Gen Jones Chronicles

We begin Season 2 with a listener who contacted me because he feels so strongly that he is a part of Gen Jones. Matthew voices frustration he has felt being lumped in with Baby Boomers his entire life. Born in 1959, Matthew traveled the world in the Navy before settling in Portland to raise a family.

In this interview, I talk to a 64-year-old man from Fji.  In some ways, this man’s experience growing up was the most different from the other people I interviewed in 2023.  He grew up on the 2d largest island in Fiji, where they did not have broadcast television until the 1990’s.  The world was changing exponentially in the South Pacific, as Fiji gained independence from Great Britain in 1970, and other Pacific island nations followed. 

Some comments on accents and terminology: Our interview subject has lived in New Zealand for decades, and speaks with a NZ accent. Also, when he speaks of Itaukei people (sounds like, in U.S. accent, ee-tau-kay), he is referring to the indigenous population of Fiji, who comprise about 54% of the population.  British brought in Indian people as indentured servants in the late 1800’s, and their descendants now comprise about 38% of the population.  Finally, our interviewee references two coups – one in 1987 and one is 2000, that created division amongst the people of Fiji that is now beginning to heal. Although born and educated in Fiji, our interview subject emigrated to New Zealand to pursue advanced studies and stayed to build a career.  First a lawyer,now a law professor, he lives in New Zealand but does what he can to help the people of Fiji. 

In this interview, I talk to a 66-year-old woman from Victoria, Australia.  Like several of the other folks I interviewed in 2023, her primary career was as a law professor before she retired in 2024.  Unlike some of the others I interviewed, however, this woman had a very positive experience with religion as a child, and attributes her experiences in her church, along with her parents, and her education, as instilling her with values involving giving back to others, tolerance, and love – values that have stayed with her throughout her life. She has devoted her professional life to studying criminal law systems internationally, examining prison systems, violence against women and children, and human rights.

00:00:13-Introduction of episode

00:00:52-Introduction of guest

00:01:41-Identity & childhood

00:05:10-Education

00:19:28-Employment

00:30:10-Major national or international events

00:35:42-Education

00:41:10-Employment

00:51:40-Shifts in cultural attitudes

01:05:10-Climate change

01:07:15-Middle East

01:08:27-Parenting philosophies

01:14:50-Closing thoughts

01:15:19-Outro

In this interview, I talk to Tonya Krause-Phelan.  Like GDM, Tonya was raised on a farm, but while GDM was born in 1954, putting her closer to the baby boomers,  Tanya was born in 1962, 8 years  later, putting her closer to Gen X.  Much of what Tanya said resonated with me.  She always felt like an “other” growing up in rural Jackson County, Michigan.  I felt like an “other”, too.  Tonya describes how those feelings led her to make some unconventional choices for a woman at that time. I hope you enjoy our conversation.  

GDM was raised on a farm in western Illinois, spent years in the Peace Corps in various parts of Africa, married a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, and settled into a career in New Zealand over 30 years ago. She has dual U.S.-New Zealand citizenship.  Born in 1954, the youngest of four, she feels like a solid Baby Boomer, not so much part of Generation Jones. Let's find out why.

In this interview, I talk to Dan from Montana.  Dan was born in South Dakota, moved a lot when he was a child, and lived most of his life in the American West.  When he retired a few years ago, he and his wife set out to travel the world.  Dan’s observations of life in the Western U.S. reveal an America that became more corporate and less personal,  yet one which offered technological advancements that allow him to expand his horizons in the world.

00:00-00:27 Introduction to episode

00:31-00:57 Introduction to guest

00:58-5:27 Childhood

5:36-14:50 Education

14:58-30:50 Employment

31:03-37:51 World or national events

38:00-46:34 Family life

46:43-51:09 Shifts in cultural attitudes

51:15-55:33 Technology in personal life

55:43-1:03:06 Word association & final thoughts

In this interview, I talk to Cheryl Green.  Cheryl is a recently retired referee of the Disputes Tribunal in Hamilton,  New Zealand.  She was born and raised in New Zealand to English parents who thought of themselves as working class.  She was told that people like them didn’t attend college.  Following a somewhat non-traditional path, she eventually got a college degree and became a lawyer.  I know Cheryl personally, and I find her to be extremely organized, enthusiastic, and fun. 

In this interview, I talk to Cecilia Webster, from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Although Cecilia describes herself as “ordinary”, I think she is anything but. Cecilia has kept a keen eye on the nursing profession, the environment, and aged care – all while raising 3 children, helping care for ill family members, and advocating at the grassroots for positive change in social policy.   

0:00:00-Introduction to episode

0:00:36-Introduction to guest

0:01:09-Childhood

0:15:40-Primary education

0:27:36-Sex education early 1970's

0:44:14-Nursing career

01:05:28-Pandemic nursing

01:13:33-Technology in nursing

01:26:52-Family life

01:33:00-Shifts in cultural attitudes

01:36:47-Word association

01:50:25-Final thoughts

01:58:38-Outro

Kim's suggested playlist, songs on Spotify:

He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother, The Hollies

She blinded me with Science, Thomas Dolby

Let's Misbehave by Cole Porter, sung by Janice Hagan

She Works Hard for the Money, Donna Summer

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Simon & Garfunkle

You've Got a Friend, James Taylor

Imagine, John Lennon

Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel

What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

Kookaberra Sits, ABC Kids

In this episode, I talk to Mark, who was born in Flint, Michigan in 1957. Mark's family moved into an upper middle-class mostly white neighborhood in Flint in the 1960's, and his family was harassed because they were African-American. He was a first-hand witness to white flight and what it did to the community. Nevertheless, his mother was an educator and instilled in the importance of education. Mark broke racial barriers at the University of Michigan, as a pharmacist, and as a lawyer and law professor. Hear his story here.

0:00-Introduction of episode

0:40-Introduction of guest

01:33-Childhood

18:03-Typical day and education

27:20-Employment

47:38-Family

1:00:54-Technology in personal life

1:07:19-Shifts in cultural attitudes

1:17:15-Final thoughts

1:20:48-Outro

Kim's suggested playlist, found on Spotify

What's Going On, Marvin Gaye

The Swimming Song, Louden Wainwright III

Think, Aretha Franklin

Indigo Blue, Hank Crawford

Heart of Gold, Neil Young

Revolution, The Beatles

In this episode, we hear my discussion with Brendan Cullen.  Brendan was born to immigrant parents in Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island. He has lived most of his adult life in Hamilton, New Zealand, where he has been an involved member of the community, practicing law &, along with his wife Cheryl, raising their daughter. Brendan’s careful reflection adds to our journey to find common characteristics of Gen Jonesers.

To read a transcript of this interview, go to www.genjoneschronicles.com, on the page "Gen Jones Stories".

01:32-Childhood

07:06-Career

26:34-Significant national or international events

33:10-Family life & parenting

40:53-Technology in personal life

44:33-Shifts in cultural attitudes

50:04-Word association

58:20-Final thoughts

Kim’s suggested playlist for this episode with artist performance available on Spotify:

Welcome Home (Dave Dobbyn)

Bicycle Race (Queen)

I’m on Hold (Alex Cornell)

Fly Me to the Moon (Joytastic Sarah)

That’s the Way I Always Heard it Should Be (Carly Simon)

Video Killed the Radio Star (The Buggles)

Hello Goodbye (The Beatles)

Kol Nidre (Max Bruch)

Camelot (Frederick Lowe Broadway cast)

Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller Band)

In this episode, I interview Paul Webster, who was born in 1956 and currently resides in Victoria, Australia. The son of an Australian Air Force officer, Paul lived in Hong Kong as a child, and later lived in Malaysia. He discusses boarding school in Victoria, his own career in the Air Force and in the academic world, and his relationships with his family. To access a transcript of this episode in English, go to www.genjoneschronicles.com, next to Paul Webster's photograph on the "Gen Jones Stories" page.

00:00-Introduction to episode

00:34-Introduction to guest

00:58-Paul's early childhood & boarding school

07:18-Typical childhood days

10:28-Education

15:52-Air Force career

24:39Time with Mum

28:43-Career in academic world

34:27-Biggest changes in the workplace

42:36-Significant national or international events

45:55-Family life then & now, & changing cultural attitudes

57:22-Word association

65:41-Parenting philosophies

71:54-Biggest overall change

75:04-Paul's closing remarks

76:32-Outro

Kim's suggested playlist with artists found on Spotify:

Down Under (Men At Work)

Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)

When You Wish Upon a Star (Magic Philharmonic Orchestra)

School’s Our (Alice Cooper)

Cat’s in the Cradle (Harry Chapin)

Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks)

Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)

School Days (The Runaways)

Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)

What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love (Burt Bacharach)

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Elton John)

Kids (Paul Lynde)

Mr. Roboto (Styx)

My Way (Frank Sinatra)

Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller Band)

In this episode, Mata from Aotearoa, a Maori woman, discusses how she went from a one-room hut in poverty to a successful life as a mother, spouse, and career-woman. Please join us in this fascinating journey.

00:00-Introduction to episode

0:36-Introduction to guest

00:52-Mata's identity & earliest memories

17:12-Death of Mata's dad

30:47-Mata's new home

36:12-Mata's school years

54:03-Mata's years in Australia

66:09-Mata's career track

85:27-Cultural attitudes

93:15-Views on parenting styles

97:13-Mata's final thoughts

98:13-Wrap-up

Kim's suggested playlist for this episode (with songs found on Spotify)

Pakarekare Ana (Maori Tribe)

We Are Family (Sister Sledge)

Pope E Tangi Ana Tama Ki Te Kai Mana (Maori)

 Whakaria Mai (The Kiwi Sound)

Life is a Highway (Rascal Flatts)

Stairway to Heaven (Payton Howard)

I am Woman (Helen Reddy)

Let Me Be Myself (3 Doors Down)

Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)

Poi E (Patea Maori Club)

Mable Martin-Scott describes her childhood as "growing up in the 'hood" in Cabrini-Green in Chicago. She was laser-focused on becoming a lawyer at a time when peole coulnd not envision that as even possible, and she succeeded. She discusses her journey in this episode.

You can see a transcript of this conversation on www.genjoneschronicles.com, on the Gen Jones Stories page next to Mable's photograph.

01:12-Identity and childhood

07:46-Early education and college

23:46-Law School

33:00-Career

43:11-National or international events

46:33-Family life and parenting

67:28-Technology in personal life

74:03-Shifts in cultural attitudes

82:17-Climate change

84:54-Final thoughts

Kim’s suggested playlist for this episode with artist performance available on Spotify:

Living for the City  (Stevie Wonder)

Beginnings (Chicago)

School Day (Chuck Berry)

A Change is Gonna Come (Aretha Franklin)

Wind Beneath my Wings (Bette Midler)

Abraham, Martin, and John (Dion)

I Believe I Can Fly (Yolanda Adams)

Operator (that’s not he way it feels) (Jim Croce)

You are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker)

Big Yellow Taxi (Bob Dylan)

In My Life (Crosby, Stills, & Nash)

Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller Band)

Kim talks about why she created this project and what it is all about, and we hear from some of the interview subjects.