What we’re about
WHEN PODCASTS BECOME CONVERSATIONS, AND CONVERSATIONS
BECOME ACTION, WE ALL COME ALIVE TOGETHER
This group is for you......
...... If you are between age 40 and 70+ and enjoy engaging in respectful discussions in small groups (10-14 per Meetup so that everyone can actively participate)
We get together ~ once/month in person on our deck in West Orange, NJ (weather permitting - ~April to October), or by Zoom (if either weather or covid-status do not allow for in-person gatherings - ~November to March) to dialogue about a specific pre-announced topic.
We will assign ~2-4 podcasts (~60-90 min of listening time - less if you listen at 1.25x o 1.5x that are relevant to the chosen topic). Please listen to these podcasts and think about them before the meeting. Topics will include psychology, sociology, religion, science, politics, relationships, lifestyles, self-growth...
The discussions are always informal, and non-judgmental, and aim to have each of us learn about ourselves and about each other.
Meetups will probably be on the 2nd or 3rd Thursday night of the month (7:30-9:30 pm) for 2 hours if LIVE or 8:00-9:30, if by Zoom.
The first 30 min of LIVE meetings will be informal get-to-know-you time and light chit-chat with snacks and drinks (and wine) that we provide and the next 90 min will be moderated friendly discussion time.
Each member is asked to list their real name and have a profile photo that is a CURRENT picture that CLEARLY shows their COMPLETE face. This will allow us to recognize each other when meeting and is for the safety of all group members.
This group has a “No Show” Policy. Anyone who is a no-show to 2 meetups will be removed from the group. To prevent this, update your RSVP from "yes" to "no" well in advance if your plans change.
This group has a “Last Minute Cancellation” Policy. Anyone who cancels less than 24 hours in advance of a meetup on more than 4 occasions will be removed from the group. To prevent this, update your RSVP well in advance.
$2/pp collected at each LIVE Meetup to help cover costs of running this Meetup site, providing wine, and snacks. There is no fee if we meet by ZOOM.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- September 18, 2025: Resolved -- The Work World is Changing (LIVE - In Person)West Orange, West Orange, NJ
## Details
Meetup is LIVE on our deck (weather-permitting), or in our LR (if cold, or rainy) in West Orange, NJ
We gather at 7:30 for 30 min of refreshments (and wine), and chit chat, and then spend 90 min in an informal, facilitated discussion based on the assigned podcasts
Please listen to all 4 podcasts below before the meetup (2 of 4 are very short) and if you sre super-motivated, listen to optional podcast #5
Whether you are still in the workforce or retired with memories of time in the workforce, or your kids are in the workforce....
<1> What are the challenges of boomers working together with millenials and Gen Z? Who is most frustrated by having to work together?
<2> What has changed with respect tp work styles, needs, expectations, approaches to getting jobs done ....?
<3> How can Boomers and Gen Xers adjust to these challenges/changes?
<4> How has the choice of in-office, vs. hybrid, vs remote work changed how people approach work, team interactions, productivity, ease of communication.....?
<5> What advice or learnings would you give to Gen Z and millenials regarding life at work?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx[1] TED
Work is Broken. Gen Z can Help Fix it. (12 min)
Would you rather stay in your current job until you retire, or change jobs every year? Researcher Amanda Schneider says Gen Z's answer to this question says a lot about the evolving workplace. Sharing data-driven insights on the young workforce, she debunks common misconceptions about Gen Z employees and explains why their preferences are key to unlocking a more flexible, effective workplace for everyone.
https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_schneider_work_is_broken_gen_z_can_help_fix_it_mar_2025?user_email_address=8fad50219beae12784c05d9e4ccec32a&lctg=62d19ee21c794c328c9653a8[2] HR in Review
How is Gen Z Changing Workplace Norms (17 min)
In today's HR in Review episode, we explore why and how Gen Z is changing the norms in the workplace. We also explore the key things organisations should learn about this new approach to work.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hr-in-review/id1595358789?i=1000663664194[3] Generations at Work
Working with Millennials (34 min)
In this episode of Generations at Work, Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore are joined by Millennial guests Mission Mobile Medical president & CFO Amanda LeFever and bestselling leadership author Ryan Jenkins. In this episode, our hosts and guests delve into the intricacies of working with the Millennial generation, emphasizing the importance of bridging generational gaps in the workplace. They explore the common misconceptions about Millennials, such as their perceived entitlement, and highlight the values they bring, including efficiency, collaboration, and a desire for feedback. Discover how Gen Y balances traditional workplace values and the evolving expectations of a modern workforce. By focusing on genuine interest, clear direction, and a blend of high-tech and high-touch approaches, this episode offers valuable insights for fostering connection across multiple generations. If you're interested in enhancing generational collaboration and leadership, you'll find practical advice for building more inclusive and productive work environments.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TfnPm0swbOiML936fgBmp[4] Freakonomics Radio
The Unintended. Consequences of working from home (40min:
The last two years have radically changed the way we work — producing winners, losers, and a lot of surprises.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519?i=1000584035729xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OPTIONAL
Next Generation Workforce- from Frustration to Flourishing
Embracing technology and innovation (27 min)
In this episode, we discuss another one of our identified key values for Gen Z professionals: embracing technology and innovation. This is the value that most emphasises the gap between generations, with the huge changes and evolvement in the way the world operates. When it comes to technology, it is becoming apparent that one size does not fit all. So how do we overcome that in the workplace?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HWUPB2B8s8bPhWaZkWletxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxOnly sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered in the town square).
- If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others who might be waitlisted can still join
- $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.
- OCT 16th, 2025 TOPIC: GETTING KIDS TO LEARN ____________ (LIVE- IN PERSON)West Orange, West Orange, NJ
Meetup is LIVE on our deck (weather-permitting), or in our LR (if cold, or rainy) in West Orange, NJ
(street address sent to NEWBIES 3-7 days ahead of the event)
We gather at 7:30 for 30 min of refreshments (and wine), and chit chat, and then spend 90 min in an informal, facilitated discussion based on the assigned podcasts
Please listen to the 3 podcasts below before the meetup
(these are a bit longer than usual but super interesting.... fast forward through the advertisements and you'll cut off some time)
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The school year is off and running.... whether you teach, or have kids or grandkids or nieces/nephews in school, or you are simply concerned about getting the next generation ready for the real world , this topic is relevant for you.
-- In the world of social media and video games and social isolation, how can kids be motivated to want to be in school and want to learn?
-- In the world of AI where every answer is a click away, what will make kids want to learn the basics that we all had to learn?
-- Is there a "secret sauce" for all schools to be successful at teaching students, or does the approach change with geography, socio-economic background, family structure?
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1. A Bit of Optimism
What we can learn from a rural school in Kenya (40 min)
Kenya's Maasai Mara is rugged, beautiful, and tough. Values are everything for the people who live in this rural countryside,
On a trip to Kenya, I had the opportunity to visit The Mara. The intelligence and grit of the young people there blew me away! I met incredibly driven young women determined to uplift their families from poverty. Carol Moraa is giving them that opportunity. She's the founding principal of Kisaruni Girls High School and Provost for Legacy College.
I wanted to ask Carol where her kids find the motivation to willingly sign up for 18-hour school days. It turns out when learning is a choice, not an obligation, it's possible to build schools where cultural values and community are at the heart of what people do.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-bit-of-optimism/id1515385282?i=10006757368912. Reveal
Teaching Kids to Read: How One School District Gets it Right (50 min)
The schools in Steubenville, Ohio, are doing something unusual—in fact, it’s almost unheard of. In a country where nearly 40 percent of fourth graders struggle to read at even a basic level, Steubenville has succeeded in teaching virtually all of its students to read well.
According to data from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University, Steubenville has routinely scored in the top 10 percent or better of schools nationwide for third grade reading, sometimes scoring as high as the top 1 percent.
In study after study for decades, researchers have found that districts serving low-income families almost always have lower test scores than districts in more affluent places. Yet Steubenville bucks that trend.
“It was astonishing to me how amazing that elementary school was,” said Karin Chenoweth, who wrote about Steubenville in her book How It’s Being Done: Urgent Lessons From Unexpected Schools.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669?i=10007049894633. Remarkable People
Revolutioning Math Education (60 min)
In this episode of Remarkable People, join Guy Kawasaki in a fascinating conversation with Shalinee Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Zearn and author of Math Mind. Together, they challenge common myths about mathematics education and explore how everyone can develop a math mind. Sharma shares groundbreaking insights on making math accessible and enjoyable for all learners, drawing from her experience leading an educational platform that reaches one in four elementary school students in America. Discover how reimagining math education can transform lives and unlock potential in every student.
Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.
With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy’s questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827?i=1000677598381-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
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Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).- If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
- $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.
- NOV 13th, 2025 TOPIC: ATOMIC HABITS ____________ (LIVE- IN PERSON)West Orange, West Orange, NJ
Meetup is in our LR in West Orange, NJ
(street address sent to NEWBIES 3-7 days ahead of the event)We gather at 7:30 for 30 min of refreshments (and wine), and chit chat, and then spend 90 min in an informal, facilitated discussion based on the assigned podcasts
Please listen to the 2 podcasts below before the meetup
(this is about 2 hrs of listening.... you can fast forward through the advertisements and you'll cut off some time)With the holidays coming up, we often interact with family members in "old ways" that may be frustrating. Can we change these old habits ?
AND
with the New Year fast approaching, and resolutions yet again being made, can we take a better approach that allows us to change bad habits and form long-term good habits?
We will explore this topic using podcast 1 with James Clear, author of Atomic Habits (20 million sales), and podcast 2 with Univ of S. Calif psychologist Wendy Wood who specializes in habitual behavior.
1. What are the biggest roadblocks to adding a good habit, or to getting rid of a bad habit?
2. What tools can help overcome these roadblocks?
3. Is there any information in either of these podcasts that you found useful?[1] The Next Big Idea
James Clear’s Ultimate Guide to Building Good Habits. (1 hr)
Forming a new habit is tough. Sticking with it is even tougher. That’s probably why someone buys a copy of James Clear’s 2018 book “Atomic Habits” every 11 seconds. James breaks down the science of habit formation into simple, actionable steps anyone can take — even you. Today on the show, he talks Rufus through the four laws of behavior change, explains how small improvements compound over time to produce remarkable results, and offers easy tips you can use now to kick bad habits and adopt good ones.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000682390778[2] Hidden Brain
Creatures of Habit
Creatures Of Habit | Hidden Brain Media. 65 min)
At the beginning of the year, many of us make resolutions for the months to come. We resolve to work out more, to procrastinate less, or to save more money. Though some people stick with these aspirations, many of us fall short. This week, we revisit our 2019 conversation with psychologist Wendy Wood, who shares what researchers have found about how to build good habits — and break bad ones.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?i=1000503726514=======================================================================
For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
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Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).- If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
- $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.
