Meet the voice behind The Leaven

by Amy Reinhardt
Special to The Leaven

OVERLAND PARK — Many assume the only way to enjoy The Leaven is reading it, but that is not true. An online resource allows one to listen to the 16 pages being read aloud by a single voice.

That voice belongs to Dee Dee Eccles, a longtime Holy Cross, Overland Park, parishioner. Eccles has been the designated reader for The Leaven for over seven years.

Audio-Reader is the studio where she records herself reading the Catholic newspaper. It is located on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.

Eccles is one of over 200 volunteers who record for Audio-Reader, a nonprofit organization founded in 1971. The content includes newspapers, books, magazines and special requests, like The Leaven.

The goal of Audio-Reader is keeping its thousands of listeners connected, entertained and informed through the gift of sound. The organization serves Kansas and western Missouri.

Eccles’ background centers on teaching. She taught for 10 years in Wichita before marrying and moving to Overland Park in 1987.

In the following years, she adopted her two sons and transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom. But teaching always remained in the picture.

“That’s what I always wanted to do. From the time I was little, I played school,” she said.

As her kids got older and she was needed less at home, Eccles began seeking new activities to fill her extra time.

Since she had no prior knowledge of Audio-Reader, it was providential when she learned about it through a feature article in The Leaven.

“Gosh, I love to read,” Eccles thought. “I could probably do that.”

The opportunity intrigued her. She had no idea someone recorded The Leaven each week for those unable to read printed material. It was her love of Catholicism and reading that prompted her to reach out.

“I almost didn’t go to my interview. I nearly turned back on my drive to Lawrence,” Eccles admitted, “But then I told myself, ‘Let’s broaden my horizons. Let’s do something different.’”

All Audio-Reader volunteers must pass an audition. They are judged on pronunciation and enunciation, emphasis, pace and phrasing, professionalism and voice quality.

Eccles passed her audition with flying colors. It was then time to choose what she’d read. They presented her with a choice between a hunting and fishing magazine or the same Catholic newspaper where she’d learned about Audio- Reader in the first place. It was an obvious choice.

Eccles has flexibility to record in her home or at the Lawrence-based studio. She prefers the studio because she can focus more easily with fewer distractions.

She records The Leaven within a two-hour window. She sits at a desk in a small room and uses a microphone, two computer monitors, headphones and a keypad to complete the job.

There is an enlarged version of The Leaven on one monitor and recording details on the other. Eccles records the newspaper in 59-minute segments.

Since Audio-Reader uses humans rather than artificial intelligence, mistakes will happen. Using her keypad, Eccles can pause, rewind and correct any words she mispronounces.

“The Latin and Spanish words can be tough,” she noted. “Sometimes, I’ll need to look up a word on my phone to make sure I say it correctly on the recording.”

Not only does Eccles read the type, she also describes the pictures. She verbally illustrates every detail, from clothing to objects.

Most listeners who tune into Audio- Reader were not born blind. They lost their sight later in life from disease or cognitive-related issues. 

Even though she was raised Catholic, Eccles says reading The Leaven has strengthened her faith life.

“It makes me more aware of my religion on a weekly basis,” she said. “When I read, I gain a lot of knowledge and history about the Catholic Church.”

From feature articles to news updates to the columnists, Eccles says it’s worth reading the entire newspaper, rather than skimming or only looking at the photos.

“I used to do the same thing before I began recording it,” Eccles said. “But you can really get a lot of information if you read it all. Give it a try.”

Eccles shares with others about her involvement with The Leaven. Most people are surprised to hear about this resource.

“What I do is rewarding,” she said, “and I tell people this is a service that is a free to everyone.”

Outside of her commitment to Audio- Reader, Eccles belongs to the St. Teresa Circle at Holy Cross and visits Villa St. Francis in Olathe monthly to host bingo.

She’s also volunteered with Junior Achievement for over 20 years. It keeps her connected to her teaching roots and passion for supporting young students.

Being the voice of The Leaven is an honor that Eccles does not take for granted. These recordings have become a staple in her routine, and she doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.

“It’s an easy way to be of service,” she said, “and I truly enjoy the reading experience.”