Season One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”
After the Apocalypse26 Jun 2021

Season One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”

“I don’t like it.” KJ said.

“Of course you don’t.” the old man said in return. “Besides the obvious answer that the world has gone to hell, why not?”

“There’s too much smoke. Why would there be so much smoke this many weeks in? Who’s burning stuff and why are they doing it?”

“Maybe it’s a barbeque.” The old man joked. “Yah know, short ribs, beer… It does smell like cooking meat.”

“Maybe they’ll barbeque your scrawny ass, old man.” She countered. “It smells more like plastic or tires or something.”

Bill sniffed at the air and didn’t seem pleased with what he smelled, but for now he could only pace and offer up an occasional worried whine.

...

Greetings my survivor friends. How’s the apocalypse treating you?

Special welcome to my daughter, who pitched in with the typo hunting in this episode. Thanks for the great Father’s Day card!

I am stunned and amazed that here we are, episode 19. Who knew we’d be able to pull it off. This chapter was fun to write. I think we have a clear understanding of who these characters are – so I can drop them into situation and let them speak for themselves.

We see our female protagonist Janet, a.k.a KJ the Killer, slipping into that ambiguity that the end of the world forces on people. We see the old man teetering on the brink of reality and sanity. We see the world thrashing about in the worst types of reactions that befall humans.

The question is which way will they all slide? What will they choose? Do they even have a choice?

We introduced that there is a ‘big bad’ roaming around as the world starts to coalesce around survivors. The ‘big bad’ is more than an antagonist to create narrative tension. The big bad is an alternate blueprint. He is the dark side of humanity that is always just outside, peering through that little window shaped like a porthole in the front door of civilization waiting for us to make a mistake.

And that’s always the tension with humanity.

Civilization is a chaos suppressant. Civilization sees chaos as evil. All our religions have a manifestation of chaos, from Loki, to the Devil, to Coyote – there’s always that tension between order and chaos, or more pedantically, good and evil.

If you don’t have that tension, then the story is just action without purpose. Or horror without purpose. Or comedy without purpose. And when the narrative fiction falls into that space you lose interest in the fate of the characters and all the action in the world can’t keep it going.

You need stakes. Unless there are stakes. Unless there is tension. There is no compelling narrative.

And that’s the fun part of creating a dystopian, apocalyptic universe. You get to decide how that tension of good versus evil is resolved.

Anyhow… enough with the ontology.

And speaking of Coyote the mischief making chaos god of some Native Americans - Here’s my reading list tip for you this week. The Tony Hillerman books about Navajo police detective Joe Leaphorn? I’m not a big mystery fan, but I started listening to these on audio book when I was commuting from my home outside Boston up to an office in Quebec City Canada.

It’s a long drive.

I would get books on tape at the local library for the ride. Hillerman was an Albuquerque New Mexico resident and did a great job describing the Southwest US cultures, and in particular the Native American mythologies. The audio books, if you can find them, are read by Native American voice actors and the cadence of the read is amazing.

There ya go – grab some Hillerman audio books for your summer vacation.

In two weeks we will present the last chapter, chapter 20, in this first season. Then we’ll take a pause to turn the first season into an e-book, a paperback and an audio book. I’ve got a copy editor to work through the scripts and I’ve got a couple artists working on cover art.

I’m recruiting a book launch team and typo hunters. Come over to FaceBook and join the After the Apocalypse group that can be found by searching for “OldManApocalypse” – all one word – and pitch in.

I’m asking nicely. I could use the help.

I’m happy with how this season and the overall format came out. We’re up over 11,000 downloads now. That’s not bad for 6 months in as an indie podcast.

The format lends itself to binge listening. The short consumable episode length and consistency allow people to just queue them up and march through them. Another irony of the podcasting world is that what took me 6 months to produce takes you a couple days to consume!

I can keep up with this fortnightly cadence and still produce a decent quality product. Unfortunately for you I have a full-time job and other things to attend to or I would be cranking out a season monthly!

The next season we are going to add more compelling characters to the universe, we are going to add situations and institutions and threats that test our survival skills.

So stick with us after the break. I hope all of you up in my hemisphere are enjoying your summers and those of you in antipodal hemispheres are enjoying your winters.

As always I could use your support on the Patreon page to keep paying the bills. And I can use your participation on the facebook group at oldmanapocalypse.

And of course keep leaving 5-star reviews on iTunes and keep telling your friends.

And together, we will keep surviving.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(118)

Season four, Episode nineteen – “Escape”

Season four, Episode nineteen – “Escape”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode nineteen – “Escape” ...“Yes, I suppose the virus trigger could have been the result of genetic engineering - that could explain things....” The old man responded in disbelief. He looked bug-eyed and disoriented in this new revelation. The General sized the old man up. He looked at Janet too. There was a long silence. Like someone had said something unspeakable at a cocktail party and the gathering was trying to decide how to respond.What was he going to do with these two? ... Links Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Apr 202429min

Season four, Episode eighteen – “Turn”

Season four, Episode eighteen – “Turn”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode eighteen – “Turn” ...It was dark and Brent was feeling his age. These 5AM morning runs weren’t as easy as they used to be. But it was his habit and he cherished it despite the discomfort. Every morning. Since boot camp. He’d rolled out of his rack and put in his 5 miles. Part of his routine. Like brushing his teeth. It set him up for a successful day. ‘Win the morning and win the day!’ Is what the drill sergeant said as the recruits moaned in their sleep deprivation. Brent had embraced the discipline....Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Apr 202427min

Season four, Episode seventeen – “Close”

Season four, Episode seventeen – “Close”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode seventeen – “Close” ...“How much farther are we going tonight?” Brittany asked. She was carrying the baby in a sling on the front. It was hot. Her face was red with the effort of hiking and her hair stuck in sweaty clumps to her forehead.“We should at least be able to make it up to the road tonight.” The old man responded. “Then we can get up early and push through to the campus tomorrow. It can’t be more than a couple miles – another hour tops and we’ll be there.” He could tell the kids were tired. He was pushing them, but they needed to keep going. He was in a hurry now that he thought he might have a lead on the virus. He wanted to get back to the campus so he could take his research to the next step. As long as they were out on the trail, in gang country, there was danger. He couldn’t afford to lose them now. ...LinksOur Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Mar 202428min

Season four, Episode sixteen – “Duplicity”

Season four, Episode sixteen – “Duplicity”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode sixteen – “Duplicity”The General was talking about duty…“But what exactly does that mean?” Brent thought. Duty to what? Duty to whom? As far as Brent knew most of the ‘whoms’ were dead husks, greasy piles of bones in expensive suits moldering on the floors of Georgetown row houses. Brent’s sense of duty was as strong, probably stronger than most men’s. He’d fought and bled for his country. Now he wondered what the General was fighting for. Dead men? Ghosts? Shadows? Was he fighting for himself? Or was he striving for something bigger?Was he fighting for an idea?The idea of ‘America’? ...Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Mar 202431min

Season four, Episode fifteen – “Clues”

Season four, Episode fifteen – “Clues”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode fifteen – “Clues”…The old man stood in the shadow of the cabin doorway watching the summer rain drip-drip-drip from the overhanging pine boughs. A dark, wet cloud sat over the island, pregnant with moisture. It seemed to grasp and squeeze everything, as if the whole lake was locked tightly in a grey tomb. The water of the lake beaded up in a thousand ripples as the rain fell. There was no wind. The air hung heavy with the wet smell of moss and decomposing pine needles. It felt oppressive. He squinted at the sky. Its darkness echoing his own thoughts. ...Links -> Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Feb 202433min

Season four, Episode fourteen – “Island”

Season four, Episode fourteen – “Island”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode fourteen – “Island”…The Old Man and Bill the dog trailed Stevey down a pine needle carpeted path. There were handmade wooden signs with yellow inlaid arrows and labels nailed to trees at trail intersections. There were names like “Tuckaleechee Path; and Sequatchie climb. Some called out local features, like Dinosaur Rock, or Little Falls. “What is this place?” The Old Man asked Stevey. ...Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Feb 202435min

Season four, Episode thirteen – “Tracks”

Season four, Episode thirteen – “Tracks”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode thirteen – “Tracks”…They hiked up a twisting two lane back road with no shoulders. They were a half-day walk south of the campus now. The narrow road scaled a bluff on the west side of the river. Tangled vegetation leaned in on the uphill side. The land dropped away precipitously on the downhill side behind a rusted metal traffic barrier. It felt constricting and dangerous. Before the apocalypse, traffic alone would have made this a dangerous place for pedestrians. If a vehicle came, the only escape was to dive into the harsh landscape on either side. There was no place to hide....Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Jan 202430min

Season four, Episode twelve – “Coffee”

Season four, Episode twelve – “Coffee”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason four, Episode twelve – “Coffee”...Coffee.It wasn’t great coffee. But at this point, who complained about coffee? It reminded Brent of that horrid, watery instant coffee the British drank on his deployment in the UK. Nescafe polluted so heavily with petrochemical derived creamers and sugar that it was more of a science project than a coffee. He relaxed into the cafeteria chair and dreamed about good coffee. “Ahhh… But the good stuff…” He reminisced, leaning back in the sun of the window, closing his eyes, and feeling the gentle heat of the sun through the glass on his face. “Dark espresso pressed in small cups and so strong it made your tongue curl around your teeth.” He smiled....Our Amazon Affiliate Code -> runic00-20Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Jan 202439min

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