This year "Independence" means something a bit more serious than fireworks and parades. 

Not since the early 1770's have we found our rights and freedoms so seriously challenged. 

We address that perilous threat in an updated version ofour George Washington episode. These are frightening, angry times, but we see hope in the massive and peaceful "No Kings" protests, where "We the People" showed a remarklable spirit of

community, civility, and solidarity.

That is the Mission of OURGENPOD.

Listen to Episode 27, with a dramatic reading of Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviorin Company and Conversation" (with some portions censored

by pesky mice).

This episode, originally aired during the holidays and before the horrendous fires ravaged Los Angeles where we live, is about Friendship. It is told in the voices of our listeners and guests. It is striking how much of what people said about Friendship is so relevant right now, as friends and neighbors reach out to help, and there is an outpouring of donations of food, clothing and money to help those hit by this disaster.

A sampler of our upcoming episode, "Woodstock through the eyes of an Ingenue"

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, Just for this episode, Julian allowed Director Rob Wilson to share some of the knowledge gathered by his Grandmother, Carol Green Wilson.

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. 

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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 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.