Clear Tales For Dementia Listeners

Clear Tales: Bite-sized Stories For Adults With Dementia

Clear Tales
Bite-Sized Stories For Adults With Dementia
Welcome to Clear Tales, a podcast tailored specifically for listeners dealing with mild to moderate dementia. Hosted by Richard Carlton London, Clear Tales provides an engaging auditory escape without the demanding attention span required for lengthy books.
Written for senior adults, our stories feature easy-to-understand narratives and short chapters, catering to individuals who may experience difficulties with prolonged focus. It's important to note - these stories are crafted with mature, adult themes, well distancing themselves from juvenile literature.
To enhance the immersive experience, listeners can choose to accompany the podcast with the corresponding e-book of the narrated story. Offered in large print and paired with captivating illustrations, our e-books serve to further enrich the storytelling journey. Easily accessible, they're available on Apple Books, Google Play, Amazon, and other online bookstores. Get more information at the show site.
For an optimal experience, we recommend tuning in via headphones or earbuds for added clarity. How you can help: As we strive to reach and assist as many listeners as possible, feel free to share this podcast with others in your local community that could benefit from it. Your subscription and feedback would greatly enable us in crafting more fitting stories, and growing together as a close-knit community. Go to the podcast site to learn more about Clear Tales.

Clear Tales - A Small Taste Episode

This is a "trailer" of just one story on Clear Tales. It will give the listener, or caregiver a sample of what the book and episodes sound like.
Clear Tales is a podcast tailored specifically for listeners dealing with mild to moderate dementia. Hosted by Richard Carlton London, Clear Tales provides an engaging auditory escape without the demanding attention span required for lengthy books.
If you are a caregiver for a loved one with diminshed cognitive abilities, the stories and format provide you with a tool of entertainment that is engaging and immersive. 
Written for senior adults, our stories feature easy-to-understand narratives and short chapters, catering to individuals who may experience difficulties with prolonged focus. It's important to note - these stories are crafted with mature, adult themes, well distancing themselves from juvenile literature.
For those that seek a greater immersion, it is strongly suggested to download the ebook of the story. Listeners can follow along with the narration to enhance their cognitive experieince. Books are produced in larger print and have illustration for listeners to enjoy.For more information please go to the show link.
 

Introduction To Circus Jack - Based on Jack London’s The Call of the Wild

Circus Jack
Written and produced for listeners challenged with mild to moderate dementia, step into the courageous saga of Circus Jack, a symphony of adventure, heroism, and survival. Similar to The Call of The Wild, Circus Jack dives into the renowned archetype of the hero's journey, plunging its listeners into the heart of suspense, action, transformation, and eventual triumph. The narrative follows familiar conventions of the hero’s journey, vastly represented in literary works and motion pictures, but effortlessly packs a unique twist.
Our narrative revolves around Peppy, the protagonist whose journey you will live through, from his humble beginnings on a Pennsylvania farm during the 1800s. Similar to Buck, Jack London's robust dog, Peppy of Circus Jack is forced into harnessing his hidden abilities to help fuel the progress of a rapidly developing society. This engaging podcast also explores the dark world of the era's flourishing business in dog-napping. 
This podcast series narrates a captivating story of resilience, growth, and survival expertly crafted by Richard Carlton London for listeners with mild to moderate dementia. So, embark on an audacious adventure with Circus Jack and uncover how the hero, Peppy triumphs against difficult odds.
You can follow along with the story through the ebook for Circus Jack, at Apple Books. It is super affordable and can provide the listener with a higher level of enjoyment.

Circus Jack - Prologue

The prologue for Circus Jack, delves into the harmonious life under our feet, beneath the ground we stand on.  
The opening paints a picture of the society of living organisms - the  connected lives of worms, ants, bugs, and nearly-blind rodents and the roles they play in creating a harmonious balance.
And how their lives can be upended by the unexpected interloper and the peaceful underground realm is torn asunder, showing the grim consequences of our insensitivity towards these minuscule creatures and their habitat. This sets the scene for the book's trajectory.

Circus Jack - Chapter 1. The Muller Farm

Circus Jack opens on the vast Muller Farm, a land steeped in Anabaptist heritage since 1790. The farmers who established it were courageous pioneers who crossed the Atlantic to escape religious persecution and economic hardships. In the fertile valley of New Holland in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they forged a tight-knit farming community, sharing resources and going beyond to care for their neighbors.
Grandfather Muller's vision of a prosperous farm was eventually brought to fruition when his farm grew to comprise 600 acres of diverse crops, grazing livestock, and lively farm dogs. One such working dog was Dash, a Shetland sheepdog famed for his herding prowess. Next was Muscles, a protective German Doberman Pinscher dedicated to safeguarding the farm and its inhabitants. Lastly, there was Pepe, the lovable Jack Russell Terrier who proved that size didn't matter, especially when it came to spreading sheer joy around the farm.
Muller Farm wasn't just a land; it was a way of life cultivated by generations of family values, hard work, and cooperative living. And at its heart were the loyal farm dogs: Dash, Muscles, and Pepe. They stood as testaments to Grandfather Muller's vision, embodying the spirit of the Muller farm and the legacy he left behind.

Circus Jack - Chapter 2. The Market Place

Circus Jack. Chapter 2. 
In this episode, we start by discussing Beethoven's famous Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor and its tragic undertone despite the composer's vibrant life. The conversation then shifts towards life in the Lancaster region, realistically depicting their rich cultural heritage and bustling farmers' market.
We delve into the life of a farming family, the Mullers, discussing their weekly routine for the market day, their hearty preparation from dawn to dusk, and the intense anticipation before selling their freshest produce. The symbolic interaction between the family members, the preparing of their wagon, and setting their loyal dogs Muscles and Pepe, sets the tone for the market day.
Pepe, an entertaining and empathetic circus dog, had gained a reputation in the Lancaster market. The tale flashes back to a heated argument he diffused with his spectacular tricks. Relive the excitement as his acrobatics turn a potential brawl into an unforgettable performance like a maestro controlling his orchestra.
Following the flashback, we return to the marketplace's lively environment, setting an orchestra-like ambiance with the overlapping voices, the jingling of coins, and animal sounds. The potential transaction and interaction between the Muller family and a curious stranger over their prized dog breed and Pepe’s exceptional skills build suspense.
End the episode with the light-hearted interaction featuring Pepe's amazing trick - balancing an apple on his nose - that draws up laughter and admiration from the stranger and a promise to see more of such tricks in the coming weekend.
Savor the essence of the symphonic life in this episode: where Beethoven’s Sonata paints life's booms and ebbs, where a bustling market is an orchestration of voices, laughter, arguments and friendly banter and where Pepe’s tricks present fun-filled interludes amid the daily grind.

Circus Jack - Chapter 3. The Dognapper

Circus Jack Chapter 3.
 
The man at the market returns with bad intent. In this third chapter of our story, as the golden sun gives way to the gentle hum of night, the tranquil rural landscape is disturbed by a chilling development. After an endearing scene of homey evening meals and hearty farm work, the plot unfolds in the lull of the night. However, their serene slumber is disrupted by the calculated actions of a slender figure; an intruder with an elusive motive.
With meticulous precision, the unsuspecting Muscles becomes the very first victim of a sinister plan. After silencing the guard dog with chloroform and grilled meat, the intruder then focuses his attention on the performing dog, Peppy. Using the same approach, he stealthily makes his way through the slumber-infused household, whispering calls for Peppy in an almost eerie manner.
He successfully lures the innocent dog using meat treats and within no time, Peppy is also drugged, kidnapped, and his absence concealed. The kidnapper and his accomplice seamlessly manage to exit the scene without leaving even a hint of their malicious act, hopping onto a waiting wagon and disappearing into the night.
This chapter highlights the audacious abduction of beloved Peppy which ends with a cliffhanging silence, leaving the readers to anticipate what transpires next in this suspense-filled tale.

Circus Jack - Chapter 4. The Wagon

Circus Jack. Chapter 4: The Wagon
This chapter follows the heart-wrenching journey of a lovable Jack Russell Terrier named Pepe who, stolen from his home, wakes up disoriented in the back of a wagon.
The story begins on a moonlit night as Pepe finds himself in an unfamiliar and confining environment, complete with the smell of hay, the rusty creak of springs, and the muffled voices of two unfamiliar men. It doesn't take long for Pepe to realize his predicament - he's been kidnapped, anticipated to fetch a good price for his special talent and smartness.
This chapter dives deep into Pepe's emotions as the sights, sounds, and scents of his familiar home fade away. His heart fills with fear and uncertainty and his body responds with longing for the open fields and the laughter of his beloved human family.
As the wagon continues its slow, steady journey, Pepe's situation intensifies. Trapped within a small, uncomfortable space, Pepe's confines offer no escape. His body aches — for freedom, for home.
The longer he spends in this confined space, the more sorrow consumes him. His eyes well up, discomfort knocks on his senses, and, succumbing to it all, he finally drifts into a deep, oblivious sleep. Stranded in the middle of an ordeal, one can only wonder, will Pepe be able to make a homecoming?

Circus Jack - Chapter 5. Escape into the Woods

Chapter 5: Escape into the Woods
Frank and Harry, partners in crime, find themselves in a heated argument over the division of their ill-gotten gains as they travel towards Baltimore. Their captive, Peppy the dog, becomes the focal point of their discord.
As tensions rise, Peppy seizes an opportunity to escape his wooden crate, bringing a glimmer of hope to his dire situation. The night is fraught with danger as Peppy navigates through the wilderness, pursued relentlessly by the determined thieves.
In a thrilling chase through the forest, Peppy's survival instincts kick in. He uses the cover of the dense woods to outmaneuver his pursuers, blending into the shadows and evading capture. Will Peppy manage to stay free, or will the thieves catch up to him?
Join us in this gripping chapter of Circus Jack as we follow Peppy's daring flight for freedom.

Circus Jack - Chapter 6. The Delivery

Cautiously emerging from his hiding spot, Peppy surveyed his surroundings. The forest was rich in fiddlehead ferns and tall trees that made room for the sun to illuminate the forest floor. With a newfound resolve, he set off on one of these paths deeper into the woods, where new sounds and dangers awaited.
Peppy found a momentary respite in a sunlit clearing but soon realized he was surrounded by a group of people who could exploit him. As he tried to back away, he was captured and found himself back in a chicken crate, restrained and vulnerable. His captors, Frank and Harry, took him to the L.V. Spectavelli Circus and Hippodrome in Baltimore, where a woman named Sweetie offered them half the payment for Peppy, citing his poor condition.
Despite their protests, the men left with half the agreed amount, while Sweetie promised Peppy a good home. She introduced herself warmly, marking the end of Peppy's harrowing journey and the beginning of a new chapter.
Thanks for listening to Circus Jack. We look forward to seeing you in the next episode. And remember that whether it's a cloudy day or a sunny day, it's always a good day. Make it yours. See you soon.