KnockBack, Episode 52: Growing Up in the '50s and '60s

Correct.

Colin Moriarty

This was a really cool ep. Your mom is a pretty cool lady. I'm guessing you know that because you had her on?

Thank you for listening!

Colin Moriarty

Really enjoyed this one. Your mother is so cool. Love that accent! Always find it amazing how different life is between 2 generations and how often these seemingly minor stories go untold.

Karl Brown

I hope you enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening! She's truly the best. =)

Colin Moriarty

Well, I'm glad to hear that at least some kids are being brought up right. =)

Colin Moriarty

Will check this out on the way to work tomorrow!

Karl Brown

Ironically playing catch-up on knockback episodes... I’m from the UK (also born in ‘84) and most of the material I’ve read has focused heavily on the protests and political arguments of these conflicts. It was kind of you to share such personal stories - thank you for that! Colin, you clearly have a lot to thank your mum (mom? Mam? Mother!) for and it’s easy to see why family is such an important part of your life. All the best.

NJ

Speaking from my own experience Gen Z played outside a lot too, I don’t know maybe it’s cuz I’m from a suburban mormon area but that was normal for me and my siblings and the kids in the neighborhood

Tyson Williams

I couldn't even imagine. Amazing, historic, somber stuff.

Colin Moriarty

I’m sorry that your gramps was a POW. It must have been horrific for him. Such bravery. (And you’re the second person here that’s said this about a family member 😢) But the gift of having his diary is amazing. It’s a real piece of history.

BettyAnn Moriarty

I never knew about the lack of veterans speaking out about experiences during WWII until a few years ago. I was lucky enough to get to know my great-grandfather during my childhood years. I was also lucky enough to hear some his experiences first hand, as he recounted them to me as an eager young child during the last couple of years of his life. He served during WWII, and was a PoW after getting shot down over Poland during a bombing raid. He recounted to me the many soldiers that would come to the hospital he was in, many of whom did not make it more than a few days. He witnessed many attrocities, that he did not speak of with me, during his march from deep into Poland towards Berlin after being liberated by the Soviets. From reading his personal diary that my family still posses from his time during the war, he witnessed the aftermath of several concentration camps. I can imagine such sights would be the reason many would not talk about their time in the war, as i learned that my great-grandfather had not talked to any of my other family members about his service.

Kam Wallis

Always a good idea. I'm certainly lax on that.

Colin Moriarty

That must have been an interesting story. I'm glad you got to hear it, even if you're a little hazy on the details. I think it was (and is) important for many of them to get it all out.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! We're gonna get some different combinations going in the future, fear not. =)

Colin Moriarty

I love how everyone is calling my mom Miss. Betty Ann. Deep south vibe.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening!

Colin Moriarty

The one with my dad is messed up. The recording, that is. LOL. Dunno if it'll ever be posted, unfortunately.

Colin Moriarty

I assure you, I did. :-)

David Graham

🤔 Ah, yes! Do it, David! 👏🏻❤️

BettyAnn Moriarty

I’m so sorry that your gramps was ill and that he never mentioned ‘his story’ - it’s just the way it was with that generation. But it’s absolutely awesome that a soldier you knew actually did speak about it. Thanks for letting us know and for listening. 💞

BettyAnn Moriarty

Thank youAnthony. So sweet. 😘 Do you want the four siblings together?! I think that would be awesome! 👏🏻

BettyAnn Moriarty

Thank you , Ryan! I have a secret, I could listen to YOUR accent all day! 👍🏻😉

BettyAnn Moriarty

Aw. Thank you SO much, four. I appreciate that. 💞

BettyAnn Moriarty

I think I need to give my mom a call now.

David Graham

Great and interesting conversation! BettyAnn is 2 years older than my parents so there are many parallels and fun to hear another perspective! Thanks for sharing with all of us! The WWII discussion struck a cord with my experience. My paternal grandpa took a bullet early in the war and had to come home but he got very sick later in life (Parkinson’s) so I never got to talk to him and the family never spoke about his war experience. My uncles dad from the same little town was a POW in Germany. Shortly before his death, at the last family function I saw him at, he out of the blue got out an atlas and recounted his experience. Very interesting and he never so much as mentioned he was in the war before that. Wish I could remember more but it was out of the blue and only 30 minutes maybe. Very different generation from today and probably for better and for worse.

Nick DeBoer

Let me say that BettyAnn is a gem. She reminds me of my aunt from the city. Great episode and great idea Colin ! Next we need all three of you together lol

Anthony Longo

Hey Miss BettyAnn. First off, just want to say you rock :). Also, as a non American ( Northern Ireland ) I could listen to your accent all day haha. Hope you are well and looking forward to Colin having you back on again soon :)

Ryan Hughes

This is the best conversation I've heard on CLS since the Colin & Erin episode. Well done Ms. Moriarty.

four24twenty

Jason, wow! Thank you. I enjoy doing these with Colin (maybe with both my boys one day - who knows?! ) and I too enjoy ‘meeting’ you through the podcast and social media. It’s really fun. Maybe one day well run into each other - grab a coffee and talk. Crazier things have happened. 😉 (and I don’t even want to talk about memory ‘loss’. Yikes! 🙄

BettyAnn Moriarty

I didn't say this earlier as I had a random thought I just needed to get out before I forgot ( the old memory isn't as good at 43 as it was when I was younger) but... It is ALWAYS such a pleasure to hear from Miss BettyAnn. She is such a cool lady and just reinforces the feeling of wishing I were neighbors or friends of the family so I could just hang out and shoot the bull with you guys. Miss BettyAnn, thank you for being so cool. Thank you for raising 2 of the best dudes ever, and thank you for letting us be your fans as well as fans of your sons. It really is very much appreciated. :)

Jason Stafford

Great episode Colin! Kinda wish it were longer. The one with your dad will be a good one.

Brandon Soto

Yep. Exactly what they all did. The stories that they could have told! But sadly, I think it was just way too painful. 😢

BettyAnn Moriarty

That is so cool about WWII. It must be true for almost everyone that went through that war. My grandpa was in the Pacific Theater and he would never tell me anything, not even for school reports and stuff. I'd ask and he'd just clam up.

Jason Stafford

She'd be fun to talk to on Fireside Chats. =)

Colin Moriarty

Listening to this got me thinking about my Grandma, who is your mom's age (my parents had me in high school, hence the young grandparents at 30). She grew up in the South and I asked her about racism and her experience as a white child in the Jim Crow Era. Her response was fascinating and saddening at the same time. Thank your mom for the great show from me.

Jimmy Valentine

She's just as fun to talk to. =)

Colin Moriarty

She's great! She always does a good job.

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

This is the first of several we hope to record and put into the world.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

I love listening to Mama Moriarty. She reminds me of my own mother and so many moms growing up in CT.

Forrest Hunter

“Let’s talk about something more pleasant” I’ve said that or something similar to that a lot lately. - great to hear mama Moriarity. Like Dagan she’s a natural on the mic! Must run in the family.

Owen

Yeeeeesss!! ♡

Petre Cismigiu

Yessss been waiting for the family Knockback since they were mentioned!

Jason Bolla

11am central... my favorite time of the day Tuesday through Thursday!

Tim J Weckwerth