• 80 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "High Bridge" by Michael Miller, with host Denise Schwartz
    Mar 25 2026

    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

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    44 mins
  • 79 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Winter in the Forest" and "Summer in the Forest" by Christine Copeland, and "JoJo and the Bolivian Bunny" by Peter Rosnick. With Host Denise Schwartz.
    Mar 4 2026

    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 by Denise Schwartz

    Photocredit: Christine Copeland and Peter Rosnick

    Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    43 mins
  • 78 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Bird of Providence" by T.P. Schwartz-Barcott read by Denise Schwartz
    Feb 25 2026

    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 by Denise Schwartz

    Photocredit: TP Shwartz-Barcott

    Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    28 mins
  • 77 - Navigating Recovery as Older Adults. Hosted by Judy Raper and guests Jo An and Lou.
    Feb 18 2026

    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 by Judy Raper

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

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    28 mins
  • 76 - Your Life is in Your Hands. A discussion on the fundamentals of reading palms. Hosted by Judy Raper and guest Andrea Cohen-Kiener.
    Feb 12 2026

    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-Kiener

    Hosted by Judy Raper

    Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    19 mins
  • 75 - Writers Read Us Stories They Love - "Pilgrim Maya" with host Denise Schwartz
    Feb 11 2026

    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 by Denise Schwartz

    Produced by Alex Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    37 mins
  • 74 - Medication questions to ask your doctor: You have a say in your medication experience. With Denise Schwartz and guest Jill Shuman
    Feb 4 2026

    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 by Denise Schwartz

    Produced by Alex Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    42 mins
  • 73 - Prescription drugs from the lab to you: how your meds get from idea, to lab, testing and your home. With Denise Schwartz and guest Jill Shuman
    Jan 7 2026

    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 by Denise Schwartz

    Produced by Alex Audette in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

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    39 mins