talkin' 'bout Our Generation
Talkin' 'bout Our Generation
In Case You Missed It:
Independence Day 2026, the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, was a mixed moment in our history. Most celebrated as always, with parades and picnics festooned with red white and blue, cheering the fireworks.
Our generation can look back 50 years to our Bicentennial in 1976, a peaceful time of hope and happiness. President Gerald Ford embodied calm and healing as he led the nation out of the dark days of Richard Nixon's divisive presidency and the shattering impact of the two decades of the Vietnam war. It was a time of relief and reconciliation, when a population of 218 million people were once again one nation. It was a happy day in America.
But a lot has happened in 50 years, and many Americans did not feel much like celebrating this year.
Most Americans have forgotten the sacrifice early colonists made to win our independence.
For many of us, this anniversary marks a drastic drop from that euphoric spirit of 1976 to a heart-rending impotence as our democracy mutates into an autocracy. We watch helplessly as our representatives stand aside as our once-inviolate institutions are bulldozed, our sacred foundational documents -- the Declaration and the Constitution -- are ignored, and the rights they guaranteed are trampled. We're stupefied at how millions of our fellow citizens can blindly pledge allegiance to a leader who has torn our country in two.
Our freedom came at a terrible price: the population of the 13 colonies was only 2.5 million in 1776. 25,000 of those gave their lives to win our freedom from tyranny, and thousands more were left maimed and destitute.
The Founding Fathers knew that independence and the Constitution and Bill of Rights that became the pillars of the new nation were fragile. They would require constant vigilance to survive.
It is shamefully clear that over the 250 years since our country was born, we have failed in that vigilance, and drifted far from those founding principles.
The universal pride and solidarity that made America a model democracy has devolved into separate camps with distinctly different views of patriotism. Millions of American citizens and people around the world now fear our democracy is in jeopardy, we are succumbing to a dictatorship, and our sacred rights and institutions are crumbling.
It is no wonder millions of us just don't have the
spirit or the energy to celebrate this Fourth of July.
But there is a spirit rising that in many ways echoes
the Spirit of '76. It resides in the hearts of the seven million Americans who poured into our city streets in the "No Kings" protest.
Whether or not those 7 million protestors realize it, they embody the "Spirit of '76." The corruption and rampant tyranny they are protesting echo many of the same grievances that drove the outmatched colonists to revolt and to triumph. A close reading of the Declaration reveals remarkable parallels between 1776 and today. Listen to John F. Kennedy's reading of that document, and listen for the similarities between then and now:
Senator John F. Kennedy, giving the first recorded reading of the Declaration of Independence broadcast on WQXR Radio in New York, on July 4, 1957.
A few accolades from our Guests & Listeners ...
"Julian and Rob provide such a great service for the 55 Plus demographic. It is so under-served with good, cool, hip information and opportunities, and they do just that.”
Michael Shrieve
Musician, Drummer for Santana at Woodstock ‘69
Member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Guest on Episode 9
"I love the last episode on friendship! I had been thinking about that very
topic after my mother passed recently; Who was there for me and who wasn’t and why.
"The Woodstock episodes were also interesting. Brought me back to my teen years and how my mother wouldn’t let me go with my neighbor! Imagine that!
"Best of luck with future podcasts!"
Silvia Gambardella
Subscriber
"I am so glad I had a chance to listen to your Thanksgiving episode - It was thoughtful and timely and personal - really nicely done, I thought. When have any of us really read the Mayflower Compact and reflected on its true meaning and what they wanted to achieve? Or considered the intolerable conditions on the voyage? Or that a woman's significance was simply as someone's spouse...? Or related their hope for their future with what they would think of the country today? Or what our ancestors would think of US?
"So much to think about."
Gail Zetter
Subscriber
“I just want to let you know that the most recent episode of the podcast really knocked it out of the park.Dr. Shrand’s cure for incivility is indeed an excellent prescription for some of what ails our society.
Julian’s interviewing skills are excellent. He truly LISTENS to his guests and responds with thoughtful examinations and questions. Your podcast is always enlightening and makes me stop and think about matters that underly the angst that many of us feel daily. Solutions to big problems are not easy to find. But episodes such as the one with Dr. Shrand and the earlier one with CATHERINE RYAN HYDE certainly gives us all food for thought. Keep up the good work, gentlemen. We, your audience is listening. And remember, kindness is contagious.”
Eric Seedman
Subscriber
The State of Civility in America Series
“Civility is a value I care about. It’s the heart and soul of the original “Pay It Forward” idea,and is a central theme in my other 43 novels as well. We hear a lot today about the decline of civility in America, but what I feel we need is a more positive approach. How can we do better?
"So I was honored to be the first guest on talkin’ ‘bout Our Generation’s’ series on “The State of Civility in America.” My interview with Host Julian Simmons was positive, friendly and thought-provoking, and I look forward to hearing future episodes. I believe this podcast is serving a very valuable service, the kind I envisioned when “the Pay It Forward Movement” first took hold. I encourage everyone to listen and lend their support to this timely and important podcast.”
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Author of the NYTimes Best-Selling Book,
“Pay It Forward”
Guest on Episode 11
"My readers often tell me that my characters make them think more about how we treat others, and how they can be a better person. Of course I’m thrilled if I can nudge my readers toward a kinder, more caring way of treating one another.
"I just want to say in support of your podcast ... the fact that you guys are taking on civility in a historic and liminal moment that has allowed rampant incivility to take over so much, I think what you're bringing to the conversation is important. And just as importantly, I think the fact that you are finding ways and finding people to come on to talk about civility is something that is fresh, because we're swimming in so much of its opposite and people will hear this and, and hopefully it will stimulate a movement to create civil spaces in our society."
Dr. Shepherd Siegel,
Author of "Tricking Power Into Performing Acts of Love"
and "Disruptive Play: The Trickster in Politics and Culture."
Guest on Episodes 14 & 16
“I just finished listening to podcasts three and four. Each podcast is getting better and better. It's great. Although not a hippie, my friends and I were all about the music in college. My kids cannot believe that I loved Hendrix and Santana as well as John Sebastian and Lovin’ Spoonful. There was a real sense of community and caring for one another, and caring for the earth as well. I clearly remember the very first Earth Day. Thank you for your efforts to promote community and a sense of camaraderie among us,Julian and Rob. This podcast reminds us how being gentle with each other is a good thing.
Thanks!”
Arlene Wong
Subscriber
Wow. I just finished the podcast with Carol Green and Richie Havens. I'm just leaving this message because I want the producers directors to understand how awesome it was for me to be taken back to that time. You know, peace, love, and freedom, which I hadn't thought about in so many years, it's kind of relevant to today. So, I'm feeling good. It reminded me that we can still hope and believe and have faith that it's all gonna turn out okay in the end. So, thanks. Looking forward to the next podcast!
Suzette Fowler
Subscriber