Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

On this episode of Backyard OASIS, host Denise Schwartz talks with Greenfield, MA resident and world traveler Suzanne Patnaude about her recent ventures aboard the Queen Mary cruise line. Suzanne talks about some of her favorite places to visit, how she spent time at sea on her months-long cruise around the world (hint: a whole lot of ballroom dancing!), and offers some advice and words of reassurance for any listener who may be considering traveling solo. It's a world-wide tour on today's episode, so hop aboard and enjoy!Ideas for the show? Want to be a guest? Reach out at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Jennifer Ferrara describes her journey as her father's caregiver and the moment she realized that to continue to care effectively for him she had to begin to care for herself. A heartfelt and open conversation with import for Sandwich Generation caregivers and others. Ideas for the show? Reach out at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Gloria Ratcliffe, alumnae of Greenfield Community College and host of the Ms. Americana Podcast on Backyard OASIS invites guest Anna Morrison, LICSW, a licensed clinical social worker, into the studio to discuss depression. They discuss the different types of the disorder, the different causes, and how to both avoid and fight it. During the conversation they attempt to de-stigmatize depression and mental illness and leave listeners struggling with depression with a sense of hope.Ideas for the show? Reach out at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Gloria RatcliffeProduced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

On this episode of Backyard OASIS, host Denise Schwartz speaks with travel columnist and theater critic Max Hartshorne about his areas of expertise. Max opens with practical and unexpected travel advice (did you know that a week in Spain might cost you less than a weekend on Cape Cod?), his appreciation of meal kit subscriptions, before delving into some money-saving tips for older adults all over the country. He also asks: Is it really that strange to open the door when somebody knocks?! All this and more on this week's episode!Max's work can be found at his website: https://maxhartshorne.com/ Find more on his Substack: https://maxdeerfield.substack.com/ 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzPhoto credit: Max HartshorneProduced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

On this special edition of Backyard OASIS, host Denise Schwartz invites actor, playwright, and theater artist Rich Vaden to read Bird of Providence, a short story written by her brother, T.P. Schwartz-Barcott. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989, Bird of Providence 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 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.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzPhotocredit: TP Shwartz-BarcottProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

In 1894, fifteen Sunderland women joined the national Woman's Club Movement that had established the idea that women had a moral responsibility to transform public policy. More than 125 years have passed since the ladies got together to chat and work for change (something had to be done about those dirt roads!) and the club is still moving forward today.Today, host Denise Schwartz sits down with the outgoing President of the Sunderland Woman's Club, Brenda Wozniakewicz. They discuss the broad history of the women's club movement in the United States. What value might we find in continuing the tradition of women's clubs in our communities? What is their appeal to women of different ages today in 2026? All this and more on today's episode of Backyard OASIS!Photo credit: Sunderland Woman's ClubBe sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Join us for the third episode of Ms. Americana on Backyard OASIS. This week, Gloria Ratcliffe discusses Women’s Health with returning guests Professor Emerita Anne M. Wiley and Author- Professor Emerita Joanne McNeil Hayes of Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts.This episode touches on how health care research in the United States excluded women and girls for years, and examines the importance of longitudinal and life-long research for women and girls specifically. Disparities in access and outcomes of health care, particularly for Black women and their children in the U.S. are highlighted, including several concrete narratives featuring Gloria, Anne, and Joanne's personal stories discussing healthcare access across generations. The group concludes by touching on how we can all get involved to change access to care for all women for the better.Resources:Foster, Diana Green. 2020. The Turnaway Study: The Cost of Denying Women Access to Abortion. Scribner Publishing. see also https://turnawayproject.org/Our Bodies Ourselves. 2011, 35th edition Boston Women's Health Collective. Touchstone Publishing. See also https://ourbodiesourselves.org/Valenti, Jessica. 2024. Abortion Our Bodies, Their Lies, and the Truths We Use to Win. Penguin Random House. See also https://www.jessicavalenti.com/Aftershock: Turning Grief into Action. a documentary film. Aug 25, 2023. ONYX and ABC Studios. Available on HULU and other streaming services. See trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoZFERlanMMBe sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Co-Produced by Gloria RatcliffeProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

This week on Backyard OASIS, Denise Schwartz sits down with United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Regions' Digital Navigator Rich Vaden. Rich talks about his approach to helping our local seniors navigate a digital landscape that can feel impenetrable at best and actively hostile at worst. Have you ever wondered how to make a secure password that you can actually remember? Do you have trouble determining what is or isn't a scam while surfing the web? Has third-party anti-virus software been one of those scams all along?! Sit back and relax as Rich guides Denise through all of those questions and more (shout out to his cats, Dobby & Lily!) on this enlightening episode of Backyard OASIS!Learn more about the United Way's Digital Navigator program here: https://uw-fh.org/digital-navigatorsAccess Rich's Service Location Calendar herePhoto credit: United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire RegionsBe sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

On this episode of Backyard Oasis, host Gloria Ratcliffe speaks with author and (retired) Greenfield Community College professor Joanne McNeil Hayes about her newest poetry collection, I am the Prairie. Joanne treats us to several excerpts from the text, as well as providing insight into her inspiration for the work. What was it like to grow up in Illinois "in the shadow of the prairie," as Joanne describes it - in the great "Prairie State" with no prairie to be found? What was it like to return later in life once efforts had been made to restore some of what had been lost? And is Taylor Swift a poet?? All that and more on this week's episode!Purchase I am the Prairie here: I am the Prairie: Joanne McNeil Hayes: 9781965664179: Amazon.com: BooksBe sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Gloria RatcliffeProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Dave Hayes does weather with a personal touch and an entertaining writing style. Since August 2011, he’s been providing daily and very entertaining weather forecasts for western Massachusetts.We discuss his passion for weather and learn a bit more about the man behind the forecast, including an original guitar solo.Here are the ways you can access Dave Hayes’ weather reports:Mobile App (iPhone): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-weather-nut/id6751524291Mobile App (Android): Set for release Summer of 2026Website: https://westernmassweather.comNewsletter: https://westernmassweather.com/homepage/dhtwn-nutletter-signupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesternMassWeather X/Twitter: https://x.com/DHTheWeatherNutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/davehayestheweathernutBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dhtheweathernut.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@davehayestheweathernutBe sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Henry BalzariniProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

"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/B0GR1FWRS3Be sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander AudetteRecorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 CenterShe 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 MaherBe 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 and Produced by Henry BalzariniProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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/c534jk588Be 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland and Alexander Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and Produced by Gloria RatcliffeProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

"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. filmmakerJonathan 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 CopelandLinks:https://garden.smith.edu/https://garden.smith.edu/news-events/news/angela-dsouza-mat-18-joins-botanic-garden-manager-engagementHosted and Produced by Christine CopelandProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 athttps://Jaunticles.blogspot.comLarry also suggests the YouTube channel “Gathering No Moss” for even more travel info for older adults.Photo: Larry McFarlandHosted and Produced by Henry BalzariniProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 Shanley, this conversation explores the concept of resilience centers - community spaces designed to support people during climate-related emergencies or other large scale disruptions - and what it might take, both practically and collectively, to prepare for what’s ahead.Photocredit: Joel MunizHosted and Produced by Chad FullerProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 the Camino and how each journey has unfolded in its own way. From shifting expectations and comfort levels to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes in trail conditions, Beth shares how the same path can offer something new and alive each time.Photocredit: Beth Berry at the Astorga Cathedral in SpainHosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 accused of murder. Set in upstate New York, "a cauldron bubbling with the lure of fast fortunes... and battles for civil liberties", High Bridge links Matilda Joslyn Gage, a child of freethinking abolitionists, and Grover Cleveland, who grows up to become president of the United States.“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.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzPhotocredit: Michael MillerProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 about the importance of telling stories to people of all ages.“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.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzPhotocredit: Christine Copeland and Peter RosnickProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 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.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzPhotocredit: TP Shwartz-BarcottProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and Produced by Judy RaperProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 enriching GCC content!Photo credit: Andrea Cohen-KienerHosted and Produced by Judy RaperProduced and Engineered by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 writer who has worked alongside pharma companies most of her life, suggests you ask.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 about the Connie Francis he knew as an artist who attained fame, endured tragedy and was guided by a belief that one has to “try and try again.”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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and Produced by Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie ShanahanProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 and raised in the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts. His fascination with true crime began at a young age, sparking a lifelong pursuit of understanding serial killers. John earned degrees in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science and Counseling Psychology, leading to work in hospitals, jails, prisons and treatment centers. He has also shared his expertise on the lecture circuit while maintaining connections with some of the world’s most infamous murderers.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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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, particularly issues of balance, posture and confidence. They also talk about the psychological benefit of the one-on-one relationship this nursing care provides for seniors.Dr. Kaye Clayton Jones is the founder and CEO of FootCare by Nurses, a Greenfield-based company that provides foot care in Western Massachusetts, parts of Connecticut, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Kate and registered nurses who have received specialized training, attend to each patient with caring attention and a mission to improve quality of life and prevent more complicated health problems such as amputations.Kate was motivated to start FootCare by Nurses because, as an acute care nurse, she saw too many people falling or having their toes or feet amputated from causes she thought were preventable with good nursing care. With a clear passion for better care of feet, a business background, and a mission of prevention, Kate began her journey to prove that nurses can take great care of feet and give everyone the best scientifically backed foot care possible.In 2020 she received a PhD in nursing science from UMass, and in 2025 she graduated with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (UMass), and her capstone was on chronic pain and complicated grief.She gave a TEDx talk in 2019 to raise awareness about caring for your feet and was nominated for the 2020 Massachusetts Woman’s Small Business Owner of the Year Award. Two years ago, she and two nurses greeted the walkers midway on Monte’s March for hunger and helped them tend to their sore feet. When she isn’t running the business, Kate can be found on the front lines developing out the science of foot care.Learn more about Dr. Clayton Jones' work at https://footcarebynurses.netLee Wicks is a retired communications professional, a writer who has published a novel and a memoir, and a marketing consultant who works with Kate to help educate people about the vital importance of preventive ongoing footcare. She first met Kate at the end of covid-19 isolation when her neglected feet needed care. She was so impressed by the care and information she received that she approached Kate about a job just when Kate was looking for help with her marketing materials and the Footcare by Nurses website.Lee is a retired person who still wants to be professionally engaged, and as a writer she relishes the challenge of translating Kate’s scientific knowledge into accessible language for the public, especially elders who can no longer care for their own feet.In her free time Lee writes (she is working on a second memoir) spends time with friends, family and her giant dog Ziggy, swims, walks and takes classes at the Y.Learn more about Lee Wicks' work at https://winningwriters.com/people/lee-wicksBe 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 and Produced by Christine CopelandProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 about Brooke and their work at https://www.deliberatepsychotherapycollaborative.com/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!Photo credit: Deliberate Psychotherapy CollaborativeHosted and Produced by Judy RaperProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!Hosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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 Coordinator Anthony Reiber for a conversation with Christine Copeland about how this community treasure grew and 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: ecolandscaping.orgLinks:https://www.gcc.mass.edu/oll/about/https://rss.com/podcasts/backyardoasis/Contact Anthony Reiber at [email protected] Learning Lab media coverage:"From Wasteland to Wildflower Meadow at Greenfield Community College" – EcolandscapingHosted and Produced by Christine CopelandProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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, 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 touches on how finding like-minded folks, getting involved in city government, and fresh air and gorgeous scenery all came together to make Franklin County their new home. Sometimes a trip to the local food co-op is all you need to determine that some place is the place for you.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!Episode image credit: visitgreenfieldma.comHosted and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 live more healthily and happily in our aging world, how we can think critically about it, plan for it and take action.Learn more about Jason's work with LifePath at https://lifepathma.org/Learn more about the Village Movement at https://www.helpfulvillage.com/the-village-movement and https://www.vtvnetwork.org/Episode image credited to LifePathPlease 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 help others deal with the potentially negative impact of stress. This goal has been achieved while serving as a guidance counselor, school psychologist, and special education director in the public schools, as a trainer and consultant in the outplacement field, as a psychologist with the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Army Reserves, and in his private practice of almost three decades. In addition to his published works, he has delivered training for organizations on topics related to stress. In his spare time, Dr. German enjoys hiking, traveling, singing, working on small building projects, and spending quality time with family and friends.Purchase Steven's latest book, Lessen the Stressin': Strategies for Becoming Smarter in Managing Stress, here: https://www.amazon.com/Lessen-Stressin-Strategies-Becoming-Managing/dp/1963844408Episode image by Claire GillespiePlease 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 and Produced by Dennis LeeProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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://lifepathma.org/Photo by Domenic Poli with the Greenfield RecorderPlease 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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, 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 and Produced by Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie ShanahanProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 President. Among his roles is supporting the NRWA's extensive climate resilience work. He also co-leads the Fitchburg Trail Stewards, a group of volunteers who recently completed the state-funded Fitchburg Trails Wayfinding Signage Project and actively maintains many of the trails in Fitchburg. He served on the city of Fitchburg's Conservation Commission for five years. An environmental scientist, Dr. Baker earned a Ph.D. in soil physics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1989. In 2000 he co-founded TerraTherm, Inc. in Fitchburg, and was its CEO, Chairman and Chief Scientist, designing and carrying out hazardous waste cleanup projects throughout the world. He retired in 2015, after a career focused on the cleanup of toxic organic chemicals in soil and groundwater. He now devotes his energies to the above-mentioned non-profit environmental organizations. He is a resident of Fitchburg, MA, and is an avid naturalist, cyclist, hiker, and back-country skier. Judith Baker, his wife of 50 years, is an artist, gardener, and musician. They have two children and two grandchildren.Learn more about Dr. Baker, the Baker Family Forest, and what you can do to conserve your land here:https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2017/06/19/fitchburg-man-makes-city-unique-offer-to-fight-climate-change/https://northcountylandtrust.org/conservation-in-fitchburg-a-forever-wild-approach/https://www.fitchburgma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3159/Baker-Family-Public-Forest-Reserve---Fact-Sheet?bidId=https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/ma-baker-family-public-foresthttps://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2018/05/02/baker-family-forest-dedicated-in-fitchburg/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c087e9e4cde7a66033e482d/t/5f68c8142e2767205e014c09/1600702493817/OGFN+HowToSaveAForestToolkit+2019.pdfPlease 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 and Produced by Christine CopelandProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 Priscilla's long-term involvement with the Florence, MA Community Band as they mark their 25th anniversary as a group.Read more about the Florence Community Band and their quarter-centennial celebration here: https://www.gazettenet.com/BandPractice-hg-03262025-60288866Please 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 and Produced by Dennis LeeProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 him all over the world, from NFL stadiums to the Olympics in Rio!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 and Produced by Dennis LeeEdited by Bobby Falco-Killoran (A.K.A. DJ Vibe Wise)Produced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Judy Raper, Jessica Niedbala, and Mackenzie ShanahanProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 [email protected] 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 and Produced by Dennis LeeEdited by Bobby Falco-KilloranProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 [email protected] 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 and Produced by Denise SchwartzProduced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College

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 appearance on Dateline NBC.Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about this episode? We'd like to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 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 and Produced by Judy RaperEdited by Bobby Falco-Killoran (A.K.A. DJ Vibe Wise)Produced and Engineered by Alexander Audette in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center's Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College