talkin' 'bout Our Generation: Recent Episodes
Julian G. Simmons, Robert Wilson
"talkin' 'bout Our Generation" is a bold, irreverent podcast about life in America, how we got here, and how we can make things better. Beginning in 2021, we launch our series on the State of Civility in America. All are welcome. Join the conversation, but remember to be civil!
A frank and at times troubling comparison of 1776 and 2026, the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Friendship as we Age -- the risks of letting our friendships fade away, the Epidemic of Loneliness, and expert guidance on how to maintain, restore, and reconnect with old friends, and how to make new ones.
A personal look into the real story behind our celebration of Thanksgiving, with a personal perspective from our Director Rob Wilson, who had eight ancestors on the Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to America.
An expert's journey into the Latino tradition of greeting their lost loved ones on the one day when the veil between the dead and the living is the thinnest, and the dead can pass through to celebrate with their family.
A dramatic reading of Young George Washington's "Rules for Decent Behavior and Civility in Company and Conversation" and finding hope in the civility, kindness, and peacefulness of massive demonstrations.
A compendium of listener and guest comments on Friendship -- a topic especially appropriate for this time of year when we pine for Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward toward Men (and Women).
In this special Thanksgiving Episode, Host Julian G. Simmons interviews our Director, Rob Wilson -- who had eight ancestors on the Mayflower. They discuss the origins of this holiday in a very personal way,
As we return to our series on Friendship after a brief hiatus, we talk about our animal friends and the value they bring to our lives.
A recurring them that came up in comments submitted from guests, friends, and listeners about what friendship means to them, was he importance pets were in their lives. That's certainly true for us. "Pets" doesn’t even seem like the right word, as to many people, including those of us at OURGENPOD, animals are part of the family. For people without children, they are our children.
This episode invites you to join us as we discover a gem in the heart of Los Angeles -- what may well be the model for conquering the "Epidemic of Loneliness" that is quietly gnawing away at the happiness and longevity of our generation.
The Wallis Annenberg GENSPACE is a remarkable place. This is not our parent's "Senior Center" -- the very phrase is anathema to most of us. But we were truly blown away by our experience there -- based on extensive research and planning, GENSPACE is model for the nation.
You may be, like us, repelled by the notion of joining a Senior Center. We ask you to suspend that instinct for a few minutes to experience what we did. You may be content and connected -- if so, you are in the fortunate minority. But we bet you know others who are not, and we hope you will share this episode with them.
GENSPACE is magic. Listen and you will hear what we mean.
In this special Halloween Episode, Host Julian G. Simmons brings back the dead....or their spirits, anyway, as we learn the Aztec traditions that are the origins of the Mexican "Dia de los Muertos" celebration.
This Episode was originally aired in 2022.
In the first of our new series on FRIENDSHIP, we hear from an old friend and therapist, Lee Armstrong. Friendship has been called a key to not only our happiness as we age, but our mental and physical health. As we face an "epidemic of loneliness" in America, we hope this series will help find some solutions.
We started this podcast with the slogan "By, For, and About Baby Boomers." But we soon realized that these generational divisions are hurting all of us. We're still coming from the perspective of people 55+ -- like us -- but we ALL need to work together. In this episode, Host Julian G. Simmons talks with Professor Bobby Duffy, Author of "The Generation Myth," who argues it's time to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms -- TOGETHER.
This episode hits back at a pernicious phenomenon that hurts all of us -- AGEISM. Leading expert on Ageism and Author of the no-nonsense book "This Chair Rocks" ASHTON APPLEWHITE exposes this insidious social sickness and how we can cure it...starting with ourselves.
In this special Thanksgiving Episode, Host Julian G. Simmons interviews our Director, Rob Wilson -- who had eight ancestors on the Mayflower. They discuss the origins of this holiday in a very personal way,
In this special Halloween Episode, Host Julian G. Simmons brings back the dead....or their spirits, anyway, as we learn the Aztec traditions that are the origins of the Mexican "Dia de los Muertos" celebration.
Conversation with Eliot Schrefer, author of "Queer Ducks (and Other Animals)" the new breakthrough book on sexual behavior in the Natural World.
In Part Two of our interview with Dr. Shepherd Siegel, Host Julian G. Simmons and Shep talk about the role of "The Trickster" in politics and culture -- and how "Disruptive Play" can help steer society back toward a more healthy place.
In a Special Fourth of July Episode, Host Julian Simmons gives a slightly tongue-in-cheek reading of a list assembled by a thirteen-year-old George Washington, "Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation."
In the third in our series on "The State of Civility in America," Dr. Shepherd Siegel poses the question: Can You Come Out and Play?
Things are getting scary out there -- very UNcivil -- and with our Civility Series we're searching for ways to turn that downward spiral on its head. How do we redirect all that anxiety & anger into something positive?
Dr. Siegel brings us something entirely different. In this first of a two-part episode, he talks about Play, and the role of the "Trickster" in history, mythology and culture. Shep's a fun guy to talk to, but don't be fooled... he takes Play very seriously.
In the second of our series on "The State of Civility in America," we talk with Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Shrand, whose new book, "Unleashing the Power of Respect," may just be the first step toward a cure for the rampant incivility that is plaguing our country.
We are deeply saddened at the passing of such a kind man who taught us so much, so gently, but we feel blessed to have recorded an interview with him for "The Woodstock Episodes" on our podcast in 2020. In his memory, and in the hope that Michael's powerful message of peace, love and music can be heard by as many people as possible in this troubled time, we are re-broadcasting an updated version of our 2020 interview with Michael. In many ways, it fits perfectly into our current series on "The State of Civility in America," since that is precisely what he was promoting at Woodstock.
Please listen.
We launch our series on "The State of Civility in America" with a lively conversation with Catherine Ryan Hyde, New York Times Best-Selling Author of "Pay It Forward." Catherine has written 40 books, including her latest novel "Boy Underground" which was just published. The theme of civility runs through all her writing. In this conversation, she shares the insights she has gained through her writing about the qualities that can make our world a nicer place, and what we can do about the rapidly declining state of civility in our own country.
We invite you to venture "beyond the veil" and to learn the real meaning of this time when the spirits of the dead come visiting. Listen in, if you dare!
Michael Shrieve just turned 21 when he rocked the world with his drum solo on "Soul Sacrifice" at Woodstock '69. He's come a long way, and shares his story and some of his amazing new music.
A Session with the Psychologist who Coined the phrase "Trump Anxiety Disorder," Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning.
A visit to our local graveyard to meet up in a 100 year-old mausoleum with Adela Marquez of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which hosts not only the remains of dozens of Hollywood celebrities, but also welcomes departed souls to visit every year at the Dia de los Muertos -- the Day of the Dead.
On the 50th Anniversary of the event that marked a major shift in American culture, Woodstock '69. In this episode we hear from an original, archetypal Hippie -- Lisa Law -- who still represents that idealistic, communal spirit that we could reallly use today.
A revealing interview with the wizard who pulled it all together and kept the crews moving come hell or high water, John Morris.
A first-hand look at the creation of "The Woodstock Nation," on the 50th anniversary of that historic event that changed American Culture. We hear from Richie Havens -- the first performer on stage in front of half a million people -- and a woman who was there from the start, Carol Green.
Woodstock 1969 was a sort of Critical Mass of the Counterculture, when 500,000 people converged on a bucolic field in Upstate New York for three days of Peace, Love and Music. Henry Diltz witnessed it all up close, and shares his story with host Julian Simmons -- one of the 500,000 young people attracted to the event when he was just 15. (Julian never made it -- he was stuck in the historic traffic jam on the New York State Thruway).
Host Julian Simmons launches "talkin' 'bout Our Generation" with our series, "The Woodstock Episodes," talking with some of the key people who had the vision and made it happen. Half a million people came, and the event changed the course of American culture.
This is "Episode Zero" -- our Pre-Launch test and promo for the new podcast "talkin' 'bout Our Generation," which officially launches on Friday night, August 16, the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock.
”talkin’ ‘bout Our Generation,” is a new podcast series by, for, and about Baby Boomers. Focusing on the issues and interests of a generation of 76 million Americans, the program will be delivering its first three episodes dedicated to all things Woodstock and its 50th anniversary.. For more information or to sign up for podcast updates visit the podcast website:
www.talkinboutourgeneration.com . Email: ourgen2019@gmail.com