I Cloned Myself for the Bears (Okay, Just My Voice)

How Letting Go of Perfect Helped Me Make the Bear Boy Audiobook

When a blind reader asked if my memoir Bear Boy was available as an audiobook a few weeks ago, my heart sank. I knew the answer was no, and the thought of producing one felt overwhelming. People had asked me to create an audiobook before, but I always hesitated. Between the hours of recording, editing, and the inevitable imperfections, I kept putting it off. I wanted it to be perfect—my voice telling my story exactly the way I envisioned it.

I realized my hesitation wasn’t serving anyone—not me, not the reader, and not the story of Bear Boy. So I started exploring options and discovered an emerging voice cloning technology. It sounded like science fiction: a program digitally replicating my voice, narrating the book, and creating a high-quality audiobook in a fraction of the time.

It felt like a cheap shortcut, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Could something so fast really do justice to my story? Would it capture the nuance and emotion I hoped to convey?

But I had to start somewhere. I reminded myself of the message of Bear Boy: taking action, even when the odds aren’t perfect, can make a difference.

For those unfamiliar, Bear Boy is a YA memoir that tells the story of my teenage fight to rescue two bears, Ursula and Brutus, from a rundown zoo. It’s a deeply personal journey about finding my voice, standing up for what I believe in, and learning that small steps can lead to big changes.

This is Ursula. She and her brother Brutus spent over two decades confined to a cage barely larger than a shipping container.

Imperfect but Good

The process of creating the audiobook was fascinating. Instead of months, I completed the project in half a day by recording a single chapter of the book, uploading the ebook version, and letting the technology do the rest.

The cloned voice doesn’t hit every inflection the way I would. Some parts feel a little stiffer than if I’d spent hours in a studio, meticulously shaping every sentence. But it’s still my voice, and more importantly, it’s my story—finally in a format accessible to more people.

In the end, I chose not to let perfection stand in the way of progress. While this audiobook may not sound exactly the way I’d narrate it in person, it’s good enough. And “good enough” can still make a meaningful impact.

Take a listen to a short clip from Chapter Two:

The process reminded me of something I’ve learned from years of advocating for animals: sometimes, you just have to start. Waiting for the perfect plan, timing, or execution often means missing the chance to make a difference.

So, if you’ve been holding back, take it from me: start where you are, imperfections and all. What matters is taking action.

The Bear Boy audiobook launched yesterday and is now available on all major platforms. It may not be exactly how I’d narrate it in person, but it’s my voice, my story, and my heart—and I couldn’t be prouder to share it with you.

For more about Bear Boy and where to listen to the audiobook, visit www.bearboy.org.