Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

Greenfield Community College

Backyard OASIS reaches out to older adults who seek knowledge to help them live more thoughtfully, healthily, and happily; who hope to inspire others with their ideas; and who serve their communities in the interest of greater good. Join us frequently for wide-ranging conversations with a diversity of people who are growing older...and want to talk about it! Created by Dennis Lee, Denise Schwartz, Chad Fuller, Christine Copeland, and Judy Raper Produced by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College's Teaching and Learning Innovation Center Contact us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com and check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackyardOasisPodcast

  1. Denise Schwartz Hosts Writers Read Us Stories They Love: Joan Livingston's "The Unforgiving Town"

    Jun 17

    Denise Schwartz Hosts Writers Read Us Stories They Love: Joan Livingston's "The Unforgiving Town"

    "A week after his release from prison, Al Kitchen is found dead beside a bicycle on a back country road. Al served 18 years in prison for beating a well-liked man to death during a botched robbery, but most everyone in this small town is unwilling to forgive him. Nobody feels Al could have changed from the reckless guy they knew although he believes he has. They prefer he died in prison, and they make sure he knows that upon his return to Holden..." On this edition of Writers Read Us Stories They Love, Denise Schwartz sits down with mystery & thriller writer Joan Livingston to discuss the writing process for her new novel, The Unforgiving Town, as well as share some choice excerpts from the text. How did Joan conceptualize a sequel to The Sacred Dog? Why return to Holden, one of Joan's fictional Western Massachusetts towns, specifically? And of course, how does one make a character as flawed as Al Kitchen relatable to the reader? Sit back, relax, and listen on for answers to those questions and more, as well as several thrilling passages from Joan Livingston's new novel: The Unforgiving Town. Purchase The Unforgiving Town here: https://www.amazon.com/Unforgiving-Town-Sequel-Sacred-Dog-ebook/dp/B0GR1FWRS3 Be sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette Recorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    37 min
  2. Creativity and Its Place in Our Lives: A Conversation with Jan Maher, Hosted by Henry Balzarini

    Jun 10

    Creativity and Its Place in Our Lives: A Conversation with Jan Maher, Hosted by Henry Balzarini

    Jan Maher is a local writer, creator and co-founder of LAVA, a community arts center in Greenfield MA. In this episode, we learn more about Jan, her life and art. And we explore Jan’s thoughts about creativity. Jan’s latest play, Phoenix will be read at LAVA on June 5. On the Boards: "A Rare Sight" + "Phoenix" - The LAVA Center She will also adapt her stepfather’s classic sci-fi story “I, Gardener” as a radio show with a live audience at LAVA on June 17. Here’s a link to her website where you can read more about her and subscribe to get email updates: Jan Maher Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Henry Balzarini Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    32 min
  3. Writers Read Us Stories They Love - Stephen Billias Reads "The Zen Time Traveler: A Pilgrim’s Journey Through the Koans,” with host Denise Schwartz

    Jun 3

    Writers Read Us Stories They Love - Stephen Billias Reads "The Zen Time Traveler: A Pilgrim’s Journey Through the Koans,” with host Denise Schwartz

    Named a Publishers Weekly Editor’s Pick. “Lost between the ancient wisdom of 13th-century China and the unraveling of his modern life, one man must solve the ultimate koan: how to live in the present...” A haiku magically transports Zen student Stephen Maine to 13th-century China where he encounters Zen masters, experiences koans firsthand, and begins a romance with a beautiful sword maker that threatens to upend his present-day marriage and to keep him in the 13th century while sharing the body of a Japanese monk who is an important figure in the history of Zen. Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    36 min
  4. Generations in Dialogue: A Conversation About What Connects Us Across Age and Experience, with host Denise Schwartz

    May 13

    Generations in Dialogue: A Conversation About What Connects Us Across Age and Experience, with host Denise Schwartz

    Community colleges are more than just classrooms; they are hubs where generations collide. In this special episode, host Denise Schwartz speaks with GCC's Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper and GCC student Carly Mahowald to discuss the social infrastructure that keeps us connected. We’re moving past 'old versus young' headlines to explore how proximity, shared goals, and genuine curiosity can dismantle stereotypes and build a stronger, more resilient community. Photo credit: Denise Schwartz interviewing Judy Raper [Photograph]. (2022, February 25). Retrieved from https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/c534jk588 Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Will Copeland and Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    37 min
  5. AI: It’s Not Too Late To Understand It And How It Affects You! with Host Gloria Ratcliffe

    May 7

    AI: It’s Not Too Late To Understand It And How It Affects You! with Host Gloria Ratcliffe

    Gloria Ratcliffe, alumnae of Greenfield Community College/MS. Americana Waves podcast and Professor Emerita Anne M. Wiley of Greenfield Community College have a conversation about AI and its impact on you. We discuss the types of AI, how AI works, and some of the concerns how AI has potential harmful social impacts on humans. We also discuss how AI uses data servers that contribute to environmental degradation. Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Gloria Ratcliffe Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    55 min
  6. Writers Read The Stories They Love: Jonathan A. Wright Reads "Half A World Away," with Host Denise Schwartz

    Apr 29

    Writers Read The Stories They Love: Jonathan A. Wright Reads "Half A World Away," with Host Denise Schwartz

    "With the innocence of young eyes and with the perspective of a long life well lived, Wright gives us this sweet, loving memoir full of wonder and mystery that is our world." - Ken Burns. filmmaker Jonathan A. Wright takes us around the world in his coming-of-age memoir based on his boyhood diary entries and deep memories of a 9-month journey with his family across the globe in 1962 and 1963. It explores his awakening to privilege and inequity and starts him on his commitment to justice and inclusion. Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    38 min
  7. 84 - Smith College Botanical Garden: A Pioneer Valley Treasure. Hosted by Christine Copeland

    Apr 22

    84 - Smith College Botanical Garden: A Pioneer Valley Treasure. Hosted by Christine Copeland

    Enter Smith College from Elm Street onto College Lane in Northampton and stroll down the hill towards the Mill River on your right. On your left you have arrived: the Botanical Garden of Smith College with outside flower beds, a pond surrounded with diverse wetland plants, and the Victorian style greenhouses of The Lyman Plant Conservatory. Join Anjali D’Souza, Manager of Engagement for the Gardens and longtime docent, Bill Copeland for a conversation with Christine Copeland about how this Northampton treasure grew, what if offers to Smith College students but also young and old alike in the larger Pioneer Valley community and hear about plans for the future. Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College BackYard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content! Photo credit: Will Copeland Links: https://garden.smith.edu/ https://garden.smith.edu/news-events/news/angela-dsouza-mat-18-joins-botanic-garden-manager-engagement Hosted by Christine Copeland Produced by Will Copeland for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    50 min
  8. 83 - Travel Tips and Tales from someone who's done most of his travel as an older adult. Larry McFarland proves it's never too late to see the world.

    Apr 15

    83 - Travel Tips and Tales from someone who's done most of his travel as an older adult. Larry McFarland proves it's never too late to see the world.

    Western Massachusetts resident Larry McFarland calls himself a travel enthusiast. And indeed, he has traveled to some thirty countries from the age of 54 to his current age of 70. In this episode, Larry describes his journey, both in mind and miles. He addresses solo vs. group travel, planning a trip, safety and financial considerations, and regales us with a few anecdotes from his jaunts. Speaking of jaunts, you can find Larry’s travel photos and stories at https://Jaunticles.blogspot.com Larry also suggests the YouTube channel “Gathering No Moss” for even more travel info for older adults. Photo: Larry McFarland Hosted by Henry Balzarini Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

    43 min
See All (90)

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Backyard OASIS reaches out to older adults who seek knowledge to help them live more thoughtfully, healthily, and happily; who hope to inspire others with their ideas; and who serve their communities in the interest of greater good. Join us frequently for wide-ranging conversations with a diversity of people who are growing older...and want to talk about it! Created by Dennis Lee, Denise Schwartz, Chad Fuller, Christine Copeland, and Judy Raper Produced by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College's Teaching and Learning Innovation Center Contact us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com and check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackyardOasisPodcast

Information