Celebrate Creativity

George Bartley
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This podcast is a deep dive into the world of creativity  - from Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman to understanding the use of basic AI principles in a fun and practical way, as well as some of the greatest historical figures whoever lived, as well as some who never did!

  1. 1d ago

    Vlad the Impaler

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Hall of Imagination.  I especially want to think all of you who listened to the episodes regarding the wax figure of Edgar Allan Poe which was a highlight of October. In fact, the final three episodes dealt with Mr. Poe and Halloween. But today I'd like to talk to another figure who might be characterized as a rather terrorizing figure. Today in the wax museum, I would like to talk with one of our new exhibits– That of VLAD the Impaler– And I have him right here. First, is it OK if I call you Vlad.Certainly, Mr. Bartley. Vlad, how would you describe yourself? AH, Mr. Bartley - I was a 15th century ruler of Walachia. And for our modern day listeners, could you tell us where Walachia is? Certainly, Walachia is a region in modern-day Romania. You might say my life and reign were marked by political intrigue, military campaigns, and extreme cruelty, earning me a extremely fearsome reputation.  VLAD, could you tell us a little bit more about that reputation? Certainly Mr. Bartley. My legacy is deeply tied to my very brutal methods of punishment, especially impalement, which has made me a national hero in Romania. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Vlad the Impaler

  2. 3d ago

    Lonesome October

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Lonesome October episode of this three podcast episode series regarding Edgar Allan Poe. NIGHT WATCHMAN: October has a sound. NIGHT WATCHMAN: It is the dry whisper of leaves pursuing one another along the pavement. NIGHT WATCHMAN: It is the branch that touches the window after midnight. NIGHT WATCHMAN: It is a footstep that may be yours—or may be keeping pace with yours. POE: You promised me Ulalume. NIGHT WATCHMAN: Good evening to you too, Mr. Poe. POE: You ended our conversation at the threshold of the poem and then departed. NIGHT WATCHMAN: That is called suspense. POE: I am familiar with the device. NIGHT WATCHMAN: I thought you might be. POE: And I have been standing here all day while visitors pointed at me and said, “He looks so sad.” NIGHT WATCHMAN: What did you expect them to say? POE: “He looks intellectually formidable” would provide variety. NIGHT WATCHMAN: Tomorrow I will put it on a sign. POE: See that you do. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Lonesome October

  3. 4d ago

    Intimacy with Terror

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to celebrate creativity–this is the second of three in a series regarding Edgar Allan Poe and Halloween. And this podcast episode begins with Mr. Poe comments regarding the holiday. POE: A mask permits intimacy with terror. One may wear the face of death and remove it before bed. NIGHT WATCHMAN: And children can rehearse fear safely. They walk into darkness with adults nearby. They meet witches made of cloth, skeletons made of plastic, and monsters who turn out to be neighbors. The night says: the frightening thing can be named, costumed, illuminated, and survived. POE: You make the festival sound almost educational. NIGHT WATCHMAN: At its best, it can be. It teaches imagination through transformation. A porch becomes a crypt. A bedsheet becomes a ghost. A quiet child becomes a pirate, a queen, a dragon, or perhaps Edgar Allan Poe. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Intimacy with Terror

  4. 5d ago

    Poe at Halloween

    Send us Fan Mail HALLOWEEN ONE NIGHT WATCHMAN: There are nights in this museum when silence is merely silence. And there are nights when silence appears to be listening.Tonight is one of the second kind. NIGHT WATCHMAN: The corridors are dark. The electric candles in the historical galleries throw their little circles of amber light. The wax figures stand at attention in their appointed places, pretending—as usual—that they are incapable of seeing me. But I have worked here long enough to know better. NIGHT WATCHMAN: Especially about our newest resident. POE: You are late. NIGHT WATCHMAN: Mr. Poe, you nearly frightened the life out of me. POE: Then the museum has placed me correctly. NIGHT WATCHMAN: You were standing perfectly still a moment ago. POE: I am a wax figure. Standing perfectly still is the first obligation of my employment. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Poe at Halloween

  5. 6d ago

    Poe and Hope

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Celebrate Creativity- Poe’s Words of Hope Hello, my name is George Bartley, and I am here with the wax figure of Edgar Allan Poe. Since Poe has arrived at the museum, I admit that I have become immersed in his works– And many of them are obviously horrifying in tone. But today I'd like to talk about some of his words of terror versus some of his words of hope. Now when you hear the name Edgar Allan Poe, what comes to mind?  Perhaps you picture a somber, extremely unhappy man scribbling tales of madness and murder in a dimly lit room. You might think of The Casque of Amontillado where Montressor burys Fortunato alive - note the following passage from the The Casque of Amontillado Mr. Edgar Allan Poe, would you read your words for us? Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Poe and Hope

  6. Oct 26

    The Pit and the Pillow

    Send us Fan Mail Night Watchmen - Mr. Bartley - plain text Edgar Allan Poe – bold text Welcome to Celebrate Creativity and the Hall of Wonder. Glad you're there Mr. Poe.  You know in the previous episode we discussed the Raven. I would like to take a similar look at what I personally feel is one of your Best stories - the pit and the pendulum - although the black cat, the mask of the red death, the fall of the house of usher, and especially the telltale heart have to be up there with it in terms of popularity today    I found that most interesting, Mr. Bartley Well let's start out by simply asking what kind of literature would you call the pit and the pendulum? My work The Pit and the Pendulum is a quintessential example of a tale of terror, employing several key elements of the genre to evoke fear, suspense, and psychological torment. The story takes place in a dark, oppressive dungeon during the Spanish Inquisition. a setting that is emblematic of Gothic literature. The dungeon is described as mysterious, claustrophobic, and perilous, with features like the yawning pit and the descending pendulum designed to instill dread. This setting creates an atmosphere of gloom and doom, heightening the reader's sense of unease. You know, we might call that Gothic literature today. But please continue Mr. Poe. Mr. Bartley, The narrative revolves around the protagonist's imminent death, with each torture device symbolizing different aspects of mortality. The pit represents an abyss of unknown horrors, while the pendulum symbolizes time's inexorable march toward death. These elements underscore a preoccupation with mortality, decay, and constant dread.    Should I continue Mr. Bartley   Please do Mr. Poe. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    The Pit and the Pillow

  7. Oct 23

    Nevermore!

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Celebrate Creativity and the Hall of Imagination- Poe Explains the Raven. Hello Mr. Poe Greetings Mr. Bartley Very welcome to see you today Mr. Poe.  I would like to deal with your most famous work in today's podcast episode. And, of course, that would have to be The Raven.Maybe a good place to start, Mr. Poe, would be just for you to explain the importance of the raven Ah Mr. Bartley, The Raven can best be described as a profound meditation on human suffering and mortality. The poem explores how grief can consume an individual’s rationality and sense of self. The poem’s haunting refrain, "Nevermore," encapsulates not just the narrator’s despair but also the universal finality of loss that all must confront. Through vivid imagery and psychological depth, I attempted to create an enduring work that resonates with readers' own experiences of sorrow and longing. And Mr. Bartley, do not forget that the raven in my poem serves as a powerful symbol of the narrator's obsession, embodying his grief, despair, and inner turmoil. Its role goes beyond that of a mere bird, functioning instead as a reflection of the narrator's struggle with loss.The raven can be interpreted as a physical embodiment of the narrator's mind, particularly his grief over Lenore. Its repeated refrain of "Nevermore" mirrors the narrator's internal despair and hopelessness, reinforcing his inability to escape his sorrow. The bird's presence and its ominous responses reflect the narrator's deepest fears and anxieties, such as the finality of death. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    Nevermore!

  8. Oct 21

    The Black Cat

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Celebrate Creativity and the Hall of Imagination.  My name Is George Bartley, Here comes the wax figure of Mr. Poe - always making a grand entrance. Greetings, Mr. Bartley Mr. Poe, I would like to start off by saying a few words about black cats in history and society. Well Mr. Bartley, that is about as logical as what you usually say– In other words not much at all. Mr. Poe, I will ignore that remark. Now like your other stories, you never specifically use the word Halloween in The Black Cat, but the image of a black cat does have a connection to Halloween. Somewhat, Mr. Bartley. There are stories of black cats being sacrificed into fires during pagan celebrations on October 31 as far back as 2,000 years in Druid societies. And in the Middle Ages, it was a commonly held belief that witches could disguise themselves as black cats and these animals sadly became associated with witchcraft. In fact, many witches in Europe were burned at the stake alongside their black cats. Even today the myth that black cats have demonic qualities is said to still exist.  Animal shelters have noted that there is a slight danger of black cats being used for sacrifices and satanic rituals at Halloween so they will not allow a black cat to be adopted around Halloween. In fact there is a phenomenon called Black Dog Syndrome.  This means that adopting black dogs and cats into new homes, no matter the time of year, can be very difficult. Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

    The Black Cat
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About

This podcast is a deep dive into the world of creativity  - from Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman to understanding the use of basic AI principles in a fun and practical way, as well as some of the greatest historical figures whoever lived, as well as some who never did!

Information

  • Creator
    George Bartley
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    687
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Celebrate Creativity
  • Show Website
    Celebrate Creativity