This podcast episode is the first part of an interview with the imaginary ghost of Edgar Allan Poe based on historical records - who is a running character throughout the podcast - using examples from his life and creative observations on the ghost’s part about what life and literature was like in the 19th century. Today I would like to start the first of several (if necessary) episodes regarding the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe. I would ask questions of the ghost of Poe and it would answer using the beautiful, flowing language of the 19th century - word structure and vocabulary that might be foreign to us today, but is how the real Edgar Allan Poe might have expressed himself (largely based on his writings.). In this first part of the “interview,”  I talk about the prompt I used with AI Poe, how the ghost of Edgar Poe views popularity, success failure, and despair, and Mr. Poe’s thoughts about what it means to be human.  I also ask Mr. Poe about some of his influences such as Lord Byron and Emily Dickinson, and end with a rather detailed look at some of AI Poe’s deep feelings regarding Shakespeare.George Bartley

Resources for Practicing Drinkers:Self-Assessment and Support:• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/◦ Provides information on alcohol use disorders, interactive tools to assess drinking patterns, and links to treatment resources.• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): https://www.aa.org/◦ Worldwide support group network for individuals struggling with alcohol problems. Offers meetings, sponsors, and resources for recovery.• SMART Recovery: https://smartrecovery.org/◦ Evidence-based, self-directed program for overcoming addiction and compulsive behaviors. Offers online tools, resources, and forums.Professional Help:• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov/◦ Provides a national helpline (1-800-662-HELP) for finding treatment facilities and services near you.• American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/◦ Offers a directory of psychologists who specialize in alcohol dependence and addiction.• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): https://ncadd.us/◦ Provides information and resources on addiction treatment, prevention, and advocacy.Resources for Family Members of Alcoholics:Support and Education:• Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/◦ Mutual support group program for friends and families of alcoholics. Offers meetings, literature, and resources for coping with the effects of alcoholism.• Families Anonymous: https://familiesanonymous.org/◦ Support group for families and friends of those struggling with any form of addiction. Offers resources and understanding for dealing with loved ones' addictive behaviors.• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): https://ncadd.us/◦ Provides information and resources on alcohol abuse and addiction, including resources for families and loved ones.• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/Home◦ Offers support and resources for families and friends of individuals with mental illness, which can often co-occur with addiction.Boundaries and Advocacy:• National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/◦ Provides resources and support for victims of domestic violence, which can be exacerbated by alcohol abuse.• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: https://ncadv.org/◦ Offers information and resources on domestic violence and how to help those affected.• The National Family Caregiver Support Program: http://acl.gov/programs/support-caregiversEpisode 211 - You Are Not Alone is definitely the most personal podcast episode I have ever done.  It begins with the death this week of my sister - an extremely talented lady who had a substance abuse problem.  The episode then briefly discusses Poe’s problems with alcohol - and his attempts to get help at the Shockoe Bottom Sons of Temperance.  Covering  a difficult topic for me to personally discuss, the overall purpose of this episode emphasizes the importance of getting help to deal with substance abuse problems, and ends with specific contact information regarding some the available resources.

Becoming Poe Again is basically a recap of most of Episode One of this podcast series - my background regarding Poe and how I became interested in the writer.  One dynamic that seems to run through my interest is the factor of just "dumb luck," and a fascination with Poe  that has resulted in over 200 podcast episodes regarding Poe - with that many more (at least) scheduled to come.

Episode 207 (Pronounced Dead) is the first half of the story Each Man Kills by Victoria Glad - the first part of the narrative.   This is the first time in the story where well-meaning several characters  find themselves involved in situations completely beyond their control.

Episode 209 is a wide-ranging conversation with "AI Poe" regarding athletics, dualism, Poe's role in the Allan family, and Shakespeare.

Episode 208 (Instrument of Death) is the second part of the story Each Man Kills by Victoria Glad - the story develops until the characters are unquestionably involved in the “world of the undead”

Episode 206 of Celebrate. Poe is part two  of Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken.  The story is an engaging story of a boy who lives in a world of his own - somewhat similar to many of Poe’s characters.  I must admit that at first I thought the story might be Christmas (or at least winter) themed, but the story gradually builds up to show the hidden world of a very troubled youth.  The episode ends with a brief discussion of anaphora in Aiken's works, as well as the use of anaphora by Poe.

Episode 205 of Celebrate. Poe is part one of Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken.  The story is an engaging story of a boy who lives in a world of his own - somewhat similar to many of Poe’s characters.  I must admit that at first I thought the story might be Christmas (or at least winter) themed, but the story gradually builds up to show the hidden world of a very troubled youth.

After too long an absence, George returns to Celebrate Poe with probably the only CHRISTMAS short story about Edgar Allan Poe (or his works.). - The Pit and the Pendulum doesn't count!   A Set of Poe was written by Indiana native, George Ade, and resembles in tone (and plot) O'Henry's classic The Gift of the Magi.

Episode 203 (The-Tell-Tale Verdict) continues an examination of The Tell-Tale Heart by first looking at an article that Poe wrote concerning a judicial trial he covered as a reporter.  In his coverage of this trial (with information used by kind permission of the American Antiquarian Society) Poe writes about the verdict of “not guilty by reason of insanity.”  And in the second part of this episode, AI  Poe uses that verdict to produce an appropriate “sequel” to that work.