Backyard OASIS reaches out to older adults who seek knowledge to help them live more thoughtfully, healthily, and happily; who hope to inspire others with their ideas; and who serve their communities in the interest of greater good. Join us frequently for wide-ranging conversations with a diversity of people who are growing older...and want to talk about it!
Created by Dennis Lee, Denise Schwartz, Chad Fuller, Christine Copeland, and Judy Raper
Produced by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College's Teaching and Learning Innovation Center
Contact us at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com (mailto:backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com) and check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackyardOasisPodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@BackyardOasisPodcast)
Writers Read Us Stories They Love - Judy Podell reads from her memoir "Monkeyface"
Written as a group of essays that serve as thought points on the timeline of her life, artist and writer Judy Podell candidly explores her life as the daughter of immigrants in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. There is a constant tension that pulls the reader through the book as Podell wrestles with a lifelong desire to both fit in and stand out. She describes Monkeyface as "an honest and truthful self-portrait of an opinionated, big-mouthed New York Jewish woman that I hope readers who are not at all like me will relate to." She says she'd like readers to be glad they met her and that the "$20 they spent to buy the book was money well spent!"
Ideas for the show? Want to be a guest? Reach out at backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com (mailto:backyardoasispodcast@gmail.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 Schwartz
Produced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA
9 Sept 2026
Denise Schwartz Hosts "Where In The World Is Suzanne Patnaude?"
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 backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com (mailto:backyardoasispodcast@gmail.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 Schwartz
Produced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA
26 Aug 2026
Denise Schwartz Hosts "You Can't Fill From An Empty Vessel" - A Sandwich Generation Caregiver's Story
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 backyardoasispodcast@gmail.com (mailto:backyardoasispodcast@gmail.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 Schwartz
Produced and Engineered by Alex Audette at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA
Who has been a guest on Backyard Oasis
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jason Molony
Dr Steven German
Judy Raper
Jessica Niedbala
Mackenzie Shanahan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
87
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
Contact Backyard Oasis
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Backyard Oasis
Who hosts Backyard Oasis?
Denise Schwartz and Dennis Lee host the show. Published by Greenfield Community College.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Backyard Oasis take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Backyard Oasis?
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