Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

Greenfield Community College

Episodes 89
Avg. Duration 35m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (3)
Since Oct 2023
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
50%
Hosting
media.rss.com

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About This Podcast

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 [email protected] and check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackyardOasisPodcast

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Recent Episodes

S1E89 Creativity and Its Place in Our Lives: A Conversation with Jan Maher, Hosted by Henry Balzarini

Jun 10, 2026 31m Transcript

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…

S1E88 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 03, 2026 36m Transcript

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…

S1E87 Generations in Dialogue: A Conversation About What Connects Us Across Age and Experience, with host Denise Schwartz

May 13, 2026 37m Transcript

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…

S1E86 AI: It’s Not Too Late To Understand It And How It Affects You! with Host Gloria Ratcliffe

May 07, 2026 54m Transcript

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…

S1E85 Writers Read The Stories They Love: Jonathan A. Wright Reads "Half A World Away," with Host Denise Schwartz

Apr 29, 2026 38m Transcript

"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.…

S1E84 84 - Smith College Botanical Garden: A Pioneer Valley Treasure. Hosted by Christine Copeland

Apr 22, 2026 49m Transcript

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…

S1E83 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, 2026 43m Transcript

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,…

S1E82 82 - Resilience Centers: A step beyond in public safety need? Hosted by Charles Fuller with Guest Josh Shanley

Apr 06, 2026 41m Transcript

Pioneer Valley has suffered some demanding changes to climate in the past 20, 25 years. Are public officials prepared to meet our needs as these changes deepen?Hosted by Chad Fuller with guest Josh…

S1E81 81 - The Camino at Any Age: A Conversation with Beth Berry on Walking the Camino Multiple Times with Different People, Levels of Comfort, and Trail Conditions Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Apr 01, 2026 42m Transcript

What does it mean to walk the Camino - not just once, but multiple times, in different seasons of life and with different people?In this conversation, Beth Berry shares what keeps calling her back to…

S1E80 80 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "High Bridge" by Michael Miller, with host Denise Schwartz

Mar 25, 2026 43m Transcript

In "High Bridge", Miller imagines what might happen if two 19th century historical figures with different childhoods and worldviews formed a friendship and combined their skills to vindicate a person…

S1E79 79 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Winter in the Forest" and  "Summer in the Forest" by Christine Copeland, and "JoJo and the Bolivian Bunny" by Peter Rosnick.  With Host Denise Schwartz.

Mar 04, 2026 42m Transcript

Meet the residents of the winter and spring forests, JoJo who is no bigger than his grandfather’s thumb, and Bea the Bolivian Bunny, when Copeland and Rosnick read their children's books and talk…

S1E78 78 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Bird of Providence" by T.P. Schwartz-Barcott read by Denise Schwartz

Feb 25, 2026 28m Transcript

Denise Schwartz reads "Bird of Providence", a short story written by her brother, T.P. Schwartz-Barcott. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989, it introduces us to Joey G. Gagliardi, a young guy…

S1E77 77 - Navigating Recovery as Older Adults. Hosted by Judy Raper and guests Jo An and Lou.

Feb 18, 2026 28m Transcript

Judy, Jo An, and Lou are older adults in recovery who come together in this episode to reflect on the challenges and unexpected gifts of growing older while living sober.Be sure to subscribe to the…

S1E76 76 - Your Life is in Your Hands. A discussion on the fundamentals of reading palms. Hosted by Judy Raper and guest Andrea Cohen-Kiener.

Feb 12, 2026 18m Transcript

Associate Dean of Community Engagement at GCC joins Andrea Cohen-Kiener to talk about the fundamentals of reading palms. They also discuss the intersection of this spiritual exploration with her…

S1E75 75 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Pilgrim Maya" with host Denise Schwartz

Feb 11, 2026 37m Transcript

Denise Schwartz hosts Bela Breslau reading from “Pilgrim Maya”, a novel about one woman's devastating loss and her journey towards a new and meaningful life.“Writers Read Us Stories They Love”, a…

S1E74 74 - Medication questions to ask your doctor: You have a say in your medication experience. With Denise Schwartz and guest Jill Shuman

Feb 04, 2026 42m Transcript

You have a say when it comes to drugs you've been prescribed. So speak up. Ask questions. Don't be embarrassed. Know why a certain drug has been prescribed. Know if you'll have all those side…

S1E73 73 - Prescription drugs from the lab to you: how your meds get from idea, to lab, testing and your home. With Denise Schwartz and guest Jill Shuman

Jan 07, 2026 38m Transcript

There is so much we don’t know about the medications we take as prescribed or that we purchase over the pharmacy’s counter. My guest today will take us on the journey a medication makes from its…

S1E72 72 - Let's Play Games (And Talk About Why We Play Them, Too), with host Denise Schwartz

Dec 31, 2025 35m Transcript

Whether it's Candy Land, Pickleball, Tag or Mah Jongg, playing games taps into something deeply human. Denise and Jill explore how games sharpen skills, spark imagination, create connections with…

S1E71 71 - Singer Connie Francis as her dedicated fan Gabe Temesvari knew her. Hear his story of admiration and friendship. With host Denise Schwartz.

Dec 05, 2025 41m Transcript

On this episode of Backyard OASIS, Denise talks with Gabe Temesvari, who was a sub-teen in Ohio listening to American Bandstand when Dick Clark introduced a song by a girl with a voice both…

S1E70 70 - Spilling the Tea Part 9 with Jessica Niedbala, Mackenzie Shanahan, and Judy Raper

Oct 02, 2025 51m Transcript

Join your hosts Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie Shanahan for their ninth deep dive into today's reality TV and pop culture!Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving have?

Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving has published 89 episodes since October 2023, covering topics in Education, Relationships.

Is Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving still active?

Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 35m.

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