Backyard OASIS - Older Adults Seeking, Inspiring, Serving

by Greenfield Community College

Season 1

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

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 Center She 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 Maher 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 by Henry Balzarini Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E89

Jun 10, 2026

31:51

Writers Read Us Stories They Love - Stephen Billias Reads "The Zen Time Traveler: A Pilgrim’s Journey Through the Koans,” with host Denise Schwartz

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 by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E88

Jun 3, 2026

36:09

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

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/c534jk588 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 by Denise Schwartz Produced by Will Copeland and Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E87

May 13, 2026

37:25

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

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 by Gloria Ratcliffe Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E86

May 7, 2026

54:32

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

"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. filmmaker Jonathan 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 by Denise Schwartz Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E85

Apr 29, 2026

38:20

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

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 Copeland Links: https://garden.smith.edu/ https://garden.smith.edu/news-events/news/angela-dsouza-mat-18-joins-botanic-garden-manager-engagement Hosted by Christine Copeland Produced by Will Copeland for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E84

Apr 22, 2026

49:48

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.

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 at https://Jaunticles.blogspot.com Larry also suggests the YouTube channel “Gathering No Moss” for even more travel info for older adults. Photo: Larry McFarland Hosted by Henry Balzarini Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E83

Apr 15, 2026

43:16

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

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 Muniz Hosted by Chad Fuller Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E82

Apr 6, 2026

41:38

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

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 Spain Hosted by Denise Schwartz Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E81

Apr 1, 2026

42:25

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

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 by Denise Schwartz Photocredit: Michael Miller Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

S1 · E80

Mar 25, 2026

43:35

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