The Telepathy Tapes: Talk Tracks Episode 6 — “Alzheimer’s and Telepathy”

Host: Ky Dickens
Guest: Dan Gerke (Author, Caregiver), Interviewed by Katherine Ellis
Date: March 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, host Ky Dickens and investigative lead Katherine Ellis explore extraordinary claims of telepathic communication between caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Inspired by numerous listener emails on this theme, the episode centers around an in-depth interview with Dan Gerke, whose late wife Denise experienced early-onset Alzheimer’s. Dan recounts astonishing moments when, despite her loss of speech, Denise communicated with him mind-to-mind—a revelation that has echoed across their listener community. The discussion challenges the boundaries of consciousness, connection, and the enigmatic faculties that may arise as language and memory deteriorate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Reports: The Emergence of Telepathy with Alzheimer’s

• Katherine Ellis highlights the recent surge in emails describing thought-sharing or telepathy between caregivers and Alzheimer’s/dementia patients ([02:01]).
• Reports come from a spectrum of caregivers: family, nurses, professionals.
• There is a recurring sense of isolation among correspondents—fear that they are “going crazy,” but a conviction that real, non-verbal communication is occurring ([03:00]).

“Some of the people who wrote in even said they were afraid they were going crazy, but that they were absolutely certain that something real was happening.”
— Katherine Ellis ([03:00])

2. Dan & Denise’s Story: From Diagnosis to Telepathic Bond

• Dan Gerke recounts the shock and journey of Denise’s diagnosis at age 56, and her proactive, determined personality ([03:58]–[05:29]).
• As Denise lost the ability to speak, Dan began experiencing what he describes as "mind-reading" and later intentional telepathic communication ([05:41]–[06:01]).

“I heard her voice, the intonation of her voice say, ‘well, talk to me.’”
— Dan Gerke ([07:49])

• Practical impact: Denise “transmitted” instructions on assisting her with daily activities, visualizing clear steps in Dan’s mind ([10:51]–[11:39]).
• Successful implementation reinforced the reality of the experience for Dan, and enabled easier caregiving.

3. Understanding the Phenomenon: Consciousness, the Higher Self, and Connection

• Dan explains his belief:

“Who I am communicating with is Denise’s higher self. Her soul… And I also think that with Alzheimer’s patients... they become more connected with their higher selves...”
— Dan Gerke ([13:01])

• Many caregivers feel their loved ones are “slipping into the next realm,” and Dan validates this perspective, sharing anecdotes of Denise appearing to converse with deceased family members ([14:20]).

4. Wider Implications: Openness as a Gateway

• Dan describes that after opening up to telepathic communication, he was approached—telepathically—by other nonverbal Alzheimer’s patients in Denise’s memory care facility ([16:54]–[18:05]).
• This “floodgate” effect parallels reports from teachers of non-speaking autistic children.

“Their higher selves would recognize that, hey, this guy Dan… he can hear you. The physical Alzheimer’s person would stand there next to me and look at me, and I knew immediately, oh, oh, this guy wants to communicate with me.”
— Dan Gerke ([17:27])

5. Profound Experiences: Connections Beyond Death

• Dan describes emotionally charged visions of Denise and his own deceased father, who had never met in life, joyfully traveling together in a sports car—a shared message of love and reassurance ([19:49]).
• The connection is occasionally validated in waking life:

“She opens her eyes and she says to me, ‘I am so looking forward to getting to know your dad.’ And I was speechless.”
— Dan Gerke ([21:32])

6. Advice for Caregivers & Those Seeking Connection

• Meditation is recommended as a practical pathway for opening the mind to telepathy—even starting with a minute or two per day ([23:17]).

“It's more about quieting your mind, opening your mind and your heart to what is out there in the universe and what messages you get back.”
— Dan Gerke ([23:17])

• Dan emphasizes messages of gratitude and reassurance that often “come through” from people who have passed, especially for caregivers doubting their efforts ([24:22]).

7. Facing the Realities of Caregiving

• The emotional, mental, and physical toll on caregivers is highlighted. Dan reinforces that support groups are essential and that isolation is dangerous for caregivers ([25:24]).
• Dan shares a key lesson from his journey:

“This is a disease about the caregiver... There’s a lot of statistics out there that the caregiver passes away before the person with the disease because of the stress and strain of being the caregiver. So don’t, don’t isolate yourself and accept help.”
— Dan Gerke ([25:24])

8. Life Lessons & Closing Reflections

• The experience fundamentally changed Dan’s outlook:

“Through that whole disease, I learned live one moment at a time. And to be in this present moment because all the Alzheimer’s person has is this exact moment. They don’t have anything else.”
— Dan Gerke ([27:21])

• Katherine and Ky close with resources for caregivers—encouraging support, connection, and openness to extraordinary experiences.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On telepathic experience first emerging:

  “I heard her voice, the intonation of her voice say, ‘well, talk to me.’” — Dan Gerke ([07:49])

• On practical telepathic guidance:

  “She explains, well, okay, so you got to position me, grab my hips and turn me this way. ... She was showing me pictures, right? Images in my mind of what to do.” — Dan Gerke ([11:16])

• On expanding his telepathic ability:

  “Their higher selves would recognize that, hey, this guy Dan... he can hear you.” — Dan Gerke ([17:27])

• On the purpose of meditation:

  “It’s more about quieting your mind, opening your mind and your heart to what is out there in the universe and what messages you get back.” — Dan Gerke ([23:17])

• On caregiver self-care:

  “This is a disease about the caregiver... So don’t, don’t isolate yourself and accept help.” — Dan Gerke ([25:24])

• Ultimate insight on living in the present:

  “Through that whole disease, I learned live one moment at a time. ... Live life fully because you don’t know what your diagnosis is tomorrow.” — Dan Gerke ([27:21])

Resource Highlights

• Support Groups and Resources:
  • Alzheimer's Association: alz.org
  • National Institute on Aging: nia.nih.gov
    (mentioned [28:39])

Essential Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 02:01 | Listener reports of Alzheimer’s telepathy emerge | | 03:53 | Introduction to Dan Gerke and Denise’s story | | 05:45 | Communication shifts to nonverbal, telepathic | | 07:49 | First telepathic experience, “talk to me” moment | | 10:51 | Applying Denise’s telepathic instructions in life | | 13:01 | Dan’s perspective on higher self and consciousness | | 17:27 | Communicating with other nonverbal residents | | 19:49 | Vision of Denise and Dan’s father; profound moment | | 23:17 | Advice: Meditation as gateway for connection | | 25:24 | Message to caregivers: The importance of support | | 27:21 | Reflections on living in the present | | 28:39 | Resources for caregivers; outreach encouragement |

The Telepathy Tapes Takeaway

This episode confronts deeply held beliefs about what remains when language and memory fade—suggesting that, beneath it all, a profound capacity for connection endures. Through Dan and Denise’s story and the voices of many others, Ky Dickens, Katherine Ellis, and their guests urge listeners to keep an open mind, seek support, and never underestimate the possibility of communication beyond words.