What happens when the world tells you you’re not going to make it—before you’ve even had a chance to try?
On this episode, I sit down with Paul Brown, a Seattle-based attorney and mentor who grew up with profound hearing loss and spent his life proving people wrong—not with pity or perfection, but with grit, self-awareness, and a whole lot of heart. From growing up in Alaska without sound, to becoming a standout athlete, and eventually one of the nation’s top trial lawyers, Paul’s journey is a lesson in turning disadvantages into strengths.
We talk about the cruel moments that shaped him, howand eventually one of the nation’s top trial lawyers, Paul’s journey is a lesson in turning disadvantages into strengths. We talk about the cruel moments that shaped him, how cochlear implants changed his world, and what it means to finally hear your daughter’s voice for the first time. Let’s get into when all the odds are against you—only on Navigating No.
Life with a Coclear Implant opened Paul’s life to new experiences and sounds because of the implant. A medical device that bypasses damaged structures in the inner ear and indirectly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing some deaf and hard of hearing individuals to learn to hear and interpret sounds and speech. Paul’s journey takes place long before the Hearing Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that applies to job applicants and employees with hearing disabilities.
Show Flow:
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Paul’s Early Life and Diagnosis
08:09 Challenges and Misunderstandings
13:37 Aggression and Sports
18:03 Navigating Adulthood and Career
31:15 Personal Growth and Mentorship
33:17 Fraternity Experiences and Challenges
34:46 Cochlear Implant Journey
35:31 Activation Day and Emotional Reactions
40:34 Appreciation for Voices and Communication
50:44 COVID-19 and Realizing the Handicap
56:01 Final Reflections and Messages