Can You See How I See? | Speakeasy Podcast Network

“Can You See How I See?” is a metaphor for how we as humans view life from various perspectives.

Documentary Filmmaker/Chef/Author Keith Famie & George Wurtzel, who is a master carpenter, environmentalist

and social activist for the blind while being blind himself will invite guests on to talk about the aging process that we can all relate too.

Who Are Keith and George?

📄 Read Keith Famie’s full bio: https://v-prod.com/pdf/Famie_bio.pdf

Keith Famie / Speaker, Author/ Director

https://keithfamie.com/

Keith's Productions

https://www.v-prod.com/

Keith's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.famie/

Keith's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithfamievep/?hl=en

🎬 If you're interested in exploring some of award winning documentary films from Bending River Films go to https://www.bendingriverfilms.com/

🪵 Follow George Wurtzel's woodworking journey: George's Ginko Gallery on Facebook

George's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/George-the-Subaru-Guy-100063582702986/

🌐 To acquire a signed copy of Keith Famie's books go to https://keithfamie.com/

Credits & Links

A special Thank you to our Executive Producer Tom Rau

Can You See How I See? is a Visionalist Entertainment production.

Introduction music by multi award-winning singer-songwriter Jill Jack.

Episode 1: Meet Keith & George

Mon. Dec. 8^th, 2025

YouTube: Episode 1

Spotify: Episode 1

Apple Podcasts: Episode 1

In the premiere episode of Can You See How I See?, filmmaker Keith Famie and blind master craftsman George Wurtzel introduce themselves and the heart behind the show.

Through candid storytelling and shared laughter, they reflect on how their unlikely friendship began with a documentary about blindness and evolved into years of collaboration and deep respect. Keith shares the moving story of Marie, a young woman with terminal cancer whose final wish launched a handcrafted boat and a film on a journey to the ocean, thanks to George’s skilled hands.

The episode is rich with themes of perception, storytelling, resilience, and the desire to connect across difference. From George’s philosophy on blindness to Keith’s reflections on capturing truth through film, this first conversation sets the tone for a podcast that invites listeners to rethink what it means to see.

Link

Can You See How I See? film: https://canyouseehowisee.vhx.tv/

Episode 2: Art, Illusion & the Aging Brain with Artist Robert Schefman

Trailer: https://youtu.be/4zMSzz5kuDc

Mon. Dec. 15^th, 2025

YouTube: Episode 2

Spotify: Episode 2

Apple Podcasts: Episode 2

Robert Schefman is a sculptor and painter. After achieving an MFA in Sculpture at the University of Iowa, he moved to New York City, setting up a studio and producing large scale minimalist steel sculpture, eventually adding painting to his studio practice. Robert has continued to make his illusionist narrative work the focus of his work. Fascinated with connecting threads in the social fabric, he uses the illusionist format to address the unchanging reality of sight.

His work has been exhibited widely, including exhibitions at The Detroit Institute of Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, The Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Midland Center for the Arts, The Krasl Art Center, The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Oakland University, Foley Square and Federal Plaza in New York City, David Klein Gallery, and Manifest Research Gallery. Robert is currently Professor Emeritus at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and is represented by the David Klein Gallery.

Robert and Keith have been friends for many years. Robert would often dine in Keith’s restaurant Les Auteurs and leave on the white butcher paper incredible crayon drawings.

In this fascinating episode rich with visuals, we gain a much deeper understanding of the world of art and the value it has to our aging brains.

Episode 3: Memory, Healing & the Brain with Dr. Gary Dunbar (Neuroscientist, Central Michigan University) and Tom Rau

Mon. Dec. 22^nd, 2025

YouTube: Episode 3

Spotify: Episode 3

Apple Podcasts: Episode 3

On this episode of Can You See How I See?, Keith and George sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Gary Dunbar to explore how the brain shapes the way we move through life. Dr. Dunbar breaks down what really happens in our brains as we age, how memory is stored, and why some people stay mentally sharp into later years while others struggle.

Tom Rau, Executive Producer of Keith’s The Embrace of Aging series, joins to talk about what we learned from the twenty part series.

Through stories, science, and a lot of heart, this episode invites listeners to rethink what is possible for the aging brain and to see neurological health as something deeply personal, not only clinical.

Link

The Embrace of Aging series: https://theembraceofseries.vhx.tv/

Episode 4: Purpose in the Second Half of Life with Media Personality Chuck Gaidica

Mon., Dec. 29^th, 2025

On this episode of Can You See How I See?, Keith and George welcome broadcaster and media personality Chuck Gaidica for a candid conversation about reinvention, faith, and finding purpose in the second half of life. Chuck reflects on his years in front of the camera, the weight of being a familiar face in people’s living rooms, and what happens when you step away from that identity.

Episode 5: From Grief to Purpose with Dr. Tara Hipple-Thomas & Eric Hipple (Retired Detroit Lions Quarterback)

Mon. Jan. 5^th, 2026

In this powerful conversation, Keith and George open up about aging, anxiety, regrets, and the noise of modern life before welcoming former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple and his daughter, trauma therapist Dr. Tara Hipple-Thomas. Eric shares the loss of his son Jeff to suicide at fifteen and how that tragedy led him into decades of work in mental health and suicide prevention. Tara reflects on losing her big brother at seven, how childhood trauma fragments memory and emotion, and why true healing means feeling emotions rather than avoiding them.

Together, they talk about the window of tolerance, PTSD, and how early experiences shape who we become. It is a tender, honest look at grief, meaning, and how to keep going.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, please reach out for help by dialing 988 to reach the Michigan Suicide Crisis Hotline.

Link

Death is Not the Answer: https://deathisnottheanswer.vhx.tv/

Episode 6: Outrunning Time with Triathlete Ryan Rau

Mon. Jan. 12^th, 2026

Ryan Rau, one of the nation’s top triathletes and fitness trainers, joins Keith and George in the studio to talk about how to push back against father time through consistent movement and intentional training. Ryan began his career in personal training after graduating from Alma College with a degree in Exercise and Health Science. Alongside coaching, he started competing seriously, qualifying for the Boston Marathon and winning an ultramarathon.

After seven years of racing as an amateur while working full time, Ryan earned his pro card by placing sixth overall among non professionals. Ryan’s mission now is to help others experience the joy, health, and camaraderie that comes from being part of the endurance sport community.

Episode 7: Kitchen Memories & Meaning with Chefs Brian Polcyn & Ed Janos

Mon., Jan. 19^th, 2026

In this heartfelt, humorous, and soul stirring episode of Can You See How I See?, Keith and George sit down with two culinary giants and lifelong friends, Chef Brian Polcyn and Chef Ed Janos, for a conversation that is equal parts kitchen banter and life reflection. Keith was once chef colleagues with Brian and Ed.

From vocational school origins and family friction to Michelin level kitchens and aging knees, the group dives into what it means to build a legacy through food, friendship, and resilience. They explore how aging chefs stay sharp, literally and figuratively, how mortality shifts perspective, and why happiness often means knowing when to stop arguing and start living. With laughs, lessons, and just a touch of powdered sugar, this is a deep dive into craft, character, and carving out a life with meaning.

Links

Detroit: The City of Chefs I: https://detroitthecityofchefs.vhx.tv/

Detroit: The City of Chefs II: https://detroitthecityofchefsii.vhx.tv/

Episode 8: The Eyes of a Warrior with U.S. Army Maj. (Ret.) Iván Castro

Mon. Jan 26^th, 2026

In this gripping and deeply human episode of Can You See How I See?, George and Keith sit down with Major Iván Castro, one of only a few blind officers to serve in the United States Army Special Forces.

After losing his sight in combat, Major Castro refused to be sidelined, running marathons, returning to active duty, and becoming a powerful advocate for the blind and wounded veteran communities. Through candid storytelling and moments of raw vulnerability, he shares what it takes to rebuild identity after trauma, the role of faith and grit in his recovery, and why living with purpose is not optional, it is survival. This conversation goes beyond blindness and battlefield injuries. It is about hope, hard truths, and the relentless pursuit of meaning.

Links

Fighting Blind: https://ivancastro.com/

Can You See How I See? film: https://canyouseehowisee.vhx.tv/

Death is Not the Answer: https://deathisnottheanswer.vhx.tv/

Episode 9: Our Aging Heart with Dr. Kim Eagle (Cardiologist, University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center)

Mon. Feb. 2^nd, 2026

Dr. Kim Eagle is the Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan. Trained at Oregon State, Tufts, Yale New Haven, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital, he has spent his career treating heart disease and leading major quality improvement efforts in areas like heart attack, heart failure, and coronary angioplasty across Michigan.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Eagle serves as President of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and sits on the board of World Medical Relief. An avid fly fisherman and skier with roots in Montana, he brings both scientific clarity and human warmth to this conversation. Featured in Keith’s The Embrace of Aging series, he helps men better understand their hearts, their health, and their aging journey.

Links

The Embrace of Aging series

An insightful look into how and why we age and how to live your healthiest life

https://theembraceofseries.vhx.tv/

Maire's Journey

A story of one young woman's journey with cancer and her afterlife journey she would take that would touch the hears of thousands.

https://mairesjourney.vhx.tv/

Episodes

4 days ago

Episode 3: Memory, Healing & the Brain with Dr. Gary Dunbar and Tom Rau | Can You See How I See?

4 days ago

On this episode of Can You See How I See?, Keith and George bring in executive producer Tom Rau and Dr. Gary Dunbar, Head of Neuroscience at Central Michigan University, to talk about cognitive health and the fear many people carry as they age. The conversation moves from Blue Zone lessons in Okinawa, where community, walking, and simplicity shape long life, to the science of the brain, including why the temporal lobe and hippocampus matter in memory decline.
They explore whether you would take a blood test to learn your dementia risk, and what that knowledge might change. Dr. Dunbar breaks down practical inputs that support brain health: movement, social engagement, cognitive challenge, diet, gut health, and careful use of supplements like creatine. The episode closes with a simple theme: stay active, stay connected, and keep challenging your brain, because how you live today shapes how you age tomorrow.
Chapters00:00 Welcome and Guest Introductions03:00 Blue Zones & Okinawan Longevity06:52 Cognitive Decline and the Brain10:41 To Test or Not to Test for Dementia15:03 Rosemary, Creatine, and Brain Health19:54 Socialization, Diet, and Aging25:20 Gut-Brain Connection and Neuroplasticity30:45 Memories, Emotions, and Closing Thoughts

About the ShowCan You See How I See? is hosted by filmmaker, chef, and author Keith Famie and George Wurtzel, a blind master craftsman and environmentalist. Through honest conversations and compelling stories, the show explores perception, intuition, and what it means to navigate the world from different lived experiences.HostsKeith Famie and George WurtzelCreditsIntro music by Jill Jack.LinksKeith's Website: https://www.keithfamie.com/ Visionalist Entertainment filmography: https://v-prod.com/ George Wurtzel Woodworking (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWurtzel.GinkoGallery/ Subscribe & FollowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-you-see-how-i-see/id1822563485 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z1uNxvYKyiuHd8tLh253X?si=b5b53e37def9458e YouTube (if applicable): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdysequtlI24iromLdNaLtnvJjVagBHB&si=eeKDitFbfdBw7_xL

Monday Dec 15, 2025

Episode 2: Art, Illusion & the Aging Brain with Artist Robert Schefman | Can You See How I See?

Monday Dec 15, 2025

On this episode of "Can You See How I See?", Keith and George sit down with sculptor and painter Robert Schefman to explore how art shapes the way we think, age, and find meaning. Robert traces his journey from massive minimalist steel sculptures to illusionist narrative paintings that look photographic yet remain “a magic trick” on canvas. He explains illusion, abstraction, and non-objective work in plain language, and walks listeners through a powerful painting from his “Garden” series that shows two exhausted farmers in front of a burned house, a metaphor for the human struggle to keep “pushing the rock” and tending our world even when it feels impossible.
George offers a tactile perspective on sculpture, museums, and how blind visitors actually “see” more by using their hands and full body awareness. The trio talk about Bob Ross, cave paintings, Jesus being painted white for European audiences, and why it is never too late to start making art in your 60s or 70s. Robert shares candid reflections on legacy, mortality, and why the real goal is to still be creating at 90, not controlling what the world thinks. They close with a call to support local artists, visit museums without intimidation, and make something that may outlive you, even if no one remembers your name 150 years from now.
Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Craftsmanship Showcase03:26 George’s Proudest Creation: Flag Boxes07:35 Introducing Robert Schefman: The Crayon Artist12:01 Defining Art and Robert’s Artistic Journey19:28 The Power of Art to Enhance Life26:01 Understanding Illusion and Bob Ross’s Appeal35:08 Abstraction and Impressionism39:56 Tactile Art and Accessibility45:11 Evolution of Art and Museum Experience50:58 Adapting to Sensory Loss54:06 Meaning, Legacy, and Artistic Control01:03:14 The Purpose and Fate of Artworks01:05:53 Artistic Legacy and Taxation01:09:05 The Genesis of ‘City of Chefs’01:13:23 Embrace and Support the Arts
Guest Links:Robert's Website: https://www.robertschefman.com/
About the ShowCan You See How I See? is hosted by filmmaker, chef, and author Keith Famie and George Wurtzel, a blind master craftsman and environmentalist. Through honest conversations and compelling stories, the show explores perception, intuition, and what it means to navigate the world from different lived experiences.HostsKeith Famie and George WurtzelCreditsIntro music by Jill Jack.LinksKeith's Website: https://www.keithfamie.com/ Visionalist Entertainment filmography: https://v-prod.com/ George Wurtzel Woodworking (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWurtzel.GinkoGallery/ Subscribe & FollowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-you-see-how-i-see/id1822563485 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z1uNxvYKyiuHd8tLh253X?si=b5b53e37def9458e YouTube (if applicable): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdysequtlI24iromLdNaLtnvJjVagBHB&si=eeKDitFbfdBw7_xL

Monday Dec 08, 2025

Episode 1: Meet Keith and George | Can You See How I See?

Monday Dec 08, 2025

In the premiere of Can You See How I See?, filmmaker Keith Famie and blind master craftsman George Wurtzel introduce themselves and the heart behind the show. Through candid storytelling and shared laughter, they reflect on how their unlikely friendship began with a documentary about blindness and evolved into years of collaboration and deep respect. Keith shares the moving story of Maire, a young woman with terminal cancer whose final wish launched a handcrafted boat—and a film—on a journey to the ocean, thanks to George’s skilled hands. The episode is rich with themes of perception, storytelling, resilience, and the desire to connect across difference. From George’s philosophy on blindness to Keith’s reflections on capturing truth through film, this first conversation sets the tone for a podcast that invites listeners to rethink what it means to see.
Chapters00:00 Introducing ‘Can You See How I See’01:29 Keith and George’s Story06:12 George’s Craft and Philosophy10:09 Adventures and Perception13:50 9/11 and Human Connection20:57 Maire's Journey: A Film About Loss27:25 Maire's Boat and Humanity35:56 Future Guests and Musical Talent39:35 The Subaru Commercial and Senses44:50 Driverless Cars and Perception of Color48:51 Navigating Information and Future Outlook
About the ShowCan You See How I See? is hosted by filmmaker, chef, and author Keith Famie and George Wurtzel, a blind master craftsman and environmentalist. Through honest conversations and compelling stories, the show explores perception, intuition, and what it means to navigate the world from different lived experiences.HostsKeith Famie and George WurtzelCreditsIntro music by Jill Jack.LinksKeith's Website: https://www.keithfamie.com/ Visionalist Entertainment filmography: https://v-prod.com/ George Wurtzel Woodworking (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWurtzel.GinkoGallery/ Subscribe & FollowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-you-see-how-i-see/id1822563485 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z1uNxvYKyiuHd8tLh253X?si=b5b53e37def9458e YouTube (if applicable): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdysequtlI24iromLdNaLtnvJjVagBHB&si=eeKDitFbfdBw7_xL