Podcast Summary: Can I Walk With You?

Episode: The Kindest Soul I’ve Walked With…

Host: Thoraya
Date: August 21, 2025
Location: New York City

Episode Overview

The inaugural episode of “Can I Walk With You?” season one finds host Thoraya in New York City, walking and conversing with two Spanish visitors, Jose and Julio. Both are teachers—Jose, now retired due to visual impairment, and Julio still teaching. The episode is a seamless blend of authentic reflection on accessibility, diversity, life in New York, identity, and empathy, set against the spontaneous backdrop of a city walk. The conversation explores personal stories of navigating life with disability, living authentically, and the importance of listening, respect, and open dialogue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet the Guests: Jose and Julio

• [01:51] Jose introduces himself as a retired teacher, and Julio as a current teacher.
• They’re on holiday, experiencing NYC’s energy and diversity.

2. Navigating Life with Impairment

• [02:43] Jose discusses early retirement due to worsening visual impairment, highlighting Spain's supportive public system.
  • “I feel privileged that I can still follow you and have some autonomy...maybe there will come a day where I can’t see at all. So now that I can see a little bit, I have to move.” — Jose [03:33]
• [05:16] He shares how moving, traveling, and engaging with new experiences are fundamental, regardless of difficulties.

3. New York’s Accessibility and Kindness

• [05:32] Jose describes how surprisingly accessible New York is for people with vision impairments, citing public transit and the public’s helpfulness.
• [06:32] He recounts a touching moment at the Frick Collection where both museum staff and a stranger offered kindness and confidence.
  • “A woman came to me and touched me and said, ‘No problem.’ That was so nice. Like somebody I didn’t know, just giving me confidence because she was aware I had problems.” — Jose [07:03]

4. Diversity and Social Observations

• [07:46] The group discusses New York’s diversity and the visible division of labor along racial lines.
• [08:29] Jose contrasts NYC’s diversity with London, noting how, in London, integration across economic strata is more apparent.

5. Politics: Polarization and Global Challenges

• [09:25] Julio and Jose reflect on the surprising American support for Trump and acknowledge New York’s distinct politics compared to the rest of the country.
  • “For me, it’s incredible…all these people have voted for Trump. I can’t understand it.” — Julio [09:25]
• [10:31] Jose expands to global issues:
  • “History doesn’t have to repeat itself, but if we are directing ourselves to the same mistakes…then the same things will happen again. As a matter of fact, I think they are happening right now.” [10:31]
  • Discusses the sensitivity around bringing up Palestine in U.S. discourse versus European attitudes towards global issues.

6. Personal Histories and LGBTQ+ Progress

• [13:02] The conversation turns to personal history—Jose and Julio have been friends for 30 years, part of Spain’s LGBTQ+ community.
• [13:45] Both guests reflect on the progress toward equality in Spain, tinged with concern for lingering gaps and education’s vital role.
  • “We are closer than ever to equality, but at the same time, we are so far.” — Julio [13:33]
  • “When I went to London…I started speaking about my homosexuality. I started doing it in English before I did it in Spanish.” — Jose [14:29]

7. Respect, Dialogue, and Social Progress

• [15:19] The group agrees that open conversation—with arguments and data, not just feelings—and respect are foundational to societal improvement.
  • “We have to let people speak, and argue…with data, not feelings, data.” — Jose [14:27]
• [15:57] Parliament as a concept is explored:
  • “The word means ‘parlare’…speaking. If we cannot speak, what’s the parliament for?” — Jose [15:57]
  • They note the importance of not letting fear stifle essential conversations and of revealing one’s true self.

8. Cultural Hospitality and Connections

• [20:00] Discussion on hospitality in Spain and New York, with Jose and Julio insisting that Thoraya would be just as accepted walking with strangers in the south of Spain.
  • “If you come, you have to phone me and then I can show you the city. That would be very nice.” — Jose [20:39]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On visual impairment and autonomy:
  “I value that quite a lot because maybe there will come a day where I can’t see at all. So now that I can see a little bit, I have to move. And few places like New York…you can hear the city, you can feel the city, you can smell it.” — Jose [03:33]

• On the kindness of strangers:
  “A woman came to me and touched me and said, ‘No problem.’ That was so nice…just giving me confidence because she was aware that I had problems.” — Jose [07:03]

• On LGBTQ+ visibility and education:
  “We have not to judge people, but to let them speak, speak and argue…with data, not feelings, data.” — Jose [14:27]

• On political discourse:
  “For me, it’s incredible…all these people have voted for Trump. I can’t understand it.” — Julio [09:25]

• On the spirit of the podcast:
  “Fear is okay, it’s a feeling…But it’s important that they do not stop us from the important things.” — Jose [15:57]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:51] – Guests introduce themselves and share why they’re in New York
• [03:33] – Jose on vision impairment, autonomy, and travel
• [05:32] – Accessibility in NYC, Frick Collection experience
• [07:46] – Reflections on diversity and economic integration
• [09:25] – Discussing American (and global) politics
• [10:31] – Speaking about repeating historical mistakes and activism
• [13:02] – Jose and Julio’s friendship, LGBTQ+ history
• [14:27] – Importance of education, dialogue, and respect
• [15:57] – On the meaning of parliament and not letting fear stop important action
• [20:00] – Hospitality in Spain and connecting cultures

Closing Tone

The conversation is intimate, meandering, humorous, and profoundly human. Thoraya gently guides without intruding, and Jose and Julio share with warmth and candor. The takeaways are universal: the value of movement and autonomy, the power of kindness both grand and small, the need for honest, respectful dialogue, and the richness found in diverse life stories—walking together, quite literally, through life’s journey.

For first-time listeners, this episode is a testament to the unexpected depth in spontaneous encounters—a celebration of connection, courage, and kindness on the world’s most walkable streets.