In Search of the Baby Boomer Generation: Rick Bava 2BB 043

Broadcasting from the parking lot behind the Whiskey A Go Go.

The Broads welcome Rick Bava as their guest. He is the author of “In Search of the Baby Boomer Generation.”

Rick was born in Chicago in 1955, so he’s an official Baby Boomer. (born between 1946 – 1964) His book centers on his formative years, values, family, and the Midwest experience. He went to the University of Wisconsin on a tennis scholarship which paid for his education.

Rick segued into the corporate world and worked for Boeing.  He later founded the Bava Group, a communications firm for Fortune 500 companies.

Sharone asks, “After all that amazing success, what stimulated you to look for us? (meaning the Baby Boomers)

Rick says he went through caring for his parents, eventually losing them as well as a dear brother.

It spurred him to go on a search. He was looking for something that he would be passionate about and that would make an impact. With the help of his friend, a marketing expert, he began working on the book. He traveled the country for 2 years talking to and interviewing Baby Boomers of all socio-economic classes in different locations.

Many Baby Boomers around the country will relate to the commentary that Rick engaged in during his travels.

Primary and Secondary Audience for the Book

The primary audience is Baby Boomers. The second audience is people who want to learn about the Baby Boomer generation. (children or grandchildren of Baby Boomers and others)  The idea came to Rick after reading Tom Brokaw’s book “The Greatest Generation.”

55% of the Baby Boomers Rick talked to were women. They discussed their experiences going to college, conversations they had with their mothers about the role they should have in the future, becoming part of the workforce, breaking the glass ceiling, raising families, relationships, and also what their role is today.

Both men and women are dealing with caring for elderly parents, what they want to do at this stage of their life, health and wellness.

“You know, they told us we could have it all. I think that’s partly true. But the way I would put it is, we could have it all, just at all different stages of our life.” – A woman Rick interviewed in San Francisco.

Rick met all of his interviewees randomly and informally. (no clipboard with survey questions) He talked to people at baseball stadiums, libraries, coffee shops and lived in some of their homes.

Rick talks about the importance for women of having girlfriends who act as support systems as they go through life transitions. He compliments the 2 Boomer Broads on the impact their podcast show has on Baby Boomer women.

Baby Boomer’s lives tend to be complex.

Rick gives an example of a woman who is dealing with people at work, taking care of grandchildren, trying to work out, improve herself, take care of parents, etc.

How the Baby Boomer Generation is viewed

Many people see the Baby Boomer generation as being selfish, feels that isn’t true. In the course of his travels he’s seen Baby Boomers stepping up to the plate and caring for elderly parents, as well as giving back to the community. Baby Boomers have come full circle. They had causes as young people,