well-being. We discuss where we derive energy that drives and maintains our bodies. We discuss the impacts that we have on our energy and well-being based on our choices, based on what we eat, how we exercise, and how we manage the stresses of our daily lives. Join us for all 5 parts of this series.


Special Quest, Amanda Stolz, CPO of ABVISC.org (250422)
#422
04/22/2025

In this week's episode, we have Amanda Stolz, who is the Chief Program Officer of Adult Services for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, South Carolina.  Through this interview, we get a better understanding of the support that is out there for the blind impaired individuals and their families in South Carolina.  We also come to have a greater appreciation for the challenges and struggles in working with individuals who are blind or low vision. Join us!


Faith and Gold (250415)
#415
04/15/2025

We have two special guests:  Professor Kenny Faith, senior instructor at the ALLIANCE JIU JITSU School of Easley, South Carolina, and Carry Reese, Pan-American Games Gold Medalist and senior instructor at the ALLIANCE JIU JITSU School of Greenville, South Carolina. They share their journey into Jiu Jitso, what motivates them, and the impact of Jiu Jitsu in and on their lives. Join us!


Kava and a conversation (250401)
#401
04/01/2025

We welcome back our friend,  Damon LaChapelle who owns LaChapelle Therapeutic Bodywork.  In this episode, we open up the subject of "energy" in and around our bodies, its many aspects, and how it affects our well-being, our connections, and significant relationships.


Another great guest in the Jiu-jitsu community: Logan Smith (250326)
#326
03/25/2025

As we continue to focus on our Jiu-jitsu community, we have a special guest and friend who brings a lot of expertise, training, and influence to many Jiu-jitsu wrestlers across the region, even internationally.  Join us in this episode as we welcome Logan Smith.


Friends of the Jiu-jitsu Community. aka....the "Blue Belt Mafia"....today's special guests (250318)
#318
03/18/2025

In this episode, we focus on jiu-jitsu and to kick things off we have some our team from the gym we affectionally call the "blue belt mafia".   Today, we have James MacLean and Dallas Wilson.... special friends of the gym who share their insight into how jiu-jitsu centers their focus on accomplishing life.  Join us!


A dog and a stick...special quest Kevin Dunn (250311)
#311
03/11/2025

Today's guest and Brian (The Blind Samurai) go back years in their friendship and both have a lot in common.  But in this episode, they share what they have most in common....both are blind.  Join us to gain a better understanding of going blind and picking up the pieces in the aftermath.


Special Guest Matt Clarey...verteran Army Medic (250305)
#305
03/05/2025

On today's episode, we have a very special, Matt Clarey.  Matt is a veteran who served as an army medic in Afghanistan.  He brings a very meaningful perspective of his experience that is well worth your time to take a listen.


Mens Mindfulness Month with Special Guest Billy Fletcher
#225
02/25/2025

As we continue our Men's Mindfulness series, we have Billy Fletcher on the show as our special guest. He is one of the Principals of the Optimization Training Lab in Greenville, SC, as well as the founder of Fletcher Fitness.  


Special Guest Conner Deangelis ...a Jiu jitsu Champion turned Life Coach (20250218)
#218
02/18/2025

As we continue our Mindfulness series, we have as our special guest Darin Conner Deangelo.  Conner is a Jiu-jitsu world champion turned life coach pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. 


Interview with Guest Sam Hunter (250212)
#212
02/12/2025

We continue our men's mindfulness series.  In this episode, we have a conversation with Sam Hunter, founder of 721 Ministries...a men's ministry focused on drawing men to their greater potential and higher calling and purpose.