Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

Our guest today hopes to inspire us to reach for more joy in our lives. Denise talks with Dr. Pat Romney, an 80-year-old psychologist and writer who decided years ago that she was going to live a joyful life and so set out to build it. She shares thoughts, ideas and tips on how to build joy into our lives - not just when times are good, but every day. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts ab...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee talks with guest Linda Desmond about her journey toward becoming a passionate advocate for seniors. 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...

Denise talks with Larry Steinhauser, a retired licensed psychologist, about life changes encountered by older adults who find themselves needing help, learning to adjust to such life changes, and the beauty and benefits of helping others. As Larry, who is also a volunteer with Amherst Neighbors, says, "giving without measure does more for your heart than you realize." Thanks to the Beatles for the...

The gang is back for Spilling The Tea PART THREE REDUX after producer Alex biffed up and lost their last recording! Judy, Jess, and Mackenzie talk about recent episodes of Housewives, Big Brother, Sister Wives and more, before giving some recommendations on what we should all be watching. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backya...

This is the first of a series “Some Friends” interviewed by our podcaster Chad. He’s captured a few minutes with older folks who’ve come into his life during the last 20 years working throughout the community post retirement on issues of import to our nation and locality (zero waste; older folks interests, needs and rights; affordable housing; issues of race, class and wealth; female gender; diffe...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Denise Schwartz talks again with Dan Conlon, owner of Warm Colors Apiary in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, about our Common Wealth; water, food, land, air, energy, the environment; how we use and misuse resources; and why we need a cultural shift to sustain our lives and the lives of other living things on this planet. Do you have questions, comments or thoughts...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Denise talks with bee expert Dan Conlon about five easy-peasy things you and I can do to protect beneficial insects and other critters and preserve healthy habitats, including our own. Well...maybe there are more than five! Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com Please...

This is a reupload of our episode "Cars Through the Ages" in honor of Al Rimbach, who passed away on May 13, 2024. Plant a tree in his honor at Eco-Friendly Memorial Trees | Legacy.com , and reach out to RememberingAlRimbach@gmail.com to learn more about his life. Rest in peace, Al – you are loved and will be missed. On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Chad Fuller speaks with Al Rimbach about cars...

Dennis Lee talks to director Stan Freeman and actor John Haag about local production The Pitch (2024). Hear about the craft of acting, the inspiration for the film, and what it was like being involved in the making of this movie. 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 th...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee talks to Stephen Raff about his twenty-plus years as one civil war reenactor amongst thousands from all over the USA! 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...

Join us for a special crossover event with Dr. Ruth Potee and Prep School: A Readiness Podcast , originally recorded in July, 2023! Sugar, opioids, social media, reaching for a glass of wine every time you feel anxious or tired - these and other addictive substances and behaviors affect nearly all of us. Substance use disorder expert Dr. Ruth Potee talks about dopamine and our brains and why we ke...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Greenfield Community College's Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper speaks with Anna Bognolo (Director) and Francesca Passiglia (Teen Librarian) of the Greenfield Public Library. How has attendance been since the new building opened its doors in July 2023? What sort of programming does the library offer these days, and what does a "typical" library u...

Host Denise Schwartz talks with author and illustrator Christine Copeland, whose picture books reflect her delight in introducing young children to the wonders of nature through gentle prose and beautiful watercolors. She believes that when “children grow to understand the natural world, and the relationship that animals have to each other and their environment, the more they can embrace and stewa...

No more bugs on the windshield Fewer birds in the trees Humans best look up Before nature brings us to our knees. Remember when we would go for drives on summer evenings and return home with a windshield covered with insect bodies? Why doesn't that happen anymore? It’s called the windshield phenomenon, and it’s about how our cars’ windshields don’t receive as much insect splattering the way they u...

Dennis Lee talks to veteran auctioneer Don Raucher about auctioneering horses, cars and contents from estates. Find out if your items might be successful at auction, and a bit of etiquette advice if you plan on attending one! Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? Have an episode idea you'd love to share? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.c...

Are you ready for the unexpected? You come across a hiker bleeding seriously from a fall - could you stop the bleed? Could you help a person who was drowning, having a stroke, choking or having a life-threatening allergic reaction? Would you be calm and confident in your ability to respond to an emergency? Nicole Roma Thurrell of the Institute for Wild Med teaches us how to be prepared. Find the I...

Shrouding is an ancient and deeply rooted human practice as well as an act of protection, kindness and caring in the preparation of a body for burial. Green or natural burials are ancient practices too, and humans are showing renewed interest in them. But there are so many questions: how are they done? Who does them? Are there rules and regulations? Let’s listen and find out about green burials an...

Dennis Lee talks with Dave Sullivan, the Northwestern District Attorney for Hampshire and Franklin counties and the town of Athol. The DA talks about the law and judicial system and the many community education programs and support for the citizens of the 47 counties he serves. Hosted by Dennis Lee Produced by Alex Audette Recorded in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studio...

Your host Denise Schwartz and death doula Dina Stander talk about how a doula may help a dying person. as well as the person’s family, friends and care circle members, plan and prepare for what's to come. Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center at Greenfield Community College (MA)

This week on Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee talks to professional genealogist Dave Robison. He teaches genealogical research techniques and strategies both on and off the internet, as well as the world of DNA and how it can assist in family research. Join us as Dave explains how to get started in finding out where you came from! Hosted by Dennis Lee Edited by Nina Bocko Produced by Alex Audette Record...

When author Stephen Bilias invited Bela Breslau to write a novel with him, a wonderful creative collaboration ensued. Host Denise Schwartz talks with South Deerfield, Massachusetts writers Bela and Stephen about their long-time marriage, their new-ish working relationship, and how writing books together has made their marriage even more meaningful…and fun! Here's a preview of their in-progress fan...

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, Dennis Lee talks with Brian Joyce about common medications and supplements and some other suggestions to live well and be safe. Hosted by Dennis Lee; Contributors: Brian Joyce Edited by Nina Bocko Produced by Alex Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studio at Greenfield Community College (MA)

Goodbye, "elderly" and "over the hill"; hello, "wise, active older adult!" Take a moment to imagine an "elderly" person. Now take that mental picture, rip it out of its cracked, broken, gray frame, and REFRAME it in something big, bold, shiny, and new. With a little consideration, you'll start to see wise, active older adults instead of the "elderly," "over the hill" folks you used to picture. Now...

A terrific program that connects digital natives (young people) to older adults to help them navigate technology and learn how to use their devices has launched at Greenfield Community College! Join Judy Raper, Associate Dean of Community Engagement at GCC, Cyber Senior Coordinator, Donna Dusell and tech mentors/GCC Students, Liv Dow and Jessica Lenihan to learn more! Hosted by Judy Raper Featurin...

(Special thanks to the Ohio State University's Age-Friendly Innovation Center for creating the (anti) anti-aging slogan that makes today's episode title!) Tired of being told you "look good for your age?" Tired of seeing anti-aging product advertisements everywhere? Tired of all the messaging from the media telling us that "youth is better," that if you aren't in your 20s, 30s, or 40s you are over...