Welcome to Generation Swap, a project and podcast about connecting across all stages of life.

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No doubt you’ve heard of a ‘generation gap,’ but what’s a Generation Swap?

It’s a place where mentors and mentees — we call them Swapmates — come together to talk about goals, passions, and values, bringing out the full potential in each other. Rather than focusing on what divides us across generations, we explore all the ways in which we’re connected to each other. Don’t have a Swapmate? We’ll give you ideas on how to find one.

We use the term Swapmate — rather than mentor and mentee — because learning is a 2-way street. Swapmates listen, guide, and encourage, helping each other figure out life!

At the same time, this 2-way street has an important detour: research shows that it’s in the second half of life that many people discover their most authentic self, leading to greater life satisfaction.

Generation Swap is part of an Aquinas College class that reaches far beyond the boundaries of our campus. We’re sponsored by the Aquinas Advantage Center. Join us for conversations about the dance of life!

Recent Episodes:

Martha & Samee

Martha & Samee

Martha Porter is a Grand Rapids native and mom to two adult daughters.  She retired in 2017 after a 40-year career with Amway Corporation. She is a long-time member of Grace Episcopal Church and...

Mike & Ryan

Mike & Ryan

Mike Burton is from the Detroit area and was adopted as a baby 75 years ago.  He served in the military and was in combat in Vietnam.  His career included time as a social worker, probation officer,...

Frank & Calvin

Frank & Calvin

Frank Schuller is an alumnus of Aquinas College, having completed the Master of Management program in 2012.  He has served in people leadership for nearly forty years with three career restarts....

Gary & Liam

Gary & Liam

Gary Eberle is a professor of English emeritus at Aquinas College. He is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction, a two-time recipient of Teacher of the Year award, and in 2019 was...

Dave & Olivia

Dave & Olivia

Dave Kampfschulte is a retired teacher who currently teaches at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College as well as serving as Director of Amazing Circles Workshops. Olivia Sebright...

Bonus Interview: Rebecca Harvey

Bonus Interview: Rebecca Harvey

Rebecca Harvey is a strategist, architect, and communicator focused on Cybersecurity.  With her passion for organizational digital transformation, she's helped global Fortune 500 companies deliver a...

Bonus Interview: Dr. Ian Borton

Bonus Interview: Dr. Ian Borton

Dr. Ian Borton, Communications Professor at Aquinas College, has embedded the Generation Swap project into his Interpersonal Communications class for students interested in intergenerational...

Dave & Diana

Dave & Diana

Dave Kampfschulte has had a varied career in education, teaching in public schools and as an instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College. He is the Director of...

Ann & Hannah

Ann & Hannah

Ann Zoellner is a retired educator who has redesigned her life. She volunteers her time within the Grand Rapids community, including at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas...

Explore the Stories

Values

Eboo Patel

Muslim father teaches lessons about standing up for Jewish friend

career

Gerri Detweiler

Financial advocacy for individuals and small business owners

Mentoring

Nicholas Wolterstorff

3 key questions for figuring out your career path

Relationships

George & Susan Heartwell

The joys and challenges of 48 years of marriage

The Generation Swap Creative Team:

Cindy Kamp

Creator and Host

Dana Hebreard

Career and Connections Expert

John Griffin

Executive Producer

Danielle Kendra

Website Designer

Sean O’Melia

Consultant for All Things Tech

Brigid Avery

Consultant for All Things Creative

Alexandra Stephenson

Social Media Coordinator

Eliza Brown

Mentorship Assistant

Gary Eberle & Lexi Schaub

The Voices of Generation Swap

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GenerationSwap is made possible through generous donations from listeners like you.