Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

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...

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. Be sure to subscrib...

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 Jone...

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 fri...

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...

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 t...

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 t...

Let's have a frank conversation about the kinds of communities older adults want to live in as they age. How do we build supportive, inclusive, and age-friendly communities in a society that is aging faster than at any other time in history? Systems-level change may be necessary, but conversations like this are a good place to start! Learn more about Jason's work with Life Path at https://lifepath...

After a botched edit of Spilling the Tea Part 7, the ladies are back with a vengeance this week to talk all things reality TV...but mostly to talk The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives . The big news this week: the illusive and illustrious Grandma Donna was finally able to make an appearance and she does not disappoint, even if her taste in shows differs a bit from the usual trio. Please like, subscrib...

On this episode of the Backyard OASIS podcast, Christine Copeland sits down with Dr. Ralph Baker and her husband Dr. Bill Copeland, to talk about our stunning natural world here in Massachusetts, and some of the things we can do to protect it. Dr. Ralph S. Baker has served on the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA)'s Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, and currently is its Board Presiden...

On this episode of the Backyard OASIS podcast, Dennis Lee talks with Registered Nurse Priscilla Ross about topics that can make the average person uncomfortable – end of life care, DNR orders, and more – but must be considered and discussed. Special attention is paid to the concept of a "health care proxy," and why every person over the age of 18 should have one. Later they change gears to discuss...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee sits down with friend David Murphy to talk about his fascinating professional career – first as an audio engineer and producer for live television sports broadcasts, then taking up the mantle of his family business in Pioneer Valley-area real estate. David provides awesome insight into life inside a television production truck, and how that work took h...

Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-star review wherever possible – it's the easiest and best way for you to support our work and help us reach the most people worldwide! Hosted by Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie Shanahan Produced by Alex A...

Author Joan Livingston's 35-year career as a journalist provides food for thought about the changes in news reporting from "fair, objective and accurate" to today's seeming preference for argumentative, emotional and opinion-based content. Denise and Joan also talk about the relevance of newspapers in our digital world and their fondness of local news and the papers that print it. Do you have ques...

Dennis Lee talks to Sharon Martula about her career decisions and experiences. Her specialty was customer service – keeping the customer happy – and even in retirement she's helping people in their life's journey. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-st...

Denise talks with Gabe, an 81-year-old retired educator, and Happy, 51, a roofer, about how pickleball "saved" their lives. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-star review wherever possible – it's the easiest and best way for you to support our work an...

Welcome to Spilling the Tea Part 5 on Backyard Oasis! The STT ladies (Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie Shanahan) get together to talk reality TV and pop culture, starting with their thoughts on Kendrick Lamar's phenomenal Super Bowl halftime show performance. Later on they check in on their favorite Housewives and the Southern Charm crew, before touching on Mackenzie's cousin's appearan...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee sits down with Nina Kleinberg to discuss our favorite topic here on the show: transitions. She started her career editing films but then took a turn...and became a midwife for years, ultimately assisting in over 300 births!! The pair discuss that big transition and more, ultimately getting to how she still helps her community today...by solving compute...

This week, host Judy Raper sits down with two of her colleagues at Greenfield Community College – Director of Strategic Innovation Samantha Wood and audio visual technician (and show producer!) Alex Audette – to discuss Robert Putnam's Join or Die : "a film about why you should join a club." The group starts with broad thoughts on the film and its central thesis before touching on their own experi...

Denise talks with author Joan Livingston about the art and business of writing, how ideas for her novels pop up in the strangest places, and why small towns, people watching, and experience as a newspaper reporter covering rural villages help her create authentic characters -- including private investigator Isabel Long -- and solve mysteries! Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this...

Denise talks with Robin Kassis, a 74-year old yoga practitioner who teaches variations of yoga postures that address the injuries, aches, pains, and abilities of her students who are older adults. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-star review whereve...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee sits down with Dave Madsen to discuss his life in broadcasting, and what he's been up to since (semi) retiring in 2019. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-star review wherever possible – it's the easiest a...

The gang is back for Spilling The Tea PART FOUR! Judy, Jess, and Mackenzie talk about recent episodes of Housewives, Southern Charm, and more. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-star review wherever possible – it's the easiest and best way for you to...

On this episode Dennis Lee speaks with guest Thomas Maclachlan. They start by talking about the big decisions we make in our lives that might seem unlikely – starting with his own experience choosing to become a minister in 1966 rather than serve in Vietnam – before grappling with how to limit loneliness as we age. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear f...

On this episode, Dennis Lee speaks with guest Wendy Foxmyn – community activist, town administrator, symphony orchestra musician, and so much more – about her varied and fascinating life in Western Massachusetts. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please like, subscribe, and give the show a five-sta...