The Art Of Imperfect Adulting - Navigating Visual Impairment, Academia and Entrepreneurship: Melissa Cancel's Path

Navigating Visual Impairment, Academia and Entrepreneurship: Melissa Cancel's Path

01/30/25 • 40 min

In this episode of "The Art of Imperfect Adulting,” host Amy Stone welcomes guest Melissa Cancel, who shares her inspiring journey of living with Stargardt's disease, a rare form of macular degeneration. Melissa discusses the daily challenges she faces, the importance of effective communication, and her entrepreneurial endeavor, "The Communication Doc," aimed at helping couples improve their relationships.

Melissa Cancel is a former college communication professor turned entrepreneur with a passion for assisting couples with their marital communication through her business, "The Communication Doc." Diagnosed with Stargardt's disease at age 10, Melissa has navigated life's obstacles with resilience and adaptability.

Main Topics Covered:

Melissa's experiences and challenges with visual impairment, including identifying signs and using credit/debit card machines.
The importance of asking before offering help to people with disabilities.
Melissa’s transition from academia to entrepreneurship and her work with "The Communication Doc."
The role of technology in adapting to visual impairments and the evolution of adaptive tech.
Melissa addresses myths in marriages and offers resources to help couples navigate their relationships.

Quote from Melissa Cancel “You might see me not wearing glasses and think I’m just being proud, but the truth is, I have a rare, incurable eye disease that heavily impacts my vision.”

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and welcoming Melissa Cancel.
02:45 – Melissa’s background and diagnosis of Stargardt's disease.
08:30 – Challenges with restroom signs and navigating public spaces.
13:15 – Technology assisting with grocery shopping and daily tasks.
17:40 – Transition from academia to "The Communication Doc."
22:55 – The importance of asking before offering assistance.
27:30 – Addressing myths about happily-ever-after in marriages.
33:45 – Rapid-fire questions: favorite snack, music, and childhood memory.
38:10 – Impact of early technological limitations and modern advancements.
44:00 – Public transportation difficulties and adapting to a non-adaptive world.
50:20 – Conclusion and final thoughts from Amy and Melissa.
52:30 – Resources and masterclass details.

Additional Resources:

Visit Melissa Cancel's website:
thecommunicationdoc.com
Access the masterclass and PDF guide: "Overcoming 44 Thoughts That Will Destroy Your Marriage"
Subscribe to the Imperfect Adulting newsletter for more details https://www.imperfectadulting.com .

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to "The Art of Imperfect Adulting" on your favorite podcast platform!

Main Topics Covered:

Melissa's experiences and challenges with visual impairment, including identifying signs and using credit/debit card machines.
The importance of asking before offering help to people with disabilities.
Melissa’s transition from academia to entrepreneurship and her work with "The Communication Doc."
The role of technology in adapting to visual impairments and the evolution of adaptive tech.
Melissa addresses myths in marriages and offers resources to help couples navigate their relationships.

Quote from Melissa Cancel “You might see me not wearing glasses and think I’m just being proud, but the truth is, I have a rare, incurable eye disease that heavily impacts my vision.”

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and welcoming Melissa Cancel.
02:45 – Melissa’s background and diagnosis of Stargardt's disease.
08:30 – Challenges with restroom signs and navigating public spaces.
13:15 – Technology assisting with grocery shopping and daily tasks.
17:40 – Transition from academia to "The Communication Doc."
22:55 – The importance of asking before offering assistance.
27:30 – Addressing myths about happily-ever-after in marriages.
33:45 – Rapid-fire questions: favorite snack, music, and childhood memory.
38:10 – Impact of early technological limitations and modern advancements.
44:00 – Public transportation difficulties and adapting to a non-adaptive world.
50:20 – Conclusion and final thoughts from Amy and Melissa.
52:30 – Resources and masterclass details.

Additional Resources:

Visit Melissa Cancel's website:
thecommunicationdoc.com
Access the masterclass and PDF guide: "Overcoming 44 Thoughts That Will Destroy Your Marriage"
Subscribe to the Imperfect Adulting newsletter for more details https://www.imperfectadulting.com .

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to "The Art of Imperfect Adulting" on your favorite podcast platform!

Previous Episode

How the Swiss Alps Shaped Emily Aborn’s Passion for Writing

Emily Aborn joins host Amy Stone to share her unique experiences working as a chalet girl in the Swiss Alps and how it impacted her career journey. Emily talks about the challenges and rewards of living abroad, finding her passion for writing, and the importance of embracing a non-linear career path. Join us as we explore the lessons and skills she gained that continue to influence her life and work today.

Main Topics Covered

Introduction & Emily’s Background (00:00:04)
Life in New Hampshire and Surrounding Areas (00:01:27)
What is a Chalet Girl? (00:03:41)
Emily’s Journey to the Swiss Alps (00:04:55)
Daily Life and Responsibilities as a Chalet Girl (00:09:28)
Overcoming Challenges and Loneliness Abroad (00:10:45)
Career Path from Health Studies to Writing (00:14:02)
Lessons and Skills Gained from the Chalet Experience (00:19:32)
Strengthening a Long-Distance Relationship with Email (00:22:30)
Emily’s Current Work and Podcast Information (00:24:29)
Rapid Fire Questions (00:26:21)

Quote from the Episode "I learned I can actually handle anything that comes my way." – Emily Aborn

Timestamps

00:00:04 – Introduction and Welcome
00:01:27 – Living in New Hampshire, Hiking, and Community
00:03:41 – Defining a Chalet Girl
00:04:55 – How Emily Found the Chalet Girl Job
00:09:28 – Realities of Being a Chalet Girl
00:10:45 – Coping with Loneliness and Fears Abroad
00:14:02 – Emily’s Career Path from Health Studies to Writing
00:19:32 – Lessons Learned and Skills Gained from the Chalet Experience
00:22:30 – Impact on Relationship and Communication Via Email
00:24:29 – Emily’s Current Work and Podcast Details
00:26:21 – Rapid Fire Questions

Emily Aborn hosts her own podcast, Content with Character. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts or here is a link to the show on Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-with-character/id1684549940

Be sure that you are subscribed to The Art of Imperfect Adulting email community to get all the fun information. https://www.imperfectadulting.com

Next Episode

An Unexpected Road to Rekindling an Acting Career in Munich with Anne Alexander-Sieder

In this episode of "The Art of Imperfect Adulting," host Amy Stone chats with Anne Alexander-Sieder, an American actor-turned-European-resident, about her journey from acting in summer camps to building a career and life in Munich, Germany. Anne’s narrative is filled with twists, including an unexpected pregnancy, a career break, and a reinvigorated return to acting in midlife.

Anne Alexander-Sieder is a versatile actor, voiceover artist, and life and career coach residing in Munich, Germany. With an impressive career spanning continents and decades, Anne has navigated the challenges of balancing family life and professional aspirations while redefining her personal brand in the acting industry. She is the creator of the "Passion Project to Pro" workshop and the founder of act-bold.com.

Main Topics Covered:

Anne’s early life and move to Europe at 21.
Meeting her husband on a blind date and starting a family.
Transitioning from on-stage acting to voiceover work and back.
The importance of human expression and Ann's background in American Sign Language.
Midlife reclamation and reigniting creative passions.
Building a personal brand and launching the "Get Better Roles" program.
Overcoming societal expectations and limitations of middle age.

Quote from Anne Alexander-Sieder "Opportunities often come to us as whims or unplanned actions, and it’s the synchronicity that makes them so impactful."

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction and welcome
[02:15] Anne’s move to Europe and early career in acting
[08:30] Meeting her husband and starting a family in Munich
[15:45] Transitioning to voiceover work
[19:55] Midlife reclamation and returning to acting
[24:10] Anne's workshops and the "Passion Project to Pro"
[30:45] Michelin-starred restaurant experiences
[36:20] Exploring societal expectations of middle age
[42:55] Personal branding and marketing strategies
[50:10] Overcoming limiting beliefs and relaunching her career
[57:00] Final thoughts and closing remarks

Special offer from the guest: Name of the product offered:

Passion Project to Pro (P2) the Workbook

This workbook introduces the foundational steps to help individuals turn what they love into what they do—without having to be an expert, influencer, or coach. It’s a practical guide designed to kick-start the journey of creating an income-generating, fulfilling path around your passion or curiosity.

Value of the product offered:

Normally $27 Free with the link provided.

Special offer for the listeners of the show:

Free access to the workbook and an option to join the waitlist for my free upcoming live workshop, where listeners can ask questions and get additional guidance.

Listeners can download the free workbook and join the waitlist here: https://www.actboldtraining.com/p2

This may be a time sensitive offer if you have trouble redeeming the offer please reach out to the guest directly.

Before you go be sure that you’ve signed up for the Imperfect Adulting email newsletter so that you can get content like this delivered directly to your email inbox. https://www.imperfectadulting.com