Backyard OASIS

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 trying to find his way out of a neighborhood that "no longer matters because no one who matters lives there. "

T.P. Schwartz-Barcott's book "Let There Be Light", as well as his other books, can be found online.

“Writers Read Us Stories Th...

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 Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Photocredit: Ivana Cajina "Sunrise"

Hosted by Judy Raper

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Stud...

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 work as a Rabbi. Andrea will be offering a workshop on February 23rd at 3pm. You can register here.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other...

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 Backyard Oasis series, introduces listeners to authors in western Massachusetts who read from their books and talk about their work, their ideas, and the stories they wish to tell.

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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 effects you hear about on TV commercials. Know the risks and benefits of this drug. You must know as much you can about the meds you take because they only work as intended when used correctly. Here are 12 questions Shuman, a retired science ...

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 creation in the lab, through testing and regulation, and into the pharmacy where you pick it up and take it home. It is a journey that takes longer than you may think…and there will almost always be some side trips along the way.

Be sure to...

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 others and remind us that we humans love to have FUN!

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwart...

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 "plaintive and sincere." There began Gabe's lifetime admiration of Connie Francis, hailed as one of the top-charting female vocalists of the late 1950s and early 1960s and one of the best-selling music artists in history. Today Gabe tells us abo...

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 Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie Shanahan

Produced by Alex Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community Co...

Host Denise Schwartz might be a little anxious by the end of this episode. Why? Because today she's talking about... killing. And people who kill. Serial killers, mostly. Guest John Olszewski corresponded with and met many of society's most notorious killers. He'll tell us about them, why they kill, and about humans' obsession with true crime.

John Olszewski is author of true crime books Long Dark Walk and Serial Shorts, was born an...

On this episode of the Backyard OASIS Podcast, host Christine Copeland has a conversation Dr. Kate Clayton-Jones, founder and CEO of Footcare by Nurses, and Lee Wicks, a writer who translates Kate’s deep scientific knowledge into accessible language for the public, especially elders who can no longer care for their own feet. They talk about how understanding the health of your feet leads to understanding health in general, particul...

On this episode of the Backyard OASIS Podcast, host Judy Raper has a conversation with therapist and clinical social worker Brooke Donatone about scams on seniors – specifically what they look like in the digital era. They talk about warning signs that a correspondence might be a scam, the different forms modern scams can take, and how you can help older adults in your life who you suspect may be the victim of a scam.

Learn more abo...

Astronaut Ron Garan's realization that humans' focus on economic systems is wrong aligns with beekeeper Dan's thinking about ways to save Earth's ecological systems. You'll hear part of Garan's stirring message read by Denise, followed by Dan Conlon's thoughts about how we can create economic systems that improve Earth's environmental system that we depend on for our existence.

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On the southern slope of Greenfield Community College is a botanical garden of beauty and variety - a small orchard, native flowers, community vegetable beds, a boardwalk into a small wetland and views of the neighboring mountain forest. This quiet oasis delights visitors but more importantly is an outdoor learning lab for a wide variety of classes and workshops. Join Science Professor Teresa Jones and Natural Resources Program Coo...

Forty years ago, Denise and Karen became friends while working as staff at the School for International Training and the Experiment in international Living in Vermont. Over the years they lost touch...until this summer, when Karen, now a full-time global hiker, texted, "Mind if I drop by?" Here's a short story about youth and work and hiking and curiosity, but mostly about how life goes on and friendships stay strong.

Please like, ...

On this episode of Backyard OASIS, host Denise Schwartz has a lovely conversation with Marsha Stone and Norm Hirschfeld about their decision to move from Waltham, MA to Greenfield, MA later in life, despite New England being absolutely chock full of beautiful towns and cities. What should older adults who hope to move later in life look for in a community? Why did Marsha and Norm choose Greenfield as their community? The group touc...

So humans, let’s face it. We are living in an aging world. For the first time in history, and probably for the rest of human history, people aged 65 and over will outnumber children under the age of 5. By 2030, that total is projected to increase to 1 billion. That means 1 in every 8 of the earth’s inhabitants will be an older adult.

Lots to think about. So, today with Jason’s help, we are going to talk about how we can prepare to l...

On this episode of Backyard OASIS, host Dennis Lee takes some time to talk with Dr. Steven German about something we can all understand lately: STRESS. Dr. German talks with Dennis about what drew him to stress as an area of expertise, and some of his recommended methods for coping with it day-to-day.

Dr. Steven German is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified counselor who has sought throughout his professional career to ...

In uncertain times, there is no substitute for actually talking to each other. On this episode of Backyard OASIS, Denise Schwartz and Jason Molony, the age- and dementia-friendly program director at Life Path in Greenfield, MA, have a frank conversation about the kinds of communities older adults want to live in as we age. How do we build supportive, inclusive, and age-friendly communities in a society that is aging faster than at ...