The Cool Grandpa Podcast: Recent Episodes
Greg Payne
This podcast is about the relationship between Grandfathers and their Grandchildren. We focus on interesting stories to understand and grow our own relationships. This is the perfect podcast to understand how important the role of Grandfather is to the lives of the Grandchildren and Family in general.
When Dad Isn't There: How Grandfathers Can Help Raise Good Men When a father isn't actively involved in a boy's life, many grandfathers wonder what role they should play. Should they step in? How much influence is appropriate? How can they support their grandson without replacing his father or unintentionally undermining his mother?
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore the unique opportunity grandfathers have to become steady, trustworthy men in the lives of boys growing up without an active father.
Whether you're the father of the absent dad or the father of the child's mother, your role is different, but your influence can be profound.
I share practical advice for grandfathers who live nearby and those separated by distance, emphasizing consistency, respect for parental boundaries, and modeling the kind of man every grandson deserves to know.
Rather than trying to replace Dad, this episode encourages grandfathers to become another good man a young boy can trust.
In this episode you'll learn: * Why boys learn healthy masculinity by observing good men * The difference between paternal and maternal grandfathers in these situations * Why criticizing an absent father can unintentionally hurt a grandson * How to support a single mother while respecting her authority * Practical ways to mentor boys through everyday activities * How long-distance grandfathers can remain deeply involved * Why consistency matters more than grand gestures * How simple moments can shape a boy's future
Memorable Quote "Don't ask, 'Can I replace his dad?' Ask instead, 'How can I become another good man in his life?'"
Resources Mentioned * The Long Distance Grandparent by Dr. Kerry Byrne (referenced in the episode) * Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring research: https://www.bbbs.org/research/ * Search Institute's Developmental Relationships Framework: https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-relationships-framework * American Psychological Association resources on mentoring and resilience: https://www.apa.org/research-practice/mentorship * You can watch this episode on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/mMK8QaeP1H4 * Buy Me a Coffee – a great way to help out the podcast; use this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Show Notes Can grandparents influence our lives even if we never really knew them?
Author and former environmental attorney Sylvia Liu believes the answer is yes.
In this fascinating conversation, Sylvia shares the remarkable stories of her two grandfathers, both generals in Nationalist China whose lives intersected with some of the most pivotal events of the twentieth century. Although Sylvia met one grandfather only once and never met the other, their courage, sacrifice, commitment to service, and love of family profoundly shaped the generations that followed.
Sylvia and I also discuss immigration, education, family traditions, children's literature, and why every family should preserve its stories before they're lost.
This episode is a reminder that our greatest legacy isn't wealth or accomplishments—it's the values we pass from one generation to the next.
What You'll Learn * Why grandparents influence us—even across generations * The extraordinary history behind Sylvia Liu's family * How family stories strengthen identity * Why preserving your family's history matters * Lessons from military service, sacrifice, and resilience * The importance of education as a lasting family legacy * How Sylvia transitioned from Harvard-trained environmental lawyer to award-winning children's author * Why grandparents make such powerful characters in children's books
Memorable Moments * Two grandfathers who helped shape modern Chinese history * Growing up between Chinese, Venezuelan, and American cultures * Family recipes that connect four generations * Why Sylvia's books often feature grandparents * How history can inspire future generations
About Sylvia Liu Sylvia Liu is an award-winning children's author whose books celebrate family, culture, courage, and resilience. Before becoming a full-time writer, she practiced environmental law for more than a decade, including work with the U.S. Department of Justice and Oceana.
Her books include A Morning with Grandpa, Manatee's Best Friend, and several acclaimed middle-grade novels featuring strong family relationships and multicultural themes.
Key Takeaways Sometimes the grandparents who influence us the most are the ones we barely knew.
Legacy isn't simply what we accomplish—it's what future generations remember, repeat, and build upon.
Family stories give children a stronger sense of identity.
Education, service, resilience, and curiosity can become generational gifts.
Every family has stories worth preserving before they're lost.
Links and Resources * Sylvia Liu's Home Page * Sylvia's blog about her grandfather Lt. General Fan Hanjie (Fan Hanjie (范漢傑) (1894-1976)) * Sylvia's Father's Book about her grandfather: The House Arrest of Zhang Xueliang: A Memoir of Growing Up with China's Most Famous Political Prisoner * Sylvia's book page (MANATEE'S BEST FRIEND, A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, etc.) * Buy Me a Coffee - a great way to help out the podcast; use this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
The 3 Biggest Challenges Grandparents Face Today (And What the Research Says) Grandparenting is one of life's greatest blessings—but it isn't always easy.
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, Greg Payne explores three of the biggest challenges facing grandparents today, backed by current research and years of conversations with grandparents across the country.
You'll discover why family estrangement has become one of the fastest-growing emotional challenges for grandparents, why millions of grandparents are unexpectedly raising grandchildren, and how relationships with adult children can either strengthen or strain the entire family.
Whether you're struggling with one of these issues or want to become a wiser, more intentional grandparent, this episode offers practical encouragement and hope.
In This Episode * Why family estrangement hurts so deeply * The emotional toll of losing contact with grandchildren * What "ambiguous loss" means for grandparents * Why grandparents are raising more than 2 million children * The physical, emotional, and financial realities of kinship caregiving * Healthy ways to navigate relationships with adult children * How to become a trusted advisor instead of an unwanted critic * Three reflection questions every grandparent should ask
Links Here is the link to the conversation that I had with Jamarl D. Clark and Mr. Robert Brown from Generations United: https://cool-grandpa.com/2024/04/19/ep-178-support-for-grandparents-with-generations-united/
You can watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZBQW6Ez9VKM. Please remember to like and subscribe to the channel.
🌐 Visit the website: https://cool-grandpa.us
🛍️ Check out Cool Grandpa gear: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Show Notes: As a six-year-old boy in Louisville, Kentucky, I celebrated America's Bicentennial in 1976 with parades, flags, and neighborhood celebrations. Fifty years later, that little boy is now a grandfather himself, reflecting on what it means to leave a lasting legacy.
In this special Independence Day episode, we look at a side of America's Founding Fathers that rarely makes it into the history books: their roles as grandfathers, mentors, and family men.
What can Thomas Jefferson teach us about being present with our grandchildren? What does George Washington show us about family by choice? How did John and Abigail Adams build a multi-generational legacy? And why are Benjamin Franklin's stories still remembered centuries later?
Join me as we explore the timeless lessons these remarkable men can teach today's grandfathers.
In This Episode: * My memories of America's Bicentennial in 1976 * Celebrating the nation's 250th birthday * Thomas Jefferson and the gift of mentorship * George Washington and family beyond biology * John Adams and passing down values * Benjamin Franklin and the importance of family stories * Why ordinary moments become extraordinary memories * The challenge every grandfather faces: What stories are we helping our grandchildren create?
Links and Resources: You can watch this episode on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/NuuWGJnDRb0. Please remember to like and subscribe to the channel.
🛍️ Check out Cool Grandpa gear: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
What if most of what we've been told about aging is simply wrong?
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with wellness expert, physical therapist, educator, and author Eileen Kopsaftis to discuss why decline is not an inevitable part of aging. Drawing on decades of experience helping people improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function, Eileen shares practical strategies that grandparents can use to stay active, independent, and fully engaged with their families.
From nutrition and hydration to movement, mindset, and community, this conversation challenges the conventional narrative that aging automatically leads to weakness, pain, and loss of independence. Whether your goal is to get down on the floor to play with your grandchildren, enjoy outdoor adventures, or maintain your quality of life, Eileen offers hope, inspiration, and actionable advice.
Many grandparents assume that aches, pains, loss of mobility, and declining energy are simply part of getting older. According to Eileen Kopsaftis, that's one of the biggest myths in modern society.
In this conversation, Eileen explains why aging itself is not the culprit behind many of the challenges we associate with growing older. Instead, she argues that inactivity, poor nutrition, inadequate hydration, and limiting beliefs often play a much larger role.
We explore:
- Why do many people mistakenly accept decline as inevitable
- How movement—not age—determines mobility
- The importance of getting on the floor and maintaining functional strength
- Why hydration is critical for muscle performance and energy
- The role nutrition plays in reducing inflammation and joint pain
- Common exercise mistakes that can lead to injury
- Why authentic movement matters more than isolated gym exercises
- The power of mindset in shaping the aging process
- How community and relationships contribute to lifelong wellbeing
- Inspiring examples of active adults in their 80s, 90s, and beyond
Eileen also shares practical resources, including her free movement assessment and wellness tools designed to help people identify mobility limitations before they become major problems.
For grandparents who want to remain active, independent, and engaged with their families, this episode offers both encouragement and a roadmap.
Key Takeaways 1. Aging Does Not Automatically Equal Decline Many losses commonly attributed to aging are actually related to inactivity and lifestyle choices.
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Movement Is Medicine Your body adapts to what you ask it to do. If you stop moving in certain ways, those abilities fade—but can often be restored.
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Nutrition Fuels Energy Whole foods, proper hydration, and healthy eating habits play a major role in energy levels, inflammation, and overall health.
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Mindset Matters Believing that decline is inevitable often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Community Supports Longevity Strong social connections, family relationships, and supportive communities contribute significantly to healthy aging.
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Consistency Beats Intensity Small daily habits practiced consistently produce better results than occasional bursts of activity.
Links and Resources Mentioned Website: https://havelifelongwellbeing.com
Movement Assessment: https://mwpprivateclub.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EileenKopsaftis
You can watch this episode on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/yGaDm0I0mIo. Please remember to like and subscribe to the channel.
🌐 Visit the website: https://cool-grandpa.us
🛍️ Check out Cool Grandpa gear: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Experts Mentioned * Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn * Dr. Neal Barnard * Dr. John McDougall * T. Colin Campbell * Moshe Feldenkrais * Ida Rolf
Recommended Reading * The China Study by T. Colin Campbell * Whole by T. Colin Campbell * Aging Culprits by Eileen Kopsaftis
Show Notes As grandfathers, we often focus on our grandchildren, and rightly so. But one of the most effective ways to positively influence our grandchildren may be to encourage the fathers raising them.
In this Father's Day episode, I discuss the unique role grandfathers can play in supporting sons and sons-in-law as they navigate modern fatherhood.
Drawing from personal experience and observations, I explore the challenges fathers face today, the importance of encouragement, and how grandfathers can offer wisdom without becoming controlling.
You'll learn practical ways to strengthen family relationships, support healthy marriages, and become a positive influence across generations.
In This Episode * Why modern fatherhood can feel overwhelming * Remembering our own early experiences as fathers * The power of simple encouragement * Wisdom versus control * Supporting sons-in-law as valued family members * Practical ways to help fathers thrive * Breaking unhealthy generational patterns * Creating a positive family legacy
Key Takeaway One of the greatest gifts a grandfather can give his grandchildren is helping their father succeed.
Links and Resources You can watch this episode on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/hO59aZLE9zM. Please remember to like and subscribe to the channel.
🌐 Visit the website: https://cool-grandpa.us
🛍️ Check out Cool Grandpa gear: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Episode Summary What happens when families stop talking?
In this heartfelt conversation, I welcome fellow grandfather and family advocate Terry Willis, founder of The Power of Family. Terry shares the deeply personal experience that inspired his mission to help families reconnect, communicate, and strengthen relationships across generations.
Together, we explore the challenges facing modern families, including estrangement, generational differences, social media's impact on relationships, and the growing need for meaningful conversations between parents, grandparents, and grandchildren.
Terry explains why "Start the Conversation" has become the guiding principle of The Power of Family and offers practical wisdom for grandparents who want to strengthen family bonds, rebuild connections, and leave a lasting legacy.
If you've ever worried about growing distance within your family—or wondered how grandfathers can help bring people together—this episode offers encouragement, insight, and hope.
In This Episode The conversation explores:
- Terry's journey into grandfatherhood
- The special role grandparents play in family life
- The moment Terry realized a larger family issue needed attention
- How social media can sometimes deepen family divisions
- The growing challenge of family estrangement
- Why younger and older generations often struggle to understand each other
- The importance of invitation versus expectation in family relationships
- How grandparents can strengthen family bonds without becoming overbearing
- The mission and vision behind The Power of Family
- Practical first steps for reconnecting with adult children and grandchildren
Throughout the conversation, Terry returns to a simple but powerful message:
Start the conversation.
Because strong families aren't built through assumptions, they're built through communication.
Key Takeaways 1. Strong families require intentional communication. Relationships rarely improve through silence.
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Grandparents can be guides, not controllers. Support and invitation often create stronger bonds than direction and correction.
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Family challenges are more common than many realize. Many families quietly struggle with distance, misunderstanding, and estrangement.
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Generational differences don't have to create division. Understanding and listening can bridge the gap.
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Legacy begins with connection. Healthy family relationships are built one conversation at a time.
Links and Resources: The Power of Family: The Power of Family
You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/Noqlf0TylRw
Grand Magazine article on Gen X grandfathers: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Family estrangement is one of the most painful experiences a grandfather can face. Whether it involves an adult son, daughter, or grandchildren, the separation often leaves unanswered questions, lingering hurt, and a deep desire for reconciliation.
In this solo episode, I explore why estrangement has become increasingly common, why fathers are often disproportionately affected, and what grandfathers can do to rebuild trust and connection.
Using the story of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as a historical example, I share how two of America's most influential founders experienced years of silence and disagreement before reconnecting later in life through a series of letters and renewed friendship.
This episode is not about blame.
It's about hope.
It's about understanding.
And it's about becoming the grandfather your family needs today.
Topics Discussed Family Estrangement and Grandfatherhood * Why estrangement affects millions of families * Research suggests that roughly one in four adults experiences family estrangement * Why fathers are more commonly estranged than mothers * The hidden grief many grandfathers carry
Common Barriers to Reconciliation * Pride and wounded feelings * Miscommunication and misunderstanding * Emotional distance * Generational differences * Waiting for the other person to make the first move
The Power of Curiosity * Moving from "Who was right?" to "What can I learn?" * Understanding versus agreement * Listening without immediately defending yourself * Creating emotional safety
The Adams and Jefferson Story * Friendship during the American Revolution * Political rivalry and separation * More than a decade without communication * Reconnection through letters beginning in 1812 * Exchanging over 150 letters during their final years * Their remarkable deaths on July 4, 1826
Building a Lasting Legacy * How grandchildren observe conflict and reconciliation * Modeling humility and forgiveness * Leaving behind a story of healing rather than resentment * Becoming a more intentional grandfather in the second half of life
Reflection Questions After listening, consider:
- Is there a relationship in my life that deserves another attempt?
- What assumptions might I be making about the other person's perspective?
- Have I been waiting for someone else to take the first step?
- What would understanding look like in this situation?
- What story do I want my grandchildren to hear about how I handled conflict?
Resources Mentioned * Research on family estrangement by sociologist Karl Pillemer * The friendship and correspondence of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson * Previous Cool Grandpa Podcast episodes on family relationships, boundaries, and grandfatherhood
Links Visit: www.cool-grandpa.us
You can watch this episode of YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/5kTGLqoNVnE. Don't forget to like and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
Closing Thought The strongest families are not necessarily the ones that avoid conflict.
They are often the ones who find the courage to heal after it.
Show Notes What do grandchildren really remember about summer?
It's usually not the expensive vacations.
It's the popsicles melting on the porch. Fishing lines tangled in weeds. Late-night ice cream runs. Campfire stories. Helping Grandpa wash the car, laughing over terrible jokes, and riding in the truck to the hardware store.
In this heartfelt episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I reflect on how ordinary summer moments can create extraordinary emotional bonds between grandfathers and grandchildren.
Drawing from my own childhood memories, conversations with other grandfathers, and lessons learned from podcast guests, I explore how shared tasks, traditions, storytelling, listening, and intentional presence help grandchildren feel safe, valued, and connected.
This episode also dives into how strong grandfather relationships can become emotional anchors during difficult seasons such as divorce, moving, anxiety, bullying, blended families, and the awkward middle-school years.
Most importantly, grandchildren rarely remember perfection — but they always remember presence.
Notable Stories and Moments From the Episode My Childhood Summers I reflect on summers spent with my grandparents in Oregon and Idaho — including irrigation pipes, fishing trips, ski boats, camping, and learning family stories while riding postal routes and working on the farm.
The Garage Conversation I share a story from another grandfather whose teenage grandson unexpectedly opened up about his parents' divorce while untangling extension cords in the garage.
Bob Abbott's Wisdom I remember advice from podcast guest Bob Abbott:
"I'm here to listen, not to ask."
I connect this insight from interviewing WWII veterans to the way grandchildren open up emotionally when they feel safe and unpressured.
The Breakfast Crew A grandfather and his granddaughters created a summer tradition called "The Breakfast Crew," cooking breakfast together every morning. The messy pancakes were never the point — the conversations were.
The Bad Joke Jar One family built a summer tradition around terrible dad jokes. Every grandchild submitted jokes into a jar, and the winner picked the week's ice cream flavor.
Grandpa's Farm Rhythms I remember the predictable rhythm of his grandfather's farm life—early mornings, feeding cattle, turning on the irrigation, and trips into town—and how those routines created a sense of security and belonging.
The Photo Safari A grandfather used smartphones creatively by taking grandchildren on "photo safaris" to capture weird signs, insects, buildings, and local landmarks before creating shared photo scrapbooks together.
Links Grand Magazine article on Gen X grandfathers: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
The Cool Grandpa Bookstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GXB-mtoO5fs
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Show Notes: This Memorial Day weekend, we're bringing back one of the most meaningful conversations ever shared on the Cool Grandpa Podcast: my interview with veteran storyteller and oral historian Bob Abbott.
Bob has spent decades preserving the stories of World War II veterans — from Marines who stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima to sailors, sharpshooters, nurses, and everyday Americans who quietly carried the burden of war long after returning home. His mission has never been about fame or recognition. It has been about remembrance.
In this heartfelt "Best Of" episode, Bob shares:
- Why he began recording veterans' oral histories
- The emotional weight many veterans carried for decades
- How one simple question unlocked extraordinary stories
- Powerful reflections on PTSD, survivor's guilt, and sacrifice
- The unforgettable story of a UDT diver reunited with his fins before passing away
- Why preserving family stories matters now more than ever
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that every veteran believed their story was "nothing special." Yet together, those stories shaped the freedoms we enjoy today.
Bob reminds us:
"Every day is Memorial Day and every day is Veterans Day."
As grandparents, fathers, mothers, and family historians, we have an opportunity — and maybe even a responsibility — to preserve the stories of those who came before us before those voices are gone forever.
Episode Highlights Memorable Moments From This Episode * Bob's childhood memory of hearing "The war is over!" * Why did many veterans avoid talking about combat * The emotional impact of Saving Private Ryan on WWII veterans * The connection between oral history and healing * A heartbreaking father-son reconciliation discovered through an interview transcript * The story of Marine sharpshooter "Joe." * The incredible life and legacy of UDT diver Ray Hyman * Why ordinary people are often the true heroes
Key Takeaways * Every family has stories worth preserving. * Veterans often carry invisible wounds for life. * Oral histories can create healing across generations. * Listening is more important than questioning. * Memorial Day is about remembrance, not just celebration. * Small acts of kindness can leave lifelong legacies.
Listener Challenge This week, ask a family member one meaningful question:
"What's a story from your life you never want forgotten?"
Then listen.
Record it. Write it down. Preserve it.
Future generations will thank you.
Links You can learn more about the original episode here: Cool Grandpa Podcast – Ep. 207 Documenting Our Veterans' Stories
You can listen to this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/iT-7H6Hoy-M
Check out my latest article in GRAND Magazine using this link: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
Show Notes In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore how grandfathers can help nurture entrepreneurial thinking in their grandchildren, not simply to create businesses, but to help develop resilience, creativity, initiative, leadership, and purpose.
Drawing insights from conversations and teachings from Dan Miller, Dave Ramsey, and David Senra's Founders podcast, Greg discusses how entrepreneurship is often "caught before it's taught." Children absorb confidence, creativity, and a willingness to take risks from the adults around them, especially trusted grandparents.
My thoughts on how grandfathers can:
- Encourage grandchildren to experiment and take healthy risks
- Create emotionally safe places for kids to share ideas
- Help grandchildren learn from failure instead of fearing it
- Support small entrepreneurial projects and creative ventures
- Teach integrity, stewardship, and servant leadership
- Model lifelong curiosity and learning
The episode also includes stories about Michael Dell, lessons from Dave Ramsey's bankruptcy experience, insights from volunteering at the DECA National Conference, and practical ways grandparents can encourage grandchildren who may not fit traditional molds.
Ultimately, this episode is about legacy. Not simply leaving something behind for grandchildren, but leaving something within them.
Key Topics * Entrepreneurship as a mindset, not just business ownership * Why grandfathers are uniquely positioned to encourage builders and creators * Helping grandchildren navigate risk and failure * The importance of curiosity and experimentation * Supporting kids who think differently * Character-driven entrepreneurship * Stewardship vs. status * Lifelong learning and creativity * Encouraging confidence in entrepreneurial grandchildren
Mentioned * You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/soBF8a1J0Sk. * Dan Miller — 48 Days to the Work You Love: https://www.48days.com/product/48-days-ttwyl-20th-anniv-amazon-link/ * Dave Ramsey — EntreLeadership teachings and leadership philosophy: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/?continue * David Senra — Founders podcast: https://www.founderspodcast.com/ * Michael Dell - https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/dt/michael-dell * Grand Magazine article on Gen X grandfathers: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
Show Notes In this personal or solo episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I reflect on the important role grandfathers play in strengthening family relationships by honoring and supporting their grandchildren's mothers.
Whether they are daughters or daughters-in-law, the women raising today's children face enormous emotional and cultural pressure. I share practical wisdom for grandfathers who want to become trusted, encouraging, and stabilizing influences within their families rather than sources of tension or criticism.
This episode explores how emotional legacy, humility, respect, and encouragement can shape healthier multigenerational relationships for years to come.
In This Episode * Why modern motherhood is more emotionally demanding than many realize * How grandfathers influence family culture * The difference between wisdom and criticism * Encouragement as emotional leadership * Respecting parenting boundaries * Supporting daughters-in-law with humility and trust * Creating emotional safety within families * What grandchildren learn from watching adult relationships * Practical ways to strengthen family bonds
Key Takeaways * Grandchildren are always learning from the way adults treat one another. * Encouragement builds stronger relationships than criticism. * Emotional steadiness is one of the greatest gifts a grandfather can offer. * Healthy grandfathering requires humility, trust, and respect. * Supporting mothers ultimately strengthens the entire family.
Links Check out my article about GenX grandfathers at GRAND Magazine: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/EVdCXviaW9s
Check out the conversations that I had with Neil Taft about being a Good Seer, Good Sayer: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/09/26/ep-201-good-seer-good-sayer/
Show Notes In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, I sit down again with Erica Sell to explore the emotional, relational, and real-life challenges of aging—the side most families aren't prepared for.
While Part 1 covered the logistics of home medical equipment, this episode dives deeper into what really matters: - Difficult conversations - Resistance from aging parents - Family dynamics - Planning before a crisis hits
Erica shares firsthand stories from families navigating aging in place, including the common struggles with "stubborn parents," delayed decisions, and the emotional weight of change. She also offers practical insights on how to approach these moments with empathy—and strategy.
You'll learn:
- Why third-party voices (doctors, advisors) often break through resistance
- The most common regret families have: "We wish we had done this sooner."
- How small home modifications can prevent major life disruptions
- The importance of early planning, communication, and documentation
- What "aging well" actually looks like beyond physical health
The conversation also explores emerging trends—from AI-powered mobility devices to new roles like care managers and end-of-life doulas—highlighting how rapidly this space is evolving.
Ultimately, this episode is about one thing: Creating a plan that honors dignity, independence, and family relationships—before it's too late.
Key Takeaways * Aging challenges are emotional first, logistical second * Resistance is normal—strategy and timing matter * Early planning prevents crisis decisions * Accessibility can be both functional and beautiful * Communication is the foundation of aging well * Support systems don't have to be family—but they must exist * The future of aging includes technology + human care
Links Here is the link to the first conversation that I had with Erica: https://cool-grandpa.us/2026/03/20/aging-in-place-with-erica-sell-ep-258/
Use this link to learn more about Erica and Harmony Home Medical: https://harmonyhomemedical.com/
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/oPgoZO9Q0fU
Here is the link to the conversation I had with Stephen Gomes about Flex Mortgages: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/10/13/ep-153-learning-about-flex-mortgages/
Check out my article about GenX grandfathers at GRAND Magazine: https://www.grandmagazine.com/
SHOW NOTES In this inspiring episode, I visit with Cynthia and Kameron Haller to explore what it truly means to live a life of purpose—especially in the later years.
With 6 children and nearly 28 grandchildren, the Hallers made a bold decision: step away from family for 18 months to serve a mission in Northern Ireland. What they discovered wasn't just about service; it was about rediscovering identity, expanding influence, and living with intention.
What You'll Hear in This Episode: The Decision to Serve
- Why did they choose to leave family behind to serve
- The role of faith, purpose, and legacy in that decision
- How "living in crescendo" shaped their mindset
What Is "Living in Crescendo"?
- The idea that your most important work is always ahead of you
- The contrast between crescendo vs. diminuendo living
- Why purpose, and not retirement, is the key to fulfillment
Service in Action
- Supporting local communities and young missionaries
- Building relationships across cultures (including a Filipino community in Ireland)
- Helping integrate a Romanian couple into a new life
Unexpected Impact
- Starting a pickleball movement in Northern Ireland
- Volunteering in charity shops alongside other faith communities
- Creating meaningful connections beyond religion
Influence on Family
- How their example inspired a granddaughter to serve
- Strengthening relationships through intentional communication
- The power of showing vs. telling
Simple Ways to Serve
- Why small acts matter more than you think
- Stories of impact, from knitting slippers to donating a single can of soup
- How to match your strengths with real needs
KEY TAKEAWAYS * Your purpose doesn't end when your career does * Service is one of the fastest ways to find joy and meaning * Influence grows when you step outside your comfort zone * Grandchildren learn more from what you do than what you say * Small, consistent acts of kindness create lasting impact
ACTION ITEMS FOR LISTENERS 1. Identify one cause you care about and take a small step this week 2. Ask yourself: Am I living in crescendo or diminuendo? 3. Reach out to a local organization and ask about their needs 4. Start a simple act of service (weekly giving, mentoring, helping a neighbor) 5. Share your values through action, not just words
Links You can use this link to listen to my first conversation with Cynthia about the book she wrote with her father, Steven Covey: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/03/08/ep-172-live-life-in-crescendo/
Here is the link for you to purchase your own copy of one of the best books written about living a larger life, Live Life in Crescendo: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Life-Crescendo-Important-Always/dp/B09TX18ZWG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MH0W27J6LI0B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UNPkNprdvWYjFSHTAoc3Gt2m1S8J7wE0c32Qbr2IdrhLjpBnv10hKDEyFiiylhUUFIyuBlN-q_BOzBDIaMWSLQKq0TW4WLFIA3DIhDNVaV4.qLStzdIy7wFazJjiH3lpDqWKUyaJCI49gDb2pfTuonM&dib_tag=se&keywords=live+life+in+crescendo+book&qid=1776906746&sprefix=live+life+in+crescendo+%2Caps%2C292&sr=8-1
Be sure to check out my new article for GRAND Magazine by using this link: www.ReadGrand.com
Cool Grandpa Bookstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
In this powerful episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Lee Ostler of the Heart of the Fathers Foundation to explore a transformative idea:
👉 If you want your family to change, you have to change first.
Lee shares deep insights into emotional connection, generational influence, and why many grandparents struggle to truly connect with their grandchildren—not because they don't care, but because they've never been shown how.
Together, they unpack:
- Why emotional regulation is the foundation of strong family relationships
- The danger of "stealing the future" by removing consequences
- How shame and control quietly damage connection
- The difference between feelings and identity—and why it matters
- What it really means to "win the battle for the heart."
Lee also introduces the philosophy behind the Heart of the Fathers Foundation and their mission to help families build deeper, more meaningful connections across generations.
This episode challenges traditional thinking and invites grandfathers to step into a more intentional, emotionally present role—one that leaves a lasting legacy far beyond activities and advice.
🔥 Key Takeaways * Connection beats control every time * Grandparents must model emotional growth—not just expect it * Feelings are not the problem—shame is * You can't demand connection—you build it through presence * Your legacy is not what you did—it's how you made them feel
🎯 Action Items for Listeners * Reflect on one area where you can listen more and control less * Practice accepting feelings without correcting them * Reach out to a grandchild with a simple, intentional gesture (note, text, call) * Model vulnerability—apologize where needed * Ask: "What can I learn from them?"
🔗 Links Mentioned in the Episode 🌐 Websites * Heart of the Fathers Foundation 👉 https://www.heartofthefathers.com/ * Grand Connect 👉 https://www.grandconnect.com/ * Listen to my first conversation with Lee 👉 https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/04/12/ep-177-grandchildren-choose-what-is-quality-time/
📧 Contact * Lee Ostler 👉 LeeOstler@gmail.com
📚 Additional Websites and Resources * You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/HdqkERAlR90 * I have created a Reflection and Connection workbook just for YOU. Use this link to download your free resource: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Reflection-Connection-Workbook-7.pdf * Be sure to check out my new article for GRAND Magazine by using this link: www.ReadGrand.com
Episode Summary What happens when the identity you've built your life around—career, family role, or personal expectations—starts to shift or even fall apart?
In this powerful return conversation, I sit down with Mark to explore why so many men experience self-sabotage, confusion, and identity loss as they move through their 40s, 50s, and beyond. Together, we unpack the emotional, cultural, and psychological forces shaping modern masculinity—and why today's men often feel unprepared for this stage of life.
Mark shares deeply personal experiences, including moments of loss, transition, and even a panic attack at 60, while offering a practical and actionable framework for rebuilding purpose and direction.
This episode is an honest, thought-provoking look at what it really means to grow older as a man—and how to do it with intention, clarity, and strength.
Key Themes & Takeaways 1. The Hidden Reality of Male Self-Sabotage * Many men unknowingly create "unforced errors" during life transitions * Internal pressure + unclear identity = destructive patterns * The struggle is often invisible from the outside
- The Identity Crisis No One Prepared Men For * Cultural shifts redefined roles—but didn't guide men through the change
- Many men tied their identity to their career, and feel lost without it
-
Aging forces a confrontation with mortality and relevance
-
Why Men Struggle with Vulnerability * Fear that openness will be used against them
- Cultural expectations to "fix, solve, and stay strong."
-
The surprising reality: vulnerability often builds connection, not weakness
-
The Power of Internal Work * Real growth comes from:
- Reflection
- Self-awareness
- Consistent habits
-
Mental and emotional fitness require daily practice, just like physical health
-
Relationships Are the Foundation of a Meaningful Life * Deep, authentic relationships are the #1 predictor of happiness
- Many men struggle to maintain or rebuild close friendships over time
- Brotherhood and honest conversations are essential
Mark's Framework for Personal Transformation: R.E.A.L. Mark introduces a practical system for navigating major life transitions:
- R – Reflect Examine your life, values, and how your actions align (or don't)
- E – Evaluate Assess what's working, what isn't, and where change is needed
- A – Activate Take intentional, consistent action toward improvement
- L – Lead Lead yourself first—then lead others through example and service
Resources & Links * Website: markaylward.com * LinkedIn: Mark Aylward * Podcast: The Imperfect Men's Club * Upcoming Book, Keep your eye out for this: Focused on helping men rebuild identity and purpose after life disruptions * Check out the first conversation that I had with Mark using this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2025/04/18/navigating-grandfatherhood-and-midlife-career-moves-with-mark-aylward-ep-227/ * Cool Grandpa Bookstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/ * Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa * Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ok_jXZgIuuI
Episode Summary In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Helen Ellis, author and researcher specializing in distance families—families spread across cities, countries, and continents.
Drawing from her personal experience and groundbreaking research, Helen shares how grandfathers can build meaningful, lasting relationships with their grandchildren—even when separated by thousands of miles and multiple time zones.
From practical strategies to emotional truths, this conversation explores how intentionality, empathy, and consistency can transform distance into deeper connection.
Key Takeaways * Distance doesn't weaken relationships—lack of intentionality does * Grandfathers play a powerful (often unseen) emotional role in family connections * Small, consistent efforts matter more than grand gestures * Adult children are the "gatekeepers" of connection in distance families * Grandchildren often carry deep, lifelong memories of their grandparents—whether expressed or not * Technology is a tool, but presence and effort are what truly matter * Families with added challenges (ADHD, disabilities, etc.) require empathy, not assumptions
Topics Covered * What defines a "distance family" * The different types of distance grandparenting situations * The role of grandfathers vs. grandmothers * Emotional realities of long-distance relationships * Insights from adult grandchildren * "Squirreled away love depositories" (lasting memories) * Supporting grandchildren with additional needs from afar * The importance of empathy across generations * Building a legacy despite physical distance
Resources & Links * Helen Ellis's work on Distance Families: https://www.distancefamilies.com/ * Her book series: + Being a Distance Grandparent: https://www.distancefamilies.com/being-a-distance-grandparent2.html + Being a Distance Son or Daughter: https://www.distancefamilies.com/being-a-distance-son-or-daughter2.html + Being a Distance Grandchild: https://www.distancefamilies.com/being-a-distance-grandchild1.html * Follow Helen by using this link: https://www.distancefamilies.com/follow.html * Support the show: + Cool Grandpa Bookstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/ + Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa * Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QX6Xs76OZXM
Episode Overview Many grandparents want to stay in their homes as long as possible—but most families only begin planning when a medical crisis forces the issue.
In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with Erica Sell, founder of Harmony Home Medical, about how proactive planning and smart home design can help older adults maintain independence and dignity.
Erica shares how growing up around the medical equipment industry—and a family emergency—led her to create a different approach: helping families understand all their options rather than limiting them to what insurance covers.
This episode explores the world of aging-in-place design, innovative mobility equipment, and practical solutions families can implement today.
Key Topics Discussed Why Families Often Plan Too Late
- Most aging-in-place decisions happen during crisis situations
- Why proactive planning starting in your 50s can prevent major problems
- The importance of universal design in home remodeling
The Most Common Home Safety Risks
- Why the bathroom is the #1 location for falls
- Simple solutions that improve safety without major renovations
- Products that bridge the gap between independence and full remodeling
How Insurance Limits Equipment Choices
- Medicare reimbursement cuts over the past 15+ years
- Why many helpful products aren't covered
- The importance of empowering families to understand all available options
Innovations in Mobility and Home Equipment
- Lightweight power chairs dropping from 99 pounds to 26 pounds
- Hospital beds that look like furniture
- Technology is improving comfort and accessibility
A Real Story of Independence
- How the right lift allowed an elderly couple to continue caring for each other at home
- Why equipment education can dramatically improve the quality of life
Actionable Takeaways for Listeners ✔ Start thinking about accessibility earlier than you think you need to ✔ Consider universal design when remodeling your home ✔ Focus on the key mobility zones:
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Entryways
- Favorite chair areas
✔ Work with professionals rather than guessing when buying medical equipment ✔ Explore equipment options beyond what insurance provides
Links and Resources Use this link to learn more about Erica and Harmony Home Medical: https://harmonyhomemedical.com/
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/lHr3haJ5DtY
Summary: In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I welcome returning guest Richard Eyre to discuss his latest book, The Grandparenting Blueprint.
Together, we explore how grandparents can intentionally build meaningful relationships with their grandchildren by sharing wisdom, stories, and what Richard calls "Grandfather's Secrets."
Richard explains how shifting from lectures and advice to storytelling and interactive conversations opened the door to deeper engagement with his own grandchildren. Even more unique—23 of his grandkids helped write the book, contributing their own reflections and experiences.
Greg and Richard also discuss:
- Why grandparenting is a completely different role from parenting
- The importance of developing your own "life lessons" to pass down
- How storytelling and case studies help children internalize values
- Why age 8 is often the right time to begin deeper conversations
- The surprising power of memorization, discussion, and family dialogue
- How grandparents can be champions and encouragers rather than disciplinarians
If you want to be more intentional about the legacy you leave for your grandchildren, this conversation will give you practical tools and inspiration to get started.
Key Takeaways from the Episode 1️⃣ Grandparenting is a different role than parenting While parenting is tactical and focused on day-to-day responsibilities, grandparenting allows you to step back and focus on encouragement, perspective, and wisdom.
2️⃣ Your "life lessons" may be the most valuable gift you give Richard challenges grandparents to identify 10 key life lessons they want their grandchildren to remember and pass down as part of their legacy.
3️⃣ Stories work better than lectures Kids respond better when lessons come through stories, discussions, and real experiences rather than formal advice or lectures.
4️⃣ Grandkids helped write the book Richard invited 23 of his grandchildren to contribute their own stories and reflections, creating a truly multi-generational book.
5️⃣ Grandparents can be the family's greatest encouragers Unlike parents who must discipline and manage daily life, grandparents have the freedom to be champions, cheerleaders, and supporters.
Links and Resources: Here is the link to directly order your copy of The Grandparenting Blueprint: https://familius.com/book/the-grandparenting-blueprint/
Be sure to use code: EYREFRIEND
Here is the link to Richard and Linda's website, Values Parenting: https://valuesparenting.com/
Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/DhN8a2cRK14
Episode Summary What happens when a retired programmer decides he's not finished building?
In this powerful and practical conversation, I welcome back author and marketing mentor Kevin M Hall to discuss:
- Reinventing yourself after retirement
- Building an author platform from scratch
- Marketing books without spending thousands
- Navigating AI in publishing
- The courage to ask (because when you don't ask, the answer is always no)
- And what 50 years of marriage can teach us about grace and love
Kevin shares real-world strategies from his upcoming book Book Marketing on a Budget and gives listeners a heartfelt preview of his newest project, Grace and Love: A Marriage Outtakes, Family Bloopers and 50 Years of Heartwarming Moments.
This episode is part practical masterclass, part legacy conversation, and fully aligned with what The Cool Grandpa Podcast is all about — building something meaningful in the second half of life.
💡 Key Takeaways * Retirement is not the end; it's an opportunity to reinvent. * Marketing is storytelling, not bragging. * You don't need thousands of dollars to build book sales. * Community beats "masterclasses" every time. * AI is reshaping publishing, but organic growth still wins. * Legacy writing gives your grandchildren something permanent. * When you don't ask, the answer is always no.
🎯 Action Items for Listeners 1. If you're writing, join one free author community this week. 2. Add your book (or your "future book") to your email signature. 3. Reach out to one podcast or alumni group and ask to share your story. 4. Start writing one legacy story for your grandchildren. 5. Remember: You're not selling — you're serving.
📢 Call to Action If this episode encouraged you:
- Subscribe to The Cool Grandpa Podcast
- Share this episode with someone writing their first book
- Leave a review — it helps grow the Cool Grandpa community
- Visit Kevin at Kevin-Hall.com to connect and learn more
Links and Resources Use this link to listen to Kevin's and mine's first conversation: https://cool-grandpa.us/2025/05/01/writing-for-legacy-a-grandfathers-perspective-with-kevin-hall-ep-228/
Check out Kevin's website using this link: https://kevin-hall.com/
Here is the link for Book Launchers: https://booklaunchers.com/
Author Talk Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmQ6-7yys-9ifqdGm6eydgA
Here are the links to Author Nation: https://www.authornation.live/ and Dale Roberts: https://linktr.ee/selfpubwithdale
Buy Me a Coffee using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/KYS9mvSMe1c
🎙 The Magic of Transitions In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore the theme of transitions in life, particularly focusing on the journey from fatherhood to grandfatherhood and the responsibilities that come with these roles. My observations delve into the emotional and relational aspects of these transitions, emphasizing the importance of embracing new identities and the role of mentorship in guiding younger generations. T
In this reflective solo episode, I also explore the truth every man eventually faces:
Transitions are inevitable.
From boy to man. From son to father. From father to grandfather. From ambition to legacy.
Each stage requires us to let go of one identity and step courageously into another.
In this conversation, we unpack:
- Why transitions feel uncomfortable (even when they're good)
- How adopting two young boys reshaped fatherhood and identity
- Why grandfatherhood is an elevation—not a downgrade
- How career shifts mirror personal identity shifts
- The hidden gift inside every life transition
- Why resisting change creates more suffering than the change itself
This episode is about becoming, not clinging.
🧭 Key Themes 1️⃣ Becoming a Man Is Not Automatic Manhood is not an age. It's a responsibility.
And many men are still navigating unfinished transitions from boyhood.
2️⃣ Fatherhood Changes Your Center of Gravity When you adopt a child, biology is replaced by choice.
Choosing fatherhood is one of the most powerful transitions a man can experience.
It shifts ambition into stewardship. It rewires purpose into protection.
3️⃣ Grandfatherhood Is a Strategic Role You are no longer building your résumé.
You are building your legacy.
Presence becomes more powerful than performance.
4️⃣ Career Transitions Mirror Identity Transitions Student → Professional → Leader → Mentor → Elder.
Every career shift forces the same question:
Who am I now?
5️⃣ The Mindset Shift Transitions = Loss + Opportunity.
What we lose:
- Familiarity
- Status
- Certainty
What we gain:
- Depth
- Wisdom
- Legacy
- Freedom
Transitions are not interruptions. They are the curriculum.
🎯 ACTION ITEMS FOR YOU 1️⃣ Reflect Identify three major transitions in your life. What did each require you to release? What did each give you in return?
2️⃣ Initiate Have one conversation this week:
- With your son about becoming a man.
- With your adult child about fatherhood.
- With your grandchild, about a story from your past.
🧭 Episode Summary In this solo episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore insights from Dan Miller's book An Understanding Heart and apply them to modern grandfatherhood. Greg shares three powerful themes—listening as a legacy skill, curiosity over correction, and emotional presence in a distracted world—along with personal stories and practical steps grandfathers can use today to deepen relationships with their grandchildren.
👂 Listening as a Legacy Skill Listening isn't passive—it's an active gift that teaches empathy and builds lifelong connections. I reflect on the adults in my childhood who truly listened and how that shaped me to have an understanding heart.
🌉 Curiosity Over Correction Curiosity builds bridges; correction builds walls. I encourage grandfathers to ask reflective questions instead of jumping in with advice, especially with young children and teens. Show them that YOU offer them an understanding heart.
🧭 Emotional Presence in a Distracted World Phones, schedules, and multitasking compete for attention—but presence is what grandchildren crave. I share stories of grandparents who modeled full presence and a powerful personal memory of a long road trip with my grandfather, who truly had an understanding heart.
🛠️ Practical Steps for Cool Grandpas * Follow the 2:1 rule—listen twice as much as you speak * Ask one curious question in every conversation * Pause before giving advice and ask if advice is wanted * Mirror emotions: "That sounds exciting" or "That sounds hard." * Schedule intentional one-on-one time with each grandchild
💡 Reflection Question What does your grandchild need from you right now—advice or understanding?
🚀 A Call to Action: 👴 For Grandfathers Practice listening without interrupting this week. Notice what you learn about your grandchildren's inner world.
👨👧 For Fathers Ask one curious question today that you've never asked before—and observe how your child responds.
📚 Resources Mentioned * An Understanding Heart by Dan Miller, use this link to order this treasured book: https://www.48days.com/product/an-understanding-heart/ * Here is the link to that amazing episode I had with my mentor, Dan Miller: https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/09/10/ep-48-growing-creativity-with-grandchildren/ * Buy Me a Coffee by using this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa * Cool Grandpa merchandise store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/ * You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/B_ceCsH-zss
Summary
In this episode of the Cool Grandpa Podcast, I discuss the importance of communication and listening in building meaningful connections with grandchildren. I emphasizes that presence is more powerful than pressure and introduces the 'Three, Two, One Grandpa Rule' to enhance interactions. The episode highlights the significance of asking questions, reflecting on conversations, and creating a safe space for grandchildren to express themselves.
Key Takeaways
🧩1. Presence Beats Pressure
Just being calm and physically present can create a sense of safety and trust for grandchildren—even more than advice or solutions.
🗣️ 2. Advice Shuts Doors—Questions Open Them
Open-ended questions spark curiosity and connection, triggering dopamine and encouraging deeper conversation.
⏸️ 3. Silence Is Leadership
Pausing before responding gives emotions time to breathe and shows grandchildren they matter.
🔢 4. The Cool Grandpa 3-2-1 Rule
3 seconds of pause → 2 reflections → 1 question This simple rhythm builds trust, encourages honesty, and avoids lecturing.
❤️ 5. Kids Remember How Safe They Felt
Your grandchildren won't remember every word—but they will remember the emotional safety you created.
The Cool Grandpa Challenge This week:
- Pause for 3 seconds
- Reflect twice
- Ask one open-ended question
Then notice what changes in your conversations.
Free Resource and Links Download the Cool Grandpa 3-2-1 Reflection Worksheet to practice this method with your grandchildren and family. https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Cool-Grandpa-–-3-2-1-Worksheet.pdf
Here is the link to Codie Sanchez's podcast that I referenced: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BUlZ4AsOXGwdItaH6ozy7. The title of her episode is "Top Rabling: The 3-2-1 Speaking Trick That Makes You Sound Like a CEO."
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/G3c89GznTYs
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars HERE. (https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa)
Here is a link to my webstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
What do your grandchildren believe about themselves because of you?
In this solo episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I draw on the timeless wisdom from Chapter One of The Magic of Thinking Big and apply it to one of the most underestimated leadership roles in a child's life: the role of a grandfather.
David Schwartz opens his book with a bold claim—success begins with belief. Not intelligence. Not talent. Belief. And when you view that idea through the lens of grandfatherhood, it raises an important question:
What beliefs are our grandchildren borrowing from us—intentionally or unintentionally?
Using relatable stories (including toddlers, cookies, and baby gates), classroom experience, and real-life grandparent moments, I explore how belief is formed long before evidence appears—and why grandparents are often the safest, most influential voices in shaping a child's self-image.
In this episode, you'll explore: * Why belief often comes before evidence for children—and why that matters * How grandchildren absorb more than our words: tone, reactions, expectations * The difference between praising outcomes and speaking identity * Why modeling confidence matters more than modeling perfection * How negative self-talk ("I'm terrible at this") quietly sets limits for kids * Why asking better questions builds independence better than quick fixes * What it really means to raise their thinking, not your voice
This episode isn't about being a perfect grandparent. It's about being an intentional one—someone who leaves grandchildren with confidence, courage, and belief that extends far beyond childhood.
🔑 Key Takeaways * Grandchildren borrow belief from the adults they trust most * Confidence is caught more than it is taught * Words—especially casual ones—shape lifelong self-image * Encouragement grows confidence far better than correction * One consistent, belief-building adult can change a child's trajectory
📄 Free Companion Resource Here is your free reflection guide created specifically for this episode:
🧠 Think Big, Grandpa – A Reflection Guide A simple, printable worksheet to help you:
- Reflect on the beliefs you're reinforcing
- Reset how you praise, correct, and encourage
- Speak belief intentionally into your grandchild's life
Links Click HERE for your free download or use this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Cool_Grandpa_Think_Big_Workshop_Guide_WITH_LOGO.pdf
Episode Summary In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Stefanie Shackelford, founder of Odyssey Travel, to explore how travel has evolved—and why experienced travel advisors matter more than ever, especially for grandparents planning meaningful trips with their grandchildren.
With over 40 years in the travel industry, Stefanie shares how travel planning has shifted from handwritten tickets and phone-book-sized fare manuals to today's digital-first world—while explaining what technology still can't replace: human insight, experience, and relationships.
Together, we dive into:
- The hidden value of working with a professional travel advisor
- How multi-generational and "skip-gen" travel is reshaping family experiences
- Why grandparents are uniquely positioned to create unforgettable travel memories
- How travel agents personalize trips based on family dynamics, budgets, and kids' ages
- The growing appeal of national parks, cruises, trains, and cultural experiences
- What to look for when choosing a travel agency—and red flags to avoid
- Why travel insurance matters more today than ever
This conversation is a must-listen for grandparents who want to travel smarter, reduce stress, and build deeper bonds with their grandchildren through shared experiences.
If you're a grandparent dreaming about meaningful trips with your grandkids—but don't want the stress of planning—this episode is for you.
👉 Listen now and discover how experienced travel advisors help grandparents create unforgettable, age-appropriate adventures that build lifelong memories.
Links
Click on this link to visit Odessy Travel: https://www.team-odyssey.com/
Here is Stefanie's email address: sjs@team-odyssey.com
You can use this phone number to reach out to Stefanie and Odessy Travel: 707-343-7112
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/wfWvWW3Dg1o
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE. (https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa)
Here is a link to my webstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with author, father, and former tech entrepreneur Kepler Knott to explore what it means to raise kids in an age of rapid change. Drawing from his book Raising Tomorrow: Talks to Prepare Our Kids for What Lies Ahead, Kepler shares why adaptation, resilience, and values matter more than ever—and how parents and grandparents can guide kids without hovering over them.
Together, we discuss how to talk with kids (not at them) about meaning, work, money, technology, relationships, and values. The conversation highlights the unique and powerful role grandparents play in a child's life, offering wisdom, perspective, and unconditional support that kids often hear differently than from parents.
This episode is a practical, thoughtful guide for fathers, grandfathers, mothers, and grandmothers who want to raise grounded, resilient kids while preparing them for a future none of us fully understands.
Key Topics Covered: * Why adaptation and resilience are essential life skills * Helping kids develop values through modeling, not lectures * The difference between happiness and contentment * Technology, attention, and the battle for our kids' focus * Teaching money as "stored energy" in a digital world * Why boredom, independence, and responsibility still matter * How grandparents uniquely influence grandchildren * Turning everyday moments into meaningful conversations
🎯 Call to Action for Fathers
Fathers: If you're navigating tough conversations about values, technology, work, or identity with your kids, Raising Tomorrow gives you a practical framework to prepare—not preach. Pick one chapter, read it alongside your child, and use it as a starting point for conversations that build trust, resilience, and independent thinking.
🎯 Call to Action for Grandfathers
Grandfathers: Your role matters more than you may realize. Kids often hear wisdom differently from grandparents—without the pressure or tension of daily parenting. Raising Tomorrow is a powerful tool to help you guide your grandchildren with perspective, patience, and grace. Use it to reinforce values, spark meaningful talks, and support the parents you love.
Links: 👉 Learn more and explore the book at RaisingTomorrow.org
You can use this email address to reach out to Kepler: connect@raisingtomorrow.org
Here is the link to follow Kepler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaisingTomorrowCommunity
We talked about and referenced "Moore's Law" about technological advancement. Here is the Wikipedia link about that law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law
We both mentioned the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Here is the Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/B0C9N2L56X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H8M4SK2LVZAW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AYLrmEEAErPNx2RGaRJxhOElKKHk5Bxo4woqlvzz-Zl3Nigo6O4PUOIbeK2xnmdbSNLrSJdplfViZYmOC7k_17z-dnG0hWIAMbE7JrzkDaAp8Q8G7ao1enL8d_YmbK4_Cc_-ZGVSa1EglmXK88K0vTgLUqvpQkWntGt-D2CB3aNbzdTEtwxzK1-yR8z8MM33nyESImFRxSAtRzQI2wyFp6ZKhPCO47wyB1eXuGwHUoA.OkSBZteDUVy3GIBReLNavBQDrAB2limybmuAUJVhw9g&dib_tag=se&keywords=anxious+generation+book&qid=1768444451&sprefix=anx%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/-XCyGvQXEJg
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE. (https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa)
Here is a link to my webstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Summary: Choosing senior living for a loved one can feel overwhelming, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Jeannie Duckworth, co-founder of Blue Magnolia Senior Living Advisors, to unpack what families really need to know when navigating senior care options.
Jeannie shares her journey into senior living, shaped by years of hands-on experience inside communities and a deep passion for advocacy. She explains that Blue Magnolia Senior Living Advisors was built to serve families first—offering free, personalized guidance while helping seniors find safe, supportive environments where they can truly thrive.
Together, we explore:
- How families know when "it's time" to consider senior living
- Common misconceptions about assisted living and memory care
- Why touring communities early can reduce stress and guilt
- The emotional side of transitions — for seniors and their families
- How the right environment can restore independence and dignity
- What grandparents and adult children should look for (and avoid) when choosing care
This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human — offering reassurance that no family has to navigate these decisions alone.
Whether you're a grandparent planning ahead or a family member supporting aging parents, this episode provides clarity, comfort, and confidence.
Key Takeaways: Jeannie has a deep passion for working with seniors, stemming from her childhood experiences.
Long-term care insurance is essential for everyone, regardless of income level.
Personalized care is crucial in the senior living referral process.
Families often struggle with communication regarding senior care decisions.
Home care can be more expensive than assisted living options.
Planning for senior care should start early to avoid last-minute decisions.
Seniors want to maintain their independence and engage in activities they love.
Jeannie emphasizes the importance of finding a community that fits the individual needs of seniors.
Blue Magnolia Senior Living Advisors prioritize seniors' well-being over profit, ensuring they receive the best care.
Links and other information: Click on this link to visit Blue Magnolia Senior Living Advisors: https://www.bluemagsla.com/
Jeannie's direct email is: jeannie@bluemagsla.com
To call Jeannie directly, you can use either phone number, 1-209-640-2433 (CA) or 1-615-806-1973 (TN)
You can watch this fun conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/IAc8VagnhGs
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE. (https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa)
Here is a link to my webstore: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Show Notes: Santa Claus isn't just a holiday icon—he's a world-class leader.
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore four powerful leadership traits modeled by Santa Claus and how grandparents, parents, and team leaders can apply them both at home and at work.
Drawing from real-life experiences, generational insights, and leadership wisdom, this conversation reminds us that leadership is less about titles and more about vision, trust, consistency, and joyful service.
Whether you're guiding your family, leading a team at work, or mentoring others, these Santa-inspired leadership lessons offer a meaningful framework as we head into a new year. lead-like-santa
Episode Highlights: 🎄 Trait 1: Vision Casting — Leading with Clarity and Hope Santa's mission is simple and universally understood: spread joy, build connection, and create magic.
I discuss how grandfathers can:
- Define a clear family vision
- Adapt traditions across generations
- Serve as an emotional anchor during the holidays
And how leaders can:
- Re-state mission and purpose often
- Keep the "why" front and center
- Lead hard conversations with optimism, lead-like-santa
🎄 Trait 2: Empowering the Team — Trusting the Elves Santa trusts his elves with responsibility and autonomy.
Applications include:
- Letting grandchildren participate and problem-solve
- Teaching skills, then stepping back
- Asking kids (and employees) for their ideas
In the workplace:
- Delegating ownership
- Coaching instead of micromanaging
- Celebrating initiative and effort, like Santa
🎄 Trait 3: Consistency of Character — Always Showing Up Santa shows up the same way every year, without fail.
I explore:
- Showing up for milestone moments
- Being emotionally consistent
- Maintaining rituals and traditions
At work:
- Keeping your word
- Being predictable and steady
- Leading calmly through pressure and change, like Santa
🎄 Trait 4: Joyful Servant Leadership — Leading with Generosity Santa leads with joy, kindness, and service.
This includes:
- Laughing often with grandchildren
- Entering their world
- Building connection through fun
Professionally:
- Publicly celebrating wins
- Serving your team in practical ways
- Being generous with praise and encouragement leads like Santa
Key Takeaways * Leadership begins with clarity of vision * Trust and empowerment build confidence at every age * Consistency creates safety and credibility * Joy and generosity are leadership multipliers * Influence, heart, and presence matter more than perfection
Links Click on this link to visit my online store: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Summary In this episode, I talk with historian Lisa Brunet, whose work explores the hidden world of grandparents in ancient Rome. Together, we unpack what grandparenting looked like 2,000 years ago—how elders shaped family identity, cared for young children, preserved memory through storytelling, and passed on family and cultural traditions.
While grandmothers often stepped into hands-on roles, grandfathers frequently became the family's historians and memory keepers—sometimes proudly seeing themselves in a toddler learning to speak or scribble. Lisa explains how Roman law, marriage customs, early Christianity, and even mobility during empire expansion shaped what grandparenting meant—and how echoes of those patterns still exist today.
This conversation bridges centuries to ask one simple question: What can modern grandparents learn from ancient ones?
Lisa also shares updates on her upcoming two books, in which her research will continue to open windows into the emotional lives of ancient families.
Takeaways Historically, people became grandparents at a younger age.
Currently, individuals are older when they become grandparents.
Grandfathers now spend almost 20 years with their grandchildren.
The role of grandparents has evolved.
The societal perception of aging is changing.
Grandparents' ages influence family dynamics.
Their grandparents' age shapes grandchildren's experience.
Understanding these shifts can inform social policies.
Links: * Lisa's full thesis on Roman grandparents: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/grandparents-in-the-roman-empire-the-evidence-of-the-latin-west/ * Follow Lisa's work and publications on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabrunet/
Be sure to check out my store for fun and interesting gifts for you or the cool grandpa in your life. From now until January 22, all items in my bookstore are 30% off. https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Show Notes
You are going to enjoy listening to the very first interview that I did for The Cool Grandpa Podcast. This episode originally aired back in May of 2020. This conversation still resonates with me, my wife Karen, and many other listeners to the podcast. If you heard it before, I hope you enjoy it again. If this conversation is new to you, you will get a lot of wisdom from Dean.
In this heartfelt, post-Thanksgiving episode, I sit down with longtime friend and seasoned grandfather Dean Nielson. Dean—a Lean Six Sigma project manager, Eagle Scout mentor, devoted husband, dad of four, and grandfather of six—shares powerful lessons about embracing grandparenthood with presence, patience, and purpose.
Dean opens up about becoming a grandfather earlier than expected, and how that surprise launched emotional growth, healing, and a deeper appreciation for the influence grandfathers have in shaping young lives. He and I dig into the differences between granddaughters and grandsons, how kids naturally gravitate toward grandma or grandpa, and why grandfathers shouldn't take those early patterns personally.
Dean's wisdom shines when he talks about doing it better the second time, including being more present, more patient, and more intentional than he sometimes was as a young dad. He shares simple but powerful stories—from building blanket forts to gently pushing kids beyond their comfort zones on the rope swing—that illustrate how grandfathers help grandchildren develop confidence, bravery, and emotional security.
You'll also hear a moving story about Dean's own grandfather and how that relationship still impacts him today.
This episode is packed with warmth, humor, and genuine grandpa insight—perfect for the day after Thanksgiving, when many of us are still surrounded by family and gratitude.
Highlights * The emotional surprise of becoming a grandparent earlier than planned * How granddaughters and grandsons respond differently to Nana vs. Pop * Why play is essential—especially for stretching confidence * Lessons learned from raising kids that help us show up better as grandparents * The importance of simple affirmations: "I love you," "I'm proud of you," "You're beautiful." * A powerful legacy story from Dean's grandfather
Takeaways * Grandparenting offers a "second chance" to be more present. * Kids do listen—your words matter more than you think. * Grandpas play a unique and important role in building confidence. * Don't compare your connection to grandma's; each relationship is unique. * Stretch grandkids gently—adventure builds courage.
Links Don't forget to grab your 30% off discount in my Bookstore. You can visit my bookstore using this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
Summary In this solo episode, I explore how the natural strengths of intentional grandfathers — presence, curiosity, encouragement, patience, and wisdom — translate into powerful leadership skills in today's workplace. Using stories about Legos, pancakes, and real-life team challenges, Greg reframes proven leadership ideas from Dale Carnegie, John Maxwell, and Dan Miller into an accessible, heart-first approach he calls Grandpa Leadership.
Listeners will learn how to build stronger connections with their teams, empower younger employees, guide people through mistakes, and cultivate loyalty by showing genuine care. I also introduce my three-part Grandpa Formula for Connection and share a weekly challenge to help leaders put these ideas into action.
Key Takeaways * Lead with presence, not pressure. Your team needs to feel seen, valued, and supported. * Let people build "their ship." Encourage creativity and ownership instead of rigid compliance. * Practice real curiosity. Ask questions that show you care about your people's work and dreams. * Encouragement = fuel. A slight nod, a quick thank-you note, or celebrating tiny wins builds massive confidence. * Loyalty follows care. People may not feel loyal to an organization these days, but they will be loyal to a leader who shows up for them. * Be the calm center. Like a seasoned grandparent, bring steadiness, patience, and wisdom when stress hits. * Guide people without taking over. Present options, help them think, and let them choose — that's how they grow.
The Grandpa Formula for Connection 1. Be Present Put the phone down. Give undivided attention. It builds trust instantly. 2. Be Curious Ask about projects, challenges, and motivations. Curiosity creates belonging. 3. Be Encouraging Praise progress, not perfection. Your encouragement becomes someone's confidence.
Links and Resources Click HERE to download your free copy of my Grandpa Leadership Connection Worksheet.
To listen to Dan Miller's interview about supporting grandchildren's creativity, click on this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/09/10/ep-48-growing-creativity-with-grandchildren/
As always, you can watch this video on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/I3_S8E1UhjY.
In this follow-up conversation, I welcome back healthcare advocate and tech CEO Renee Balcom to discuss how grandparents and families can take control of caregiving decisions before a crisis hits. Renee shares practical insights on avoiding common caregiving mistakes, understanding medical and legal authority, and how technology, such as her new platform, Scroll.care, is changing the way families find trustworthy care providers.
We explore why planning for aging is not about fear—but about empowerment—and how grandparents can build a legacy of compassion, preparedness, and advocacy within their families.
Key Takeaways:
- Why "responsibility without authority" is one of the biggest caregiving mistakes.
- How to use Scroll.care to find vetted care professionals in your area.
- The surprising age when children gain medical privacy rights (and what parents can do).
- How to navigate the healthcare system and communicate effectively with doctors.
- Why it's time for grandparents to lead family discussions about care, aging, and health.
- Technology and AI can enhance (not replace) human connection in caregiving.
- People are often unprepared for the realities of aging and caregiving.
- Family caregivers often live in denial about aging loved ones.
- The importance of having structured conversations about aging and care.
- Legal authority is crucial for caregivers to make decisions.
- Understanding the difference between a power of attorney and a durable power of attorney is essential.
- A HIPAA release document is essential for accessing medical information.
- Care planning should prioritize the individual's needs and desires.
- Patients should feel empowered to ask questions and slow down treatment decisions.
- Culturally appropriate care is vital in healthcare services.
Links Mentioned:
- Renee Balcom's Website
- Scroll.care Platform
- Renee's First Appearance on The Cool Grandpa Podcast (Ep. 154: "See Differently")
- Family Care Conversation Starter
"Thou shalt honor the parents of your grandchildren. That's the most effective way to build lasting family relationships." — Neil Taft
🧩 Episode Summary
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I reconnect with author and grandparenting expert Neil Taft to explore the evolving role of grandparents in modern families. Neil shares insights from his newest book, Caring Grandparents, and explains how grandparents can both care about and care for their grandchildren.
We discuss the emotional and financial realities of grandparents raising grandchildren, the importance of respecting family boundaries, and Neil's viral TikTok moment that reached over 2 million people. His message — "Honor the parents of your grandchildren" — has become a mantra for building healthy, lasting family relationships.
You will walk away with wisdom on communication, compassion, and the power of being a "good seer and good sayer."
💡 Key Takeaways
- Grandparenting today means balancing love, support, and boundaries.
- "Caring Grandparents" highlights both caring for and about grandchildren.
- Over 2.5 million U.S. households are led by grandparents raising grandchildren.
- Neil's viral message reminds us: "The mother is the queen who holds the keys to the castle."
- Healthy grandparenting starts with empathy, communication, and affirmation.
- Being a "good seer and good sayer" transforms relationships across generations.
🔗 Links & Resources
- Click on this link to download your free copy of The Caring Grandparents Connection Guide: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Caring_Grandparents_Connection_Guide.docx
- 🖥️ Visit Neil's website: CaringGrandparents.com
- 📚 Learn more about Neil's books: Good to Great, Grandparenting & Caring Grandparents
- 🎧 Listen to previous episode: Good Seer, Good Sayer: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/09/26/ep-201-good-seer-good-sayer/
- Visit Dr. Kerry Byrnes' group at https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
- Check out Aaron Larson's community at: https://www.grandparentsacademy.com/
- Of course, you're going to want to find Popa Jammie, aka James Lott Jr., on his YouTube channel using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbunerNsVDOMLCrInkAzow
- You can watch this conversation with me and Neil on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/wTsihHEsoDk
🌐 Follow The Cool Grandpa Podcast: cool-grandpa
I welcome back longtime friend and repeat guest Dr. James Lott Jr., host of Really, I'm a Grandparent!, to discuss the rise of millennial grandparents and how shifting generational dynamics are reshaping modern family life. Together, we unpack everything from Millennials' and Gen Z's futures as grandparents to how technology, social media, and evolving family structures have changed what it means to be a grandparent today. The discussion is full of humor, honesty, and insight — a lively cross-generational conversation about love, legacy, and laughter.
Highlights: * Why millennials are redefining what "young grandparent" means. * The role of technology and social media in shaping modern family life. * How Gen X's "latchkey kid" experience impacts their grandparenting style. * Why millennial and Gen Z grandparents may raise kids with less stigma and more openness. * The growing visibility of grandfathers in modern families. * What multi-generational households tell us about the future of family. * The importance of humor, patience, and presence in every generation
Links and Resources: Here are the links to James Lott Junior's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JLJMedia
Click HERE to visit the Caring Grandparents website.
Here is the link to James's blog about becoming the last living grandparent. It is titled, The Weight and Wonder of Being the Sole Grandparent: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/the-weight-and-wonder-of-being-the-sole-grandparent/
Click on this link to check out Ted Page's book, Good Grandpa: https://
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down again with author and creative thinker Don Akchin to talk about his new book, After Work: An Honest Discussion About What Comes Next.
Don challenges the old idea of retirement as "the end" and redefines it as the beginning of a new and vibrant stage of life. Together, we explore how today's retirees—especially men—can rediscover purpose, creativity, and connection after their careers wind down.
In this conversation, you'll hear insights from Don about:
- Why the old version of retirement no longer fits today's longer, healthier lives
- The "fragile decade" — the five years before and after leaving work
- Rediscovering passions left behind for career and family
- Volunteering, mentoring, and giving back through experience
- Finding new social connections and combating isolation
- The rise of retirement coaches and the emotional side of retirement planning
- How creativity, curiosity, and flexibility lead to fulfillment in later years
Don also shares his personal story of rediscovering his creative spark through writing—and how After Work came to life.
This is a thoughtful, funny, and deeply encouraging episode for anyone approaching or already living their "after-work" life.
Takeaways: Retirement is not the end, but a new beginning.
Many struggle with identity after leaving their careers.
It's important to explore new passions and hobbies post-retirement.
Planning for retirement should include emotional and psychological aspects.
Creativity can flourish in later life if nurtured.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and community.
Legacy is about the example we set for future generations.
Finding purpose is crucial for a fulfilling after-work life.
Social connections are vital for health and longevity.
Lifelong learning keeps the mind engaged and curious.
Links: 🌐 DonAkchin.com — Learn more about Don's work, his Substack The End Game, and his book After Work.
You can use this link to listen to Don's first appearance on the podcast. His episode is called "The Evolving Role of Grandfathers."
You can also watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking HERE.
Summary In this episode, we explore the intersection of grandparenting and art, particularly focusing on the concept of reductive art. Drawing inspiration from John Maxwell's leadership principles, I explore how genuine influence isn't about adding more—it's about gently removing what doesn't belong, thereby revealing the beauty and potential already within our children.
Through the metaphor of carving, I explore how grandparents can shape their grandchildren's development by employing tools like patience, perspective, encouragement, and presence. Our conversation culminates in the idea of legacy and the art of letting go, allowing grandchildren to shine.
Be sure to let me know which tool, patience, perspective, encouragement, or presence YOU are going to sharpen a little more in the coming weeks.
Links Click here to listen to the fantastic episode I recorded with world-renowned artist, Rodney Hopkins. We discuss wood carving and his grandfather, who lived in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Check out Dark Hollow Woodworking on Facebook by using this link: https://www.facebook.com/DarkHollowWoodworking
Here is the link to my good friend, Neil Taft's organization, Caring Grandparents: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/
Click here to visit the John C. Campbell Folk School.
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I dive into one of the most valuable lessons a grandfather can pass down — a strong work ethic. From small chores to big projects, grandfathers have a unique opportunity to model what it means to start, stick with, and finish a job with pride.
I share personal stories, practical ideas, and real-world ways to teach grandkids about responsibility, perseverance, and follow-through. You’ll hear how everyday activities — from raking leaves to building a birdhouse — can become powerful lessons in character and commitment.
Whether you’re a hands-on project grandpa or a storytelling mentor, this episode will help you inspire your grandkids to value effort, own their actions, and feel the satisfaction of a job well done.
Takeaways A work ethic is essential for making a lasting impact on grandchildren.
Teaching work ethic involves commitment, responsibility, and pride.
Involving grandchildren in chores helps them learn independence.
Narrating tasks while working with grandchildren reinforces learning.
Work ethic is about character, not just completing chores.
Sharing personal experiences can help grandchildren understand the importance of a work ethic.
Encouraging ownership of small projects fosters responsibility.
Reflective questions can help children learn from their experiences.
Modeling good work habits is crucial for teaching kids. Resources are available to help grandparents teach work ethic.
Links * Cool Grandpa Work Ethic Challenge * Mike Rowe Sweat Pledge
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I return after a short break to share powerful tools grandparents can use to connect deeply with their grandchildren.
I talk openly about my own journey over the past year — from navigating career changes and health challenges to stepping into a new role as a special education teacher. With those experiences, I'd like to introduce a practical worksheet designed to spark meaningful conversations with grandchildren.
The episode explores three simple but profound questions:
- How would people describe you if you left the room?
- How do you WANT people to describe you?
- What do you want to be doing in five years?
I explain how grandparents can guide kids (and even adult children) through these prompts in age-appropriate ways, helping them discover their identity, build confidence, and set meaningful goals. I also believe that these simple yet powerful questions can help intentional grandparents and parents become an "accountability coach" without being intrusive — keeping our cherished conversations supportive, fun, and impactful.
Whether you see your grandchildren every week or connect mostly by phone or video, this episode provides a simple framework to nurture strong relationships and help your grandkids envision their future.
Resources Mentioned:
- Ted Page's The Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood
- Our conversation with Ted can be found using this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2025/06/05/good-grandpa-ted-pages-journey-from-blog-to-book-ep-233/
Worksheet download (available in show notes on cool-grandpa.us)
In this insightful episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Trott, founder of the Fourth Trimester Podcast and creator of the Hello Gaia app. Together, we unpack how grandfathers can be a vital and compassionate part of the postpartum experience.
From the importance of emotional support and boundary-setting to the practical ways grandpas can show up—like folding laundry, running the vacuum, or simply asking, "How are you, really?"—this episode empowers grandfathers to rethink their role in early parenthood.
Sarah also shares the evolution of postpartum care, explains what the fourth trimester means, and discusses how her app, Hello Gaia, and podcast provide trustworthy, vetted information for new and expecting families.
Whether you're about to become a grandfather for the first time or want to support your adult children better, this episode is packed with timely wisdom, resources, and empathy.
Takeaways * Grandfathers should be more involved in supporting new parents. * The fourth trimester is crucial for both the baby and parents. * Open communication between grandparents and parents is essential. * Avoid showing up unannounced to support new parents. * Postpartum depression affects one in five women and one in ten dads. * It's okay for new parents to let their house go a little. * Practical help, like cleaning, is valuable for new parents. * Social media can create unrealistic expectations for new parents. * Building trust through consistent support is key for grandparents. * Resources, such as guides and apps, can help grandparents support new parents.
🔗 Resources Mentioned: * Fourth Trimester Podcast * Hello Gaia App * Postpartum Support International (PSI) * Click on this Link to watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bg88R2-0Tvg.
In this powerful episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I chat with Sean Webb, the Executive Director of Read With Me Volunteer Programs, based in California's Coachella Valley. Sean shares how over 600 volunteers—many of them retirees—are making an incredible impact by reading with children who are English language learners and often two to three years behind in literacy.
With warmth and insight, Sean explains how volunteers provide not just academic support but a vital human connection for students, often becoming the "one more caring adult" that kids need. From overcoming challenges at home to improving reading comprehension and building confidence, these volunteers are changing lives—and getting just as much in return.
We also learn about:
- The process to become a volunteer
- Why literacy by the 5th grade is critical
- How culture and kindness bridge generational divides
- A moving story about a student who became an English teacher thanks to her 3rd-grade volunteer mentor
- The surprising number of nonprofits in the Coachella Valley
- Why "books don't run out of batteries"
Whether you're considering volunteering or want to gain a deeper understanding of the power of literacy, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance on making a positive impact in your community.
🎧 Tune in and discover how something as simple as reading together can shape futures—one child at a time.
Links and Resources Mentioned: 🌐 ReadWithMeVolunteer.org You can watch this video on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/HSRaCP1Yej8
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, Greg chats with acclaimed magician and author Allan Kronzek. Allan shares the inspiration behind his book, Grandpa Magic, and how simple, playful magic tricks can help grandfathers create lasting connections with their grandchildren.
Allan explains how magic is a tool for engagement, wonder, and even mentorship. Whether you’re performing napkin bunnies for toddlers or mind-reading acts with teens, there’s a trick for every age and ability. He also dives into how magic supports critical thinking, imagination, and intergenerational bonding.
Listeners will discover:
- The origin story behind Grandpa Magic
- Why magic can bridge generational gaps
- The psychology behind believers and skeptics
- How to tailor magic tricks to different age groups
- The empowering effect of teaching kids magic
- Tips for getting started with magic as a grandparent—even if you’ve never done it before
🧙♂️ Learn why magic isn’t just about tricks—it’s about connecting, engaging, and inspiring.
🔗 Links and Resources: * Visit Allan’s website: www.grandpamagic.net * Find Grandpa Magic on Amazon * Watch the Adventures of Ronnie the Rubber Band on YouTube * You can watch our conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/hXjfx_S5kcs
In this powerful follow-up episode, Dr. Ed Stephens returns to The Cool Grandpa Podcast to continue his candid conversation about men's emotional responses to pregnancy, birth, and fatherhood. Greg and Ed dive deep into the often-overlooked realities of paternal depression, miscarriages, and the emotional toll that fathers quietly carry during these life-changing moments.
Dr. Stephens shares personal and professional insights from his decades as a psychiatrist, as well as his own experiences as a father and grandfather. From understanding "peripartum depression" in men to reclaiming the vital role of grandfathers as emotional mentors, this episode challenges traditional silence and urges a new wave of male support, reflection, and storytelling.
🔑 Key Takeaways: * Paternal Postpartum is Real: Men often experience emotional upheaval during and after a partner's pregnancy, sometimes delayed by months or even years. * Isolation is a Hidden Struggle: Many fathers face loneliness and internalized stress without support networks or spaces to process their feelings. * Grandfathers Matter: Elders can profoundly impact their sons and sons-in-law by openly sharing their own experiences of fatherhood and struggles. * Emotional Health ≠ Weakness: Recognizing emotional responses doesn't diminish masculinity—it deepens connection and fosters a lasting legacy. * Therapeutic Gaps Exist: There's a critical need for more male therapists and a broader understanding of how men express emotional pain.
The Foundation for Male Studies: Dr. Stephens advocates for systemic recognition of men's mental health and provides valuable resources through MaleStudies.org
Links * Foundation for Male Studies * Here is the link for the first conversation that I had with Dr. Ed Stephens: https://cool-grandpa.us/2025/05/22/understanding-mens-mental-health-with-dr-ed-stephens-ep-231/ * You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/_rHvq9dZLuQ. * Check out my one-of-a-kind grandfather assessment and let me know where you are with your relationships: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Cool-Grandpa-Engagement-Assessment.pdf * Be sure to check out my merchandise page; there is some very cool stuff for grandpas: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
In this episode of the Cool Grandpa podcast, Greg Payne and George Dubec discuss the evolving roles of grandparents, family values, and the changing landscape of relationships and parenting. They reflect on their own childhood experiences, the importance of family structure, and the lessons learned from their grandparents.
The conversation also touches on the impact of societal changes on marriage and dating, as well as George's transition from engineering to networking and personal development. In this conversation, George Dubec shares insights on the realities of motivational speaking, the importance of skill training over inspiration, and the value of self-assessment and performance tracking. He emphasizes the role of grandparents in engaging with their grandchildren and building networks for future generations. The discussion also addresses the challenges of modern networking. It explores creative strategies for maintaining connections, including the effective use of technology and personal databases.
Plus, hear about:
- His "Love List" strategy that led to a 45-year marriage
- The truth behind motivational speakers
- How to teach kids networking in a disconnected world
- Building a legacy through small acts of connection
Whether you're a grandparent or just someone who values relationships and legacy, this is an episode full of insight, laughter, and heart.
Links 🔗 Visit George's site: theultimatenetworker.com
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/v3W9dfKo8sQ
Here is YOUR copy of the Grandfather Assessment: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Cool-Grandpa-Engagement-Assessment.pdf
In this episode of the Cool Grandpa podcast, Ted Page discusses his journey in writing the Good Grandpa book, inspired by the stories and experiences of grandfathers he encountered through his blog. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, the role of grandfathers in nurturing future generations, and the wisdom shared by various leaders, including the Dalai Lama.
The conversation highlights the significance of active compassion and the impact of grandfathers in instilling values and life lessons in their grandchildren. In this conversation, Ted Page shares insights from his journey as a grandfather, as well as the lessons he has learned from interviewing veterans and other grandfathers.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of kindness, personal growth, and the wisdom that can be passed down through generations. Ted reflects on how his experiences have shaped his outlook on life and the significance of community and resilience in navigating challenges. The conversation also explores the spiritual growth that comes from connecting with others and the pursuit of truth in our lives.
About the Book: Good Grandpa is a collection of personal anecdotes, interviews, and reflections offering a rich tapestry of modern grandfatherhood. Pre-order now wherever books are sold. Distributed by Simon & Schuster.
🔗 Links & Resources:
- Ted Page's blog: https://www.goodgrandpa.com
- Pre-order Good Grandpa: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the Simon & Schuster website
- Previous episode with Ted Page: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/12/15/ep-162-talking-about-a-good-grandpa/
- Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NBG4gwZ3hoI
📣 Get Involved: Ted wants to hear your stories! Share your wisdom or reflections on the Good Grandpa blog contact page.
In this episode of the Cool Grandpa podcast, Jeannie Burlowski discusses how grandparents can effectively support their grandchildren's college finances. She emphasizes the importance of creative strategies for college savings, the impact of personal letters from grandparents, and the significance of career assessments in guiding students toward debt-free education. The conversation highlights practical steps grandparents can take to leave a lasting legacy and ensure their grandchildren's success in higher education.
In this conversation, Jeannie Burlowski shares insights on how grandparents can play a pivotal role in helping their grandchildren navigate the complexities of education and career planning. She discusses the importance of strengths assessments, innovative scholarship strategies, and the pitfalls of relying solely on financial aid.
Jeannie emphasizes the need for early career planning and shares success stories of students who have graduated debt-free. Additionally, she highlights the benefits of utilizing 529 plans and Roth IRAs. She introduces the FIRE movement as a pathway to financial independence.
🎯 What You'll Learn:
- Why a heartfelt letter and a $20 college contribution can mean more than the latest toy
- How 529 college savings plans can be used meaningfully — and what to do with leftover funds
- Why career assessments at age 15 can shape lifelong success
- Creative alternatives to scholarships and financial aid that reduce college costs
- How grandparents can lead the charge with strategic planning (even if the parents are overwhelmed)
Jeannie also shares success stories from families that have used her advice to graduate with zero debt—and, in some cases, money in the bank.
Whether you're a grandparent looking to make a difference or a parent hoping to lighten the load, this episode delivers practical steps and emotional resonance.
🧡 Highlight Quote:
"The message matters more than the money — you're saying to your grandchild: You are worth investing in." — Jeannie Burlowski
🛠 Resources & Links:
- 📘 Launch: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward ➤ Available at libraries or for purchase on Jeannie's site
- 🌐 Free Monday Newsletter & Tribe Membership ➤ Sign up here: https://debtfreecollege.us
- 🎥 Watch Jeannie's age-specific 10-minute strategy videos: ➤ https://debtfreecollege.us
- 📚 Article: Why You Might Want to Talk Your Kid Out of the Ivy League ➤ Google: "Burlowski Out of Ivy League"
- 📖 Recommended Reading: ➤ The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins ➤ FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) Movement on Facebook
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ed Stephens about the evolving roles of fathers and grandfathers today. Dr. Stephens shares his deeply personal journey from corporate success to becoming a spiritual guide for men seeking purpose, presence, and legacy in their families.
Key topics include:
- The power of authentic, present fathering
- How men transition into the grandfather role with impact
- Dr. Stephens' journey to founding Heart of the Father Studio
- How faith and mentorship build lasting generational change
- The unique influence grandfathers have on young men
Whether you're a father, grandfather, or mentor, this conversation offers insights to help you lead with purpose, heart, and faith.
🔗 Links The Foundation for Male Studies Website: https://malestudies.org
Postpartum Support International (PSI) Website: https://www.postpartum.net
- Dr. Stephens mentioned that this organization will highlight his "Bringing the Father Into Pregnancy" questionnaire.
- CTA: Discover resources and research on mental health for mothers and fathers.
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/ddmNy1D4Js4
In this engaging conversation, Jack LaFountain shares his unique journey to becoming an author later in life, reflecting on his diverse experiences from military service to nursing and ministry. He discusses the joys and surprises of becoming a grandfather, the challenges of maintaining family relationships over distances, and the creative inspiration he draws from his family, particularly his grandson Brian.
Jack elaborates on his writing process, the evolution of his book series, and the themes that resonate throughout his work, including the Man of God series, which offers a fresh take on the Western genre. He also touches on the influence of his childhood and local history on his storytelling.
In our conversation, Jack shares his love for classic B-Sci-Fi movies and discusses how they influenced his writing. He delves into his writing process, distinguishing between 'pantsers' and 'plotters', and shares insights on character-driven storytelling. Jack also reflects on the challenges of maintaining consistency in supernatural narratives and the importance of satisfying endings in literature. As a proud grandfather, he expresses the joys and challenges of this role while also providing listeners with information on where to find his work.
What You'll Learn: * How Jack transitioned from military service and nursing to full-time writing * The touching story of how his grandson inspired a novel trilogy * The difference between "pantsers" and "plotters" in writing * Behind-the-scenes insights into his Moon Series, Man of God Series, and Red River Death Series * How being a grandfather continues to influence his work
Links & Resources: * 🔗 Jack LaFountain's Website * 📚 Books by Jack LaFountain on Amazon * 🎧 House of Honor Books * 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/author.jacklafountain * You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/sBRXfLD9TdA
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michael Allison, a Marine veteran, author, and founder of the Adversity Academy, to explore a journey shaped by hardship, legacy, and purpose. From growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Miami after immigrating from Jamaica to becoming a decorated Marine and now a leadership coach, Michael shares how his two grandfathers—both named Vincent—influenced his values and resilience.
Listeners will hear how formative life experiences, including time in Fallujah and setbacks in high school football, became catalysts for leadership growth. Michael shares the life-and-death moments that defined his military service and the deep mentorship that helped him evolve. He also explains how he now helps others through speaking and training programs that foster identity, purpose, and organizational strength.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
- The importance of legacy and storytelling across generations
- How to extract purpose from pain
- What "dark work" means and how it shapes real leaders.
- The impact of servant leadership in high-stakes environments
- Why leadership development must exist at every organizational level
- Building trust, especially with team members who feel undervalued
- The transition from military service to entrepreneurship
Links * Website: michaelwallison.com * Leadership Training: theadversityacademy.com * Email: mallison@theadversityacademy.com * Instagram: @IAmMichaelWAllison * You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/Kj3508LJDco
I welcome Kevin Hall to The Cool Grandpa Podcast for a powerful and entertaining conversation on legacy, storytelling, and life after retirement. Kevin opens up about his 49-year marriage, raising a family, and how becoming a grandfather inspired him to write personal memoirs that turned into a published series of books.
You’ll hear about:
- How telling stories to grandkids sparked Kevin’s writing career
- His transition from corporate life to creative writing
- How he self-published and marketed multiple books without a big budget
- Tips for grandparents on preserving memories through writing or video
- Kevin’s thoughts on AI, history, spiritual storytelling, and leaving a legacy
This episode is packed with laughs, life lessons, and practical advice for anyone looking to write their own family stories.
Links Use this link to view Kevin's website: http://www.kevin-hall.com/index.html
Here is the link to Publisher Rocket: https://publisherrocket.com/
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link:
In this heartfelt and candid episode, I sit down with career coach, entrepreneur, and proud grandfather Mark Aylward. They dive into the complexities of becoming a grandfather under unexpected circumstances, the power of simply "showing up," and how intentional presence can transform relationships.
Mark also shares powerful insights from his decades-long career in IT recruitment, his transition into career coaching, and his mission to help midlife professionals reclaim Clarity, confidence, and courage.
Expect real talk, big laughs, and memorable moments—from vocabulary lessons with his grandson to a great story of a friend calling NBA executives pretending to be Larry Bird. Whether you're navigating grandparenthood or a late-career pivot, this episode offers something valuable and inspiring.
🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways:
- The surprise and beauty of becoming a grandfather at 17
- Supporting a son through addiction and young fatherhood
- The importance of presence and modeling for children and grandchildren
- Tree climbing and gratitude: bonding through simple routines
- The broken hiring process and how to bypass the gatekeepers
- Why confidence is often the missing piece in career transitions
- Helping professionals in their 50s+ rediscover purpose and direction
- The art of storytelling in job interviews and career branding
- Why asking "What do you mean by that?" unlocks absolute Clarity.
- Embracing the role of a grandparent without overstepping boundaries
Links * MarkAylward.com – Website, coaching info, and newsletter * The Imperfect Men's Club Podcast – Real talk for men in midlife * Use this link to book Mark's Free 30-Minute Coaching Call: https://calendly.com/aylwardmark/30min?month=2025-04
In this episode, Jane Honikman and I discuss the evolving role of fathers and grandfathers in parenting, particularly in the context of postpartum support. We explore the importance of emotional wellness, communication, and social support in navigating the challenges of parenthood.
Our conversation highlights cultural shifts in parenting dynamics, the impact of generational perspectives, and the need for open discussions about mental health. Jane emphasizes the significance of understanding family history and traditions while advocating for a supportive environment for new parents.
Key Takeaways: * The significance of peer support for new mothers. * How societal expectations impact maternal mental health. * The role of fathers and families in providing support. * Advocacy efforts that have shaped postpartum care services. * Actionable steps for building community-based maternal support.
Links: You can listen to my first discussion with Jane about postpartum at this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/07/18/ep-141-postpartum-is-forever/
Check out Jane's website at: https://janehonikman.com/
Click on this link to order your copy of Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers: https://www.amazon.com/Parental-Mental-Health-Factoring-Fathers/dp/B089CTDLJW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=factoring+in+fathers&qid=1591048113&sr=8-1
You can watch this interview on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/ubFMDcfmo6Q
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I discuss the challenges of maintaining strong relationships with adult children and grandchildren. I discuss the common mistakes grandparents make—disrespecting parenting choices, giving gifts with hidden expectations, ignoring family schedules, or arguing in front of the grandkids. By recognizing these issues, grandparents can foster a more positive and lasting connection with their families.
I also highlight insights from experts like DeeDee Moore (More Than Grand) and Dr. Kerry Byrne (The Long Distance Grandparents) on mending strained relationships. If you're looking for ways to improve communication and respect with your family, this episode is a must-listen!
Key Takeaways: ✅ Respect your adult children's choices, even when they differ from your own. ✅ Be mindful of how and why you give gifts to grandchildren. ✅ Honor family schedules and avoid unplanned visits that add stress. ✅ Avoid arguing in front of grandkids—it impacts how they see family relationships. ✅ Self-reflect before assuming the problem is one-sided.
Next Week's Episode: Join us next week as I sit down with Jane Honikman to discuss Support Systems for Postpartum Depression—an insightful conversation on how families can better support new mothers
Links Use this link to explore The Long Distance Grandparent: https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
To check out More Than Grand, use this link: https://www.morethangrand.com/
You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/NwNQmB1J5EM.
In this episode, I sit down with Adam Cole, a jazz musician, educator, author, and confidence coach. Adam shares his fascinating journey from performing jazz and teaching music to becoming a sought-after confidence coach. He discusses the different phases of life and how we can reinvent ourselves. We also discuss how confidence is crucial in public speaking, music, and professional growth and how Adam gets his clients over the hump and into a space where they can effectively share their message with the right audience.
Topics covered include: ✔️ Overcoming stage fright & performance anxiety ✔️ Transitioning careers & finding new passions ✔️ The power of mentorship & self-awareness ✔️ The Feldenkrais Method & body awareness for confidence ✔️ Starting a side hustle and breaking through self-doubt
Whether you want to grow personally or professionally, this episode offers wisdom on embracing change, building confidence, and stepping into new challenges.
Links Connect with Adam Cole:
🌐 Website: www.acole.net or www.adamthelearningcoach.com 📺 YouTube: Truer MU Channel 🎶 Piano Lessons & Coaching: Available in-person (Atlanta) or via Zoom
You can also watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link:
Upcoming Event: 🎤 Billy Joel Sing-Along Concert – March 29, 4 PM @ First Christian Church of Decatur, Atlanta. Don't miss it!
In this engaging episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with writer and grandfather Don Akchin for a thoughtful discussion on modern grandfathering. We explore the evolving role of grandfathers, the joys and challenges of connecting with grandchildren, and how today's granddads are breaking past generational stereotypes. Don shares personal stories about his grandchildren, his love for writing, and the importance of staying active and engaged post-retirement.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Don's initial reaction to becoming a grandfather
- The joys of having grandchildren nearby and developing special bonds
- Creating unique traditions, including writing mentorship with his granddaughter
- The generational shift in grandparenting roles
- How men today are embracing a more engaged and nurturing grandfather role
- Don's writing journey, including The End Game newsletter on aging and retirement
- The importance of continuous learning, personal growth, and adapting in later years
- Advice for new and soon-to-be grandfathers: the power of listening and being present
Links
You can sign up for the End Game newsletter by using this link: https://theendgame.substack.com/
Books & authors mentioned Freddy the Pig, Anya and the Dragon, and Paddington Bear.
Vietnam veteran and author Jerry Glazer joins me in this compelling episode. Jerry shares his remarkable journey from being drafted into the U.S. Army, going through grueling training, and serving in one of the most harrowing conflicts in American history. He reflects on his experiences, the challenges of military service, and the deep brotherhood forged in war.
Jerry also discusses his book, Vietnam Uncensored: 365 Days in a Nightmare, which provides a firsthand account of his time in combat and the historical context behind the Vietnam War. His candid storytelling takes listeners through his battles, the impact of PTSD, and the lessons he learned about resilience, leadership, and sacrifice.
Additionally, Jerry talks about the importance of veterans documenting their stories, the need for ongoing support for those who served, and his work with The Kauffman Fund, an organization dedicated to helping veterans in need.
Key Topics Discussed: * Jerry's journey from college to the Vietnam War * His decision to serve despite having an opportunity to avoid the draft * The intense physical and mental challenges of military training * His experiences as part of an airborne and ranger-trained unit * The reality of combat and its lasting impact on soldiers * The brotherhood among soldiers and the sacrifices made * The historical and political complexities of the Vietnam War * The long-term effects of war, including PTSD and reintegration into civilian life * The importance of veterans sharing their stories * How proceeds from Jerry's book are supporting The Kauffman Fund
Resources & Links: * Jerry's Book: Vietnam Uncensored: 365 Days in a Nightmare – Available on Amazon * Jerry's Website: vietnamjerry.com * The Kauffman Fund: thekauffmanfund.org * You can watch this conversation on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_3USoz8B92g
Support & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to share this episode with a
In this episode, I discuss the importance of sharing life skills with grandchildren and creative ways to teach them essential lessons. I reflect on personal experiences with my father and how small, everyday moments can provide invaluable learning opportunities for grandkids.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- The power of showing and sharing life skills instead of just telling.
- How can travel experiences teach kids practical skills, from navigating an airport to problem-solving on the go?
- The benefits of bringing grandkids to meetings and social gatherings to expose them to real-world interactions.
- Discussing money and financial responsibility in a fun and engaging way can help set them up for success.
- Practical ways to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.
Join the Conversation!
How do you share life skills with your grandkids? Leave a comment or connect with Greg on social media.
🔗 Follow on Social Media:
- Facebook: @CoolGrandpaPodcast
- LinkedIn: Greg Payne
🎧 Subscribe & Stay Cool! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to The Cool Grandpa Podcast on your favorite streaming platform.
Links Read my latest guest blog: "From Grandpa's Heart – Four Things to Say to Encourage Your Granddaughter" at: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/from-grandpas-heart-4-things-to-say-to-encourage-your-granddaughter/
You can listen to and watch John Fogerty's classic song, Centerfield, by using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq3hEMUeBGQ.
In this episode, I welcome back to The Cool Grandpa Podcast, Richard Eyre, a New York Times bestselling author and expert on family relationships, to discuss his latest project—How to Live the Second Half of Life. Richard shares his journey from parenting expert to grandparenting advocate, emphasizing the importance of being an intentional and proactive grandparent.
Key topics include: ✅ The evolving role of grandparents in today's society ✅ Why grandparenting should be a proactive and engaged experience ✅ The launch of Richard's How to Live the Second Half of Life course ✅ Strategies for maintaining mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being in later years ✅ The importance of mentorship and peer support in aging gracefully ✅ A sneak peek at Richard's upcoming book, The Team Approach to Grandparenting
Join the Conversation! 👉 What are your thoughts on being a proactive grandparent? Please share your insights with us on social media or in the comments!
Links Use this link to check out the course, How To Live that will be hosted by Richard Eyre AND You: https://valuesparenting.com/how-to-live/
You can use this link to check out everything that Lind and Richard are doing based on parenting and grandparenting: https://valuesparenting.com/
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/Yf8msro941g
In this episode, I sit down with John Larson from CoHealth to discuss an innovative solution for transforming elder care—The Care Bidet. John shares his journey in the elder care space, the inspiration behind this groundbreaking technology, and how it aims to improve hygiene, dignity, and overall well-being for aging individuals and their caregivers.
The Care Bidet is not just a convenience—it’s a game-changer in elder care. With a rapidly aging population, solutions like this are crucial in reducing caregiver burden, improving patient dignity, and improving healthcare efficiency.
🎧 Listen and subscribe. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review and share it with anyone caring for aging family members!
Links Here is the link to check out the Care Bidet: https://toiletingcare.com/
You can use this link to learn more about Connected Health Solutions: https://www.cohealth.solutions/
By the way, CMS means - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services/
Daniel Crandall and I discuss the significance of capturing family stories and histories in this episode. We discuss the dynamics of family businesses, the role of publishing in preserving narratives, and the importance of engaging younger generations in storytelling. Daniel shares techniques for capturing family members' stories, the impact of these narratives on relationships, and practical tips for recording them. The conversation emphasizes the value of genuine interest in storytelling and offers resources for those looking to document their family histories.
Links Here is the link to Allisona: https://www.allisona.com/. Remember, when you contact them, mention "Cool-Grandpa" for a free publishing Q&A training session!
You can use this link to learn more about Pixel Glyph Press: https://www.pixelglyphpress.com/
If you would like to listen to that last conversation that Daniel and I had, you can do so with this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/08/04/ep-143-you-can-choose-who-you-want-to-be/
In this week's episode, I explore an essential and often under-discussed topic: how grandfathers can navigate the challenges and rewards of having an autistic grandchild.
Key Topics Discussed: 1. Adjusting Expectations: * The emotional process of shifting expectations for a grandchild's future. * Recognizing the grieving and acceptance stages. * Finding new ways to celebrate achievements and milestones. 2. Emotional and Psychological Challenges: * Feeling helpless due to a lack of understanding or awareness. * Overcoming generational and cultural differences in approaching autism. * Learning new information to feel more empowered. 3. Communication and Interaction Strategies: * Understanding different social cues and responses from autistic grandchildren. * Sensory sensitivities and how they impact shared experiences. * Recognizing the difference between meltdowns and misbehavior. 4. The Grandfather's Role in Family Support: * How grandfathers can actively participate in their grandchild's care. * Avoiding the feeling of being left out of key decisions. * Balancing attention and affection between all grandchildren. 5. Practical Considerations: * Adapting parenting and grandparenting strategies for today's understanding of autism. * Physical limitations and adjustments to activities. * The evolving language around autism and support strategies.
Key Takeaway: Grandfathers have an essential role in their grandchildren's lives, even if their approach to bonding, communication, and activities differs from what was anticipated. They can build meaningful connections and support their families with education, patience, and an open heart.
Links Here are some links to organizations that can help better understand and support grandchildren with autism.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/?utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=IS-branded-conv&utm_content=IS-evergreen&msclkid=e34583b36c3619035422e41632218356
https://www.verywellhealth.com/helping-grandparents-connect-259865
https://neurolaunch.com/autism-grandma/
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/grandparents-importance-autism-kids/
Kerri Lewis from Second Act Mastery joins me this week to talk about her journey through grief after losing her husband. We discuss the importance of addressing grief, its loneliness, and the societal expectations surrounding how one should grieve.
Kerri emphasizes the role of counseling in helping individuals process their grief and the significance of support systems. We also explore the misconceptions about the stages of grief, gender differences in grieving, and the importance of community and connection in the healing process.
After you have listened to this episode, please share it with family and friends who could benefit from hearing about Kerri's journey and the types of resources we mention in this podcast episode.
Links If you would like to check out Kerri's counseling website, please use this link: https://www.secondactmastery.com/
You can use this link to connect with Kerri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrilewiscoaching/
If you would like to watch this episode on YouTube, you can use this link to view Kerri and I over there: https://youtu.be/h-Qrqe_zE7k
Allan Shedlin joins us again for another engaging conversation. As Allan and I talked about being a grandfather, he reflected on the profound influence of his grandfather on his parenting style and the evolution of relationships between parents and their adult children.
Allan shares anecdotes about his grandfather's calm demeanor and the importance of being present in children's lives. Our discussion also introduces one of Allan's great passions, The Daddying Film Festival and Form, or D3F for short. The Film Festival is an initiative to foster connections between fathers and their children through film. Many of these films highlight the significance of shared experiences and discussions in family dynamics.
We delve into the Daddying Film Festival and Forum, exploring its evolution, the engagement of youth in film judging, and the surprises encountered during its first three years. I ask Allan about the highlights of the film festival, and he talks about the festival's logistics, plans, and the various categories for film submissions, emphasizing the importance of father involvement. Allan also talks about memorable films from past festivals showcasing the emotional and impactful stories that resonate with audiences.
Please share this information with any young filmmakers or adults who would like to try their hand at either creating a movie or evening being on the panel to review the films.
Links Here is the link to the Daddying Film Festival and Forum (D3F): https://www.daddyingfilmfest.com/
You can use this link to listen to our previous discussion: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/11/15/ep-208-daddying-more-than-just-fatherhood/
Use this link to find out more about the DADvocay Consulting Group: https://www.dadvocacyconsultinggroup.com/
If you would like to follow Allan and his group work on Facebook, Instagram, or X, you can use the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/DADvocacyConsulting
https://www.instagram.com/daddyingfilmfest
https://twitter.com/DADvocacyCG
Ricky Dickson, author and former CEO, is back for a dare; I say it? A second scoop, but in this case, we are talking about his experience with being a grandson and the profound impact of grandparents on personal development and family dynamics.
Ricky shares his experiences growing up with both sets of grandparents nearby, highlighting their roles as mentors, supporters, and sources of wisdom. We discuss the love and influence his grandparents provided him from when he was born until they left this life.
The conversation delves into memorable family traditions, the influence of faith, and the importance of nurturing relationships as one transition into adolescence. Ricky emphasizes the significance of unconditional love and the lasting memories created through shared experiences, offering valuable advice for new grandparents on fostering meaningful connections with their grandchildren.
After listening to this conversation, please share it with family and friends, who will enjoy hearing about the wonderful memories Ricky shared with us.
Links This link will take you to my first conversation with Ricky, where we discussed his book, One Scoop At A Time. https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/11/18/ep-209-the-sweet-journey-of-ricky-dickson/
Use this link to visit Ricky's website: https://www.rickydickson.com/
You can check out One Scoop At A Time using this link: https://onescoopatatime.com/
You can order Ricky's book from either of the links above, and you can also use this direct link to Amazon to order the book: Amazon - One Scoop At A Time
If you would like to connect and follow Ricky on LinkedIn, you can use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-dickson-5301135/
You can watch this conversation on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/aEdV4zaCj08
In this week's episode, I speak with Lendo Mutambala, founder of Super Daddy Club, about the challenges and needs of young fathers. Lendo shares his journey from Congo to Canada, his experiences as a young father, and the motivation behind creating Super Daddy Club as a resource for fathers navigating parenting and family dynamics.
Our conversation explores the importance of fatherhood, the impact of family structures on children, and the need for community support. Lendo also discusses his plans for the future of Super Daddy Club, including creating documentaries and engaging with the public to address parenting issues.
Links You can watch this conversation on my YouTube Channel by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/re28xpBamRo
The Super Dady Club: https://www.superdaddyclub.ca/
If you would like to email Lendo and his partners directly, use this email address: hey@onefourstudios.ca
You can use the following links to connect with The Super Daddy Club on social media:
LInkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/lendo-mutambala-285213239/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078069555886
X: https://twitter.com/@superdaddyclub1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperDaddyClub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superdaddyclub/
Check out the conversation that I had with Jane Honikman about postpartum using this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/?s=Jane+Honikman
DeeDee More from More Than Grand joins me this week to talk about the challenges facing parents and what grandparents can do to be a resource to young parents. We delve into the critical topic of parental well-being, highlighting the mental health challenges parents face today, particularly in light of recent advisories from the Surgeon General.
Our discussion covers the impact of social media, financial pressures, and the role of grandparents in supporting parents. It emphasizes the importance of trusting parental instincts, advocating for better policies, and breaking the stigma of mental health. As we wrap up the conversation, DeeDee also touches on the unique stresses of the holiday season and introduces resources for new grandparents.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with other grandparents so we can all become more educated about some of the challenges our adult children experience as young parents.
Links Use this link to access DeeDee's blog about the Surgeon General's Advisory on Parental Mental Health. You can also access the advisory document using this blog link. https://www.morethangrand.com/blog/grandparents-response-to-the-surgeon-generals-advisory-on-parents-mental-health.
Click on this link to review the Grandparents Holiday Gift Guide: https://www.morethangrand.com/gifts-for-grandchildren.
You can use this link to visit More Than Grand. I encourage you to check out DeeDee's New Grandparent Essentials: https://www.morethangrand.com/
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/wvC9hl5_Prw.
You can use this link to listen to our previous conversation about More Than Grand: https://cool-grandpa.us/?s=DeeDee+More.
Ethan Yazel from I Love Muzzleloading joins me to discuss how the sport and hobby of muzzleloading have created a unique bond between multiple generations of his family. Ethan shares his deep family connection to muzzleloading and explores the rich histories of his grandfathers, Joseph Barnes and Harold Yazel.
We discuss the history of muzzleloading over the last century, focusing on the use of muzzleloaders in Indiana before, during, and after the Great Depression. Ethan reflects on cherished memories spent with his grandfathers, grandmothers, and extended family. We discuss the relationships between family and community and muzzleloading's impact on his life.
As you will discover, we both appreciate the historical context of muzzle loading, its significance to many families from when the United States was a colony to today, and how it serves as a means of survival and family bonding.
Ethan emphasizes the importance of the muzzleloading community. We learn about his passion for learning about and sharing our common history and the lessons he learned from his grandfathers, encouraging others to explore this unique hobby.
If you have not attended a living history event or a muzzleloading activity, we encourage you to check one out. I think you will have a fun time and gain an appreciation for how people used to live along the various frontiers and periods that have influenced generations of Americans and others.
Be sure to check out Ethan's website and YouTube channel. Remember to like and subscribe to learn about muzzleloading and our shared past.
Links Check out Ethan's website: https://www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/
You can watch Ethan's YouTube channel using this address. Remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to his channel for great information about muzzleloading. https://www.youtube.com/@ILoveMuzzleloading
To learn more about muzzle loading, you can check out the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association using this link: https://www.nmlra.org/
You can view my conversation with Ethan on my YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/Xgg42P3lM8U
This week is our final one-on-one conversation for 2024 about being a cool grandpa. In this conversation, I share valuable insights and tips for grandparents navigating the holiday season. I emphasize the importance of flexibility, adjusting expectations, and focusing on the quality of time spent with family. I discuss how grandparents support their adult children's new traditions while also considering the interests of our grandchildren. I also discuss the emotional challenges of changing family dynamics and offer practical advice for finding peace during the holidays.
Cool Grandpa Ricky Dickson is joining me to discuss his experience as the CEO of Blue Bell Ice Cream and being a father and a very cool grandpa. Recently, Ricky published his book One Scoop At A Time, which is an excellent book about his time at Blue Bell, from writing a marketing paper for a school project to becoming CEO and guiding Blue Bell through one of its most challenging experiences.
Ricky's book combines lessons of leadership, faith, and fun. We talk about how Ricky wrote this book to help tell his story and the story of Blue Bell and, maybe more importantly, as a legacy for his great-grandchildren. We discuss some of Ricky's personal stories, including a turning point in his career when he realized that God's purpose or role for Ricky was more important than a promotion.
As a grandfather, Ricky also talks about the importance of one-on-one time with his grandchildren and the special moments they share. Some memorable moments involve ice cream and conversations about listening to God, prompting us about what he wants for us and our lives, and then listening to that prompting and following that message as best we can.
As we wrap up our conversation, Ricky shares the 'go to' ice cream flavors that will make you the hit of any holiday or Christmas party you attend. Those flavors are Homemade Vanilla, Peppermint Bark, and Christmas Cookies.
Do yourself a favor and use one of the links below to check out Ricky's book, One Scoop At A Time. Even if you don't typically read business books, you will enjoy this one, as Ricky is open and honest about what was going on with his time at Blue Bell and with him personally. One of the cool things that you can do now if you live in an area that doesn't sell Blue Bell is order Blue Bell Ice Cream. I have put a direct link to their order page in the links below.
Links Use this link to visit Ricky's website: https://www.rickydickson.com/
You can check out One Scoop At A Time using this link: https://onescoopatatime.com/
You can order Ricky's book from either of the links above, and you can also use this direct link to Amazon to order the book: Amazon - One Scoop At A Time
If you would like to connect and follow Ricky on LinkedIn, you can use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-dickson-5301135/
Allan Shelin from DADvocacy Consulting Group (DCG) joins this week's conversation. We get to know Allan and his experience as both a father and grandfather. Allan also shares his work as a principal at an elementary school in New York City and as an advocate for education and now for Daddys everywhere. We discuss his philosophy on education, the creation of the National Elementary School Center, and the concept of 'daddy' as a nurturing process.
We also discuss Allan's challenges in publishing his book on fatherhood. We talk about how great films can impact fostering father-child relationships. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with grandchildren.
Allan outlines the qualities that children seek in their fathers and grandfathers. Our conversation concludes with insights on grandparenting's evolution and routine's significance in nurturing these relationships. We reflect on the evolution of fatherhood and the importance of relationships across generations. Allan discusses the role of grandfathers and the need for emotional presence.
The conversation also highlights the Dadvocacy Consulting Group's mission to support fathers in becoming the dads they aspire to be, as well as insights gained from interviews with fathers about their experiences and challenges. Allan both encourages and challenges fathers to think about how they want to be perceived by their children and to take actionable steps toward that vision.
Links Use this link to find out more about the DADvocay Consulting Group: https://www.dadvocacyconsultinggroup.com/
If you would like to follow Allan and his group work on Facebook, Instagram, or X, you can use the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/DADvocacyConsulting
https://www.instagram.com/daddyingfilmfest
https://twitter.com/DADvocacyCG
You can watch our conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/kCSFMBO5XFY
Bob Abate is on a mission to listen to and capture the stories of WW II veterans from New York City and the surrounding area. We discuss Bob's memories of being a small boy when World War II ended and the celebrations that were going on around him that he didn't understand at the time but grew to appreciate as he grew older. Bob and I also talk about his early years going through the Naval Academy and his academic career after leaving the Navy.
Bob started his passion for collecting veteran stories when he noticed that one individual who had been a heck of an athlete before going to Vietnam was not included in Manhattan University's Hall of Fame. That person is Tyrone Pannell. Through the research and induction comments that Bob made, you are going to enjoy hearing the touching story of how Tyrone's daughter got to know her father, who died when she was just a baby.
You will also enjoy hearing about Bob's effort and passion for getting the veterans to tell their stories without editing, polishing, or editorial comments. Their story is THEIR STORY, with all the good and the bad that come from raw memories and places in the heart that only they have known and experienced.
Once you have listened to this conversation, I encourage you to share it with your friends and family who are interested in great stories and who might be interested in learning how to capture the memories of family and friends who have served this country.
Links Here is Bob's email address should you wish to reach out to him: rpaabate@gmail.com
You can also use this link to hear another great conversation with Bob conducted by the Yonkers Public Library: http://archive.ypl.org/items/show/512.
You can watch Bob's presentation at the Scarsdale Public Library using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J6mUhOSBHk.
This week's episode is our monthly one-on-one conversation. For our discussion, I have chosen to share a few questions and topics I recently had from grandparents. The first question concerns spoiling the grandchildren. Our second topic is the importance of knowing basic first aid and CPR, primarily pediatric CPR. The third topic is creating an enjoyable connection with the grandchildren as a Long-Distance Grandparent during Thanksgiving and the Holidays when you can not be there in person.
I also share my thoughts about how we, as grandfathers, can help our grandchildren connect with the veterans in our families and honor veterans, both living and deceased, in our community.
Links Here is the link to Dr. Kerry Byrne's The Long Distance Grandparent: https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
Click on this link to investigate More Than Grand: https://www.morethangrand.com/
Doug Morneau joins us for an engaging conversation. Doug shares his experiences and insights as a grandfather, discussing the importance of family relationships, the impact of technology, and the value of spending quality time with grandchildren. He reflects on his upbringing, the lessons learned, and how he aims to create a nurturing environment for his grandkids. Doug emphasizes the significance of community support and the role of faith in family life and offers practical advice for new grandfathers.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share it with a friend who would enjoy this conversation and learning about building meaningful solid relationships with grandchildren.
Links Use this link to check out Doug's website and business: https://www.dougmorneau.com/. You can also use this link to get Doug's social media information.
If you would like to reach out to Doug directly, you can use his email, which is: connect@dougmorneau.com
You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/25cvzYhV9A0
Here is the link for the episode with Jim Padilla that we mentioned in this week's conversation: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/07/26/ep-192-your-life-is-about-other-people/
Michael Platt from Platt Motors sits down with us to share the remarkable story of his grandfather and the car business he started. You will enjoy hearing how Michael's grandfather started one of the earliest used car dealerships in New Jersey. Michael shares his earliest memories of going to auctions and seeing his father and grandfather work as direct-to-consumer sales and wholesale brokers.
Michael and I talk about the nostalgic pull that cars can have with grandchildren remembering their grandparent's vehicles and how that nostalgia can contribute to people buying cars that remind them of their parents and grandparents. We also discussed which classic cars might be a little impractical with us older guys who want to use them for road trips.
If you haven't already done so, please like, share, and subscribe to this podcast and YouTube channel. Also, remember to check out the Bookstore for cool merchandise that would make any cool grandpa happy.
Links Use this link to check out Platt Motors: https://www.plattmotors.com/
If you would like to reach out to Michale via LinkedIn, you can use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-platt-81249b117/
Andre Renna shares his experience as a grandfather with us. We learn about Andre's reaction to learning that he would become a grandpa for the first time and how he was very excited to meet his grandchildren. I ask Andre about being a grandfather in the same community as his children and grandchildren. Andre shares with us how being close to his grandchildren is a blessing, but at times, it can also be difficult.
We learn about Andre's background growing up in Brooklyn, NY, with his extended family very close by and having that shared experience of living and growing up next to his grandparents. Andre and I also discussed his wonderful experience co-writing a book with his granddaughter. He shares with us the experience of his granddaughter creating the story while he was pushing her on a swing out in the park.
You will also be inspired by Andre's involvement as a volunteer at his grandchildren's school. Andre actively acts as a role model and mentor to the children in the school's reading program. The boys in the school also connect with Andre when he assists in the school's cafeteria. He shares that his ability to build connections with the boys through sports and other activities they are interested in helps them and their teachers have better lines of communication and areas of interest outside of the classroom.
You will enjoy hearing how Andre builds meaningful and lasting connections with his grandchildren. Once you have listened to this episode, remember to like, subscribe, and share it with a friend.
Remember to check out my Bookstore page for fun gifts for yourself or the Cool Grandpa in your life.
Links Here is the email address to connect with Andre and order the book The Surprise Birthday Party: The Adventures of Aria and Ducky: awrenna@comcast.net
You can check out the book at Amazon as well using this link: https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Birthday-Party-Adventures-Ducky/dp/0578903954/ref=sr_1_1?crid=376YXD5V341Z9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fh3C8PvpkQ8X-xtbuUctQQ.mVnH45R6fAwwFv_47dr2wt8eZRBgsIf0r_IqkHIDLHU&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Surprise+Birthday+Party%2C+andre+Renna&qid=1728511997&sprefix=the+surprise+birthday+party%2C+andre+renna%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1 (if you order the book through Andre, using his email address, he can have the book signed for you)
This is our second panel or round table discussion on The Cool Grandpa Podcast. I like to call these activities Cracker Barrels. I think I like that term because it is what we used in Scouts and because it is a fun nostalgic term for people getting together informally and sharing important and sometimes not-so-important information.
We have four wonderful guests joining me to give their thoughts on how fathers and fathers-in-law can support moms. After all, the old adage that if mom isn't happy, no one is happy is more true than we might like to admit.
This event's participants are Dr. Kerry Byrne, Lori Wynne, DeeDee More, and Amanda Weishar. I have known these awesome women for some time and have worked with Kerry and DeeDee on some grandparenting projects in the past.
You will enjoy this fun conversation, and I encourage you to share it with other people who may be unsure about how to support their adult daughters and daughters-in-law.
Links Use this link to access the More Than Grand website. DeeDee More's contact information is available on her website located at: https://www.morethangrand.com/
You can learn more about Dr. Kerry Byrne's work on behalf of grandparents at The Long Distance Grandparent and join me in The Long Distance Grandparent Society (LDGS). You might also like to sign up for the Ideas Club. Regardless, the way to connect with Kerry is to start with this link: https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
To connect with Lori and possibly grab a gift card for your wife, daughter, or daughter-in-law, check out Lori's website at https://www.fashionwithflair.com/
You can check out this episode on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/81SLxCyeLCw
One of the great books mentioned in our conversation is The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations, https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Questions-Interview-Uncover-Generations/dp/0593420926/ref=asc_df_0593420926/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693313423915&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6306226522772353603&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015313&hvtargid=pla-1643658361638&psc=1&mcid=146d2c0d7e103f8ca15a885e4797003f.
Amanda mentioned this excellent parenting book, Parenting: A House United: Changing Children's Hearts and Behaviors by Teaching Self-Government. https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Changing-Childrens-Behaviors-Self-Government/dp/1892131331
You can check out Lori's father-in-law's YouTube channel by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/@thehorseandi (Be sure to 'Like and Subscribe' to the channel)
Neil Taft joins our conversation this week to talk about being a Caring Grandparent. Specifically, we learn how Neil, a great-grandfather, is leading the charge to help all grandparents build and maintain incredible relationships with their grandchildren.
Neil's mission is to enhance Grandparents' bonds with their Grandchildren by building solid and meaningful connections. Neil believes that stories and shared experiences can strengthen the grandparent/ grandchild bond.
You are going to love how Neil has worked hard to develop and maintain his relationships with his children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. Neil shares with us a remarkable story of how he has been able to create and maintain a relationship with his ex-daughter-in-law. Neil's work in that relationship now enables him to remain an active grandfather in his nineteen-year-old granddaughter's life.
We also talk about one of Neil's philosophies: to be a GOOD SEER and a GOOD SAYER. Simply put, this philosophy is centered on the principle that when you see something good in the world, say something about it. The good could be a great piece of street art or, as Neil shares, seeing a person with a charming piece of clothing. Neil belives that everyone from our youngest grandchild to older people we run into each wants and seeks out approval and complements. As a grandfather, Neil finds this a natural state for him to be in that doesn't cost anything but produces enormous returns for the person receiving the compliment.
Links Use this link to visit Neil's webpage and check out the great work that he is doing over there: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/
You can use this link to purchase Neil's book, Good to Great Grandparenting: https://www.amazon.com/GOOD-GREAT-GRANDPARENTING-Meaningful-Connections/dp/B0CZDH1JTC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
This link will take you to Neil's new book, Caring Grandparents: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV97S8Z
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link:
Here is the link to check out our good friend Dr. Kerry Byrne's The Long Distance Grandparent. I hope you join her group if it suits you and your needs. I like to hang out with this group when I can. https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
This link will take you to Grandparent's Academy, a great resource for all grandparents. Neil and I are presenters/ faculty and enjoy connecting with grandparents over at that site as well. https://www.grandparentsacademy.com/
In this episode, I am taking a victory lap with my good buddy, Steve Ownes, from the Fascination Street Podcast. In this fun conversation, Steve interviews me on my podcast. We discussed my motivations for starting this podcast and why I have kept this project going for over four years.
Steve also talks to me about my children's book and where the heck the follow-up books are. We have a blast discussing the journies we have both been on, and we include some fascinating accounts of folks we have interviewed.
I hope you enjoy this conversation. Please like and subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already done so. You can also check out both of us on YouTube.
Links Here is the link to my first episode, my introduction to The Cool Grandpa Podcast: https://cool-grandpa.us/2020/05/02/episode-1-introduction/
This is the link to my first interview with Cool Grandpa Dean Nielson: https://cool-grandpa.us/2020/05/02/episode-2-dean-nielson/
Use this link to watch this conversation over on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HNbP4JjmV4U
You can listen to my interview on Fascination Street with Steve Ownes using this link: https://fascinationstreetpod.com/2023/10/greg-payne/
Check out Steve's Podcast, Fascination Street, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also check out his site by clicking on this link: https://fascinationstreetpod.com/
Check out my Bookstore/Shop page for some cool merchandise that is perfect for the Cool Grandpa in your life: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
This week, our guest is Patrick Brady. Patrick is passionate about gathering his family history and stories. As Patrick started to look at the marketplace, he recognized that there wasn't a service or platform that would allow building a central location to preserve that unique family history and enable the family to make it their own truly.
At Heritage HQ, each family gets its unique domain to upload and create files that can be shared and edited. The family website or domain will contain a family tree and records of birthdates, genealogy, and essential documents. Each family will have a Heritage Helper to assist family members with the technology used and create an individualized family newsletter.
Heritage HQ helps to build bridges between generations in several ways, including helping family members record in-person, video, and audio interviews. This is an excellent way for young family members to discover the stories of their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others and learn about the challenges and triumphs of those family members and close family friends.
Some of the other services that a family can use with their Heritage HQ account are:
- Photo Organizer
- Social Media Hub/ Integration
- Digitization services - copying those printed photos into an electronic format
You will enjoy learning more about Heritage HQ, Patrick's experience working as a professor in China, and how that experience helped shape his thoughts about capturing family stories.
Links You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/Nl8N6AzaHrY
Here is the link to Heritage HQ: https://www.heritagehq.co/
If you would like to book a 30-minute call with Patrick, use this link to Book a HeritageHuddle Call: https://calendly.com/patrick-heritagehq/30min?month=2024-09
Check out this example of a HeritageHQ Family Website: https://heritagehqexample.com/.
Please email us: support@heritagehq.co
Call us: (512) 887-2726
This is our monthly one-on-one conversation. This week, I am discussing my impressions of DeeDee More's great blog post, "A Grandparent's Response to the Surgeon General's Advisory on Parents' Mental Health."
Some of the data collected over the last few years concerning parents and their mental health might be surprising to you. I was surprised to learn about some of the challenges that young parents face beyond dealing with picky eaters, colicky infants, and potty training, to name a few.
As Grandfathers, I think we can help our grandchildren's parents by doing the following:
- Educate ourselves on what is causing stress among young parents and be sensitive to the fact that their stresses are not the same as what caused us stress 20+ years ago.
- Check-in on the parents, both your son or daughter and son-in-law and daughter-in-law. Do this by taking just them out to eat or even by using your phone or texting, depending on how they communicate. Ask about THEM and not the grandkids. I know this is a tough one, but do it anyway.
- When you visit or talk to them, be aware of their behavior, situation, and what is happening around their home. Notice what is different or "not them," as this could be a sign that they could use additional support or TLC.
- Remember to be a good listener. Pick up on whether the person you are talking to wants your input or just needs a friendly ear so they can vent. DO NOT get into a comparison or contest about how rough you had it as a parent and how rough they have it today. YOU went through your struggles and have experience and hindsight. THEY are in the middle of their challenges and need support from their father or father-in-law.
Once you have listened to this podcast, please remember to subscribe, like, and share this conversation with other people who would enjoy the show AND could use the information and support I try to put into every episode.
Links I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/0rOVrNrtMFg.
Here is the link to DeeDee's fantastic blog post: https://www.morethangrand.com/blog/grandparents-response-to-the-surgeon-generals-advisory-on-parents-mental-health
Here is the direct link to download your copy of the Surgeon General's Parental Mental Health & Wellness report: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.html.
You can listen to the podcast episode DeeDee and I had together and learned about More Than Grand using this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/?s=DeeDee+More.
Here is my buddy Steve Ownes' website for his podcast, Fascination Street: https://fascinationstreetpod.com/.
Doug Sohn from Success After Sixty is joining the podcast to discuss his experience living in a multi-generational home. If Doug's name sounds familiar, that is because he is a returning guest. Doug is joining us again to talk about living in a multi-generational home.
We learn that Doug and his wife have always had a full home, regardless of whether it contained six children or other people coming to live with them. As our discussion continues, we learn that Doug and his wife had moved into a retirement community, expecting they would be mostly just themselves.
Doug shares with us that his oldest son was discharged from the military while he was getting divorced. The result was that their son Brian and their three-year-old grandson, Ben, came to live with them, creating a multi-generational home.
We talk about how everyone had to work to adjust to having three generations under one roof. Some of the topics we talk about are how they have successfully created separation between Grandma/Mom - Grandpa/Dad - Son/Dad - Grandson/Son. Some of the separation of roles has created boundaries where input and advice can be shared, but that input might not be implemented with their Brain and his son Ben.
You will enjoy learning from Doug and his fantastic experience and insights about living and getting along inside a multi-generational home. This conversation is full of great advice for grandfathers and grandparents who are finding themselves living in a multi-generational situation, whether it is temporary or permanent.
Remember to like and subscribe to this conversation on your favorite podcast application. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Links I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/slDUgzAwJ5Y
Here is the link to the conversation that Doug and I had about his work with Success After Sixty: https://cool-grandpa.us/?s=Success+After+Sixty.
Doug is providing a fantastic giveaway for the listeners of our conversation. The giveaway is Doug's "Win Your Morning Guide." This guide offers some useful tools and is also a great entrée into Doug's world: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:5710ef63-adb2-3e9b-88ea-528aa8afe264
Click on this link to view the Success After Sixty website: https://successaftersixty.org/
To join the Success After Sixty Facebook group, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/successaftersixty.org.
You can follow Doug on 'X' by clicking this link: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fsohn_douglas.
You can follow Doug on LinkedIn by clicking on this link: linkedin.com/in/dcsohn
Karen Stillman from Baby Making Genius is back on the podcast to discuss her relationship with her grandfathers and share her thoughts about her father as a grandpa. We are introduced to George (Granddad) and Henry (Grandpa Daddy)and their relationship with Karen and her siblings.
Continuing our discussion, we hear how Granddad was a scary grandfather and Grandpa Daddy was a fun-loving card-playing grandfather. Grandpa Daddy introduced the kids to the game Crib or Cribbage. We learn that the grandkids were brought up playing by 'grandpa's rules,' meaning grandpa typically won the game. Grandpa Daddy would also let the grandchildren drive/ steer the car down to the country store for treats.
Granddad, who was scary, owned a garage and loved his fish tanks. He didn't talk very much, and Karen remembers him smelling of grease, tobacco, and sweat. As Karen remembers it, Grandad had a particular way of talking to them that made the kids uneasy. We continue discussing how men can sometimes give off a scary vibe. As this energy is most likely unintentional, grandfathers can do a few things to be a bit more welcoming and fun-loving with their grandchildren.
You are going to enjoy these memories that Karen shares with us. She does a great job of sharing fun memories and great advice from both a granddaughter's and a mother's point of view. Once you have listened to this program, please remember to like, subscribe to the podcast, and share it with a friend.
Links You can use the following link to visit Dr. Karen'swebsite: https://babymakinggenius.com/
Here is the link to Dr. Karen's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabyMakingGenius.
Dr. Karen would enjoy connecting with you on LinkedIn. You can do so by using this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-stillman-md-7078b410/
Here is the link to my previous conversation with Karen: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/07/ep-191-baby-making-genius/
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
Karen's phone number is (+1) 613-314-9802
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/EZ6EEAqxtRY.
This week's guest is Jim Tracy, or as he is better known, The Grampion. Jim and I dive right in and talk about the challenges and fun of being younger grandfathers. Jim shares with us how he is building connections with his grandchildren of all ages. We learn how The Grampion is staying active and working out with his grandson, who is a Division 1 level football recruit, and his five-year-old grandson, who wants to sling on a ruck pack and go hike the mountains around Eagle(Boise), Idaho. We also learned how Jim would sit down with the granddaughter, who was learning music, and how he encouraged her to keep practicing and getting better.
You will love this conversation with Jim as we learn his insights about living in a multi-generational home. We will also learn how his grandson, Wes, gave him the gift of the title "The Grampion." It was great to learn about how Jim got his pilot's license and earned another title, that of a call sign of 'CHaos.' Jim also shares with us the impact that his grandfather made on him while at fish and hunt camps and how Jim learned to interact with other men his grandfather's age.
This is just a fun conversation that Jim and I have. You are going to enjoy joining us for our virtual cup of coffee. After you listen to this conversation, please do me a favor and share this episode with someone else who would enjoy learning from Jim on how to build meaningful and lasting connections with grandchildren.
Links Here is the link to Jim's "Grampion" website: https://thegrampion.com/
Check out Jim's YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@jimtracygrampion
Check out the Tower Family Foundation's website: https://towerfamilyfoundation.org/
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
Should you want to take advantage of 35% off my award-winning children's book, you may do so at this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
If you would like to watch this conversation on YouTube, you can use this link: https://youtu.be/Em9qtmuGKCQ
Here is the link to the conversation that I had with Cynthia Covey Hollar about the book Live Life In Crescendo: https://cool-grandpa.us/2024/03/ep-172-live-life-in-crescendo/
This week's conversation is with Aaron Larsen, the founder of Grandparents Academy. In our discussion, Aaron and I discuss the incredible growth of Grandparents Weeks from its first year to the present day. It has been incredible to be associated with Grandparents Academy and watch this amazing community's growth focused on strengthening grandparents and grandchildren.
Incase you don't know what Grandparents Week is all about, It has become the largest online gathering and celebration of grandparents. With your free sign-up, you will get to hear amazing presenters talking about topics such as:
- Connect with Grandkids at Any Age and Distance
- Getting Along with The Parents of Your Grandchildren
- The Grandparent Evolution - Help Your Family Thrive in Today's World
- The T.E.A.M. Approach to Proactive Legacy Grandparenting
- Becoming Glamma - Mixing Fashion, Fitness & Fun
- Going from Good to Great Grandparenting
- The Keys to Multi-generational Harmony
- Resources for Raising Grandchildren
- And many more
Be sure to sign up for this free event using the link below.
Links I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
Should you want to take advantage of 35% off my award-winning children's book, you may do so at this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/shop/
If you would like to watch this conversation on YouTube, you can use this link: https://youtu.be/TXi7epLkE2s
Here is a link to the first interview that I had with Aaron: https://cool-grandpa.us/2022/08/ep-93-grandparents-academy/
Here is another interview that I had with Aaron about Grandparents Week 2023: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/03/ep-122-resources-for-grandparents/
A few weeks back, I volunteered at the scout camp where I worked in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. It was a blast being with a group of energetic people who are really putting their hearts and souls into doing what they can to make the world a better place.
I was able to eat, sleep, work, and sweat with these great folks. Over the week, I made a few observations about Generation Z, or iGen, as they are sometimes called. To start out, let's define Gen Z as anyone born between 1995 and 2015.
Here are a few of the characteristics of iGen that I read about from Generational Kinetics (genhq.com).
- Gen Z is better at multi-tasking than other generations before them.
- Gen Z has a desire to work.
- The iGen cohort is more Entrepreneurial than other generations. (I think this is a natural function of age vs. something particular about this generation)
- Gen Z thinks that Millennials are old.
- Social media affects iGen members' self-worth more than other generations. 47% of Gen Zers feel that social media directly impacts how they feel about themselves.
After spending about ten days with a group of over 40 Gen Zers, here are a few of my observations.
- Few seemed to be self-starters or felt they were not responsible for the area around them regarding upkeep or enhancements.
- Many seemed to have an exaggerated sense of risk or were risk-averse.
- There seemed to be a lack of creative problem-solving or creatively working with their constraints to create solutions to physical or non-physical challenges.
I want to be clear that while I am sharing my opinions and insights into what I was seeing with a group of teenagers and people in their early 20s, this is not intended to be a negative discussion but rather an opportunity for us grandparents to work and coach up our grandchildren as well as those young people who we come into contact with to help them be more prepared for the challenges they will experience both personally and societally.
What Grandparents can do to help out GenZ: Here are some of my ideas about how we can help our grandchildren who are part of GenZ.
- Help them identify tasks that need attention and then help them learn to take the initiative in owning and coming up with a solution.
- Encourage the taking of calculated risks. Many of our grandchildren live in a highly regulated, minimally risk-tolerant society. The result is that they don't take risks and only see downsides and hazards instead of potential opportunities for fun and gain.
- Help them be forward-focused. We can do this by encouraging discussions about the freedoms and responsibilities they will have as they age and achieve success in their lives.
- Work with grandchildren to come up with solutions, even temporary, using the tools and resources on hand. There is a great opportunity for accomplishment that I think younger people miss out on when coming up with a 'good enough' solution using only what is on hand until a better solution to a challenge can be put into place.
Conclusion It would be easy enough for us to join the chorus of doomsayers about the rising generation. After all, doesn't it seem like part of the reward for growing older to take up that mantel of 'the world is going to hell in a handbasket'?
What I am challenging myself and hopefully YOU to do, is to recognize that there might be some gaps that our grandchildren and their generation have BUT then find ways to become part of the solution and not just a crusty old cus sitting on the sidelines telling everyone how awesome it was when you were young. Like Billy Joel said in one of his songs, "You know the good ole days weren't always good. And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."
Links I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
If you would like to watch this conversation on YouTube, you can use this link:
Jim Padilla from Gain The Edge joins us this week to talk about his experience as a grandfather. This is a fantastic conversation as we learn about Jim's past and how he grew up with less-than-stellar male role models.
We dive right in and learn about Jim's background and how he never thought he would be a father or a grandfather. Like so many of us, life had other plans, and Jim and his wife are celebrating 30 years together and 25 as husband and wife. They have three fantastic daughters and now six grandchildren.
Jim opens up about being raised in an abusive home and area and being in jail by the time he was 19. We learn how sports, in general, but baseball in particular, helped to save Jim from further trouble. Baseball helped Jim learn how positive leadership works, and community taught him how strong families and tribes are created.
We learn more about how, at age 55, Jim has committed to making this his best year ever—the best year in terms of health and fitness, relationships, learning, success in business, and, importantly, his relationship with God.
Jim's company, Gain The Edge, provides sales systems, strategies, and teams to legacy-minded professionals enabling them to launch their life’s work, grow their businesses, and live out their purpose. Jim and his team go the extra mile for you, your clients, and your leads, focusing on creating a branded, seamless experience that grows sales.
Links Click on this link to learn more about Gain The Edge: https://www.gaintheedgenow.com/
You can also learn more about Jim using this website: https://jimp360.com/
Here is Jim's cell phone number. He was generous to share this direct line to him so that he can help you and your team: (+1) 916-587-1946
Here is a link to connect with Jim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimpadilla02
You can use this link to follow Jim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaintheedgenow/
Dr. Karen Stillman joins the conversation this week to discuss how she helps women worldwide work through fertility issues. We learn about Karen's passion for taking a holistic approach to the challenges women face when addressing issues around fertility.
Dr. Karen talks to us about her challenges when trying to conceive. Although Karen was an Obstetrics and gynecology Resident and had access to numerous tests, doctors, and other resources, it wasn't happening. That's when a conversation with her mother about her successful appendix surgery when she was 13 years old recalled some important memories.
You see, the surgery was successful, but it also revealed that one of her fallopian tubes had knotted on itself and was dying. The surgeon discussed this condition with Karen's mum and told her, "She will have trouble getting pregnant. Sorry.” In later years, when talking about this conversation, Karen was reminded that when she heard this story, she responded, “No one is going to tell me that I can’t have my two babies.”
This memory recall started Karen on the path of addressing her challenges from a purely scientific and holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit. This approach enabled Dr. Karen to have two wonderful children.
We also talk about how fathers and grandfathers can be part of the solution and support structure that our daughters and granddaughters need as part of their care team as they navigate their journey.
This is a fun yet powerful conversation that will help you better understand some of the hurdles women can face as they work to grow their families. Once you have listened to this conversation, remember to like, share, and subscribe to this podcast and YouTube channel so that we can all help get great information into the hands of those who can use it.
Links You can use the following link to visit Dr. Karen's website: https://babymakinggenius.com/
Here is the link to Dr. Karen's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabyMakingGenius.
Dr. Karen would enjoy connecting with you on LinkedIn. You can do so by using this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-stillman-md-7078b410/
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
Karen's phone number is (+1) 613-314-9802
You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link:
This week's guest, Craig McManus from McPlants, is on the show to discuss gardening and landscaping and how these activities can build lasting memories. Craig starts our discussion by sharing his experience as a professional gardener and operating one of the best garden centers just outside of Atlanta.
We review and visit Craig's memories of becoming a grandfather for the first time and how he started creating a special bond with his grandson, Gram. Some of Craig's earliest memories are of holding his grandson and just making a popping sound with his mouth that seemed to both entertain and focus Gram's attention on his loving grandfather.
Craig then shares his memories of his grandfathers, Pete and Pop. Their wonderful memories entertain us and learn about a variety of apples, Yates, that, according to Craig, make some of the best-tasting apple juice and cider. (To learn more about Yates Apples, check out this link: https://www.centuryfarmorchards.com/descripts/yates.html)
You are going to enjoy this conversation with Craig. You will especially like the stories about his grandfathers, his experience as a grandfather, and how working in the garden or landscaping can help build up memories of working as a family that will last a lifetime.
Once you listen to this episode, remember to share, like, and subscribe to my podcast. Also, check out the links below to learn more about Craig's Garden Center and The Garden Question Podcast.
Links You can check out McPlants by clicking on this link: https://mcplants.com/craig-mcmanus/
To listen to Craig's podcast, The Garden Question Podcast, you can use this link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Rfu0iMGLqU81qyJLaNfqb.
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
This weekend is July 4th or Independence Day in the United States. It was the day that the United States declared its independence from England. In this one-on-one conversation, I want to encourage you to declare your independence from just ONE thing holding you back on your journey to becoming the coolest grandparent ever.
We declare independence from a negative mindset, emotion, or even a condition by doing the following:
- Write down (paper, a Google Doc, whatever but something) ONE (1) thing causing you not to enjoy being the best grandparent ever. Don't write down more than one thing. We can rinse and repeat this process as often as we like.
- Think about and write down what actions, thoughts, etc., are in your control. Don't worry about what you can't control, focus on you.
- When you look at your list, is this complete, or have you left items off because of assumptions or oversite on your part?
- Create a plan to add to, enhance, remove, or reduce thoughts or actions that you control that would reduce or eliminate your inability to enjoy being the awesome grandparent you are.
- Keep track of your plan and then see if it resolves your negative thoughts or anxiety about whatever you decide to work on. Don't be afraid to adjust your plan as you need to. The goal of breaking free from what is controlling you is what is important, not how you get there.
- Celebrate your Independence!
In my example this week, I used the anxiety that some grandparents feel when they send letters or gifts to their grandchildren and then don't hear anything back from the children's parents. I talked about how, immediately hearing lately from the grandchildren's moms and dads whether something has been received, using a tracking number can help ease someone's mind. After all, you can follow up and check with the carrier whether an item was delivered.
I hope you find these steps and this helpful approach. If you did, please share this content with a friend or family member who might be struggling with an aspect of being a grandparent. I want all of us to declare our independence from whatever is holding us back from enjoying this exceptional period and role in life.
Links I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.
This week's episode is a round table or cracker barrel discussion for The Cool Grandpa Podcast. The term cracker barrel comes from when, primarily, men would gather in a country store and eat saltine crackers out of a wooden barrel while talking about the weather, news, gossip, etc. I thought this description fits rather well to get a great group of guys together to talk about Grandpa stuff. In this episode, we have the following guests, who comprise our august body: Frank Pomata, who joins us from Long Island. James Lott Jr. represents Los Angeles (and Brooklyn). Neil Taft is from Leland, North Carolina, and Winn Egan joins us from Salt Lake City.
Each of these men joins us with various levels of experience and expertise in being a grandfather and promoting the importance of grandfathers in the lives of our grandchildren and communities. This exercise is an enjoyable way to share insights, question our roles, and, most importantly, be able to suggest to each other how we can all be more loving and supportive of the grandchildren in our lives.
During our discussion, we discuss the following subjects:
- "What do grandchildren want and need?" - Winn Egan
- "What have you learned from your grandchildren?" - Frank Pomata
- "Creating a lasting, meaningful connection" - Neil Taft
- "Watching your kids...parent! How do you handle their style vs your style?" - James Lott Jr
You will enjoy the fun we have and our almost instant connection as we focus on how grandfathers can support our grandchildren, our adult children, and their spouses. I have included links below for the episodes each man has participated in as one-on-one guests and how you can connect with James, Frank, Neil, and Winn.
Please share this conversation with friends and family who will enjoy hearing about these subjects and these gentlemen's wisdom.
Links Here is the link to the episode that I recorded with Winn: https://cool-grandpa.us/2022/07/ep-89-being-an-example/
A great way to connect with Winn is by reading his fantastic blog, "Grandparenting on Purpose," which you can find at this link: https://www.grandparentingonpurpose.com/blog.
If you would like to order his book, you can do so by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/Grandparenting-Purpose-Activities-Traditions-Grandchildren/dp/1949165256?ccs_id=622be96c-7e23-4cf2-891b-c3c9326180b8
Here is the link for the latest episode that I had with Frank Pomata: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/05/ep-130-permission-to-be-creative/
Frank would also like to connect with you on LinkedIn, and you can find his profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankpomata/
Click on this link to listen to my latest podcast with James Lott, Jr.: https://cool-grandpa.us/2022/09/ep-96-being-a-role-model/.
James "Popa Jamie" Lott, Jr. can be found at JLJ Media: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbunerNsVDOMLCrInkAzow.
You can subscribe to the "Really! I'm A Grandparent" podcast on YouTube and other podcast service providers: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=really!+i%27m+a+grandparent.
James Lott Jr's other website is https://alottofhelp.wordpress.com/
You can read Neil's blog at: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/
If you would like to order Neil's book, "Good To Great Grandparenting," you can do so by clicking HERE
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you would like to watch this conversation on YouTube, you can click on this link: https://youtu.be/dAxdwOb16E8.
Larry Tribble, PhD, joins us this week to discuss how busy professionals can be productive in managing their professional and personal lives. Larry and I start our discussion by defining what a typical knowledge worker experiences concerning minimum direction and oversight by the management team we report to. We compare the state of management and the working environment today to that of forty to fifty years ago. As part of that comparison, we discuss how pride in creating space for leisure activities signals your success in your professional life. Now, it seems the opposite is true. We see people bragging about how busy and indispensable they are, leaving little time for self-development, personal fulfillment, and even family and grandchildren.
As our conversation progresses, Larry talks about how humans enjoy being busy or occupied. He also talks about how we sometimes confuse activity for productivity. We agree that being busy tends to be an activity that does not move a task or goal forward or at least not noticeably further. Productivity, on the other hand, is focused action that purposely moves to close out a task or accomplish a goal. Larry discusses the roadblocks to focused work as we continue our conversation about being busy versus productive. We further discuss his Attention Compass program, which successfully helps professionals learn or relearn to focus on what is essential for themselves and their teams.
Larry lists the following as roadblocks or waste to doing busy right:
- Interruptions - This is pretty self-explanatory. These are all the items that take us out of our flow or mindset for the task that we are working on.
- Multi-tasking - There is no such thing. There is mult-focus, which takes an already limited resource and diminishes it by creating other tasks or goals with the result of work that is often sub-par to what we could have accomplished by defending our time and mindset.
- Distraction - This waste of effort often allows thoughts or external stimuli to pop up, keeping us from getting into a work groove and putting our best efforts and abilities into the task at hand.
We next pivot to a discussion about Larry's father, his impact on Larry growing up, and how his father and mother embraced becoming grandparents to two adopted children. Larry does a great job in telling us how his father and mother took the new family members to heart and, in typical grandparent fashion, might have gone a bit overboard that first Christmas. Larry and I also discuss fathers' roles as coaches and mentors in their adult children's lives.
You will enjoy this conversation with Larry, and I encourage you to share it with friends and family. You can also connect with Larry through the links and email addresses below.
Links Use this link to sign up for Grandparents Week. This is a great free resource for grandparents: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
Here is Larry's email address should you want to send him a question or even provide him with feedback about what you found valuable in our conversation: larry@dobusyright.com
Click on this link to visit Larry's website, Do Busy Right: https://dobusyright.com/
If you would like to connect with Larry through LinkedIn, you can use this link to view his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble/
Dr. Gene Beresin, MD, MA, from The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, joins us to discuss the increase in loneliness among today's teenagers. We start by discussing the Surgeon General's report on loneliness, the causes and effects of loneliness in teenagers, and the role of social media and over-scheduling in contributing to loneliness.
We also discuss and emphasize the importance of face-to-face interactions, social-emotional learning, and deep relationships in combating loneliness. We talk about the need for grandparents to be a resource for their grandchildren. Gene and I feel that Grandparents play a unique role in their grandchildren's lives, offering wisdom, support, and meaningful conversations about challenges we have faced and overcome.
Grandparents can teach new skills, validate their grandchildren's knowledge of technology, and foster curiosity and connection. However, as we discuss, social media can be beneficial and detrimental. It can foster connections and academic resources but also displace in-person engagement and lead to cyberbullying and misinformation. It's important for grandparents to ask about loneliness, anxiety, and depression and to have conversations about mental health.
Here is a list of the surgeon general's seven recommendations. I also strongly recommend purchasing the e-book Ways to Help Your Lonely Teen, discussed in this episode. The link is https://store.bookbaby.com/book/ways-to-help-your-lonely-teen.
- Invest in Your Relationship with Your Child or Loved One
- Model Healthy Social Connection
- Help Children Develop Relationships with Supportive Adults
- Encourage Healthy Social Connection with Peers
- Be Attentive to How Young People Spend Time Online
- Identify Behaviors that May Increase Risk for Social Disconnection
- Talk to Your Children About Social Connection Regularly
Once you have listened to this important conversation, please share it with someone who would benefit from Gene's wisdom and insights in working with children and adolescents.
Links Click here to visit The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds: https://www.mghclaycenter.org/
You can order your e-book, Your Lonely Teen, by clicking this link: https://www.mghclaycenter.org/spotlight/
Here is a link to the ShrinkingIt Down Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vzxZCZ8qci88yFa4utxLK.
Here is the link to the first conversation that Gene and I had: https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/10/ep-51-talking-about-mental-health-with-our-grandchildren/
Use this link to sign up for Grandparents Week. This is a great free resource for grandparents: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you would like to view this interview, click on this link: https://youtu.be/-oZ7HXpiuGI.
This week, we have another chance to have a one-on-one conversation. In this week's episode, I share four tips you can implement immediately to enhance your relationship with your grandchildren.
Our first tip is to help our grandchildren learn to give and receive compliments. Remember that when complimenting our grandchildren and people generally, we want to be timely and specific. Too often, we can fall into the trap of discounting or dismissing compliments for different reasons. A great way to help our grandchildren learn to be both polite and generous with their praise is to model how to give and receive compliments.
Tip two is to write down or document important information about your grandchildren. We all want to keep birthdays and other information about our grandchildren straight, but it can become challenging to keep this in our minds, especially when we end up with multiple grandchildren. Writing down information in a notepad or an electronic document is a great way to help keep track of what is first and foremost in our grandchildren's lives. It is also fun to track how their tastes and preferences change.
Our third tip is to become a fantastic listener. We all desire to be heard and listened to. It is one way that we feel we matter to people close to us. Being an active listener vs. an active fixer might be a tough challenge for cool grandpas. After all, we all desire to jump in and correct what might be an obstacle to our grandchildren's desires. This notion of fixing everything needs to take second place to truly listen to our grandchildren's hopes, dreams, and even their pain.
This episode's fourth and final tip is to express love in and around the grandchildren. Remember that they are always watching how you interact with your spouse, your adult children, and your child's spouse or partner. How you touch, talk, and interact with close family members is how the grandchild will associate love. A great way to express love is to talk about how much you love members of your family AND your love towards your friends and others outside your family. This explicit and implicit conversation will help to demonstrate what you and your family consider love for family and friends.
If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe to this podcast. If you would like to work with me on increasing your influence and relationship as a grandparent, don't hesitate to contact me. Let's talk about whether my current coaching program might fit you.
Links To sign up for Grandparents Academy's Grandparents Week, you can use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you would like to watch this episode, you can check it out on YouTube by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/0HPhJUCG8Mg
This week's guest is Adrienne Davis. Adrienne is a Health & Wellness Coach, helping adults and children overcome physical and mental health challenges by eating more plants and spending time outdoors. She’s a plant-based wife and momma with 3 sons and a dog. Adrienne loves nature, especially hiking, tent camping, and listening to cicadas. After using nature and nutrition to eliminate her panic attacks and help her husband reverse Type 2 Diabetes, she now helps others take charge of their health so they can live life to the fullest and become all that God has created them to be.
We talk about her memories of her grandparents, and she updates us on what has been going on with her since the last time we spoke. We learn how Adrienne ended up in delivery with her third son right before our previous episode went live. I also ask about her memories of her oldest son's experience with her grandfather.
Adrienne discusses how she felt called to start working with people to treat their Type 2 Diabetes through a combination of diet education and using nature or tree therapy to create a holistic approach to living a healthy lifestyle. You will enjoy learning about how Adrienne felt a return to spending time in nature and connecting with nature to reduce stress and promote wellness, which was a message coming from both within her and from outside of her.
Andrienne provides valuable insight into how grandparents can introduce or use nature to connect with their grandchildren. We agree that many meaningful experiences occur when grandchildren and grandparents work or play outdoors. As Adrienne says, her job is to help grandparents be able to go hiking and actively play with their grandchildren.
Once you have listened to this episode, please remember to like, share, and subscribe to the show. Also, be sure to connect with Adrienne using the link to Raven's Creek Wellness below.
LINKS To sign up for Grandparents Academy's Grandparents Week, you can use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
You can click on this link to visit Raven's Creek Wellness: https://ravencreekwellness.net/
Click on this link to hear the first conversation that Adrienne and I had about her grandfather: https://cool-grandpa.us/2020/12/ep-22-learning-about-a-strong-relationship-with-adriennes-grandfather/
John Coulombe, Director of Spiritual Development for Legacy Coalition, joins the conversation this week to discuss his background as a pastor's kid. We also learn about John's history with entering the ministry and starting down the road as an intergenerational ministry leader. With 55 years in ministry, John met with Larry Flower, the founder of Legacy Coalition, along with other key people interested in starting a ministry movement for grandparents. Along with starting a group focused on supporting grandparents, they also asked what the Bible says about Grandparenting.
A young man, Josh Mulvihill, who was not a grandfather, was starting his dissertation on the role of grandparents according to the Bible. John talks about how their group was puzzled about how they had all missed the information in the Bible about the role of grandparents. About eight years ago, after the group signed its charter, Legacy Coalition held its first event for grandparents.
As John says, Legacy Coalition's mission is "We help Grandparents grow in their Biblical role so they can have a greater spiritual impact on their families." John talks about how, within a short time, they have seen an explosion of growth in their mission and those picking up on the ministry to grandparents or people entering the second half of life.
John talks about how when he has people around him who are retiring, he talks with them about having a period to relax, travel, and do what they want to, but then he will call them into service and influence. We talk about how, in the Bible, there is a mention of retirement, where the church priests were to retire at 50. Still, that retirement was moving from physical labor to a calling of spiritually shepherding those around them compared to the physical acts of taking care of the temples and the appropriate sacrifices.
You will enjoy this conversation and will no doubt learn more about what the Bible teaches about being a grandparent. To learn more about Legacy Coalition, please check out their website below. Hopefully, I'll see you at their next Grandparenting Summit.
Links To sign up for Grandparents Academy's Grandparents Week, you can use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
To check out Legacy Coalition: https://legacycoalition.com/
To learn more about John, check out this link: https://www.fishbowlmin.org/about-5-4.
If you want to check out Josh Mulvihill's book, "Biblical Grandparenting: Exploring God's Design for Disciple-Making and Passing Faith to Future Generations." Click on this link: https://legacy.churchgrowth.org/product/biblical-grandparenting-9780764231285-9781570524752/
If you want to see the Stars and Whales singing "How Great is Our God," you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=helxFeG-0n0.
You can check out Louie Giglio's books by clicking on this link: https://louiegiglio.com/
With close to four million check-in calls, Iamfine is a passionate company that ensures that seniors and other people living alone are safe and accounted for. Paul Hammond, the founder, and his brother started this business to have an automated check-in for his mother and her friends.
Paul joins our conversation to discuss the background and driving force that led him and his brother to create a fantastic way to check on people choosing to live alone but at greater risk of medical or physical challenges. Paul talks about how this service comforts what he calls a person's care circle. How this service works is that a person receives a daily call and presses "1" on their phone to confirm they are well. When a person does not respond, a message is sent to that person's care circle, inviting them to call or text that person to ensure they are okay.
Part of this service's benefit is that it also provides peace of mind to users who might have pets living with them and worry about what would happen to their pets if they were incapacitated. We also learned how care and assisted living facilities are adopting Iamfine's services to help check in on all of their residents without needing a physical check-in. You will enjoy learning about Paul's background and the Iamfine service offerings.
Links Here is a link to sign up for Grandparents Academy's Grandparent Week Celebration: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd
You can use this link to check out Iamfine and sign up for a free 14-day trial of their service: https://dailycall.iamfine.com/.
If you would like to watch this conversation, here is the link to view it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vteTn22Ye1Q
Kevin Lyles joined us this week to discuss his experience becoming a retirement coach. We discussed the difference between financial planners and wealth managers and how each helps grandparents and seniors plan for their financial future. Kevin also helped us understand what a retirement coach does to help retirees plan and develop their purpose and goals in retirement.
As a retirement coach, Kevin works with his clients to define and create goals around the following: taking care of elderly parents, finding a purpose outside of their old profession, and determining what they want to do to enjoy retirement in terms of recreation. Of course, a big part of creating an enjoyable retirement is discussing what the grandparents want to do with their grandchildren. We also talk about making the right mindset and adjusting your retirement plan if you should find yourself needing to take care of and raise your grandchildren. Kevin's main area of expertise is helping his clients and others with their retirement mindset. He works with retirees to help them be optimistic about aging, retirement, and their relationship with their spouse. We talked about the importance of aligning the goals of both people in the relationship so that they can identify their differences and similarities.
You are going to enjoy this conversation with Kevin and learn a lot about how you can plan to rock your retirement. Once you have listened to this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe to the podcast.
Links Save your seat for Grandparents Week - the world's largest online celebration and educational conference for grandparents - this September 8 - 14. Hosted by GrandparentsAcademy.com. General admission is free. Pre-register today to enter pre-event giveaways and receive important updates: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd
Check out the Rock RetirementClub'ss website: https://www.rockretirementclub.com/
Use this link to check out Kevin's bio at Rock Retirement Club: https://www.rockretirementclub.com/coaches-kevin-lyles
If you would like to connect with Kevin on LinkedIn, use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevindlyles/
If you would like to watch this interview, you can watch us on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/LV-SeyvRFd0
In this one-on-one conversation, I want to discuss the frustrations that grandparents sometimes have when things don't go as planned with their grandkids. I also want to explore the concept of having selfish and selfless motives in our actions and how these coexist.
When things don't go our way, I think there is an opportunity to detach from the situation and analyze why it didn't work out. I suggest you ask yourself a few questions: Why didn't the activity go as planned? Did I communicate my expectations for the activity and those of everyone else? Did I put more importance on the activity than everyone else?
When you step back and review an activity that didn't go just right, you will see that you were perhaps more invested in the outcome because of your desires than the other participants were. This doesn't mean that you were or are wrong to be hurt, but it might help to have this review process to understand that the activity meant more to you. Having that understanding can help identify where the hurt is coming from.
In this episode, Parcsen, a grandfather from Singapore, talks about his experience and the role of grandfathers in the family and community. We talk about the issue of isolation and loneliness among the older population and the need for intergenerational connections.
Parcsen shares his journey of becoming a grandfather and his joy seeing his children progress. We also talk about special activities with grandchildren and the changing role of grandfathers in Singapore. Finally, we discuss Parcsen's experience with intergenerational reconciliation and the importance of healing old wounds.
Our conversation explores the importance of reconciling with one's father and understanding his story. It emphasizes the three Rs: Recognize, Reconciliation, and Reconnect. A father-son relationship can be restored by recognizing the man behind the father, developing empathy, and taking the initiative to reconcile. The benefits of reconciliation extend to future generations. The conversation also touches on the Better Man podcast and the importance of personal growth and development as a father.
Links Use this link to check out Parsen's website: https://iamparcsen.wordpress.com/3r/
You can use either link to listen and view Parcsen's Better Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3bqyOzl0vCPsBjs8B7kVbe or https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgE7JYFwVkW6ipRPjgYenSOyAI5baBBPH.
If you would like to connect with Parcsen on Facebook, here is a link to his profile: https://www.facebook.com/parcsen
You can connect with Parcsen on LinkedIn by using this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parcsen/
Raising children can be a tough row to hoe. No matter what age you are, there are a lot of demands on your time, energy, knowledge, and patience when dealing with children. Not only do you need to manage the children, but you also need to manage their schedules, diets, hobbies and interests, friends, and education. I am worn out just thinking about and writing these sentences.
Well, this week, we are going to discuss Grandfamilies. Grandfamilies are made up of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members who are raising strong, successful children. Jamarl D. Clark and Mr. Robert Brown joined our conversation this week to discuss two important topics.
First, we will learn how Mr. Brown and his wife became the guardians and then the parents of their three young grandsons. Second, we will learn about Grandfamlies and Generations United.
After Robert shares his touching story of the day in 2006 when his grandsons lost their mother and father in a shooting one Sunday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we get into a great discussion about the aftermath of that horrible event and how the community and his former employer rallied around him and those affected by the shooting.
Robert and Jamarl discuss the local and national resources available to family members responsible for caring for and raising grandchildren. Jamarl D. Clark, the Assistant Director of the National Center on Grandfamilies, discusses how his organization and other local and national entities support Grandfamilies and the work that so many people do to keep family members, including young children, together.
Once you have listened to this important episode, please share it with your family, friends, or acquaintances interested in learning more about Grandfamilies and Generations United.
Links Click on this link to visit Generations United: https://www.gu.org/
Click on this link to view Jamarl D. Clark's bio information: https://www.gu.org/people/jamarl-clark/
You can click on this link to follow Generations United on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/generationsunited
If you are on Instagram, you can use this link to follow Generations United: https://www.instagram.com/gensunited/
Generations United also has videos for you to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/generationsunited
Lee Ostler joins the conversation this week to talk about his relationship with his grandchildren. We are fortunate to hear Lee talk about building and nurturing relationships with both grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.
We discuss how our identities change from being known as 'Dad' to becoming 'Grandpa.' While we enjoy the change that comes from having grandchildren, it is a bit of a mixed bag of emotions and our place within the family. Many men, when envisioning themselves as suddenly older, wonder about the value they have with their friends, family, and even professionally.
Lee talks to us about the importance of building bonds and relationships with our grandchildren, starting when they are young. We also talk about the importance of having different kinds of activities with the grandchildren because we don't know what moment will be a quality moment for them. The grandchildren pick and choose which event or which time with grandpa will be impactful for them.
You will enjoy hearing Lee's insights and stories about his experience as a grandfather. After you have listened to this episode, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app. It would be great if you could share this conversation with three friends and family members.
Links Lee's email should you want to connect with him: leeostler@gmail.com
If you would like to check out what Roland is doing with the Hearts of the Fathers foundation, you can click on this link to learn more: https://heartofthefathers.com/
Check out Grandparents Academy if you haven't already done so by using this link: https://www.grandparentsacademy.com/
He was a man to ride the river with. A long time ago, someone could get no higher compliment than to be known as one to ride the river with. It seems that this phrase came about during the time of the frontiersmen and cowboys. When exactly, no one seems to know. It might have been during the early days of the Oregon Trail or soon after that. When it came to be, it doesn't matter, but it is a phrase that at once captures the imagination of a time long gone.
What I like about this phrase is that it conveys much information about a person when used. For example, if a group of cowboys was being pulled together to drive cattle north to the rail heads after the U.S. Civil War, having someone use that phrase to describe you might be all that was needed to get a very scarce job on a cattle drive.
Crossing a river with wagons, cattle, or horses is dangerous. There are many hazards in a river, from soft, muddy bottoms that could get a horse or cattle stuck to deceptively fast-moving currents that could float a wagon or push the livestock down the river, where they might drown. With these many hazards, someone with experience and a good head on their shoulders was of value to any group that had to travel far.
Unlike Tom Sawyer, who saw his funeral, we will not be so lucky to learn what our family and friends truly think of us. I think, therefore, we could use a phrase such as one to ride the river with as something to aspire to. This phrase encapsulates the idea that a person to ride the river with was dependable, knew a thing or two about navigating hazards, was honest, and would work well with others to complete the task.
While I will not dwell too long on my eventual demise, I will try to live or continue to live a life that when my time is over, I might earn the praise of one to ride the river with. I'll consider it a bonus if this or something like it is how my grandchildren talk about me and my influence on them and their families.
What phrases or thoughts, past or present, inspire you to keep going, learning, and trying to lead a good life? I want to learn more about what motivates you to be the best you can be.
If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please share it with your friends and family and discuss living up to an aspirational phrase or saying.
Links If you would like to watch this episode, you can click on this link to watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DKxIEr0fRHg
Simon Gidney from A Mind To Care joins us to discuss his organization and the tools he is developing to help caregivers and those needing memory and behavior care. Simon discusses how, with over 40 million unpaid caregivers in the United States, many of these caregivers need tools to help engage and, for lack of a better word, manage the loved ones in their care.
We discuss Simon's background as a corporate lawyer specializing in corporate restructuring and what caused him to pivot into helping caregivers and people suffering from memory and dementia issues. On one of Simon's business trips, he met a man who was heading home to help take care of his father, who had early-onset Parkinson's.
Simon and I talk about how he took over this early startup business, retooled through the COVID pandemic, and relaunched A Mind To Care. Simon and his team have developed several products that we discussed that caregivers can use not only for people with dementia and other cognitive issues but also for anyone who could respond and engage with these tools. The leading product that A Mind To Care sells is a memory or activity board that can be easily carried and set up and comes with magnetic dry-erase sheets.
We also discuss the importance of helping and recognizing caregivers, many of whom are unpaid. Many of these caregivers are family members, friends, or perhaps members of a church congregation that supports the person in need. To help support the caregivers and keep track of how they and the people they care for are doing, Simon has created the great book Caring for the Caregiver. Simon's book is "a 52-week check-in caregiver journal for self-reflection, cultivating gratitude, nurturing well-being, and mastering stress management on your compassionate caregiving journey."
You will enjoy this conversation with Simon, and if you are in a position of taking care of a loved one with memory and cognitive issues, I recommend that you check out Simon's website and see if any of the tools and other resources he has would work for you and your situation. Simon has been generous and provides three FREE copies of his book, Caring for the Caregiver, to the first three people commenting on our conversation. So, please leave us a comment here, on Facebook or LinkedIn, or even email us, and we will be happy to send you a FREE copy of his book.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please be sure to share it with three friends or family members who would enjoy learning more about Simon and his organization, A MIND To Care.
Links Here is the link to Simon's website, A Mind To Care: https://amindtocare.com/
You can connect with Simon on Facebook by using this address: https://www.facebook.com/amindtocare
If you are on X, you can connect with Simon and his team at https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fmindtocare
A Mind To Care is also on Instagram, and you can follow them by using this address: https://www.instagram.com/amindtocare/
If you would like to email Simon and his team, I am sure his team would like to hear from you: customerservice@amindtocare.com
Matt Paxton is joining our conversation this week to discuss how we can keep AND share valuable memories but let go of stuff that doesn't serve us anymore. You might recognize Matt from the television show Hoarders or its current show, Legacy List. Matt is also an author, speaker, and all-around good guy.
In this conversation with Matt, we talk about how Matt started cleaning up homes for a living and why his first few home clean-ups were not easy from the practical side and also from an emotional side. You will love hearing Matt talk about his grandfathers, Russell James Paxton and Linwood Lewis Luck. There is no doubt about these two gentlemen's impact and lasting legacy on Matt, his family, and even Matt's staff.
We discuss the differences between the generations regarding what they value, how they prepared for uncertain futures, and how having an understanding heart helps Matt and his team find the treasures often hidden in the strangest places. You might be surprised to learn that adults in their 40s and 50s frequently have to go through both parents' and grandparents' possessions as we lose members of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers. Each of these generations has different values and items that they either collect or hoard.
Matt does a great job of discussing the differences between hoarders and collectors. He also shares the demographic breakdown of who makes up hoarders, what often causes hoarding, and how hoarders need help emotionally and physically to let go of items that usually provide a deep sense of security.
I have provided links to Matt's webpage, book, talks, a great clip of Matt on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and other resources below, so be sure to check those out. Matt and his team are casting for the next Legacy List season, and I have provided a link to that application process in the show notes.
Once you have listened to this show, please share it with three friends and family members who will enjoy hearing Matt's story and who could possibly use some inspiration to pass on the memories and not the stuff.
Links To visit Matt's website, click on this link: https://iammattpaxton.com/
If you want to check out My Legacy List and apply to be on Matt's show, use this link: https://www.mylegacylist.com/
This clip from the Jimmy Kimmel show that includes Matt is great. Also, a quick view of how Matt works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJxTlLzBWMM
This is a great video of Matt's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOaUjSm-K5I
Here is the link for Matt's book, Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff. This is a great book to help you organize and downsize the stuff in your life. https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Memories-Lose-Stuff-Declutter/dp/B09GPWZ1DX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LBJCKMXH0N6Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-eXznz3nokhj4Ux0TbPZc-Qmclw5LDxykZkzZiYn_xNmLA31CHFAD_DHEalJ0NulsRye2yn2_9YYZyJsWrIwSof08sKtCFyQtgpmWYMkFiJVGn8gZ1-UP-QPMGLd7CX6jtqRkWebVy-hM1uEP5QH9leGNDmfBnrkTwP3tQNSLwBsXxFsS3GJQpKtTbBjmfneTTPrPvBxKwhLIfyhFg7r2Yh8DOmOXhZ24Y9FEd6--xA.7fGPPVwgx9i1QKPLV2_ANMvk2kbfCkkWVU0F_uUdiIk&dib_tag=se&keywords=matt+paxton+keep+the+memories+lose+the+stuff&qid=1710944617&sprefix=Matt+Pa%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1
You can connect with Matt on Facebook by using this link: https://www.facebook.com/IamMattPaxton/
If you would like to connect with him on Instagram, you can use this link: https://www.instagram.com/iammattpaxton/
You can follow Matt on LinkedIn by using this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammattpaxton/
Matt is on X (formally known as Twitter), and you can follow him using this link: https://twitter.com/iammattpaxton.
Cynthia Kane from It's Their Turn joins this week's conversation to discuss the importance of excellent communication between parents and grandparents. Cynthia brings her background as a genetic counselor to help parents and grandparents who are daily caregivers to their grandchildren align with the adult children's caregiving expectations.
As we discuss Cynthia's background in leading complicated AND clarifying conversations, we learn that unsaid expectations or assumptions often lead to a relationship breakdown. We also discuss how grandparents usually strongly desire to know their grandchildren and be known by them. This desire can sometimes lead grandparents to use old information and assumptions about childcare. These assumptions and information are not wrong, but when it comes to new health and safety information, they can inadvertently lead to negative outcomes.
Why it might seem that we are talking primarily about what grandparents need to do to increase their knowledge and understanding of current safety and caregiving information, we talk about how parents need to be sure not to make assumptions that grandparents want to be full-time child caregivers. Often, grandparents may have other expectations and plans for their time that may not involve being a full-time, daily babysitter.
The misalignment of expectations causes friction in the parent-grandparent relationship. Cynthia is passionate about working with people to ensure they are on the same page regarding being respected and heard and recognizing their value. Cynthia's group, It's Their Turn, provides tools and resources that people can use to help with conversations between parents and grandparents. She also collaborated with our mutual friend, DeeDee Moore, at More than Grand by providing an advice blog for new parents and grandparents.
Once you have listened to this intriguing conversation with Cynthia, please be sure to connect with her using one of the links below. Also, please share this conversation with three family members and friends who would enjoy Cynthia's wisdom and insights into building great communication bridges.
Links Use this link to visit It's Their Turn: https://itstheirturn.com/
You can use this link to visit More Than Grand: https://www.morethangrand.com/
This link will take you directly to Cynthia's blog, called Grand Advice: https://www.morethangrand.com/blog/category/Grand+Advice
Cynthia has a great article in the Bay Area Parent, starting on page 20. You can use this link to access this online magazine: https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=0da24ef8-8023-4337-b80c-247998852919
Cynthia Covey Haller joins us to discuss the book Live Life In Crescendo, which she and her late father, Steven Covey, wrote. We discuss the idea for the book and how it came about. Cynthia shares with us how her father thought that expanding a person's life was the eighth habit that would lead to a successful life.
For those unfamiliar with the musical term, Crescendo means increasing loudness or intensity. The opposite of Crescendo is Diminuendo, which means a decrease in loudness or intensity.
It is great to hear Cynthia's story about how she and her father came to start this book together and the path it took for Cynthia to complete and then publish it. You are going to enjoy listening to the fantastic stories that Cynthia shares about everyday people who chose to live in Crescendo and not diminuendo.
If you feel stuck or have plateaued in your life, reading this book and listening to Cynthia will inspire you to look around you for opportunities to grow and grow your significance. You might feel that you are not wealthy enough or have enough influence to have much of an impact on your family, community, or a cause that you feel deeply about, but as the examples in this book point out, you need to start with yourself and the world around you.
Live Life in Crescendo calls on all of us as we reach the second half of life to look to live our lives for a larger purpose. If that task falls to you, that purpose could be to raise your grandchildren. It could also be volunteering at a local reading center or other organization that needs your unique talents and gifts.
Living a life in Crescendo also means continuing to grow yourself, your talents, and your abilities. This can be accomplished by taking up a new hobby, starting a new profession, or taking classes at your local university or community college. There are many ways to grow yourself, such as pouring your increase into the cups of those around you who need your wisdom, wit, and experience.
After you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three family members or friends who would enjoy listening to Cynthia talk about the process of writing this important book, as well as those who need to hear this message of not fading away but building from where ever they are into a Crescendo.
Links Click on this link to order this book through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Life-Crescendo-Important-Always/dp/B09TX18ZWG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NA2DT1OOJIHU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yICSUt-xo-4-hft9S3PD5zUybkrPYgmYfRfj_GaNOmN6otbNK5flEFfmYbS_ZvIrclqpZSw38ZSFHfqMKjWESms7JwaEVqTZZ7zZWpBA8wKTVICjJAcYf-P9Rth2ms6ivr-yVvY-b3h7U6DbZNbd7BnzhvUOVJPPbYCv0YXYQYxYpqKTzh9LbpSiSDO1DonZC8iCNpJvOEYTP6N3T1apTU-t-ffctGDf24y2NdzCJyM.d2Jk_iSR7rJxPWssfw5hNkjwnA_mVg_OQBsAjJr_uuE&dib_tag=se&keywords=live+life+in+crescendo&qid=1709755792&sprefix=Live+Life%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1.
Here is the link to Cynthia's LinkedIn profile should you want to reach out and connect with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-covey-haller-639767238/
This week's conversation is with adolescent substance use expert Richard Capriola. Rick joins the conversation this week to discuss the University of Michigan's annual survey of adolescent use of substances. For those of you who don't know, this survey asks middle and high schoolers about their attitudes and use of drugs.
We review the latest attitudes that our children and grandchildren have towards alcohol and recreational substances. Some of the trends from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic might surprise you, including some of the newer substances that are available to adolescents. I also asked Rick about the attitudes toward Delta 8 and the risks that people take concerning fentanyl when they take drugs from unreliable sources.
As always, Rick shares his proven methods on how to bring up and discuss drug and alcohol use with youth. You will learn a lot from this conversation and the previous conversations that I have had with Rick. Those conversations can be found in the links below, along with the link to Rick's website, Help the Addicted Child. Once you have listened to this episode, please share it with a friend or family member who would enjoy learning more about the attitudes and habits of adolescents when it comes to drugs and alcohol.
Links You can find more information about Rick and his work at Help The Addicted Child by clicking this link: https://helptheaddictedchild.com/
Here is the summary of the University of Michigan's annual study: https://cool-grandpa.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-Teens-drug-use.docx
Please feel free to listen to our previous conversations with Rick. EP 44: https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/08/the-addicted-child/ EP 123: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/03/ep-123-youth-substance-abuse-information/
Jeff Williams has spent over thirty years helping professionals transition from one career path to another. Started in the 1990s as a resource to help people who were being laid off during the corporate restructuring, Jeff has grown and developed a team of experts who are now working with people wanting a second or encore career. We start this informative conversation discussing Jeff's transition from a large 6 Billion dollar organization to a 6 Million dollar family business.
With Bizstarters, Jeff and his team can walk people who are ready to start a second career or people who are beginning to ask if a second career makes sense for them to whichever path makes the most sense for them. Jeff prides himself on talking with each person who reaches out to Bizstarters to get to know them, their unique circumstances, and most importantly, their aspirations for an encore business. Jeff knows everyone has different goals for their next career, and through these calls, he can help individuals map out the course that makes the most sense for them.
We get into a great discussion about the other tools available for people wanting to start a business. One of those tools is the Bizstarter's Virtual Concept Evaluator. This Evaluator program allows you to work with Bizstarter's team to document your concept, get feedback, and decide whether to modify your idea, create another idea, or move forward to the next step in creating your encore business.
As you will hear, Jeff is an interesting and friendly person to work with who will give you solid advice and feedback on your plan. You will enjoy this conversation, and if you or anyone you know are interested in connecting with Jeff, check out the links below and reach out to him today.
Once you listen to this podcast, please do me a favor and share this great information with a friend or family member. Your recommendation is the best way to help get this and other information important to grandfathers and others into their hands and ears.
Links Click on the following link to visit Bizstarters and learn more about Jeff and his team: https://bizstarters.com/
Jeff has created a great new course hosted on TikTok. The information for that course is below.
"The Joy of Being an Encore Entrepreneur"
A new TikTok series from Jeff Williams, Chief Coach for Bizstarters
"I am pleased to share my experience living as an encore entrepreneur for the past 30 years.
This series of short-form videos offers three groups of useful information:
- Business Start-Up Decisions
Each decision is taken from our Start Your Business NOW! online course. I am presenting more than 20 key business planning decisions in the same order you work on them in the Start Your Business NOW! program.
- Interesting Case Studies
Stories of the success and joy of graduates of the Start Your Business NOW! program
- Inspirational "Joy" Experiences
I share the wonderful world of running a business later in life.
How to Watch the Series? Go to tiktok.com/@jeffwilliamsgo "
Daniel Grissom is passionate about helping men learn more about the Word of God and how to use that knowledge to lead their families. He is a great guy from Atlanta, Georgia, who works to develop sales leaders in his professional life and faith leaders in his ministry. We learn about the great work that Daniel is doing working with fathers to make the Bible accessible to digest and easy to live.
Sometimes, we can make things and concepts like those in the Bible harder to adopt and implement than needed. Often, that comes from a lack of understanding of how to start living a more complete life. Daniel does a great job of helping people get started by making the complex easy because his experience has taught him that if something is complex, it is rarely implemented.
You will enjoy this conversation and learn about the excellent work that Daniel is doing to help fathers and grandfathers lead themselves and their families. Once you have listened to this conversation, please be sure to share this conversation with three friends and family members. Also, be sure to check out the links and connection information below, and I encourage you to contact Daniel.
Links You can visit and learn more about Fathers Walk by visiting their website at: https://www.fatherswalk.com/
Here is Daniel's phone number: 312.315.1591
You can connect with Daniel at LinkedIn by clicking on this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgrissom/
Here is Daniel's email address: daniel@dealclosercoaching.com
This week's episode is a solo show. I just finished Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is The Way. This was a great book that seemed to hit at the right time. I was recently laid off from a non-profit where I had just started working. The Obstacle Is The Way is an excellent book about Stoicism.
The part of the book that hit home for me is the concept that each individual needs to have a citadel or a place within themselves that they can go to find inner peace. This citadel is where we can go within ourselves to calm our minds, meditate on the challenges that we are facing, and develop an action plan.
My take on this concept of the citadel is to expand it to a system of three-ring defenses. At the center, you have the keep or citadel that was started as a tower or a structure and placed on top of a hill. As we age and the fortification matures, the owners often add an outer wall. Within this wall, you might find stables, apartments, a blacksmith shop, and the basics that the people would occupy would need if they were attacked. The longer the structure was in place, the more often a second wall or third set of defenses was put into place to provide an even larger protection area for more soldiers, merchants, and important people.
To me, these three rings of defense can be considered the outer wall, your physical well-being, and your surroundings. The outer wall would include whether you are exercising, eating well, having a place to live, or having access to transportation. The inner wall would include your extended family network and personal and professional networks. Finally, your keep or inner citadel is your immediate family, your close friends, positive books, entertainment, positive podcasts, and other media.
When we are in a period of stability and things are going well in our lives, this is the time to repair our walls or defenses and even look to expand them. We should strengthen ourselves physically, build our personal and professional networks, and work on mending or strengthening our closest relationships.
If you want to learn more about stoicism or the concept of the inner citadel, check out the links below.
Links Click here to go to Ryan Holiday's website and check out his books and articles: https://ryanholiday.net/books-courses/
Here is the link for an article titled, Cultivating Your Inner Citadel by Max Frenzel, PhD:https://medium.com/the-ascent/cultivating-your-inner-citadel-1036023dcd32#:~:text=The%20Stoics%20had%20a%20concept,leaders%20apart%20from%20the%20rest.
Click on the following link for a great article: What is The Inner Citadel in Stoicism? https://stoicstore.co.uk/the-inner-citadel-stoicism/
Cindy Liljedahl joins the conversation to discuss her memories of not just her grandparents but also one of our great-grandfathers. If Cindy sounds familiar to you, that is because she is half of the AdventuRetired team. Last week, we had Cindy's husband, Curt, on the show to discuss his grandfathers.
Cindy and I shared a very nice discussion centered on her grandfathers, Bill DeMoss and Bernard Twait. As I said, this conversation involved memories of all her grandparents, including her wonderful grandmothers. We talk about how Cindy has fond memories of offering back rubs to her grandpa, Twait, due to his bad back and neck. I get to ask Cindy how her relationships changed with her grandparents as she grew older, and we find out that even though her great-grandpa passed away when she was six or seven years old, she remembers playing with the toy furniture he made for her Barbies.
Of course, no conversation about grandparents would be complete without some sweet memories of Cindy's grandmother, Demoss. Cindy shares touching memories of going to her grandmother's when she was older to help clean and tidy up due to her grandmother's failing eyesight.
You will enjoy this conversation and learn as I did about the simple acts of kindness by grandparents and grandchildren that create lasting and loving bonds. Of course, it does take work and intentionality to create these kinds of relationships that Cindy talks about, but the work is light when it starts from a place of love.
Please remember to like and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen. Your subscription and feedback help others find these conversations and the many like them. And, if you would be so kind as to share this conversation with three friends, that would be a fantastic way to help spread the word about how important this role of being a grandfather is and can be with a little effort.
Links Click on this link to visit Cindy at AdventuRetired: https://www.adventuretired.com/
If you want to learn more about AdventuRetired, you can listen to my conversation with Curt and Cindy about their website and podcast by clicking on this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/09/ep-149-adventuretired/
Click Here if you would like to support me on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
Curt Liljedahl from AdventuRetired is back to talk and share with us his memories of his grandfathers. Curt will introduce you to his grandfathers, James Bertelson, and JM Liljedahl. We take our time getting to know each of these gentlemen's backgrounds and their lasting influence on Curt.
You will hear the fun stories of how Curt and his siblings used to roughhouse around and do things his father was not permitted to do. Curt shares a great story of going to the coffee shop/convenience store with his grandfather, and then a friend of his grandfather filled up each pocket of Curt's overalls with candy bars.
We also talk about how Curt's grandfather, James Bertelson, purchased a small lakeside resort where, for years, the family and the growing extended family have been invited to come and stay. This great opportunity allows for cousins and other family members who might not see each other regularly to reconnect.
You will enjoy this conversation with Curt, and be sure to check out the links to AdventuRetired and Curt's book, Fix the Problem: and Other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad!
Once you have listened to this conversation and checked out the links below, please be sure to rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast subscription platform. Your feedback not only helps other people find the podcast, but I take your comments seriously and use them to help me make this podcast more enjoyable.
Links
Click on this link to visit Curt at AdventuRetired: https://www.adventuretired.com/
You can click on this link to go to Amazon and purchase Curt's book, Fix the Problem: and other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad!
If you want to learn more about AdventuRetired, you can listen to my conversation with Curt and Cindy about their website and podcast by clicking on this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/09/ep-149-adventuretired/
Doug Sohn from Success After Sixty joins our conversation to discuss how aging people can look around and see what their age and experience make possible. We talk with Doug about how, as a father of six and a successful lawyer. Shortly before his birthday, he experienced a series of mini-strokes that caused him to re-examine his life.
Doug shares how, even though he had followed and learned from people like Tony Robbins and Earl Nightingale, he felt that he had experienced a plateau in his professional and personal life. This evaluation of where he was with his life and relationships caused him to recognize that there is societal pressure that we often listen to and that at a certain age, we should slow down. Not only should we slow down, but we should stop growing in some areas of life and stop challenging ourselves.
This conversation will inspire you, and I hope it does light a fire in you to reach for new heights in whatever areas of life you want. After you listen to this conversation, I hope you will share it with three friends who will enjoy hearing Doug's message of working and finding success after sixty. Be sure to check out the links below to learn more about Doug and join us in several different groups that Doug leads.
Links Click on this link to view the Success After Sixty website: https://successaftersixty.org/
To join the Success After Sixty Facebook group, you can click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/successaftersixty.org
You can follow Doug on 'X' by clicking this link: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fsohn_douglas
You can follow Doug on LinkedIn by clicking on this link: linkedin.com/in/dcsohn
Welcome to 2024! As we kick off this new year and new opportunities for learning, leading, and loving our families, I wanted to talk with you about navigating three challenges that Grandfathers experience when caring for grandchildren.
The first challenge that I think a lot of grandfathers face is what to do about disciplining the grandkids when they are in our care. I get it. As a fun and cool grandfather, you don't want to be in the business of disciplining the grandkids. However, sometimes, reinforcing mom and dad's rules is called for.
For this simple fact, when the grandkids start gaining a little independence and start testing mom and dad's boundaries, a conversation NEEDS to be had by the parents and grandparents. You need to get on the same page regarding what is permissible and what the parents consider out of bounds when it comes to course-correcting the little ones.
The second challenge that grandpas tackle is the challenge of food. I'm not talking about starving the kids or not, but rather, what are our limits for the types of foods the parents want the little ones to have? I once made the mistake of giving a tortilla chip to my grandson and quickly got talked to by his mom AND grandma. Talk about getting the old 'one-two punch.'
Parents are going to expect grandpas to play fast and loose with some of the rules when it comes to treats and sweets. But we should be having continuing conversations with our grandchildren's moms and dads about food. What do the grandkids like? What don't they like? Are there any allergies? If there are allergies, how severe are the reactions? What do we do when the kids don't eat all their carrots?
As you can guess, communication is huge here when it comes to figuring out what is and isn't on the menu regarding feeding grandkids. That doesn't mean that you can't slip the kids an extra cookie here or there...as long as it won't kill them, of course.
The last challenge I discuss in this podcast episode is about firsts. Do you remember your first....whatever it was? A lot of times with a new baby, there is a lot of stress with young parents to be around for every first. First steps, first words, first poop in the toilet, first swear word, etc.
As a grandfather, we need to be careful not to accidentally take away a first for our young parents to enjoy. Sometimes, you can't help it. The little ones do something and bang, a first has just happened that you didn't plan for. Kids are like that.
Just remember that when you are doing great activities with the grandkids you haven't done before, you let the parents know what is going on. This is so they let you know that they would either like to be part of that activity or maybe want to have that moment for themselves and their child.
If you can think of other challenges that grandfathers need to be careful to navigate, let me know in the comments below.
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast, please do so. Also, I would appreciate it if you would share this episode and podcast with three other friends who would like to hear encouraging thoughts and information that everyone can use.
Ted Page joins the conversation this week to discuss his work to define and capture what it means to be a "Good Grandpa." Since the last time we spoke, Ted has started a journey of writing a book that he hopes allows him to capture the different ways and attitudes of being a grandfather.
In his own words, Ted hopes "...to harvest and share the collective wisdom of grandpas all around the world in a wide range of countries and cultures, from Cherokee Native Americans in North Carolina, to Maine fisherman, to tribal elders in Kenya, to Captains of Industry in Connecticut." As part of this quest to gather and share the wisdom of many grandfathers, Ted will ask them to distill down their responses to answer the following question: "What is the #1 thing? The most essential and powerful wisdom you’ve learned that you want the next generation to know?"
During our conversation, you will learn the responses that Ted has gathered so far from Tom Brokaw and John Cleese. You may or may not be surprised, but everyone has a different "1 Thing." If you are already thinking about your answer to this question, reach out to Ted at ted@goodgrandpa.com and let him know your answer. Who knows, you might end up in his book.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three friends who would enjoy listening to Ted's insights about being a Good Grandpa.
Links Click on the following link to listen to my conversation with Ted as we talk about his experience with being a grandfather and his blog, Good Grandpa. https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/07/ep-40-good-grandpa/
To sign up for Ted's blog and to check out Good Grandpa, use this link: https://goodgrandpa.com/
Check out Ted's Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/goodgrandpablog/
You can follow and connect with Ted on LinkedIn by clicking this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-page-b79482/
If you would like to reach out to Ted and say hello, or better yet, talk to him about being a Good Grandpa, you can connect with him by using this email: ted@goodgrandpa.com
If you are like me, it can sometimes be confusing or downright baffling what to do for your friends and family members when it comes to Holidays, Birthdays, or heck, just when you want to do something nice for them. I know that there are all different kinds of ways that people express appreciation and love for those people close to them, but I think for most of us, it comes down to feeling like we have to "get them something."
I am right there with you. Maybe a bit more. You see, I FEEL like I am showing love and appreciation by finding the perfect card, gift, or event. Nothing else seems to create that sense of having done the right thing for someone if it doesn't involve a thing, at least for me.
After almost four years of talking with grandfathers, adult grandchildren, and experts on grandparenting, the thing that means the most to grandkids, and I think to other people, is time. I know what you are about to say, "I cherish the pocketknife I received when Grandpa thought I was old enough to have one." It is not that things can't mean a lot to us, but I am going to bet that what the pocketknife represents most are the memories of spending time with Grandpa learning how to whittle down a branch to use as a skewer to cook a hotdog with.
Time is the one thing none of us can get back and the one thing that most of us wish we had more, especially when thinking of the time, or lack thereof, that we had to spend with close friends and family.
This Christmas and Holiday season, I want to challenge you to find ways to give the gift of your time above the gifts you can purchase. To help you out, here are a few ways that I have learned from other cool grandpas to share the gift of YOU.
- Share a walk or a hike without earbuds or electronics.
- Grab a spontaneous meal and spend one-on-one time without rushing to return.
- Play a board game. You can find tremendous two-player games if you want that valuable one-on-one time or multi-player games. The point is to have some fun and conversations while doing something together.
- Play a game of 'Horse' at the local school or playground. 'Horse' is excellent for us old guys because you are doing something that allows the grandchild to show off some athletic skills while still not risking life and limb if you haven't been active lately.
- If available, get in a canoe or row boat and paddle around with your grandchild. Being in a boat is a great way to talk and NOT have to look at each other, especially if you want to talk about heavier subjects.
- Find a car show and walk around talking about cars, girls, growing up, etc. Whatever is on your mind and theirs.
- Make a fire. Having a fire is a great way to relax and let the magic of the fire take over and guide the conversation. Don't have a backyard where you can have a fire; it's not a big deal. Get yourself a small portable firepit or stove. Trust me, there is something about a fire that lends itself to conversation.
- Read a book to the grandchildren. If you have younger grandchildren, they may not be able to participate in some of the other activities...yet. However, reading a book or story to them is an excellent way for grandchildren to become interested in the story AND you.
Much of what I have suggested on this list are activities you can do with your adult friends and family.
At the end of the day, the people that I have cared most about are the people that I would like to have had more time with. More time to shoot the stuff with. More time to sing with. More time to be around with.
So, this season, as we are looking for the be-all-end-all-gift that says we are thinking of someone. Do them and YOU a favor and give the gift of YOUR TIME.
If you have enjoyed this conversation, please do me a favor and share it with three friends who would like this podcast episode.
Todd Howard joins our conversation to talk about the importance of men finding connections and friendship. Todd is a great guy from North Atlanta. You are going to find that Todd is as passionate as I am about supporting men in building and maintaining friendships as we grow older and take on more responsibilities in our lives.
What is excellent about Todd is that he wasn't content to see a problem and talk about it. No, he went out and created a solution. A solution that is not therapy (nothing wrong with going to and being active in therapy), not churchy (nothing wrong with spirituality or church), but a solution that is as easy as having a fire in the backyard or middle of the culdesac with guys that live right in your neighborhood.
We walk through the process that Todd has created that anyone can implement where they live. This is a simple process that will help you build a tighter community, create lasting friendships, AND make sure that YOU know that you are not alone on your journey through life.
Once you have listened to this fantastic conversation, please share it with three friends who would like to hear Todd's message about the importance of friendship and how to build closer relationships with those great people who live around us.
Links Click on this link to learn more about Todd and Firepit Men's Group: https://firepitmensgroup.com/
This week is Thanksgiving here in the United States. I am spending much of this week with my family AND knocking out items on my to-do list. I did want to take this opportunity to make sure that you and I got connected for a short conversation that hopefully hits home for you.
First, I want to remind you that if you haven't set your goals for this year, I encourage you to do so. While creating goals, I encourage you to use Zig Zigler's Wheel of Life and use that list to build goals around. Here is the link to Zig Zigler's Wheel of Life if you have forgotten those topics/spokes. (https://www.ziglar.com/articles/the-wheel-of-life/)
I like to think of goals as the strategic plan, with the actions I need to take as the tactical plan. So, after you create your goal(s), sit down and think about the tactics or tasks you will need to implement to reach or progress towards your goal.
Secondly, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for participating in this conversation. Without YOU, I am just whistling in the wind. Talking about grandfathers and topics that impact grandfathers is my way of trying to strengthen families AND other grandfathers. We can all use a bit of encouragement, and hopefully, this is what you are getting from my show.
I want to give a special thank you to my wife, Karen Mangum, and all of those people who said yes when I asked to talk to them about their experience with being a grandfather, their memories of their grandfathers, or experts on topics that grandfathers and others need some more information about.
Lastly, I want to give a special thanks to two gents who have helped me format and, hopefully, over the years, improve the show. Those gents are Steve Owens and Erik K. Johnson. I am putting links to their shows in the LINKS section below, so please check these two out and subscribe to them if you want to learn how to plan and launch a great podcast.
I hope you have had a great Thanksgiving if you are in the United States, and if you are not in the U.S., I hope you have had a great week and have some fantastic plans for the weekend.
Thanks again for being awesome and supporting me.
Links Click on this link to review Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life: https://www.ziglar.com/articles/the-wheel-of-life/
Here is the link to Erik K. Johnson's Podcast Talent Coach website: https://podcasttalentcoach.com/
Check out Steve Owen's fantastic podcast, Fasciation Street, by clicking on this link: https://fascinationstreetpod.com/
Stephen Gomes joins us this week to talk about his grandfather's impact on him while growing up. We talk about how, between Stephen's father and grandfather, he had a well-rounded environment to grow up in. Stephen and I talked about how lucky he was to have a grandfather who would spend a day or half a week focused on him and what was happening in his world.
We had a fun discussion about Stephen's activities and how having a grandfather helped balance out his loving father's business pursuits that often went over into the weekend. As Stephen grew older, he could use his 1967 Camero, which his father helped him to restore, to travel to his grandfather's house for a visit.
Stephen shares with us the wisdom that he was able to gather from his grandfather about life and relationships that were shared with him as Stephen was entering high school. Stephen also shares with us about what an incredible grandfather his dad became as Stephen had children.
I was lucky to have Stephen previously on the show, where we talked about Flex Mortgages and some financing options available to seniors. I have provided the link to that show in the links below.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three friends or family members who would enjoy hearing these fun memories and lessons of a fantastic grandfather.
Links You can listen to Stephen's conversation with me about Flex Mortgages by clicking on this link: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/10/ep-153-learning-about-flex-mortgages/
Here is the link to OPTIO Financing: https://optiofinancing.com/
You can follow OPTIO Financing on Facebook by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/OPTIOfinancing
If you want to follow OPTIO Financing on LinkedIn, you can use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-financing/
Brittany Johns joins our conversation this week to discuss the important topic of grief. Brittany has been working in the healthcare industry for over 13 years and is certified in grief counseling. She runs and operates New Beginnings Grief Recovery in Bend, Oregon.
During our conversation, we talked about what grief is and is not. An important area for grandparents and parents to understand is that grief with children doesn't always show up as it does with adults. Although everyone grieves differently, children are sometimes prone to sudden bursts of emotion and what can sometimes seem strange statements. Brittany does a great job of explaining how grief in a child can be expressed and how, as grandparents, we can help them navigate their feelings and their processing of a loss.
We also talk about how, as grandparents, it is essential to be honest with grandchildren about the loss of someone, a pet, or any loss. Grieving, as Brittany explained, isn't just about someone close to us passing away. That sense of loss can be about a move, a change in living circumstances, or anything really that causes a disruption to our lives that will not be returning to us. It is essential to recognize the loss, and that is where a grief counselor, in particular, can be helpful to us or our grandchildren in coming to terms with and processing the change that is either happening now or that will occur in the future.
Once you have listened to this episode, please remember to share it with three friends or family members who would benefit from listening to the wisdom that Brittany shares with us.
Links Click here to visit Brittany's website: https://www.newbeginningsgriefrecovery.com/
If you would like to Call Brittany's office, she has provided her phone number - 425.293.7166
You can follow Brittany on Facebook by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsGriefRecovery
Brittany's email address is: brittany@newbeginningsgriefrecovery.com
Brittany is available on LinkedIn by clicking here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-beginnings-grief-recovery-and-counseling/
My wife, Karen Mangum, joins our conversation to talk to us about the traditions that she and her family had during the end-of-the-year celebrations. Karen talks about how, at Thanksgiving, there would be up to 30 people at her grandparents' house. Even with those numbers, Karen remembers that the house would be quiet enough for meaningful conversations among family members.
Some of Karen's other memories were of the family playing football with her uncles and then watching the Thanksgiving parade followed by the Twilight Zone marathon on their local TV channel. While living in Los Angeles didn't afford many of the other natural indicators of the holiday season starting, Karen remembers how her mother and grandmother would start pulling out their pie pans to make their famous pies. One of the fun traditions that Karen's family had was that when the children turned thirteen, they would move to the "grown-up" or "la-de-da" table.
Karen tells a fun story about what the Christmas season was like growing up in Los Angeles and how if the family wanted to have a makeshift snowman, they would need to go out and capture tumbleweeds, tie them together, and then paint them white. Karen's memories of their family's traditions at Christmas also revolved around having family around and sharing space and conversations. That is not to say that there were not some great activities that included Grandpa reading stories and leading the family in prayers around the big family meal on Christmas Eve.
As we wrap up our conversation, Karen stresses that the traditions and rituals helped to bond the family members together. The members of the family that lived far away felt connected to the whole family because of a few repeated activities that were just part of what the family did and part of what all the family members participated in.
After you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three friends or family members who would enjoy hearing how rituals and traditions can be used to build family bonds that last a lifetime.
Links You can click on this link to hear a past conversation about how important traditions are in helping to build strong family connections: https://cool-grandpa.us/2022/01/ep-66-grandparents-and-meaningful-traditions/.
This is another one-on-one conversation about Traditions and Rituals: https://cool-grandpa.us/2021/10/ep-56-traditions-and-rituals/
Scott Rammage joins the conversation this week to talk about his grandfathers and his project, The Brotherhood of Fatherhood, that seeks to help men be the leaders and whole men they intended to be. As we begin our discussion, Scott talks about his two grandfathers. His mother's father was a janitor and worked hard to provide for his family. We learn how his grandfather was a lightning rod for blame and negative feelings about being poor and having a difficult life. We also learn about Scott's grandfather from his dad's side of the family. Scott recalls spending much time on Dimond Lake in the Oregon mountains. You will enjoy learning about the impact of these two hard-working men who found ways to spend time with Scott.
Scott and I pivot during our conversation to discuss fathers and the challenges and opportunities men have as fathers to instruct and lead their children and families. During our conversation, we discussed how grandfathers and mentors can work hand in glove with the fathers and families to provide a longer-term view of children's growth, where parents are often faced and react more tactically. We also understand how older fathers and grandfathers can support their adult sons through troubling times by being vulnerable and open about our struggles and shortcomings. Scott suggests that when we, as fathers, open ourselves up, our children are more likely to share their struggles, which allows for healing and resolution.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share this important episode with three friends who would benefit from Scott's wisdom and insights. To hear the conversation that I had on Scott's podcast, click on this link: https://www.thebrotherhoodoffatherhood.com/podcast/episode/2ee0ba1c/preparing-to-be-a-cool-granpa-with-greg-payne.
Links Check out The Brotherhood of Father Hood at this link: https://www.thebrotherhoodoffatherhood.com/
If you want to join Scott's Facebook group, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brotherhoodoffatherhood.
Scott has an Instagram page you can check out and follow: https://www.instagram.com/brotherhoodoffatherhood/.
Here is the Amazon link for the book Discipline is Destiny: https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Destiny-Power-Self-Control-Virtues-ebook/dp/B09PB1SB72.
Here is the link to my conversation from The Brotherhood of Fatherhood podcast: https://www.thebrotherhoodoffatherhood.com/podcast/episode/2ee0ba1c/preparing-to-be-a-cool-granpa-with-greg-payne.
Our conversation with Renee Balcom
Renee is one of these folks who take a career turn and unexpectedly find their passion in service and educating others. You will enjoy hearing how Renee started in Silicon Valley in the 1970s and quickly rose to the ranks of the CEO of a technology company in the 1980s. After having enough of Silicon Valley, she moved what she refers to as her tribe to Southwest Oregon.
After economic and personal setbacks, Renee started to work in the adult care industry. One of the attendees of an event that Renee spoke at asked Renee to attend a doctor's appointment. Soon, the doctor's office had several other patients that the doctor thought could use Renee's blend of empathy and business smarts.
Renee quickly found a real need in the world to have someone outside the healthcare crisis or care who could advise the patient on navigating the different treatment options. This person or healthcare advocate supports the patient and family through the diagnosis and care plan process.
You are going to enjoy this conversation with Renee. She does a great job of making this complex topic simple to understand. Whether you are in the "sandwich generation" or someone who is getting a little older, there is some fantastic AND actionable information that you can use to be proactive in creating a care plan for you or your loved ones.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share it with three friends or family members who would benefit from listening to this conversation with Rene.
Links If you want to check out Renee and Company and download The Advocacy Tip Sheet, you can click on this link: https://www.reneecompany.com/
To reach out and email Renee and her team, you can contact her at this email address: renee@reneecompany.com
You can also call Renee's team by using this phone number: (844) 661-2369.
Our conversation with Stephen Gomes
Stephen Gomes joins us this week to talk about Reverse and Flex Mortgages. Stephen does a great job explaining how the different lending options or products are a step up from what was available back in the 1970s and 1980s. Like many of you, I didn't know how much these products had changed or if they had changed from their early incarnations.
I brought up with Stephen many of the preconceived ideas and stories that I had heard about reverse mortgages. You will enjoy and appreciate how Stephen uses everyday examples and easy-to-understand language to step us through the many different options and scenarios he and his group, OPTIO Financing, work with every week.
It was so great talking with Stephen that I invited him to come back on the podcast to discuss his grandfather's influence on him while he was growing up.
After you listen to this episode, please remember to share it with three friends or family members who would benefit from listening to this episode. Also, check out the links below to get in contact with OPTIO Financing and Stephen.
Links Here is the link to OPTIO Financing: https://optiofinancing.com/
You can follow OPTIO Financing on Facebook by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/OPTIOfinancing
If you want to follow OPTIO Financing on LinkedIn, you can use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-financing/
Our conversation with Debra Weller
With Autumn starting to turn the leaves colorful and leaving a bit of an evening chill in the air, our thoughts begin to turn towards festivals and the end of the year.
Debra Weller, a master storyteller, joins us again to discuss the great traditions of end-of-the-year storytelling. Debra discusses the rich traditions that just about all cultures have for gathering in the harvest, preparing for the winter, and the celebrations of successful hunts. Stories around campfires, kitchen tables, and large mead halls entertain us, scare us, and can also teach us.
As a professional storyteller, Debra shares her experiences using stories to build connections with grandchildren, whether young or old. She talks to us about setting the stage and setting for stories and how we can use and develop gifts for storytelling. A great tip Debra discusses is that retelling classic stories with our personalities and twists can be a fun and easy way to share stories with our grandchildren and other family members.
Be sure to check out the link below to Debra's first visit with us for even more helpful tips and insightful lessons about the power of storytelling. Once you have listened to this podcast episode, please remember to share it with three friends who would enjoy listening to Debra's storytelling wisdom and advice.
Links Here is the link to our previous conversation with Debra: https://cool-grandpa.us/2023/08/ep-144-being-a-storyteller/
To check out Debra's YouTube Channel, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/@DebraWellerStoryteller8084.
This is the link to Debra's website: https://story-tellingcourses.com/
I am sure you will enjoy following Debra on Facebook. Here is the link for you to get in touch with her on that site: https://www.facebook.com/debra.weller.18
Our Monthly One-on-One Conversation
This month's conversation is about goals. I know this isn't November or December, the usual months when we start thinking about goals or New Year Resolutions. I felt that we needed to talk about goals as we head into the last quarter of the year so that our thoughts about goals and their importance don't get lost in the shuffle of holidays, visits with grandchildren, and just the general year-end hustle and bustle.
As part of Dan Miller's 48 Days group, he challenged us to listen to the audio recording of The Strangest Secret. (Here is the YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmK-GlRWZUk) Our challenge was to listen to this recording for 30 days straight. I will have heard this program for 30 days when this podcast is released.
Over the last few years, I have shifted my perspective about goals. Most of the time, when I heard about goals, it was in the context of a manager telling me what I needed to address or improve at work. I never really embraced that power of goals before listening to some classic thinkers and writers, such as Zig Zigler, Dan Miller, Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and many others.
I can tell you that last year, I created 12 different goals for myself. Almost all of them were ambitious and probably too much so. Several were related to physical activities that, now looking back, were not so realistic. But the thing is, that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because having those goals and reading them often on the cards I wrote them out made me think constantly about how I could achieve them.
This year, though, I want you to join me in this exercise, and then next year, at this time, let's see where you and I end up. I want you to write out one goal in each of the following areas of your life.
- Mental
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Family
- Financial
- Personal
- Career
Don't create any more than these seven. Anything more and you will dilute your ability to focus, exercise faith, imagine how you will achieve the goal, and then work towards that goal.
At the end of the day, though, I want you to use what works for you. If that is my suggestion of having one vision of yourself for next year that the seven spokes of the wheel of life support, great. Suppose you find or have used something else awesome. The main point is to move towards something instead of being a "wandering generality."
Be sure to listen to this podcast for more information about the importance of setting, creating, and working towards goals. Also, in the podcast, I will share ideas about using one or two goals with your grandchildren to build a connection point, have fun, and share mutual progress towards a worthy end.
I have some helpful links to information you can use to create your goals for this coming year. Remember, we want to have the goals by the end of October.
Links The Strangest Secret on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmK-GlRWZUk
Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life: https://www.ziglar.com/articles/the-wheel-of-life/
Access to Dan Miller's Worksheets: https://www.48days.com/worksheets/
Our conversation with Chris Bruno
Chris Bruno from ReStory Counseling joins us today to discuss men entering their second stage of life. We discuss how this second stage of life can be the most powerful in our story. While we will undoubtedly experience decline in many different areas, IF we are open to working on ourselves, we CAN use these years to, as Obi-Wan Kenobi said, "...become more powerful than you ever imagined."
Chris wrote a book called Sage: A Man's Guide Into His Second Passage. As you will hear in the conversation, I read this book and was deeply impacted by Chris's invitation to men to work to become a sage. I have felt but was unable to explain, as well as Chris, that as we head into our second half, we could play a larger role in our world and not simply age and fade away.
Grandfathers and men can and should take up the mantle of sage, guide, and quiet leader and use this position to build up and lead the following generation of men and women. Perhaps if enough of us quietly go about our lives as sages, some, not all, of the troubles that others experience can be lessened. If we can't lessen them, maybe as a sage, we can help guide our adult children, grandchildren, and others through their challenges with quiet love and wisdom.
You will enjoy this conversation. Once you have listened to it, please check out the links below AND share this conversation with three friends who need to hear Chris's fantastic message and call.
Links Chris has an awesome gathering for men coming up in January of 2024. Here is the link to sign up for this experience: https://restorationproject1.regfox.com/sage-scotland-2024
I can't recommend this book enough. Sage: A Man's Guide Into His Second Passage is an incredible experience. I would recommend this book for yourself or for the men in your life who are entering their second half: https://a.co/d/aBOO9QT
If you would like to learn more about Chris and the work that his team at The ReStory Counseling group does, please click on this link: https://www.restory.life/
To learn more about the Restoration Project, click on this link: https://www.restorationproject.net/
Our conversation with Curt and Cindy Liljedahl
This week's conversation is with a very cool couple. Curt and Cindy join us to talk about the importance of adventures as part of our retired lives. We hear a great story about their experience of becoming grandparents. Curt does his best to embarrass Cindy with his story, which any good husband does.
It is great learning about how Curt and Cindy experienced adventures while growing up before they had children (BC) and now that they are retired. We talk about how Cindy's grandparents would take her, her siblings, and cousins and travel to the Ozarks camping. Curt's grandparents bought a family-owned resort in Minnesota where family members would come and go all summer long.
Curt and Cindy have a great podcast, AdventuRetired, where they interview people about their adventures in retirement. Cindy and Curt shared an important point that adventures don't have to start as treks along the Pacific Crest Trail. Adventures can be smaller, especially if you are starting to ramp things up. A great adventure could be going to your local state or National Park and car camping. Another example they provided is that you could go in with family members and rent or buy box seats at a sporting event and let everyone enjoy time in a city, taking in a ball game and exploring the city with the family.
Whatever you decide to do with you, your spouse, or your family, the mindset of making an activity an adventure can add to the experience. Certainly, using the vocabulary of an adventure will leave a lasting impression on the grandchildren. It is those memories of experiences with Grandma and Grandpa that will last longer than any toy that they receive.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share it with three friends or family members who will enjoy listening to Curt and Cindy's stories and insights about the importance of having adventures. Also, please subscribe to Curt and Cindy's podcast. The link to their show is listed below.
Links Click on this link to visit AdventuRetired, and don't forget to sign up for the podcast. https://www.adventuretired.com/
You can use this link to follow Curt and Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventuretired/
If you would like to follow AdventuRetired on Facebook, you can use this link: https://www.facebook.com/AdventuRetired/
Working with your parents or loved ones on managing their aging process can be challenging. It makes you ask personal and possibly embarrassing questions about every part of someone's life. These topics are often areas that "we" don't talk about. These tough topics can include money, physical and mental well-being, estate planning, and many more.
Annalee Kruger is passionate about helping family and friends work through the emotions and the details of creating a senior living plan. What Annalee is working with families to avoid is the crisis that so often appears when an unexpected event occurs. That event often causes the family to rally together, and oftentimes, having to choose the least bad of multiple bad options causes even more emotional AND financial pain for the family.
To help families create a plan, Annalee has developed many tools that will empower families to calmly face any situation. One such tool is the 'Grab and Go Binder.' The 'Grab and Go Binder' is a fantastic tool to place all important documents such as a Living Will, caregiving Instructions, Financial information, and so much more so the family members who need to make quick decisions on care, level of care, etc. have the documents and information they need to direct any health care and social work providers.
Annalee provides us with great information and suggestions on developing an aging plan to support all parties involved in creating and carrying out a senior living plan. Once you have listened to this episode, please share it with friends who would benefit from our conversation.
Links The link to Annalee's website is: https://carerightinc.com/
You can find Annalee's book, The Invisible Patcient can be found here: https://annaleefe54ed.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-41678377364582
If you would like to connect with Care Right Inc. on Facebook, you can use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/carerightfamilycaregiversolutions
Care Right Inc.'s LinkedIn information can be found using this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-right-inc/
Beverley Glazer MA., CCC is a Coach, Therapist, Internationally Certified Addiction Specialist, Author, and Founder of Reinvent Imposible Inc; a personal development company that educates, coaches and empowers older women who've experienced a 'wake-up call' that left them feeling powerless or without purpose, to build on their strengths, create possibilities and discover the joy in living their full potential.
She is a former talk-radio host, and the originator of The Reinvention Formula ™, a proven and surprisingly easy coaching system, combining scientific knowledge with down-to-eart wisdom, that provides all the tools and support, you need, to bounce back with resilience in a minimum amount of time - and more importantly, you put the tools into practice and realized a new and exciting life.
Her weekly podcast, "Aging with Purpose and Passion" is aligned with her mission, that it is never too late, and you're never too old, to reinvent yourself, find your purpose and become who you've always imagined."
Beverley joins the conversation this week at my invitation so that I can ask her what men like me (husband, brother, son, father, and grandfather) can do to support the women in our lives as they enter mid-life and beyond. I think that, rightly or wrongly, when we think of people entering mid-life, our minds go to the men in our lives. We have the stereotypes of men in the 40s, 50s, and beyond, leaving our spouses for younger women, buying sports cars, and possibly experiencing a mid-life crisis.
As Beverley helps me understand, women often experience many of the same issues, but the symptoms or expressions of those issues are often different from men. She talks about how the data shows that more than half the women in the world have given up on their dreams and passions. That they are living lives dissatisfied and resentful.
Like myself, you will enjoy this conversation AND learn a lot from a fantastic coach and someone with a great track record of helping women reinvent themselves. After you have listened to this episode, please share it with three friends who would benefit from learning how men can support the women in our lives as they enter mid-life. Hopefully, we can support them through this season of change like so many of them help us adjust to our new stage in life.
Below, please check out Beverley's website, podcast, and social media connections.
Links Beverley's website is Reinvent Impossible (https://reinventimpossible.com)
Social Links: FB: https://www.facebook.com/beverley.glazer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverleyglazer_reinvention/
Facebook group WomenOver50 ROCK www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock
Is your life in balance?: https://reinventimpossible1.lpages.co/life-perspective-inventory/
Our monthly one-on-one conversation
This is our monthly one-on-one conversation, and this month, I wanted to be sure to celebrate you, the very cool Grandmother and Grandfather. Yes, I know this is The Cool Grandpa Podcast, but we have some fantastic Grandmothers listening in to keep us honest.
As a grandparent, you matter greatly to your grandchildren's mental and physical well-being. This statement is true regardless of whether you live 5 minutes from the grandchildren or 5,000 miles away. The fact is that your grandchildren need AND want you to be a part of their lives, yes, even when they are teenagers, and it seems like they couldn't give you the time of day.
Here are five areas where you can have a direct impact on your grandchildren:
- Unconditional Love
- Perspective
- Stability
- Adventures and Exploration of the world around them
- Connections and a sense of "place" in the family and world
Grandparents Academy is a great tool to add to your fantastic tool kit. I do have an affiliate relationship with Grandparents Academy. So I want to be upfront and honest with you about my relationship with them. However, even if I didn't have this relationship, I would still be taking the time to talk to you about Grandparents Week, hosted by Grandparents Academy.
I'm honored to be presenting as part of Grandparents Week about how to turbocharge the grandfathering experience. Grandparents Week is the largest virtual celebration and educational conference for grandparents. GrandparentsAcademy.com has over 20 experts, mini-classes, and prizes for this incredible event scheduled for Sept. 10 - 16, 2023. General Admission is free, and giveaways are for those who register in advance. Get signed up at: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147558286/ikxv5HFd
Here is a list of some of the topics that are going to be covered during this event:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Grandparenting
- Grandparenting from a Distance
- First Steps for New Grandparents
- Connecting with Teenage Grandchildren
- Resources for Raising Grandchildren
- Overcoming Grandparent Alienation
I do hope that you checkout Grandparents Academy and sign up for Grandparents Week. At the end of the day though, I do believe in Grandparents Academy and the awesome work they are doing for Grandparents all around the world, and if it is right for you, you should join me in this fantastic community.
Brian Abram joins us to talk about his experience with being a grandfather. We also discuss how Brian's bicycling accident left him a paraplegic and wheelchair-bound. To explain why he was in a wheelchair, Brian devised a fun and highly exaggerated story for his grandson.
You will enjoy how Brian has turned his accident into a charming way to talk to children about disabilities and how life is an adventure, and while we don't all travel the same path, we can all be kind to each other. Brian enjoys taking his characters, Charlie and Grandad Wheels, into schools and engaging the young children to use their imaginations to come up with their explanations about how Grandad got his wheels and what adventures they would have with Grandad Wheels.
Through the generosity of his sponsors, illustrator, and others, Brian has been able to donate over £ 60,000 to two wheelchair charities that help people in wheelchairs live their everyday life. You will be inspired and amused hearing Brian relate how he has been able to connect with his grandson about the results of his accident and build up awareness that grandpas, no matter our circumstances, can be active and mischievous in our grandchildren's lives.
Once you have enjoyed this conversation, please share it with three friends who want to learn more about how one grandad is normalizing the result of his accident with his grandson, the youth in his generation, and his community. From a funny family story, Grandad Wheels (the character) was born when Brian wisely followed his wife's advice to write the story and share it with other children.
Links To visit Brian's website and connect with him, you can click on this link: https://www.grandadwheels.com/
If you would like to follow Grandad Wheels on Facebook, you can use this link: https://www.facebook.com/grandadwheels/
Should you need them, here is a link to Brian's sponsor, Irwin Mitchell:https://www.irwinmitchell.com/our-offices/united-kingdom/london?utm_source=Local&utm_medium=GoogleLocal&utm_campaign=Local+Business
Debra Weller, a professional storyteller and teacher joins us to talk about her grandfathers AND how we can become entertaining storytellers. We discuss the influence of Debra's grandfathers, Poppy and Grandpa Joe. Each grandfather had a unique background and style of telling stories. Poppy would often talk about growing up in New York and the time during World War II while Grandpa Joe would tell stories of New Orleans and working at the Dixie Brewery.
We talk about the impact and connection of stories between grandparents and grandchildren. Debra talks about how stories are used to entertain and inform grandchildren about where they come from, who their family members are, and passing down generational stories that connect family members across time.
Debra and I explore the types of materials and inspirations that can be used to develop your "storytelling muscle" including the use of Mad Libs, fables, experiences, puns, jokes, and other resources that with time, you can make into your own story or at least your version of the story. We encourage you to do so if you have not included storytelling in your "toolbox" of grandparenting fun. You will not regret it.
Once you have enjoyed this conversation, please share it with three friends who want to learn how grandfathers can use storytelling to build connections and entertain their grandchildren, family, and community.
Links To connect with Debra and check out her website you can click on this link: https://story-tellingcourses.com/
You can also check out her YouTube channel by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/@DebraWellerStoryteller8084
If you would like to follow Debra on Facebook, you can use this link: https://www.facebook.com/debra.weller.18
You can also check out Debra as Mrs. Sunshine Santa Clause on YouTube.
Here is the link to World Storytelling Cafe: https://worldstorytellingcafe.com/
Our conversation with Daniel Crandall
This conversation with Daniel Crandall is an entertaining discussion about how his grandfathers chose to become better men than perhaps circumstances would have predicted. It is incredible to learn how Daniel's grandfathers had very challenging childhoods full of tragedy, yet they chose to become better men at early ages.
Daniel was blessed to have the lengthy and lasting influences of two grandfathers. Grandpa Crandall and Grandpa Stockwell grew up in different circumstances but early on knew that only through hard work, being more or less self-educated, and finding a relationship with GOD would allow them to become men of value and service to their families and communities.
It is these valuable lessons from his grandfathers that Daniel shares with us as we visit and learn how they impacted Daniel's early life and his adult life. Join us as we learn about these two exceptional men and how their example can inspire us to remember that we all can choose how we move forward when facing adversity, doubt, and challenging relationships.
Once you have enjoyed this conversation, please share it with three friends who would like to learn more about how grandfathers can impact the lives of their grandchildren, their family, and their community.
Links To connect with Daniel, you can contact him by clicking HERE to visit his website.
Daniel has been generously offered his course: DESIGN & PUBLISH YOUR BOOK — GUARANTEED. Listeners to this episode can receive his "$40 off for friends of Cool Grandpa in 2023" by using the code: cool-grandpa-23
This month, I discuss some thoughts about being an older job hunter. You might be looking for work because of burnout, no further advancement opportunities, or layoffs. Whatever your particular case may be, we have repeatedly seen and been told that job hunting in your 50s and 60s can be more challenging than when you were younger.
Well, job hunting no matter what age you are can be challenging. Remember when you were young, and people were not hiring you because you didn't have experience? Now, you think people are not hiring you because you are too experienced. The truth is somewhere in the middle, and there are challenges no matter what age you are with either finding a job in your present industry or switching industries altogether.
In this month's conversation, I discuss ideas I have learned from talking and working with career coaches and a book I recently read called, Over The Hill But Not The Cliff, by Lori B. Rassas. Lori shares five valuable strategies for job seekers 50 and older in this book.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three friends or family members that could benefit from hearing about looking for meaningful work in your 50s and beyond.
Links Click HERE to view Over The Hill But Not The Cliff: 5 Strategies for 50+ Job Seekers to Push Past Ageism and Find a Job in the Loyalty-Free Workplace. (I do not have any affiliate relationship with the Author or Amazon for this book)
If you want to learn more about Lori B. Rassas, click HERE to visit her website.
Jane Honikman joins us to discuss this important and sometimes misunderstood topic of postpartum and postpartum depression. We start our conversation by getting to know Jane and her background, and how she was affected by her first birth. As we continue to learn about Jane, we learn how she came to work and study in the area of postpartum.
We continued our discussion of postpartum and learned about the organizations she helped to start and promote for the benefit of everyone involved with the birth of a child. There is certainly a lot of information that fathers and grandfathers can learn about to be better prepared to support our daughters, daughters-in-law, and wives. The effects and influences of postpartum mental health challenges do not always fade with time, but with the proper support, the challenges can be addressed and managed.
Please share this important conversation with three friends or family members that could benefit from hearing Jane talk about postpartum. The links to Jane's website and several organizations we mentioned are listed below. Jane's book, Postpartum is Forever: Social Support from Conception to Grandparenthood.
Links Click HERE to visit and connect with Jane Honikman's website.
You can find the following links on Jane's website, but I wanted to add them here as well for your easy use:
Parental Action Institute
Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP)
The International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health
Mike Van Pelt joins us this week to talk about his memories of his grandfathers. We reminisce about the sights, sounds, and smells of visiting our grandparents on their farms.
I also talk to Mike about his journey to finding his passion and his calling in life, which is to help other men become clear on their purpose as men. Mike believes that men have unique talents and abilities that shine into the world as we gain clarity of who we are.
You will enjoy listening to this episode and learning more about Mike, his life, and his goal to help men everywhere live up to their fullest potential.
Links Click HERE to visit and connect with Mike at True Man Life Coaching. You can use this link to subscribe to Mike's podcast and connect with him on social media.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is also available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Grandparents Week will be held this September from the 10th to the 16th.
Click HERE to sign up today!
- Full disclosure, as an affiliate, I may earn a commission for sales of products on GrandparentsAcademy.com's website. That sai
This week's conversation centers on Family Care and how parents and grandparents can get alignment on who is responsible for what and how parents want their children cared for while in the care of the grandparents. DeeDee More, from More Than Grand, joins the conversation to discuss the importance of clearly understanding how parents would like to have their children taken care of.
DeeDee also talks about how having the grandparents set expectations on what they can and can't do when caring for the grandchildren is important. We discussed the importance of having parents and grandparents write a caregiver agreement to avoid misunderstandings and have difficult conversations before a situation could cause conflict and strain a relationship.
Throughout our fun conversation, we review some of the other available tools and products at More Than Grand. A link to our first conversation, which provides more background on DeeDee and why she started More Than Grand, is located in the show notes below.
Once you have listened to this informative conversation, please share it with three friends who want to learn how More Than Grand can support new parents and grandparents.
Links Click HERE to visit and explore More Than Grand. Please connect with DeeDee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is also available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Will Braunstein is our guest this week. We discuss how grandfathers can help support our adult sons and sons-in-law. It was great to sit down with someone focused on the challenges that fathers are experiencing today and how through A Dad's Path, Will is working hard to ensure that fathers and families have the information and support they need.
We talk about how fathers of adult children can be a resource for the family. A few of the ideas we discuss is actively listening to the triumphs and challenges that fathers face. Will also suggests withholding criticism or the temptation of saying things such as "that's not how we did it..." is important to not put fathers on the defensive about choices that they are making while raising their families.
You will be inspired by how A Dad's Path came into existence and the help and support it can offer your sons or sons-in-law raising your grandchildren. Once you have listened to this episode, please share it with three family members or friends who could use encouragement and useful information on their journey.
Links Click HERE to visit A Dad's Path. You can also use these links to subscribe to his newsletter and podcast.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is also available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
This week's conversation is with two of the three founders of BoomerTech Adventures. Ed Brazee and Jill Spencer join us to talk about the founding of BoomerTech and how these educators came together to start working with Boomers and Seniors on understanding their devices and how they can connect them to their families, friends, and community.
We learn how Chris, Jill, and Ed learned the lesson during the COVID Pandemic to use BoomerTECH to help their students, friends, and family members achieve the three 'Cs.' Those 'Cs' are Create, Contribute, and Communicate. Jill talks about how photography, one of BTA's most popular courses, helps students feel more comfortable using and exploring what their phones and tablets can do. Photography and movie-making help students feel more comfortable using and exploring what their phones and tablets can do.
Ed talks about their fantastic membership offering, BTA Club. With membership to this group, members get access to all the BoomerTECH Adventures training videos and direct access to Jill, Chris, and Ed to ask any technical questions.
Be sure you check out BoomerTECH Adventures on their YouTube site as well as on their website.
Once you have listened to this podcast, please share it with three friends who would enjoy learning more about grandparents and the important role they play in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit BoomerTECH Adventures' website.
You can visit BoomerTECH Adventures YouTube site by clicking on this LINK.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is also available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Intentional Grandfathering is my four-part course that Grandparents Academy hosts. You can enjoy a discount on this course by using this LINK. You can enjoy 40% off the course by using this discount code at checkout: COOL40
More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
In this month's conversation, I talk about Father's Day. I think that, for the most part, dads and grandfathers have most of the material things they want or need. Despite what retailers bombard us within the lead-up to Father's Day, I think what Dads value and cherish are experiences either with the family, their friends, or even alone.
Experiences are so much more valuable because they are often shared experiences. You or the family may not share them, but they are shared with and often cherished by those there. Think back to those times you were catching up with a friend from school and were talking about some mischief or fun activity that you had and the feelings that shared memory brought up. For my money, if I think that Dads need experiences more than 'things' (although sometimes both are fun).
Another way to let the dad in your life know how much you appreciate them is to simply tell them. I think we all take family members for granted at some point and stop telling our spouses, moms, dads, and children how much we appreciate them for who they are and what they do for us. Think about all the times you have sacrificed time and energy for another family member only for them not to give you a simple 'thanks, you being there meant a lot to me.' Dads, like everyone, need to hear that their time and effort are noticed and appreciated.
With many fathers not having great role models growing up or support from their friends when it comes to being a father, we need to make sure we offer encouragement and point out the good things they are doing. This is especially true for fathers when it comes to encouraging and praising their adult sons and sons-in-law. YOU might be the only male figure in their life that notices and says something about the growth and development you have seen them make.
Once you have listened to this podcast, please share it with three friends who would enjoy learning more about grandfathers and the important role they play in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is also available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Intentional Grandfathering is my four-part course that Grandparents Academy hosts. You can enjoy a discount on this course by using this LINK. You can enjoy 40% off the course by using this discount code at checkout: COOL40
More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Everyone needs to have a goal—something to work towards or work through. Tina Sibley joins us today to talk about how we can infuse a spirit of adventure into our personal and professional lives. You will enjoy how Tina planned and then participated in climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro twice in one calendar year. She brings that enthusiasm for life into her successful coaching practice and the lives of the people she meets.
We jump into this conversation and learn that Tina wasn't always adventurous. Like many of us, she was labeled in school as not being 'sporty' and not the kind of person people would expect to take off on her adventures. Well, they were wrong. Tina has moved to the South of Spain (near Gilbrater) and is exploring the world. These expeditions are sometimes with friends and sometimes solo adventures.
Tina and I agree that grandparents and people in general need to have goals and adventures. These goals could be professional or personal. Sometimes having the goal of leading your department one day is a challenge that will take you through certifications, the politics of the office, and preparing yourself to be ready when a promotion is available.
Other times, we need to get out of our comfort zones for personal reasons. We may need to rediscover our sense of adventure. These adventures could be large or small. As grandparents, we can help create great connections with our grandchildren and families by creating adventures that they can enjoy with us.
Once you have listened to this podcast, please share it with three friends who would enjoy learning more about how and why a spirit of adventure is important to enjoying life.
Links You can learn more about Tina by checking out her website, tinasibley.com.
If you want to connect with Tina on Facebook, click HERE to join Tina's Facebook group.
You can order Tina's book by clicking HERE to order your copy today.
Click HERE to view the book Tina mentioned, Age Is Just a Number.
If you want to book an adventure, here is the link to Viator.com. (We are not affiliated with Viator, but I wanted to include the link since it was mentioned in our conversation.)
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Intentional Grandfathering is my four-part course that Grandparents Academy hosts. You can enjoy a discount on this course by using this LINK. You can enjoy 40% off the course by using this discount code at checkout: COOL40
More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Joe Cochran joins us to discuss his experience supporting his grandson and his family through a very trying time. We learn about Joe, his pediatric dentist background and his life in Oregon raising three wonderful daughters.
Recently one of his grandsons, Theo, was diagnosed with Leukemia. As you can imagine, that diagnosis was like a punch in the gut. With his pediatric dentist experience, Joe had suspicions about what was going on with Theo. When those suspicions were confirmed, it was time to rally around Theo, his siblings, and his parents.
You will be inspired by how this very cool grandpa was able to support the family and made sure that Theo's siblings didn't get lost in the shuffle of treatments, doctor's visits, and the general scary situation. Joes shares how he continued to exercise his faith and ensured they all felt loved and supported.
This important conversation highlights how grandfathers can be leaders and caregivers. Once you have listened to this conversation, please be sure to share it with three other friends who would enjoy it.
Links Click HERE to visit Theo's treatment webpage. You will enjoy learning more about Theo and his challenges and enjoy his infectious smile. (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/theokurvers)
If you would like to support Theo and his parents, click HERE to visit the GoFundMe page for Theo.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Intentional Grandfathering is my four-part course that Grandparents Academy hosts. You can enjoy a discount on this course by using this LINK. You can enjoy 40% off the course by using this discount code at checkout: COOL40
More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
This month's one-on-one conversation is about how to make in-person visits fun and stress-free. Like most things in life, communication and planning are the keystones to making sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to when you are going to visit, what you are going to do when you are there, and when your loving and adoring family can expect you to head back to your home.
Here are my top five tips for having a fun time with the adult kids AND grandkids:
- Communicate the dates you are going to arrive and depart. Also, be sure to provide arrival time ETAs to your adult children so they can plan to be home when you arrive, AND they have a good sense of when you will depart for your home.
- Ask what the parents have going on with their lives while you are visiting. Do they have business travel planned during that time? Is there a social function that is on the schedule where they will for sure want you available to babysit? Whatever they have going on and whatever activities the grandchildren have going on, be sure to put that information into your smartphone, your pocket calendar, or however you keep track of events.
- Ask the parents about special plans or projects they want you to help with. Before you travel, it is better to find out that your adult children will want your help with building a deck during your stay than when you show up expecting fun and relaxation only to have two hard days of loving labor before you. Besides, knowing about such plans allows you to bring your work gloves or whatever special kit you might want handy for construction work, yard work, or whatever the adult children have in mind.
- What behavior or life skills would your adult children like your help with regarding the grandchildren? Your adult children might find it valuable for you to work with the grandchildren on fun and simple things like learning to catch and hit a ball. They might also like you to work with your older grandchildren about creating and working a budget, auto maintenance, or even talking about appropriate dating behavior and etiquette. This question can lead to great connection points between you and your grandchildren.
- Plan some "me time" into your visit. If you are a working grandpa like me, your time away from work is valuable time off. I love seeing my kids and grandkids but I also want some fun time for myself. What I mean by this is that you should plan some fun activities for yourself during your visit. You may want to invite the rest of the family to come along as well, but whatever you are doing is an activity YOU wanted to do and planned to do with or without everyone.
There are more than five tips to make every in-person visit successful, but I think these five are the foundation of every enjoyable visit. They help to communicate expectations and timelines and allow everyone in the family input on what is possible during your time with your family.
I had a podcast episode last year dealing with this same subject, and I will put a link below so you can easily find that episode and listen to it. Also, please check out a good friend of the show, Dr. Kerry Byrne's group, The Long Distance Grandparent, for more advice, tips, and tricks about planning visits with grandchildren.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with three friends who would enjoy learning more about planning successful and fun visits with their adult children AND grandchildren.
Links You can learn more about The Long Distance Grandparent by clicking HERE.
To listen to my episode, "Priming the Pump," you can click HERE.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Clic
Jan Lipes is a cool grandpa. Forty years ago, Jan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As an Emergency Room doctor, Jan was faced with a number of constraints AND opportunities in his professional and personal life.
I first learned about Jan when he wrote an article for our good friend Ted Page's blog, Good Grandpa. In that article, Jan asked, Can an ill Grandpa be a Good Grandpa? Well, I was inspired to reach out to Jan and ask him if we could discuss this topic for my podcast, and thankful that he accepted the invitation.
During our conversation, you will learn about Jan's experience with having his first episode with MS in 1979 and the diagnosis of MS in 1983. We will also learn how Jan is not only a disabled grandfather but is also challenged to visit his adult children and grandchildren in person.
Jan tells us a fascinating story about a night with the fireflies and how that evening helped clarify priorities and set him on a path to leaving medicine and starting painting. Jan has great insight into how we can all use a positive mindset when it comes to us slowing down and even dealing with disabilities. While each person will work through disabilities differently, looking at what you can do vs. what you can't do helps you accept what you can do.
Links Click HERE to check out Jan's paintings and artwork.
Jan's article, "Can an ill Grandpa be a Good Grandpa?" on the Good Grandpa Blog, can be accessed by clicking this link: https://goodgrandpa.com/2023/03/can-an-ill-grandpa-be-a-good-grandpa/
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is a great resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Frank Williams and Jim Isenberg are on a mission to get grandpas active at home and especially in their communities. Grandpas United was founded in 2018 to provide multigenerational mentors and leadership to youth in their community.
You will enjoy learning how Frank, Jim, and other men of 'grandpa age' came together to identify a need in the community. I am not just talking about the youth of the community but also the community of older men. Men with vast experience in personal, professional, and civic life. Men who have 'been there and done that' and are now looking to engage to be part of lifting the rising generation.
It is easy for us all to sit back and complain about the state of affairs and bemoan how one generation or another is 'doing it wrong' or creating challenges for our generation or parts of society. It takes a special group of men to identify a challenge, create a vision of how it can be addressed, and then cast a vision that draws others to it. Well, the grandpas at Grandpas United are such individuals working to improve their communities and the wonderful people that live it.
This is an important and fun conversation. I hope you share it with your other family and friends after you have listened to this show. If you are interested in joining or starting a chapter of Grandpas United, I encourage you to reach you to this group and get in the game. We need grandpas out in front being leaders in the home and the community.
Remember, your sharing this conversation is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links White Plains Youth Bureau - Where you can learn more about Grandpas United. You can all call this number: 914.422.1378
Below are a few articles about Grandpas United that will provide a background on the organization:
- Westchester Magazine 2021: https://westchestermagazine.com/life-style/grandpas-united/
- Ron Claiborne “Second Acts” 2021: https://secondacts.bulletin.com/826547838060281/?fbclid=IwAR35un5gka4R-wDtYGOrA9Ri3IqEgtwgE4khO8wc5M1fA-s3m-gZSEPyCAQ
- Gen2Gen.com feature: https://generationtogeneration.org/these-grandpas-are-uniting-to-make-a-difference-with-community-youth/
Click HERE to view the 'Grandpa Rap' video that the guys made.
You can view a nice mini-documentary about Grandpas United by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/27ZFn_dYn9g
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links More Than Grand is a great resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.
Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
A friend of the show, Frank Pomata, joins us to discuss how grandfathers can release their creative spirits with projects and play with their grandchildren. Frank and I enjoy catching up and talking about how Frank started creating books based on the interests of his grandson.
The first book, The Boy That Loved Garbage Trucks, is based on seeing a garbage truck making its rounds and following the truck. Frank asked his grandson, Lucian, what he thought was happening with the truck and the driver. Lucian's response and questions formed a story that became a fun book that they enjoy.
Frank encourages all grandfathers to play with their grandchildren and let the grandfather's creative side come forward to create stories and scenarios for play with their grandchildren. Frank and I hope all grandfathers let their hair down, play with the grandchildren, create fun stories, and release their creative side.
This is an important and fun conversation. I hope you share it with your other family and friends after you have listened to this show. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to the first conversation that Frank and I had on The Cool Grandpa Podcast.
HERE is Frank's LinkedIn profile. If you connect with Frank, tell him you heard him on The Cool Grandpa Podcast.
You can visit the IMDB site for the Dabney Coleman movie, Cloak & Dagger, which I referenced in our conversation, by clicking HERE.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2snnnZcWHXwleJlEsRIMRn You can listen to last week's episode and subscribe to the show on Spotify.
This month, I want to talk to you about the need for a nemesis in your life. I am not talking about a person here. That kind of nemesis is different from what I want to discuss.
The nemesis I am talking about here is that obstacle in your life that keeps you from advancing in a sport, hobby, or some other endeavor you have. We all need a nemesis, something that is pushing against us and keeping us from a goal or desired state. Again, I am not talking about an individual here. The nemesis I am talking about likely doesn't know you or care about what you are doing. The nemesis is the skill that you have yet to develop to allow you to move forward.
There are a couple of definitions of nemesis. One is a Greek goddess of retributive justice. The other common definition is "...a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent."
In this week's discussion, I am talking to you about how you need to struggle to learn a new skill, develop a better technique, overcome a bad habit, something more internal than an external foe.
Why do I care about you having something to push against, something to come that is 100% in your control? I don't want you to atrophy. I don't want YOU as a cool grandpa, grandma, mom, or dad to stop growing, pressing forward, and struggling.
Our spirits need resistance to grow and continue to develop. The best nemesis is the ones that block us from the level of development that we want to achieve or be at. It doesn't matter if you are working on a baby sky hook shot in backyard basketball or learning to roll your 'Rs' while learning Spanish properly.
Remember, though, that I recommend focusing on one nemesis at a time AND not letting the nemesis completely block you from enjoying the sport, hobby, or 'thing' you are working on. A good nemesis will challenge you and reward you for overcoming it and moving on to the next challenge of nemesis on your journey.
What nemesis are you currently working on? Comment below and let me know if I can help you overcome your nemesis.
This is a really important conversation, and I hope you share it with your other family and friends after you have listened to this show. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Steven Arms joins the Cool Grandpa Podcast to discuss the importance of having a rite of passage for young men. Steven and I have the opportunity to discuss the concept and need for a rite of passage for young men and women. While we focus on rites of passage for young men, Steven does share some great stories about his female cousins having their own rites of passage.
We dive into a great discussion at the top of the show to discuss how there are few ceremonies for young people to move from adolescence into adulthood. I talk about and ask Steven for his views on some of the secular signals of maturing, such as the Webelos cross-over ceremony to becoming a Boy Scout and even the transition from playing Little League (12 years and under) to moving up to playing Babe Ruth (13 years and older).
While some passages mark youth advancing in age, nothing quite takes the place of a rite of passage into adulthood, where the youth is surrounded by family, religious members, and other adults to mark the occasion. Steven discusses his experience and how he and his father have worked together to create a great book, free resources, and a workbook to help other fathers and grandfathers develop their rite of passage for their families.
This is a really important conversation, and I hope that after you have listened to this show, you share it and Steven's website with your other family and friends. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit Steve's website, Milestone to Manhood
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Nina Bard from BRD Sport joins us to discuss how having the proper compression brace can keep athletes and seniors active and participating in life. We had a great conversation about how NAFTA adversely affected her husband's business and how they are now focused on producing the best compression brace on the market.
Nina shares some interesting stories about everyday people who have suffered for months and sometimes years with joint pain. Like me, these people often do not get relief from a neoprene sleeve or brace. Nina explains that the lack of results is often due to how the neoprene is sown AND the fact that the neoprene sleeve is not compression.
Please check out the BRD Sport website and the other links below to learn how having a true compression device might be the key to keeping you active and pain-free.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that enjoy this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit BRD Sport and learn more about compression and its products.
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Ryan Nothhaft joins us to discuss his grandfather, Roy "Butch" Voris. We talk about Butch's life, growing up in Northern California and developing an interest in flying before the outbreak of WW II. We find out that Butch worked as a mortician before starting his pilot training.
We also find out that Ryan and his grandfather were not both stellar students in high school, but the post-high school, they both "flipped a switch" and were able to focus and excel after leaving high school. Ryan shares some touching stories of spending lots of time with his grandfather while Ryan was growing up in Northern California, including morning bed inspections that his grandfather conducted when Ryan and his siblings would spend the night.
Butch took Ryan to his first air show, where Ryan was able to meet members of the world-famous Blue Angels. In our conversation, Ryan shares how his grandfather was selected to start the Navy's air demonstration unit, the Blue Angels.
You will enjoy this heartfelt conversation about the impact that Butch had on Ryan and his siblings. As part of the impact that Butch had on Ryan, Ryan started to document the Blue Angels on his YouTube channel 'Blue Angel Phantoms,' which started as a documentary on the Blue Angels 1971 team but is now documenting the Blue Angels as a whole. The result of Butch's impact on Ryan and Ryan's work is that Ryan was made an honorary member of the Blue Angels.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that enjoy this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links and Picture Here is a picture of the first group of Blue Angels with Ryan's grandfather, Butch Voris. Click HERE to subscribe to Ryan's YouTube channel, Blue Angel Phantoms.
Here is the link to Van Halen's video (A-4 version) Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5PqVeex4QU
Here is the link to the updated Dreams video featuring the F-18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEvEKGMsbjg
You can click HERE to visit the Blue Angels Association for more information about the Blue Angels.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
This month's one-on-one conversation is about helping our grandchildren manage stress. Regarding stress, I know that as grandpas, we have all had our share. Some of us have learned to deal with stress well, and some haven't. I think I am in between managing it well and having complete freakouts at other times.
No matter how you deal with stress, as grandfathers, I think that we have a great opportunity to help our grandchildren learn to manage stress. Heck, I wish I had someone in my elementary and middle-school years who could have taught me some coping strategies for dealing with stress.
I am reading Dale Carnegie's book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. This book is one of the first and what I would call a foundational book that deals with managing stress. It certainly has concepts that other modern authors discuss when it comes to stress management. The five tools that Dale Carnegie lays out and explains in greater depth are:
- Define the problem or worry.
- What information do we have about the problem?
- What are all the possible outcomes of the problem we are facing?
- What action can be taken?
- Evaluate your activity and adjust as needed.
We can use these steps to work with our grandchildren to help them plan a course of action and then take responsibility for their response to whatever the stress is that they are dealing with. One of the biggest issues that cause anxiety is not feeling like you are in control of the circumstances that you find yourself in.
As grandfathers, we can use this process to help out grandchildren regardless if we are remote or sitting at the kitchen table with them. Helping our grandchildren learn to manage worry and stress is one of the best things that we can do as mentors with our grandchildren. You don't have to be perfect in managing your stress, but your calming influence and life experience are just what they need from you.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to
Paul Smith from All American Will Kits sits down with us to discuss the creation and use of a will. We discuss who should create a Will and who should probably create a trust. I asked Paul about creating and updating a Will based on changing circumstances like additional grandchildren.
Paul also brings up some great points to consider regarding who you want to take care of your pets if you should pass and what plans you should make for those animals with long life expectancies, such as turtles and parrots. We also discuss why it is important for younger adults to consider creating a Will. There is a lot of great information in this conversation that hopefully gets you to create a Will and review your circumstances with an Estate Attorney so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to check out All American Will Kits
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Richard, Rick, Capriola joins us again for an updated conversation about youth and substance abuse. Rick presents updated findings from the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future study on teen substance use. The study's findings over the last three years show a decrease in substance use due to the COVID shutdown, followed by a rebound as schools and society opened back up.
In our conversation, we discussed how alcohol and marijuana continue to be the substances most consumed by middle and high school students. We also discuss social media, gambling, and other drugs and their impact on youth.
The important takeaway from this conversation is that youth continue to respond positively to discussions about substances when adults use current science and brain development as part of the discussion. I highly recommend Rick's book, The Addicted Child, as a source of information about substance abuse and how to talk to your grandchildren and children about this important issue.
A summary of the findings is in the table below.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to our past conversation with Rick Capriola.
Click HERE to view and order Rick's book, The Addicted Child.
You can visit Rick's website by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
To join our growing Facebook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Aaron Larsen is back to talk to us about Grandparents Academy. Aaron and I jump in and talk about how and why Aaron started Grandparents Academy. In our conversation, we discuss the importance to grandparents and families to continue learning from other grandparents and experts.
We also discuss how Aaron created courses starting this May (2023) to help support grandparents. There are over a dozen courses that experts in the grandparenting and technology space are offering. These courses aim to help grandparents remain awesome and develop meaningful and impactful relationships with their grandchildren and families. You can click HERE to visit the list of courses and sign up for the one that interests you.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Here is the LINK to our last conversation with Aaron Larsen
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
To join our growing FaceBook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
I am pleased to have Richard 'Dick' Olson back on The Cool Grandpa Podcast. Dick and I sit down to discuss ways, specifically grandfathers and grandparents in general, can share their values and faith with their grandchildren.
While we take a Christian-centric approach to this topic, the information, guidance, and ideas we discuss can be applied to just about any situation. Dick points out that when discussing faith and values, it is important to have an open two-way conversation and hear any criticism about your religious and value systems as part of that open and honest conversation.
I ask Dick to share some examples of grandparents sharing their faith and values with their grandchildren. Dick provides multiple examples of how small and loving acts of kindness with the grandchildren impacted the young children throughout their lives.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Here is the LINK to our last conversation with Dick Olson about The Grandparent Vocation.
To join our growing FaceBook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
What adventures have you been on lately? Do you plan adventures for yourself? How about adventures with the grandchildren?
This conversation is about the importance of having adventures and some ideas for adventures with the grandchildren.
Using the word adventure creates vivid pictures about having an experience that is out of the ordinary AND something that could involve a little bit of risk. Our young grandchildren understand adventures from the point of view of the cartoons they watch and the stories that they hear and read. They get that adventures are something special and fun. So, knowing this, let's use having adventures in our language when planning a unique outing or experience with our young and older grandchildren.
In this episode, I share some tips and ideas for adventures with different-aged grandchildren. I also share the importance of really "selling" your upcoming activity. We also talk about how not every interaction with the grandchildren needs to be an adventure but rather, the adventure should really be created as a unique experience that you have once or twice a year (if that cadence works for you and your circumstances).
If you are planning any cool adventures with your grandchildren this year, please leave me a comment below or on my FB group page (Click HERE for the FB page), letting me know what you are doing.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links To join our growing FaceBook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
What adventures have you been on lately? Do you plan adventures for yourself? How about adventures with the grandchildren?
This conversation is about the importance of having adventures and some ideas for adventures with the grandchildren.
Using the word adventure creates vivid pictures about having an experience that is out of the ordinary AND something that could involve a little bit of risk. Our young grandchildren understand adventures from the point of view of the cartoons they watch and the stories that they hear and read. They get that adventures are something special and fun. So, knowing this, let's use having adventures in our language when planning a unique outing or experience with our young and older grandchildren.
In this episode, I share some tips and ideas for adventures with different-aged grandchildren. I also share the importance of really "selling" your upcoming activity. We also talk about how not every interaction with the grandchildren needs to be an adventure but rather, the adventure should really be created as a unique experience that you have once or twice a year (if that cadence works for you and your circumstances).
If you are planning any cool adventures with your grandchildren this year, please leave me a comment below or on my FB group page (Click HERE for the FB page), letting me know what you are doing.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links To join our growing FaceBook group, click HERE and join the ongoing conversations.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
My good friend Mijntje van Beers joins the conversation to talk about her grandfather's influence on her and continues to have on her. You will enjoy learning about Mijntje's grandfather's past of living and working with the carnival, surviving through World War II, and his passion for painting.
Mijntje talks to us about how her grandfather's lessons about tolerance and understanding another person's perspective have served her well as she started a successful coaching and consulting business. Mijntje also shares with us how her grandfather, in her words, could be a little 'cheeky' and how that action created a special bond between them.
Go to Mijntje's website and LinkedIn page to learn more about her and her coaching business.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Please check out Mijntje's website (Click HERE) and the great work that she is doing as a consultant and coach.
You can connect with Mijntje on LinkedIn by clicking HERE.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Grandparents Academy offers some great educational opportunities for grandfathers and grandmothers alike. Click HERE to pick a topic that is great for you.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
This conversation is with my good friend and publishing expert, Nathan Andersen. I take the first part of this conversation to review and share how I came up with the idea for my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa.
As our discussion progressed, Nathan started to ask me questions about my experience with him and his company, Babooky. Between the two of us, we share a lot of great information for the first-time author who may be writing a children's book, a young adult book, a fictional book, or a non-fiction book.
The biggest takeaway Nathan and I want you to know are that you need to start writing no matter the genre. Once you are writing or entering 'the current' of the writing and publishing process, you will find people like Nathan, an agent, or someone else who can guide you to your next step.
If you think you have a book or story in you, get in the game and get started today!
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to visit Babooky.
You can check out Babooky on Facebook by clicking HERE.
You can follow Nathan on Instagram by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to listen to my first conversation with Nathan.
You can listen to my conversation with my buddy Thal Dixon by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
Richard "Dick" Olson has been a pastor since 1960. Although he is now retired and Dick continues to write and be engaged in building understanding between faiths with his interfaith work and writings. Dick has recently written an important book, The Grandparent Vocation: Wisdom, Legacies, and Spiritual Growth.
In this book, Dick has put forth the idea that being a grandparent is a calling or vocation; if we decide to view our role as such. You will enjoy this conversation, and hopefully, it will provide you with a new and thoughtful way to view your role as a grandfather and grandparent.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to order Richard's book.
You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
About six weeks into the New Year, the gyms start to empty again, and for a lot of us, there is a fading of our work on intentions, goals, resolutions, "word of the year," and even dreams. Why do we fade, and why do we stop working toward our dreams and goals?
Well, for many of us, we missed out on a few key steps between dreaming and execution. In this podcast, I talk about how we can start strong, stay strong, and work towards our resolutions throughout the month, quarter, and year.
Here are my recommendations for ensuring we all progress and experience success throughout the year.
- Write your goals, resolutions, and intentions down on the 3x5-inch card.
- Below your goal, write out your 'WHY.' Why is the is goal important? Make sure your WHY is strong enough to motivate you to keep working on the goal when the going gets tough, or you are likely to quit.
- Write out when you are going to reach this goal. You might have short-term goals, medium-length, and long-term goals. Your goals need a deadline. Without a deadline, you will not be driven to make any progress, and you'll likely stop working on your goal.
- Make a copy onto another 3x5 card of what you just wrote.
- Keep one set of cards by your bed and the other by your place of work or where you spend most of your day.
- Read your cards 2x per day to help reinforce what it is you are steadily working on. Read your cards when your day is in the toilet to help remind you of the person and circumstances you are working towards.
Bonus Points Okay, here is where you can earn some bonus points from me and pour a bit of jet fuel on the fire inside that you are igniting by writing down your goals.
- Read your cards every day for 30 days. If you miss a day, start your count over. During the 30 days, take a minute after you have read your goal to think about what progress you have made or what circumstances have "fallen in line" for you to progress towards your goal.
- Share a goal or goals with a friend. Ask them to check in with you from time to time about your progress on your goal. We all need to have that person that we don't want to let down and who will kick us in the shorts when we haven't made any progress on our goal(s) since our last conversation with them.
- If you have a grandchild old enough, share one or more goals with them AND ask them to be accountable partners. This action will create some great discussion points between you and your grandchild AND allow them to help you with a project.
No matter what your goal is, remember that reaching the goal is only part of what makes someone successful. The other part is the change that takes place as you work towards that goal.
‘Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.’
Earl Nightingale Links You can now purchase my children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, directly from my website. Click HERE for the link.
My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
Four in ten grandparents are still working, managing a career, and often as busy as they were before the grandchildren arrived. Dr. Kerry Byrne from The Long Distance Grandparent joins the conversation today to help remind all of us that our work and day-to-day lives can make fantastic connection points for our grandchildren.
Sometimes we don't think of our lives, especially our work lives, as remarkable or something someone else would be curious about. But we are wrong. Most of us do exciting work, and while the 'newness' of your work may have worn off for you, your grandchild might find it extremely interesting. Many of us interact with interesting people and see unique situations that even many of our friends don't get to see or experience.
Grandparents still in the workforce can be creative when sharing with their grandchildren about their workplaces, the people they work with, and the type of work they do. Also, taking an hour a week to plan how you will connect with your grandchild can go a long way toward being connected and sharing your experiences with them.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links To join The Long Distant Grandparent, click HERE
You can join me in The Long Distant Grandparent Society by clicking HERE. This is an excellent resource for grandparents looking for support in connecting with grandchildren who are distant from us.
Affiliate Links My children's book, My Grandpa's Grandpa, is now available for download. You can download the Kindel version by clicking on this LINK.
I would appreciate it if you could support the show. You can support the show through "Buy me a Coffee" and donate a few dollars by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Vince joins us for a great conversation where we get to know him as a grandfather, inventor, and entrepreneur. We talk about Vince's experience with becoming and being a grandfather.
We pivot the conversation to talk about Vince's Popa. As you'll find out, Popa was cut from a different cloth and was a character until the end. The carrying of Poppa led to Vince becoming inspired to invent the Perichair.
The Perichair is a direct result of in-home 24x7 elderly care. Vince was driven to create a safer and more convenient. According to Vince, the PeriChair is a bedside commode, transfer bench, shower seat, and raised toilet seat. The unique design never needs to be lifted, reducing anxiety for the individual and their caretaker.
If you are an at-home caregiver or know someone who is, I recommend you check out the PeriChair. I know Vince is ready to take orders and answer your questions about the chair.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that could use this valuable information. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to learn more about the PeriChair
Affiliate Links If you want to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show click HERE.
Click HERE to be taken to a Make Momentos landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Dr. Glenda Clare is an expert on Grandparents raising Grandchildren. We jump into the conversation, talking about the differences between multigenerational homes and Grandfamilies. Dr. Glenda Clare and I also discuss some of the "Ds" that cause Grandparents to take over daily care of raising Grandchildren. Some of those "Ds" are:
- DRUGS
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- DETENTION
- DIVORCE
- DEPORTATION
- DEPLOYMENT
- DISABILITY
- DISSERTATION
We also address what support is and is not available for Grandparents who are taking on the raising of their Grandchildren. One of the most significant areas that Grandparents need who are raising their Grandchildren is to create a connection with them. Grandparents need little acts of kindness who they can rely on for support with babysitting, running errands, and, most importantly, just being an ear that a Grandparent can use to vent to, bounce ideas off of, AND know that someone cares about their situation.
Links Click HERE to visit Dr. Glenda Clare's website.
Please connect with Dr. Glenda Clare on LinkedIn by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links If you want to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
This bonus episode involves a great conversation with Dan Miller from the best-selling book 48 Days to the Work You Love.
Dan Miller joins us for a fantastic conversation about how to help our grandchildren to think creatively about education, work, and life. Learn about Dan's experience and expectations when he learned he would become a grandfather. Dan was excited and viewed the grandchildren as an extension of the fun and exciting times he and his wife, Joanne, had with their children.
Our discussion then focused on helping his grandchildren learn to hold on to their creativity and passions from childhood to adulthood. We discuss how they use the game CASH FLOW as one of the fun activities he and Joanne use to help the grandchildren think about creating wealth.
We also talk about using mentors when modeling roles such as being a husband, father, and grandfather. There are many resources available to learn these roles that we take on. Dan and I also talk about how grandfathers or men of the same age group can help reframe experiences that our grandchildren and other youth have. We can help them to think differently about opportunities and find ways to find work that is meaningful, purposeful, AND profitable for them.
Dan talks to us about connecting with the grandchildren on their level and with their interests. By meeting the grandchildren where they are, we help them grow in how they are 'bent' or created, not how their parents or we want them to be. By joining our grandchildren in activities they enjoy, we as grandparents can learn from them.
Check out the links below for resources that can help you be a Cool Grandpa AND help your grandchildren think creatively about life and work.
Links 48days.com
Dan's about page
48 Days Eagles Community
The five books that Dan recommends his grandchildren read by the time they are 13 years old:
Acres of Diamonds
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Think and Grow Rich
See You at the Top
The Magic of Thinking Big
Dan's Books:
48 DAYS TO THE WORK (AND LIFE) YOU LOVE
NO MORE DREADED MONDAYS
RUDDER OF THE DAY - One of my favorites
CLICK HERE to learn about the Game Cashflow that Dan mentioned on the show. This is a game developed by RICH DAD.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
This is a bonus edition of a fantastic interview that I had with Vinnie Tortorich back in December 2020. I thought it would be great to share this conversation again.
My guest on this episode is Vinnie Tortorich. Vinnie is a successful celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Vinnie has a successful podcast, Fitness Confidential, and is just a cool all-around good guy.
Vinnie sits down and shares memories of his strong and loving Italian grandfathers. Vinnie and I dive into how his family immigrated to Louisiana from Italy. What his great-grandfathers and grandfathers did for a living in the bayous of Louisiana and how in just one generation, the family moved from sharecroppers and immigrant fishermen into the American middle class through a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
Vinnie shares a touching and inspiring story about how one of his grandfathers used to work as a janitor, doing the work of three men and then, on the weekends, delivering bulk mud to the oil and natural gas wells in the area.
Through all the hard work and sacrifice Vinnie's grandfathers experienced, his biggest memory is their love for their family and grandchildren.
Links Vinnie's great-grandfathers and grandfathers' examples helped to form a drive and work ethic that led Vinnie to start and own companies Pure Coffee Club, Pure Vitamin Club, and NSNG Foods. (I use Vinnie's vitamins and his UltraFat products.)
Vinnie also has three documentaries - Fat: A Documentary, Fat: A Documentary 2, and Beyond Impossible.
Vinnie's homepage is https://vinnietortorich.com/, and he can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and just about everywhere.
Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Vinnie on his podcast, FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL WITH VINNIE TORTORICH.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
This episode is our one-on-one conversation for December. Stories are important, and stories shared between family members are doubly so. Stories shared between family members help the family identify what is important to the family and what the family values regarding morals and actions and our relationships.
Don't get me wrong; not every story has to be weighty or full of moral lessons. Stories for enjoyment can be just as powerful in creating memories about a night around a fire or a kitchen table for the participants.
With this episode, I share a few tips that can help make your story time experience enjoyable AND impactful. A few of those tips are listed below.
- Choose Stories YOU Like
- Practice Your Story
- Take Out the Slow Parts
- Keep the Story Moving
- Use Gestures
- Avoid giving 'The Moral of the Story' Finish
You might not even need to tell a story by memory, and there are some great short stories and epic poems you can read and share with the grandchildren. For example, I read the poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee."
I hope you take some time at the end of this year to sit down in person or even over a video chat to share some stories with your family.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that would enjoy learning about this role of being a grandparent. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link To read the poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee, you can click HERE.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Emily and Mike Morgan stop by to discuss their experience as grandparents AND podcasters. This is a first for The Cool Grandpa Podcast in that we simultaneously have a grandmother and a grandfather on the show.
Emily and Mike discuss their reactions to learning that they would become grandparents. We also talk about their different grandparenting styles and how they offer value and balance to their grandchildren. As the discussion progresses, we learn how Mike and Emily found their way into radio and eventually podcasting.
Mike and Emily share how The Grand Life podcast has changed and developed over the years, including the inspiration for the current format of the podcast. This is a fun conversation with an interesting and engaging set of grandparents. You will have a blast joining in and listening to this fun conversation.
After you have listened to this episode, remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Please share this podcast with three friends that would enjoy learning about this role of being a grandparent. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to listen to my conversation on Emily and Mike's podcast.
Click HERE to listen to other episodes of The Grand Life podcast.
You can join The Grand Life Facebook group by clicking HERE.
If you want to call and leave Emily and Mike a comment or question, here is the number: 317-572-7876.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
To Join Dan Miller's 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
DeeDee Moore from More Than Grand stops by to have an engaging conversation about why we resist suggested resources that can strengthen relationships and help us enjoy our role as grandparents. We get into a really good discussion about what makes us initially say 'No' to resources about grandparenting or parenting when we are often open to having friends and family share resources about our hobbies or projects that we are working on.
This is a fun, informal conversation centered around a topic that can sometimes be puzzling. DeeDee and I have some thoughts about why people will resist having books or resources suggested to them that can help them enhance their relationships with their adult children AND grandchildren.
Towards the end of the conversation, DeeDee shares some of the resources she has carefully put together that parents and grandparents can use to maintain and develop their relationships to deeper levels of love and trust. Plus, DeeDee has created high-value resources that help plan activities such as Holiday get-togethers at a practical level reducing the stress and anxiety that sometimes accompanies family gatherings.
Link To listen to our first conversation with DeeDee, click HERE.
Click HERE to purchase DeeDee's valuable resource, A Grandparent's Guide to Happy Holidays.
If you would like to check out More Than Grand, click HERE.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
To Join Dan Miller's 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
This week's conversation is about how we, as Grandfathers, can help our grandchildren develop a spirit of gratitude. This is a short conversation (since it is Thanksgiving weekend), but if there is a good nugget here. I think you can use it with your family and grandchildren.
I borrowed much of this information from a fantastic talk my wife, Karen, gave at our church. I figured that she had some good stuff, so why change it?
Teaching grandchildren to have a spirit of gratitude creates a firebreak in the lives of those who adopt that spirit. A firebreak is a physical barrier created to prevent fire from spreading.
Gratitude can create a barrier against the spread of negative thoughts and emotions. Gratitude doesn't prevent negativity from coming into our lives but can prevent negativity from running wild.
Here are three things you can do to help grandchildren develop a spirit of gratitude:
- When they are young, ask them what made them happy today.
- Ask them what they are thankful for that day when they are older.
- When they hit the early to mid-teenage years, you can start to ask them what they are grateful for.
These questions are based on the grandchild's development and what they can relate to as the concepts become more abstract. Below is a great graphic on the positive side effects of developing a grateful mindset.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Here is the link to the Ben Rector song, The Thanksgiving Song
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
To Join Dan Miller's 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Hold on to your hats! Dr. Marsha McLean is bringing fun and energy to this week's conversation. Marsha is talking to us about how she initially was reluctant to have the title of Grandma. Why? Because Grandmothers traditionally have seemed very old and normally not in the best physical health. Marsha soon embraced her role as Grandma AND, as a result, created Grandmas 2.0 and wouldn't change a thing.
The purpose of Grandmas 2.0 is to help grandmas redefine, realign, and redesign their lives. A 2.0 Grandma is not like the grandmas of the past. 2.0 Grandmas focus on living a healthy lifestyle. They love their grandchildren but want to make sure they live their best life.
As Marsha defines it, living your best life is about being healthy, being well; physically and mentally, being fashionable, being beautiful inside and out, and being financially and technologically fit as well.
We have an absolute blast talking and exploring the Grand Trips that Marsha and her husband take the grandchildren on. They use Grand Trips to help the grandchildren plan and execute road trips and figure out the budget to include money for play and money for the trip.
Marsha embraces the notation of best put down by poet Dylan Thomas:
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
This is not to say that Marsha is not happy to be a grandmother and aging, but rather, Marsha is the tip of the spear in helping women as they become a grandmother to CHOOSE how they want to embrace their role AND define how they want to live their life.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link To visit Grandmas 2.0, click HERE.
You can connect with Marsha on Facebook by clicking HERE.
If you are on Pinterest, you can click HERE to check out Grandmas 2.0 on that platform.
Affiliate Links If you would like to support the show, you can "Buy me a Coffee" by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.
Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
To Join Dan Miller's 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
James 'Papa Jimmy' Divine is back to discuss his experience creating multiple side businesses while working full-time as a band teacher in a Title 1 school. James talks to us about his journey from transitioning from the U.S. Army to becoming a music teacher and the process it took to earn his Master's in Music Education while in the Army and raising a family.
We get into an interesting conversation about the mindset of starting side businesses. How grandfathers can find the time to write a book or create a course. We also discuss mentors and coaches we have used to help us to get clarity about what businesses or projects we are involved in. As part of our discussion about mentors, we listen to Dan Miller's 48 Day's podcast and Dave Ramsey's radio program. James and I also went through Chris LoCurto's Next Level Life event.
James is incredibly open and honest in talking about how he has worked and continues to work on overcoming a negative mindset. The mindset was part naturally occurring and part of the environment that he grew up in. James outlines a great way to overcome or improve your negative mindset. His number one piece of advice is to "keep moving forward."
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Here is the link to my previous conversation with James Divine (Episode 13): A Cool Teacher Dedicated to Helping Young People Succeed.
James has generously offered the listeners of this episode an 50% discount on any of the products in his store IF you use the discount code COOL GRANDPA. Click HERE to go directly to James' store and take advantage of this awesome deal!
Click HERE to visit James' website and see all his great products and services. You can also connect to James on social media and email by clicking those links on James' website.
Click HERE to visit Ramsy Solutions, learn more about Dave Ramsey, and listen to his daily radio program.
James and I have gone through Chris LoCurto's Next Level Life Event. If you haven't heard of Chris Locurto, you can find out more information by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
To Join Dan Miller's 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Richard Eyre is back to talk about a new program he and his wife, Linda, have created called Grandparenting 101. Richard was previously on the podcast to talk about his book, "Being A Proactive Grandfather." You can listen to that conversation by clicking on the link below.
Linda and Richard have created a six-part course to help grandparents navigate this evolving role of being a Grandparent. Grandparents today seek guidance and support on maximizing their impact with their multi-generational family. With few books and resources available, Grandparenting 101 is a fantastic resource where Richard and Linda help to guide grandparents through important topics such as:
- The Higher Perspective, Priority, and Paradigm of More Effective Grandparenting. (Examining the roles and priorities of being a grandparent)
- Grandparenting Goals and Roles (by age)
- Deep Life Relationships with Individual Grandkids
- Smart Support (How and when to provide financial support)
- Values and Faith
- Being the Link and the Trunk (You are the link between the grandchildren and their ancestors)
You will enjoy listening to how the course was inspired and how it has helped bring together experts in this new and growing field of Grandparenting.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to find out more and to sign up for Grandparenting 101.
You can listen to the previous conversation that Richard and I had about his book, "Being A Proactive Grandfather," by clicking HERE.
To check out and purchase Richard's book, "Being A Proactive Grandfather," click HERE to order the book from Amazon.
Also, check out Richard and Linda's podcast, "Eyres on the Road."
Affiliate Links Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Where can you find information that baby boomers can trust AND about topics that baby boomers care about? The answer is that it is hard to find all this information in one place. Well, Gramps Jeffrey and several other baby boomers decided to create their information aggregator site focused on the needs, and information Boomers can use to navigate retirement, family, work, and their money.
Gramps Jeffrey is a return guest to the podcast and is excited to share BabyBoomer.org with The Cool Grandpa Podcast audience. Gramps dives into the details of what defines the Boomer generation, from shared tragedy to shared accomplishments and even some of the greatest pop and rock music ever recorded.
We discuss the goals for Babyboomer.org, which are to become:
-
- One trusted media source which collects and curates all the news, resources, and shows of interest for the Baby Boomer generation
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- Become the designated home for all Baby Boomer directed media consolidating Baby Boomer podcast shows, blogs, YouTube events, and social media
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- NEWS – curated articles, podcasts, shows, and reviews from trustworthy sources
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- RESOURCE GUIDE – categorized resource links, service providers, online education, entertainment, travel & health facts, and more
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- COMMUNITY – a single online community dedicated to Baby Boomers with unlimited special interest groups by topic, location, and more
You will enjoy this entertaining and data field discussion of not only the Boomer Generation but also the Greatest Generation and Generation X. Make sure that you check out BabyBoomer.org and all the incredible resources they have made available in their community.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Gramps Jeffrey about his fantastic children's book, "I Don't Want to Turn Three."
Click HERE to visit and explore BabyBoomer.org.
You can find more information about "I Don't Want to Turn Three" by clicking HERE to visit the website.
You can check out "I Don't Want to Turn Three" on Amazon by clicking HERE.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Susan Raisch joins our conversation today about bullying and how grandparents can be a resource in identifying and resolving children dealing with bullying. We discuss the difference between what is just a bad interaction and what experiences are actual bullying encounters.
Susan explains that there are three main points to bullying vs. a bad interaction with another youth or adult. Those three main points are:
- Is the interaction intentional?
- Is the exchange repeated?
- Does the interaction create an imbalance of power?
We discuss how grandparents can be an important resource in identifying when a grandchild is being bullied by communicating with the grandchild and being the trusted adult that the grandchild needs in their life. More than half of all children involved with bullying do not tell an adult about the challenge they are facing. Susan talks about how listening is the most effective action that grandparents can do when identifying and dealing with children being bullied.
You will want to listen to this critical conversation several times to digest all the great information Susan shares about bullying.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to visit the Tangled Ball website and resources. Remember to check out the merchandise designated to help the people of Ukraine.
Click HERE to join Tangled Ball on Facebook.
To connect and follow Tangled Ball on Instagram, click HERE.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Susan Raisch joins our conversation today about bullying and how grandparents can be a resource in identifying and resolving children dealing with bullying. We discuss the difference between what is just a bad interaction and what experiences are actual bullying encounters.
Susan explains that there are three main points to bullying vs. a bad interaction with another youth or adult. Those three main points are:
- Is the interaction intentional?
- Is the exchange repeated?
- Does the interaction create an imbalance of power?
We discuss how grandparents can be an important resource in identifying when a grandchild is being bullied by communicating with the grandchild and being the trusted adult that the grandchild needs in their life. More than half of all children involved with bullying do not tell an adult about the challenge they are facing. Susan talks about how listening is the most effective action that grandparents can do when identifying and dealing with children being bullied.
You will want to listen to this critical conversation several times to digest all the great information Susan shares about bullying.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to visit the Tangled Ball website and resources. Remember to check out the merchandise designated to help the people of Ukraine.
Click HERE to join Tangled Ball on Facebook.
To connect and follow Tangled Ball on Instagram, click HERE.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Susan Raisch joins our conversation today about bullying and how grandparents can be a resource in identifying and resolving children dealing with bullying. We discuss the difference between what is just a bad interaction and what experiences are actual bullying encounters.
Susan explains that there are three main points to bullying vs. a bad interaction with another youth or adult. Those three main points are:
- Is the interaction intentional?
- Is the exchange repeated?
- Does the interaction create an imbalance of power?
We discuss how grandparents can be an important resource in identifying when a grandchild is being bullied by communicating with the grandchild and being the trusted adult that the grandchild needs in their life. More than half of all children involved with bullying do not tell an adult about the challenge they are facing. Susan talks about how listening is the most effective action that grandparents can do when identifying and dealing with children being bullied.
You will want to listen to this critical conversation several times to digest all the great information Susan shares about bullying.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Link Click HERE to visit the Tangled Ball website and resources. Remember to check out the merchandise designated to help the people of Ukraine.
Click HERE to join Tangled Ball on Facebook.
To connect and follow Tangled Ball on Instagram, click HERE.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Had a bad bounce in life? Have you ever struggled to explain to a four-year-old grandchild that a cheese sandwich cut diagonally tastes EXACTLY the same as one cut down the middle? This week's guest, Lee Gaitan, has had those same experiences.
My good friend Lee sits down with us to share her experience of being a grandmother, a mother, a wife, a teacher, and most importantly (in my book), a funny person. We discuss her reaction to learning that she would be a grandmother for the first time. Lee shares with us her story of running around an empty college building to find someone, anyone, to share the good news of her becoming a grandmother.
Lee and I also discuss the importance of pulling out the humor lens when looking at life's everyday decisions and when you experience what Lee calls 'a bad bounce'. We talk about the importance of writing down the funny and humorous moments in our lives to pass on our story and our family's stories of the good times, bad times, and funny times.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit Lee's Website.
Click HERE to enjoy our mutual friend, Jerry Zezima, who also discusses finding humor in our everyday lives.
Click HERE to learn more about Erma Bombeck
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Had a bad bounce in life? Have you ever struggled to explain to a four-year-old grandchild that a cheese sandwich cut diagonally tastes EXACTLY the same as one cut down the middle? This week's guest, Lee Gaitan, has had those same experiences.
My good friend Lee sits down with us to share her experience of being a grandmother, a mother, a wife, a teacher, and most importantly (in my book), a funny person. We discuss her reaction to learning that she would be a grandmother for the first time. Lee shares with us her story of running around an empty college building to find someone, anyone, to share the good news of her becoming a grandmother.
Lee and I also discuss the importance of pulling out the humor lens when looking at life's everyday decisions and when you experience what Lee calls 'a bad bounce'. We talk about the importance of writing down the funny and humorous moments in our lives to pass on our story and our family's stories of the good times, bad times, and funny times.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit Lee's Website.
Click HERE to enjoy our mutual friend, Jerry Zezima, who also discusses finding humor in our everyday lives.
Click HERE to learn more about Erma Bombeck
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Ever wonder who those people go over the top at Halloween and have the best home haunt in the neighborhood? Meet Nationally recognized home haunt and prop designer expert Roger Hayes.
Order your drink and pull up a chair so you can join my conversation with Roger as we catch up about all things Halloween. Rog is an old friend with whom I have had many adventures. Some adventures we even tell our wives about. So, come on, pull up a chair, and join us for some great conversation.
Roger and I cover basic grandkid costumes and general trick-or-treat safety with the grandkids. BTW, Roger prefers makeup to masks. Roger also talks about how grandpas can give the neighborhood and community haunted house the 'stiff test' for fun and SAFETY before taking the little grand ghosts and grand goblins through a home haunt.
You would be surprised about the little details that can tip you off too if the home haunt is safe, professional, and likely to be an enjoyable experience for the grandkids.
Roger and I also discuss a few arts and crafts projects grandpas can do with the grandkids. These arts and crafts projects can become a cool tradition that the kiddos get to do with grandpa each fall. We both agree that the artifacts the kids make will become treasured memories of their time spent with their Cool Grandpa.
Roger is super talented, as you will see when you visit his website and view the pictures below. All of the artwork that you see is original and comes from the genius of Roger's mind.
Here are the links to Roger's site and some cool pictures of Uncle Rog's tombstone work.
Links Hayes Haunt
Roger's Halloween Coloring Book
Hayes Haunt YouTube Video
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Ever wonder who those people go over the top at Halloween and have the best home haunt in the neighborhood? Meet Nationally recognized home haunt and prop designer expert Roger Hayes.
Order your drink and pull up a chair so you can join my conversation with Roger as we catch up about all things Halloween. Rog is an old friend with whom I have had many adventures. Some adventures we even tell our wives about. So, come on, pull up a chair, and join us for some great conversation.
Roger and I cover basic grandkid costumes and general trick-or-treat safety with the grandkids. BTW, Roger prefers makeup to masks. Roger also talks about how grandpas can give the neighborhood and community haunted house the 'stiff test' for fun and SAFETY before taking the little grand ghosts and grand goblins through a home haunt.
You would be surprised about the little details that can tip you off too if the home haunt is safe, professional, and likely to be an enjoyable experience for the grandkids.
Roger and I also discuss a few arts and crafts projects grandpas can do with the grandkids. These arts and crafts projects can become a cool tradition that the kiddos get to do with grandpa each fall. We both agree that the artifacts the kids make will become treasured memories of their time spent with their Cool Grandpa.
Roger is super talented, as you will see when you visit his website and view the pictures below. All of the artwork that you see is original and comes from the genius of Roger's mind.
Here are the links to Roger's site and some cool pictures of Uncle Rog's tombstone work.
Links Hayes Haunt
Roger's Halloween Coloring Book
Hayes Haunt YouTube Video
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Well, it was bound to happen. This is my 100th episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast!
In trying to think about what to do for my 100th show, I thought about putting together a collection of stories from past interviews. I had even thought about making the whole show just kind of a party by having some of the previous guests on to chat about where they are now in their Grandpa journey or what they have learned since our last conversation.
Neither of those other options seemed right to me, so I thought I would invite my good friend, Russell Wynne, to the show to interview me. I thought this would be a good way to catch new listeners on how and why I started the podcast. It would also inform the audience about my road map for this Cool Granpa website and The Cool Grandpa podcast.
If you have been a long-time sufferer...er I mean, listener, thank you for your patience and support. If you are a newer listener, thanks for joining our fun and informative conversation.
I have included links below to Russell's episode. I have also included links to Steve Owen's and Erik K Johnson's websites. I encourage you to check out their podcasts and to reach out to Erik if you are thinking of starting a podcast or if you could use some help in fine-tuning your existing podcast.
Once again, thank you to each of the podcast listeners and especially to all the guests I have had on the show. YOUR support and encouragement are what have made this journey so wonderful.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to Russell's conversation with me back on episode 8
Click HERE to listen to Steve Owens' Fascination Street Podcast
Click HERE to visit Erik K Johnson's website, Podcast Talent Coach
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Manny Oliverez is on a mission to be THE FAVORITE GRAMPY. Manny is someone who didn't grow up with his grandfathers setting an example about what a grandpa should or shouldn't do. This left Manny with a clean slate to create the types of relationships he wanted with his grandchildren.
We discuss Manny's reaction to hearing the news that he would become a grandfather for the first time. Hearing that news started exploring what it would take to become a grandchild's favorite grampy. Manny shares with us how for him, being a favorite grampy is a combination of creativity, opening yourself up to acting like a kid, and sometimes setting the rules aside.
Another big part of being a favorite grampy is to create opportunities for adventures. Adventures can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Manny shares with us an adventure he and his grandchildren took in the backyard where they encountered deer that an oger had frozen and the dark spooky path that would take them to the brink of danger. Other adventures come in the form of trips to Disney, Universal, and other theme parks.
This pursuit of family-friendly, skip-generational adventures has led Manny's daughter to start Favorite Grampy Travels. The focus of Favorite Grampy Travels is to help other families create these magical, once-in-a-lifetime memories with all members of the family. Check out the links below to Favorite Grampy Travels and see if they can help you schedule your next adventure with the family.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit Manny's Favorite Grampy website.
To check out Manny and the family's good times, you can click HERE to follow Manny on Facebook.
Be sure to follow Manny on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to follow Manny on Pinterest.
If you are looking for a great theme park or travel experience, let Manny and his family over at Favorite Grampy Travel take care of your needs. You and find your Favorite Grampy Travel by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to find the books that Manny has available on Amazon.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Dr. Abby Stephan had a unique experience as a youngster because she had an actual multi-generational household. This experience is unique because most of us in North America live with just parents and children and not with grandparents. This family environment is not the norm for a lot of families in the world. Often, those family units include the grandparents in the household structure.
Within this context, Abby grew to appreciate the role of grandparents within the family structure. Abby shares with us some great stories of her relationships with her grandparents growing up and how she maintains those active connections to this day.
Abby shares with us many of the findings of her Inter-Generational research. We discuss the unique role that grandfathers, in particular, play in the family unit. I also asked Abby many questions about what she discovered about how grandfathers feel about the position and the lasting impact of grandfathers on the lives and development of grandchildren.
You will be in for a treat with this conversation, and be sure to check out the link to the summary of Abby's findings with her study. After talking with Abby, I believe more than ever that if grandparents and grandfathers, in particular, become active in the grandparent and grandchild relationship, our futures can be bright and meaningful.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to read Abby's summary of her Ph.D. research
Click HERE to visit Abby's website
Click HERE to check out Abby's LinkedIn Profile
Click HERE to view Abby's Twitter feed
Click HERE to connect with Abby on Instagram
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Welcome into this pre-Grandparents Day conversation. The conversation is a bit short this week, but I am calling out a few things to remember about being a Grandfather and Grandparent.
First, not every relationship will be exactly like we would like it to be if your relationship is not where you want it to be with your adult child, spouse, partner, or even your grandchild. Do an assessment and be truthful about some of the things you might be doing to create friction in that relationship and then address those items.
BUT remember that sometimes the cause of friction or strain on a relationship MIGHT NOT be your doing. Remember that the growth and maintenance of a relationship is a two-way street; sometimes, the other person may need to make some course correction or effort to have a relationship with you. Whatever the case is, I AM NOT suggesting that you abandon your boundaries or your beliefs but rather do an inventory and see if you could have had a misstep that requires you to humble yourself to heal the relationship.
Second, remember that most of us Grandpas only want to share the good stuff, not the challenges we are going through with our relations. This isn't an action that anyone should take as being dishonest but rather understand that most of us want to keep our 'business' to ourselves or within the family.
So, if you are talking to your friends or viewing social media, remember that they may be having similar challenges but keep that information behind their walls. If you want to be bold, be honest with your close friends and family about your struggles and challenges. Share appropriately, but I bet dollars to doughts that if you open yourself up and be venerable with your close associates, you might find hidden sources of wisdom and compassion that you didn't know existed.
Finally, let's remember to take September 11 and celebrate being a Grandpa and Grandparent. YOU have traveled a long and winding road to get to this point. Celebrate that you are old enough to be a grandparent and have had a long and rich experience to get you here. So, this Grandparents Day, go ahead, take a victory lap. YOU have earned it!
Please remember that after you have listened to this episode, like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to order your copy of Rudder of the Day: Stories & Wisdom to Kick Start Your Workday.
Click HERE to sign up for a membership to The Long Distance Grandparent Society.
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Click Here to sign up for Grandparents 101. The first session is on Sept 8, so sign up today!
Grandpa Jammie is back for another great conversation. In this conversation, we pick up where we left off the conversation we had on James's YouTube channel, "Really! I'm a Grandparent."
About a couple of months ago, James had me on his show talking about the importance of male role models. (That conversation is available by clicking on this link and the one below) In that conversation, we started diving into why it is important for grandfathers to step up and be good role models for their grandchildren. We discussed how children look to grandfathers as examples of how older men work and live.
This conversation continues that line of thought that grandfathers are needed to not only be examples but also help the grandchildren transition through the stages of development from young children to teens and then to young adults. James shares a powerful story of how his grandmother would share a drink with the grandchildren when they turned 21. The experience wasn't about the drink but about reaching an age where his grandmother sat the grandchild down and discussed life, where the younger grandchild was heading, and what dreams they had.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to access JLJ Media on YouTube
Click HERE to watch my last conversation on "Really! I'm a Grandparent."
Click HERE to follow James on Instagram
Click HERE to follow James on Facebook
Click HERE to support James on Buy Me a Coffee
Click HERE to check out JLJmedia's Artist Shop
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click Here to sign up for Grandparents 101. The first session is on Sept 8, so sign up today!
Grandpa Jammie is back for another great conversation. In this conversation, we pick up where we left off the conversation we had on James's YouTube channel, "Really! I'm a Grandparent."
About a couple of months ago, James had me on his show talking about the importance of male role models. (That conversation is available by clicking on this link and the one below) In that conversation, we started diving into why it is important for grandfathers to step up and be good role models for their grandchildren. We discussed how children look to grandfathers as examples of how older men work and live.
This conversation continues that line of thought that grandfathers are needed to not only be examples but also help the grandchildren transition through the stages of development from young children to teens and then to young adults. James shares a powerful story of how his grandmother would share a drink with the grandchildren when they turned 21. The experience wasn't about the drink but about reaching an age where his grandmother sat the grandchild down and discussed life, where the younger grandchild was heading, and what dreams they had.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to access JLJ Media on YouTube
Click HERE to watch my last conversation on "Really! I'm a Grandparent."
Click HERE to follow James on Instagram
Click HERE to follow James on Facebook
Click HERE to support James on Buy Me a Coffee
Click HERE to check out JLJmedia's Artist Shop
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click Here to sign up for Grandparents 101. The first session is on Sept 8, so sign up today!
You must be a certain character to see the humor in almost everything. From remembrances of your own adolescent past to a baby's first and very awkward steps to your daily habits, which you have done for years but can no longer remember exactly why you do "that."
Well, Jerry Zezima is that kind of character. Jerry is the needed individual that helps us see the humor and, at times, the absurdity that makes up everyday life. I am excited that Jerry has joined our conversation to remind us that a surprisingly high number of humorous events comprise our daily activities if we only open our eyes to see them.
Jerry is a father of two incredible daughters and five grandchildren. In this conversation, we learn about Jerry's reaction to learning for the first time that he would become a grandfather. Jerry shares an amusing tale of how his daughter was married a day before Kate and William's (the British Royals) wedding. He decided to reach out to congratulate Prince Charles on the marriage and received a response from the royal office. Of course, when Jerry's granddaughter was born on the same day as Kate and William's baby, another correspondence was required to congratulate Prince Charles on joining the proud grandfather club.
Jerry, by occupation, is a humorist and some might even say successful at his craft. I happen to be in the 'some' camp. You will enjoy and chuckle with us as we discuss Jerry's background and observations on being a grandfather. Few areas of life lend themselves to humor more than our interactions with young grandchildren.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to access Jerry's Blog site
Click HERE to find Jerry's excellent books on Amazon (I'm not an affiliate with Amazon)
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
You must be a certain character to see the humor in almost everything. From remembrances of your own adolescent past to a baby's first and very awkward steps to your daily habits, which you have done for years but can no longer remember exactly why you do "that."
Well, Jerry Zezima is that kind of character. Jerry is the needed individual that helps us see the humor and, at times, the absurdity that makes up everyday life. I am excited that Jerry has joined our conversation to remind us that a surprisingly high number of humorous events comprise our daily activities if we only open our eyes to see them.
Jerry is a father of two incredible daughters and five grandchildren. In this conversation, we learn about Jerry's reaction to learning for the first time that he would become a grandfather. Jerry shares an amusing tale of how his daughter was married a day before Kate and William's (the British Royals) wedding. He decided to reach out to congratulate Prince Charles on the marriage and received a response from the royal office. Of course, when Jerry's granddaughter was born on the same day as Kate and William's baby, another correspondence was required to congratulate Prince Charles on joining the proud grandfather club.
Jerry, by occupation, is a humorist and some might even say successful at his craft. I happen to be in the 'some' camp. You will enjoy and chuckle with us as we discuss Jerry's background and observations on being a grandfather. Few areas of life lend themselves to humor more than our interactions with young grandchildren.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to access Jerry's Blog site
Click HERE to find Jerry's excellent books on Amazon (I'm not an affiliate with Amazon)
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Jim Marggaff joins the conversation this week to talk about his latest company, Kinoo. Kinoo is an interactive application specifically designed to increase multigenerational relations when there is a distance between the young ones and the, let's say, more seasoned ones.
If Jim's name doesn't ring a bell right off, that's okay, but I bet you know of at least one of the companies he has either started or has been part of. Jim is the founder and voice of LeapPad Learning System. Jim also was behind Livescribe Smartpen. You could say that since leaving college, Jim has been passionate about using technology to help teach problem-solving AND enhance connections through the use of technology.
In our conversation, we talked about Jim's pursuit of solving problems and how he has worked through a process of keeping a 'problem reservoir' with at least three problems. The 'problem reservoir' is a mental bucket that you ponder and think about a problem and work up a solution in your mind before putting pen to paper. Jim shares with us how using this method, his son, Blake, was able to win the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
We then start discussing Jim's current company, Kinoo. Kinoo is no ordinary screen time app for children. It uses a combination of physical interactions mixed with problem-solving to engage youngsters. By incorporating the wand into the fun, children stay focused and active 10x longer than a typical phone or video call.
Jim has once again gathered experts to create a unique experience that allows grandparents and others to gamify the problem-solving experience for young children. The activities available on Kinoo range from the typical memory-style interactions to a fishing simulation and even baking. Grandparents and other adults love Kinoo because it does keep the young ones engaged in play and conversation. The children love Kinoo because they are not just holding a phone to their ear or watching a boring old adult talk to them. The children look forward to playtime with the adult.
Links Click HERE to visit Kinoo and review their awesome application.
To view Jim's TedEx presentation, "Extreme Thinking for Extreme Problems," click HERE.
Click HERE to view the book "Pattern Thinking" by R. Buckminster Fuller
If you want to review Jim's book "How to Raise a Founder With Heart," click HERE
Click HERE to follow Jim on LinkedIn
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Aaron Larsen stops by The Cool Grandpa Podcast to talk about his fantastic grandparents. Grandparents who not only were there to love and encourage Aaron but who also gave him needed proddings. Aaron was a young man just out of school, and his confidence when was shaken. Through love and support, his grandparents helped him to discover where he should be receiving his value and self-worth in life.
We dive into Aaron's experience with living with his grandparents. He shares several examples of how his grandparents intentionally built connection points around Aaron's interests. Aaron discusses his memory of how after his Grandpa Grace developed ALS, he helped Aaron find his voice through the connection of music.
Aaron also discusses the creation and purpose of Grandparents Academy. Grandparents Academy is a place a resource that enables grandparents to use existing technology and applications to build connection points with their grandchildren. The resources available at Grandparents Academy include guides, videos, and blog posts. These resources have reached millions of grandparents, and thousands have enrolled from all over the globe.
September 11th through the 17th, Grandparents Academy will host a complete week-long celebration of grandparents. This week-long event will feature expert interviews and training. Click on the affiliate link below or HERE to register for this event.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit GrandparentsAcademy.com, and be sure to register for your Downloadable guides and free resources.
To connect with Grandparent Academy on Facebook, click HERE. Aaron is creating fun and inspiring posts to share with the family.
Click HERE to view a video of Aaron singing with his band from ten years ago. It is great to see how his grandfather encouraged him to get into music.
Affiliate Links Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Some will say that investing in yourself is selfish and can take resources away from other needed projects or activities. I however say that the coolest grandpas work hard on investing in themselves. Why? so that those cool grandpas can then poor themselves into their family, friends, work, and hobbies.
Investing into yourself is not a new concept but it is one that I think we don't pay as much attention to as we get older. I believe that as we start to have grandchildren come along and our roles at work, at home, and in the community grow it becomes even more important to invest in ourselves.
My mentor, Dan Miller, Jim Rohn, and Zig Ziglar have all talked at length about how vital it is to grow your competence as well as your passions and interests. Zig often would talk about the seven spokes of a wheel that made up a well-rounded individual. Those areas are:
- Mental Health
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Family
- Financial
- Personal
- Career
By investing 3-5% of our income into these areas, you will be growing yourself so that you can take on even more responsibility for your happiness and the health and success of your growing family. If you will continue to look to make investments in yourself in these buckets of success, I KNOW that you will continue to be a cool grandpa that has the tools needed to enjoy all the good times as well as the strength to help your family through the tough times.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to The Art of Manliness Podcast episode titled "The Philosophy of Self-Improvement." I think that you will like the podcast in general and this episode specifically.
Click HERE to visit Amazon and purchase The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I have no affiliation with Amazon, so I don't make anything if you click this link and order the book.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Some will say that investing in yourself is selfish and can take resources away from other needed projects or activities. I however say that the coolest grandpas work hard on investing in themselves. Why? so that those cool grandpas can then poor themselves into their family, friends, work, and hobbies.
Investing into yourself is not a new concept but it is one that I think we don't pay as much attention to as we get older. I believe that as we start to have grandchildren come along and our roles at work, at home, and in the community grow it becomes even more important to invest in ourselves.
My mentor, Dan Miller, Jim Rohn, and Zig Ziglar have all talked at length about how vital it is to grow your competence as well as your passions and interests. Zig often would talk about the seven spokes of a wheel that made up a well-rounded individual. Those areas are:
- Mental Health
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Family
- Financial
- Personal
- Career
By investing 3-5% of our income into these areas, you will be growing yourself so that you can take on even more responsibility for your happiness and the health and success of your growing family. If you will continue to look to make investments in yourself in these buckets of success, I KNOW that you will continue to be a cool grandpa that has the tools needed to enjoy all the good times as well as the strength to help your family through the tough times.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to The Art of Manliness Podcast episode titled "The Philosophy of Self-Improvement." I think that you will like the podcast in general and this episode specifically.
Click HERE to visit Amazon and purchase The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I have no affiliation with Amazon, so I don't make anything if you click this link and order the book.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Carolyn Berry, from the podcast, Adventures with Grammy, joins us to discuss her experience being a grandmother AND a podcaster. We talk about her memories of learning that she would become a grandmother for the first time and what a special time that was for her.
Carolyn also talks to us about how she uses her farm and trips to State and National Parks to create adventures for her grandchildren. We both agree that adventures do not have to be high risk or involve lots of money. Sometimes the best adventures are when we help our grandchildren explore the world around them.
After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Carolyn on Adventures with Grammy.
Click HERE to visit the Adventures with Grammy website.
Click HERE to connect with Carolyn on Instagram.
Click HERE to learn more about the Cold Harbor Battlefield.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Michelle Booth from Make Momentos is joining us to discuss how Make Momentos enables interesting and unique connections with the young children in your life. Make Momentos is a unique product and experience where you can create a short video introduction followed by reading an enjoyable book for your grandchild, child, niece, or nephew.
This conversation explores what motivated Michelle to start this unique company. You will learn about Michelle's background as an editor, ghostwriter, and publisher focused on helping people tell their stories. You will feel Michelle's passion for helping people connect with family members through stories and the sharing of other enjoyable children's books.
We both agree that having that recorded voice of a grandmother or grandfather is special and creates a special bond that can be shared with other family members. You will love listening to this conversation, and hopefully, it prompts you to record your stories so that the little ones in the family have your stories from your mouth.
Once you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to visit Make Momentos
Click HERE to visit and like Make Momentos on Facebook
Click HERE to connect with Make Momentos on Instagram
Click HERE to view and follow the videos from Make Momentos on YouTube
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Winn Egan is back for another conversation with us. In this episode, Winn and I dive into his personal experience with being a grandfather. You might remember that Winn was a previous guest on the show where we discussed the book, Grandparenting on Purpose, that he wrote with his wife, Linda.
In our conversation, we discuss his memories of learning that he was becoming a grandfather for the first time and how that has continued to impact him now that his first grandchild is in his 30s. Winn also talks about how he has intentionally been more involved and active with his grandchildren than his grandfathers were with him growing up.
One of the topics I enjoyed discussing with Winn was his perspective on how grandfathers can be role models for their grandchildren regarding their spiritual development and life philosophy. We dive into how grandfathers can have as much or more significant impact on our grandchildren through actively living our principles, morals, and spiritual side as we can by just talking about these values.
You will also get the chance to hear Winn interacting with his Great Grand Daughter firsthand as she opens up a heart-felt gift that Winn sent her from his trip to Ireland. There is nothing like having a loving impromptu call from a great-granddaughter during a podcast. This event might be a first in all of Podcast history. :) It is indeed a first for The Cool Grandpa Podcast.
Once you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.
Links To check out my last conversation with Winn about his book, Grandparenting on Purpose, click HERE.
Click HERE to view the Grandparenting on Purpose website
Click HERE to order your book, Grandparenting on Purpose, from Amazon
Click HERE to connect with Winn on Facebook
Click HERE to connect with Winn on LinkedIn
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Stop and smell the roses. No one knows where that phrase or sentence comes from. If you know, please leave me a comment below. I like discovering the origin story of some of our popular phrases and words.
I found that golfer Walter Hagen used the phrase frequently in my research. It makes sense that Walter is credited with helping Bobby Jones learn to control or deal with the stress of big-time golf.
For me, stopping and smelling the roses is a good reminder to slow down and appreciate where you are, where you have come from, and even where you are going. Too many times, grandpas and many other people have developed a kind of momentum where it is hard for us to hit pause. Even when you think you are relaxing and taking a minute, are you?
All of us need to learn to smell the roses. That pause we take is the best way I can think of truly allowing ourselves to appreciate the accomplishments in our lives. For most of us, our accomplishments are hidden and not celebrated in the way that maybe they should be public. Don't get me wrong, we don't need a special card for every little thing we do, but often there is no one around to congratulate us for our hard work.
Our spouses, friends, and other family members may occasionally acknowledge us, but do they know that you have been taking the stairs at work lately? Do they see you cutting out sugar or spending time each day writing that screenplay or novel? They may or may not. If you are like me, chances are you mention some of the things you are doing, but our little accomplishments get lost in the daily shuffle.
Let's face it; sometimes, we don't know how to communicate what might be a small victory from the outside is a massive win for us inside.
If you slow down once or twice a week to smell the roses, you need to use that time to celebrate your wins in your mind, no matter the size. This celebration helps set you up to keep moving forward toward your goals and your desired state of being, no matter what that is.
The other part of slowing down and smelling the roses is that it allows you to focus strategically on the challenges and opportunities in front of you. You may have started with a clear vision of how your week, month, and year would progress, but let's face it, life happens.
Life happens. We know this, but if we don't allow for course correction, ad hoc planning, or rallying tired troops (ourselves), we are on too tight a plan. Hitting the pause button lets us have a chance to check-in and think strategically about where we are and where we need to go next.
Others might have a different opinion, but I say using the pause button or smelling the roses is the perfect time to think and visualize what needs to happen next. There is plenty of time to write out goals, plans, action items, etc. but do this AFTER you stop and smell the roses. From that place of calm and positive energy, you WILL have a better frame of mind to create a winning plan.
How do you stop and smell the roses? What do you do to slow down and celebrate YOUR WINs and think about your next accomplishments? Leave me a comment below. I would love to learn what you are doing.
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend. I want to share the good news about how everyone can grow and develop meaningful relationships.
Links Click HERE to visit the Fascination Street Podcast - Remember to subscribe to this show. You will not regret it.
Click HERE to order your copy of The Success Principles
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Josiah Fogle has created children's books to help his children experience the vital lessons that John Fogle instilled in him. Josiah admired his father and was influenced by him through spending years as a family in the Philippines as missionaries. Through writing about Grandpa John, Josiah has built a bridge between his father's legacy and Josiah's children, who are learning about their grandfather through actual family stories and memories and impactful children's books.
We continue our discussion and dive into the world of writing and publishing for both children's books and grown-up books. Josiah is a Sales Development Manager with the organization Self Publishing School. You will learn that one thing that sets Josiah apart from many other people working in the publishing game is that Josiah IS a published author.
In our conversation, Josiah educates us on the different types of publishing available today, from simple ebooks to traditional publishing. We discuss the pros and cons of each publishing method and how many successful authors started their journey by choosing the self-publishing route. Josiah also discusses the many services that Self Publishing School has to offer.
All this conversation about publishing and the different options available to authors today will hopefully motivate YOU to jump into the game to create the story that only YOU can tell.
Once you have finished listening to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the podcast. Josiah and I would also be excited if you were to share this conversation with a friend who would enjoy our chat and who would also get value in learning more about writing and publishing a book.
Remember to leave a short note in the comments section below about what part of this conversation inspired you. Josiah and I would love to hear from you and what your "Aha moment" was from our conversation.
Links Click HERE to visit Josiah's website, Stories With Grandpa. Be sure to check out the different books he has there. Maybe one of them would make an excellent present for your grandchild.
Click HERE to visit Josiah's LinkedIn profile.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Josiah Fogle has created children's books to help his children experience the vital lessons that John Fogle instilled in him. Josiah admired his father and was influenced by him through spending years as a family in the Philippines as missionaries. Through writing about Grandpa John, Josiah has built a bridge between his father's legacy and Josiah's children, who are learning about their grandfather through actual family stories and memories and impactful children's books.
We continue our discussion and dive into the world of writing and publishing for both children's books and grown-up books. Josiah is a Sales Development Manager with the organization Self Publishing School. You will learn that one thing that sets Josiah apart from many other people working in the publishing game is that Josiah IS a published author.
In our conversation, Josiah educates us on the different types of publishing available today, from simple ebooks to traditional publishing. We discuss the pros and cons of each publishing method and how many successful authors started their journey by choosing the self-publishing route. Josiah also discusses the many services that Self Publishing School has to offer.
All this conversation about publishing and the different options available to authors today will hopefully motivate YOU to jump into the game to create the story that only YOU can tell.
Once you have finished listening to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the podcast. Josiah and I would also be excited if you were to share this conversation with a friend who would enjoy our chat and who would also get value in learning more about writing and publishing a book.
Remember to leave a short note in the comments section below about what part of this conversation inspired you. Josiah and I would love to hear from you and what your "Aha moment" was from our conversation.
Links Click HERE to visit Josiah's website, Stories With Grandpa. Be sure to check out the different books he has there. Maybe one of them would make an excellent present for your grandchild.
Click HERE to visit Josiah's LinkedIn profile.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
This week we are joined by two passionate individuals whose goal is to build bridges of understanding and communication between Grandparents and Grandchildren. Jerry Witkovsky and Deanna Shoss join us to discuss their new book, Where Two Worlds Meet.
Jerry joins our conversation as a leader in developing organizations and programs that impact the lives of his community. Since his 1997 retirement, Jerry has focused his considerable energies on grandparenting facilitation—helping multigenerational families work (and play) together to create a rich family life. He has partnered with JCC and YMCA to create a writing prompt program serving over four hundred grandparents on three continents and a virtual improv program with UK's Nursery Theatre. He currently spearheads many school-based programs designed to strengthen connections between grandparents and their teenagers.
Deanna Shoss is a marketer, writer, and interculturalist based in Chicago. As Founder and CEO of Intercultural Talk, Inc., Deanna inspires people to learn, create, and contribute across their lifespans. She takes an intergenerational approach that combines online communication platforms such as websites/blogs, social media, and video with tried and true practices such as partnership building, email marketing, and in-person events. Deanna writes for the National Diversity Council and is the Tech Columnist for Grand Magazine. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and French and is a certified group fitness instructor. Learn more at interculturaltalk.com.
In our conversation, we discussed what motivated Jerry to write his book and how he and Deanna became connected and are working hard to deliver this timely message of getting grandparents engaged with their grandchildren. We also discuss how grandparents can be a part of the solution in helping grandchildren through complex mental and emotional issues.
Where Two Worlds Meet is an enjoyable read full of fantastic tips and examples that will help you become more intentional and involved with your grandchildren, please follow the links above and below to learn more about the work that Jerry and Deanna are doing and to order your copy of Where Two Worlds Meet.
If you know someone who would enjoy hearing this conversation, please forward this podcast episode to them. Sharing episodes like this one is the best way to help others learn about Grandfathers' critical role in their families' lives. Please remember to 'like' and subscribe to the podcast if you haven't done so already.
Links Click HERE to go to the website for Where Two Worlds Meet
Click HERE to read the article, Why American Teens Are So Sad
Click HERE to visit Deanna's company Intercultural Talk
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
This week we are joined by two passionate individuals whose goal is to build bridges of understanding and communication between Grandparents and Grandchildren. Jerry Witkovsky and Deanna Shoss join us to discuss their new book, Where Two Worlds Meet.
Jerry joins our conversation as a leader in developing organizations and programs that impact the lives of his community. Since his 1997 retirement, Jerry has focused his considerable energies on grandparenting facilitation—helping multigenerational families work (and play) together to create a rich family life. He has partnered with JCC and YMCA to create a writing prompt program serving over four hundred grandparents on three continents and a virtual improv program with UK's Nursery Theatre. He currently spearheads many school-based programs designed to strengthen connections between grandparents and their teenagers.
Deanna Shoss is a marketer, writer, and interculturalist based in Chicago. As Founder and CEO of Intercultural Talk, Inc., Deanna inspires people to learn, create, and contribute across their lifespans. She takes an intergenerational approach that combines online communication platforms such as websites/blogs, social media, and video with tried and true practices such as partnership building, email marketing, and in-person events. Deanna writes for the National Diversity Council and is the Tech Columnist for Grand Magazine. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and French and is a certified group fitness instructor. Learn more at interculturaltalk.com.
In our conversation, we discussed what motivated Jerry to write his book and how he and Deanna became connected and are working hard to deliver this timely message of getting grandparents engaged with their grandchildren. We also discuss how grandparents can be a part of the solution in helping grandchildren through complex mental and emotional issues.
Where Two Worlds Meet is an enjoyable read full of fantastic tips and examples that will help you become more intentional and involved with your grandchildren, please follow the links above and below to learn more about the work that Jerry and Deanna are doing and to order your copy of Where Two Worlds Meet.
If you know someone who would enjoy hearing this conversation, please forward this podcast episode to them. Sharing episodes like this one is the best way to help others learn about Grandfathers' critical role in their families' lives. Please remember to 'like' and subscribe to the podcast if you haven't done so already.
Links Click HERE to go to the website for Where Two Worlds Meet
Click HERE to read the article, Why American Teens Are So Sad
Click HERE to visit Deanna's company Intercultural Talk
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Ben Manny is an engaged grandpa, AND he is an engaged volunteer. This week, I discuss how grandfathers can support their community but mainly the children and young adults in their community.
We start our conversation with Ben discussing how he is an engaged and supportive grandfather. Ben shares with us how he doesn't let being a long way away from his grandchildren stop him from being the mentor and coach they need but always leaves plenty of room for fun and games.
Ben has been an active volunteer with youth and his community for years. He has been a board member of SAGE (link below) since 2020. He has also taken advantage of his engineering background to be a state judge for a national youth robotics competition and then coach a neighborhood LEGO robotics team. We talk about how important it is that older men find ways to coach or mentor youth in different settings.
Check out the links below to the different groups that we discussed. You might find that one of these organizations would be a good fit for you to volunteer with.
Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already done so. I would especially be honored if you would share this episode with a friend. Sharing the podcast is the best way to get the good word out about how we can build stronger relationships with our grandchildren and our community.
Links Click HERE to learn more about First LEGO League.
Click HERE to explore all the cool things Encore.org does to bring generations together.
Click HERE to learn more about SAGE and how you might get involved with this organization.
Click HERE to check out Kerry Bryne's Long Distance Grandparent
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
"Welcome back, my friends to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend! Come inside! come inside!" - Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
I am happy to have a moment with you. I enjoy these one-on-one conversations, and I hope you find them valuable for your grandparenting journey.
This month, I want to discuss steps you can take to 'prime the pump' or, in other words, plan your next visit with your children and grandchildren. Some people will tell you that the only actual planning you should do on your stays (assuming you live out of town) is when you arrive and depart. They will say that should be enough planning and that the trip should be an organic experience.
I say that not having a plan is a recipe for miscommunication and missed opportunities for your adult children, grandchildren, and YOU.
I am not saying that you have to have every minute of your visit planned but what I am saying is that you need to have some plans for your trip, AND you need to build up some anticipation about your stay with the grandchildren.
Put yourself back into your early parenting days for a minute. How would you have liked to have your parents or in-laws show up at the house for a few days, a week, a month with no idea what they wanted to do or not do? Think about the level of stress that would manifest itself with so many unknowns. Do the grandparents want to have a big dinner at some point? Do they want to take the grandkids to the park or zoo? What days is all this going to happen? What about play dates? Times that I was going to work on the car? Painters coming to the house? There are a lot of unknown questions here AND a lot of potential stress.
Grandpa's, we need to help make sure that our time with our children and grandchildren is as stress-free as possible so that EVERYONE can enjoy the time together.
Here are a few tips that I do and that I have found to help set expectations and reduce stress for those days when my wife and I visit our children and grandchildren.
Start communicating early and often about the expected arrival and departure dates until your travel dates are 100% locked in.
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If you are planning Grandpa/ grandchild activities that are more than an hour, start talking about the dates and times of those activities as early as possible. The parents and grandchildren have schedules that they will need to adjust for your fun activities.
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Ask the parents what activities they think the grandchildren would like. Children's tastes, activity levels, and interests might have changed since your last visit.
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Use text messages or emails to write down the loose itinerary for everyone. Talking about the calendar AND seeing the calendar may trigger forgotten activities that the kids or grandkids had planned. "Measure twice cut once"
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Leave some blank or 'zero days.' Everyone needs some flexibility for last-minute plans and some "grandpa is pooped out" time. :)
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Start priming the pump with the grandkids early. This activity is age-dependent, but 30 days out is a good rule of thumb.
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Send video messages about the visit talking about the fun you will have with the grandchildren.
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Use snail mail to shoot a postcard talking about a fun activity. Maybe print out and send tickets to the Zoo, Waterpark, or something else that requires tickets or a pass with older kids.
Your list and planning activities may vary from mine, which is okay. The important thing is to recognize that some pre-planning and a lot of communication will reduce the natural stress that a visit from grandpa and grandma can produce. After all, we want every visit to be memorable for the good times and feelings and not hurt feelings or misunderstandings that can happen when we visit our children and grandchildren.
Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast if you have not done so already. Also, please share this episode and podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to spread the information people need to grow and maintain relationships with their family and friends.
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
The conversation is with the co-founder of Authorpreneur Central, Nathan Andersen, aka Anders Roseberg. In this conversation, we jump into Nathan's varied and exciting background. Nathan is a self-taught individual when creating children's books and other writing genres.
Nathan talks about living in Taiwan and creating a story and book for his daughter. He discusses his experience with finding a way to print the book. Nathan was bit by the creativity bug and soon created the second and third book in his library.
We discuss the different options for publishing books, from the print-on-demand model (Amazon model) to traditional publishing. Nathan goes into detail about the pros and cons of each publishing method.
I ask Nathan to detail his company's service offerings and how people can engage with him and his team. It is incredible how many options are available to those of us who have a story or book within us to get that story out onto the digital and or physical world.
If you have a children's book, novella, collection of poetry, short story, or novel, I challenge you to get your first draft finished and then start the process of editing and finding the best publishing option that fits your needs. There is a path forward for you with so many options available to aspiring authors.
If you have more questions about publishing, options, and services, please reach out to Nathan and his team. Nathan will give you great advice regardless of whether you move forward with Authorpreneur Central.
If you found this conversation informative and helpful, please share this conversation with a friend. Also, if you have not yet subscribed to the podcast, please like and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast hosting site.
Links Click HERE to visit the Authorpreneur Central website
Click HERE to visit Anders Roseberg's website
Click HERE to connect with Anders Roseberg on Facebook
Click HERE to check out Anders Roseberg on Instagram
Click HERE to follow Anders on Twitter
Here is a great email address to reach out directly to Nathan: andersrosebergbooks@gmail.com
Affiliate Links Click on this link to sign up for the Long Distant Grandparent webinar: https://kerrybyrne.kartra.com/page/webinar
Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.
Winn and Linda Egan developed and shared their views on grandparenting with their friends during a get-together. They discussed how grandparents could be active participants in their children's and grandchildren's lives. With more and more data being reported about issues around isolation, depression, and the like with teenagers, being an active grandparent is vital to helping grandchildren to become happy and healthy adults.
Winn talks with us about how he and his wife Linda took the basis for that gathering of friends and crafted those topics and experiences into the book, Grandparenting on Purpose. Join Winn and me as we talk about the fun ways grandparents can lead their families to grow connections that can withstand the occasional hurt feelings and miscommunication that can and do happen within families.
Winn also goes into great detail about how you can boost your interactions with the grandchildren to be 'over the top.' Winn talks about how these 'over the top' activities help create bonds that get the grandchildren looking forward to the next big family get-together or special event, like a special dinner before a school formal.
I am sure that by the end of listening to this conversation, you will be encouraged and inspired to look for ways to increase your level of connection with your grandchildren. That extra step forward in your relationship with your grandchildren motivates Winn to talk about and share his message of Grandparenting on Purpose.
Once you have enjoyed this conversation, please remember to like and subscribe to the podcast. Also, share this conversation with a friend who would enjoy hearing Winn's stories about building strong family connections.
Links Click HERE to view the Grandparenting on Purpose website
Click HERE to order your book, Grandparenting on Purpose, from Amazon
Click HERE to connect with Winn on Facebook
Click HERE to connect with Winn on LinkedIn
Affiliate Links Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond
Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo
This episode is another one-on-one conversation with you and me. I open up the conversation with a quick trip report from my last trip to Virginia the week before Easter. I spent a lot of time with my grandson, who is almost four years old. I confess that spending multiple days with him wore me out physically and mentally.
It has been a long time since I chased toddlers around a playground and museum for hours at a time. I also forgot that three-and-a-half-year-olds don't just play 20 questions; they play 120 questions and tend to compress those questions into a 25-minute car ride.
It was a great trip being around my grandson and granddaughters, but it was also nice to hand them off at the end of the day and have some time to recharge my batteries before the next round of adventures.
I also want to talk to you about grandfathers taking on the role of a coach in our relationship with our grandchildren. You might think of being a coach in other terms, such as teacher, mentor, guide, or another title. Use whatever title makes sense to you, but grandfathers ARE leaders AND motivators for our grandchildren and children.
We dive into what are some good characteristics of a good coach. Good coaches are made up of the following attributes:
Understands Life and Leads by Example
Sponge for Knowledge
Shares the Knowledge
Deeply knows the player (grandchild)
Energizes and Motivates Others
Good Listener
After listening to this episode, I hope that you think about the attributes of the good coaches and mentors you had in your life. Do you intentionally practice and take on the attribute of a coach when it comes to your relationship with your grandchildren?
Links Click HERE to listen to my one-on-one show about being a cheerleader.
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This episode is another one-on-one conversation with you and me. I open up the conversation with a quick trip report from my last trip to Virginia the week before Easter. I spent a lot of time with my grandson, who is almost four years old. I confess that spending multiple days with him wore me out physically and mentally.
It has been a long time since I chased toddlers around a playground and museum for hours at a time. I also forgot that three-and-a-half-year-olds don't just play 20 questions; they play 120 questions and tend to compress those questions into a 25-minute car ride.
It was a great trip being around my grandson and granddaughters, but it was also nice to hand them off at the end of the day and have some time to recharge my batteries before the next round of adventures.
I also want to talk to you about grandfathers taking on the role of a coach in our relationship with our grandchildren. You might think of being a coach in other terms, such as teacher, mentor, guide, or another title. Use whatever title makes sense to you, but grandfathers ARE leaders AND motivators for our grandchildren and children.
We dive into what are some good characteristics of a good coach. Good coaches are made up of the following attributes:
Understands Life and Leads by Example
Sponge for Knowledge
Shares the Knowledge
Deeply knows the player (grandchild)
Energizes and Motivates Others
Good Listener
After listening to this episode, I hope that you think about the attributes of the good coaches and mentors you had in your life. Do you intentionally practice and take on the attribute of a coach when it comes to your relationship with your grandchildren?
Links Click HERE to listen to my one-on-one show about being a cheerleader.
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This episode is another one-on-one conversation with you and me. I open up the conversation with a quick trip report from my last trip to Virginia the week before Easter. I spent a lot of time with my grandson, who is almost four years old. I confess that spending multiple days with him wore me out physically and mentally.
It has been a long time since I chased toddlers around a playground and museum for hours at a time. I also forgot that three-and-a-half-year-olds don't just play 20 questions; they play 120 questions and tend to compress those questions into a 25-minute car ride.
It was a great trip being around my grandson and granddaughters, but it was also nice to hand them off at the end of the day and have some time to recharge my batteries before the next round of adventures.
I also want to talk to you about grandfathers taking on the role of a coach in our relationship with our grandchildren. You might think of being a coach in other terms, such as teacher, mentor, guide, or another title. Use whatever title makes sense to you, but grandfathers ARE leaders AND motivators for our grandchildren and children.
We dive into what are some good characteristics of a good coach. Good coaches are made up of the following attributes:
Understands Life and Leads by Example
Sponge for Knowledge
Shares the Knowledge
Deeply knows the player (grandchild)
Energizes and Motivates Others
Good Listener
After listening to this episode, I hope that you think about the attributes of the good coaches and mentors you had in your life. Do you intentionally practice and take on the attribute of a coach when it comes to your relationship with your grandchildren?
Links Click HERE to listen to my one-on-one show about being a cheerleader.
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This episode is another one-on-one conversation with you and me. I open up the conversation with a quick trip report from my last trip to Virginia the week before Easter. I spent a lot of time with my grandson, who is almost four years old. I confess that spending multiple days with him wore me out physically and mentally.
It has been a long time since I chased toddlers around a playground and museum for hours at a time. I also forgot that three-and-a-half-year-olds don't just play 20 questions; they play 120 questions and tend to compress those questions into a 25-minute car ride.
It was a great trip being around my grandson and granddaughters, but it was also nice to hand them off at the end of the day and have some time to recharge my batteries before the next round of adventures.
I also want to talk to you about grandfathers taking on the role of a coach in our relationship with our grandchildren. You might think of being a coach in other terms, such as teacher, mentor, guide, or another title. Use whatever title makes sense to you, but grandfathers ARE leaders AND motivators for our grandchildren and children.
We dive into what are some good characteristics of a good coach. Good coaches are made up of the following attributes:
Understands Life and Leads by Example
Sponge for Knowledge
Shares the Knowledge
Deeply knows the player (grandchild)
Energizes and Motivates Others
Good Listener
After listening to this episode, I hope that you think about the attributes of the good coaches and mentors you had in your life. Do you intentionally practice and take on the attribute of a coach when it comes to your relationship with your grandchildren?
Links Click HERE to listen to my one-on-one show about being a cheerleader.
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This episode is another one-on-one conversation with you and me. I open up the conversation with a quick trip report from my last trip to Virginia the week before Easter. I spent a lot of time with my grandson, who is almost four years old. I confess that spending multiple days with him wore me out physically and mentally.
It has been a long time since I chased toddlers around a playground and museum for hours at a time. I also forgot that three-and-a-half-year-olds don't just play 20 questions; they play 120 questions and tend to compress those questions into a 25-minute car ride.
It was a great trip being around my grandson and granddaughters, but it was also nice to hand them off at the end of the day and have some time to recharge my batteries before the next round of adventures.
I also want to talk to you about grandfathers taking on the role of a coach in our relationship with our grandchildren. You might think of being a coach in other terms, such as teacher, mentor, guide, or another title. Use whatever title makes sense to you, but grandfathers ARE leaders AND motivators for our grandchildren and children.
We dive into what are some good characteristics of a good coach. Good coaches are made up of the following attributes:
Understands Life and Leads by Example
Sponge for Knowledge
Shares the Knowledge
Deeply knows the player (grandchild)
Energizes and Motivates Others
Good Listener
After listening to this episode, I hope that you think about the attributes of the good coaches and mentors you had in your life. Do you intentionally practice and take on the attribute of a coach when it comes to your relationship with your grandchildren?
Links Click HERE to listen to my one-on-one show about being a cheerleader.
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This week's guest is Donne Davis. Donne started the GaGa Sisterhood group to bring inspiration, support, and tools to grandmothers worldwide. Donne became a grandmother in 2003, and for over nineteen years, she has been on a mission to connect with other grandmas and explore the evolving role of being a grandmother.
Donne and I start our conversation by discussing her experience in becoming a grandmother and its impact on her life. Donne explains that when the midwife held up her first granddaughter, Donne was GaGa for that grandchild and has been committed to her grandchildren ever since.
We also dive into how the role of being a grandmother and a grandfather has changed in a short time. Donne and I agree that loving and supporting our grandchildren starts with loving and supporting their parents. Both of us agree that the parents often get left out of the grandparent/ grandchild relationship equation.
Donne was motivated to write a book for grandmothers after realizing the relationship with the grandchild's parents can present challenges in understanding each other's perspectives. Her book is titled: "When Being a Grandma Isn't So Grand: 4 Keys to L.O.V.E. your Grandchild's Parents".
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with a friend and especially a grandmother who would enjoy listening to this episode. Links to Donne's website and different connections are listed below.
Be sure to leave Donne and me a comment below about what you enjoyed about this episode.
Links Click HERE to be taken to Donne's GaGa Sisterhood website. Donne sends out a monthly newsletter called the GaGazine, which you can subscribe to on her website's homepage.
Click HERE to follow Donne on Instagram.
Click HERE to connect with Donne on Facebook.
Click HERE to connect with Donne on Twitter.
You can check out Donne on Pinterest by clicking HERE
Here is the link to my conversation with Kerry Byrne about her group, The Longdistance Grandparent, that Donne and I referenced.
Click HERE to learn more about the Moby Wrap
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Our conversation this week is with Ed Gaffney. We talked with Ed a few episodes ago about RVing with grandchildren. (The link to that conversation is in the links below.) Ed shares how he and his wife Jeanne found out that they would be grandparents at a Billy Joel and Elton John concert.
Ed shares his experience blending his family with Jeanne's to form a blended family. We learn through Ed's stories how the children adapted to each other a bit faster than the other family members. We also learn how Ed and Jeanne stay connected with their grandchildren through on-site visits, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, and other technology tools.
Once you have listened to this conversation, please share it with a friend who would enjoy listening to this episode and might need encouragement with their relationships.
Be sure to leave Ed and me a comment below about what you enjoyed about this episode.
Links Click HERE to check out the episode with Ed and his wife, Jeanne
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Dr. Rob Whitley, Ph.D., discusses older men's mental health issues. Rob Whitley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, and a Research Scientist at the Douglas Research Centre. He is currently a Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé Senior Research Scholar and an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne.
Rob and I discuss the mental health challenges that older men can face in this conversation. We discuss several causes of mental health issues, such as the pain and breakdown of our bodies. Rob points out that as men age, we can lose our connections to friends, family, and other social points of connections like church and work.
Mental health is a broad phrase that can include many different types of behaviors. Much of the focus of the conversation is on depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Many men often have an internal stigma about seeking help for mental health issues. Some internal stigmas center around the fear of loss of promotion or responsibilities at work. The stigmas can also manifest in the self-talk that older men internalize, such as, "I should be able to deal with this" or "I am weak if I need to reach out for help."
As part of our discussion around how men need to feel comfortable discussing their challenges, Rob and I talk about the movement of Men's Sheds. (See the link below) With Men's Sheds, older men have a place to go to practice skills like wood or metal working along with building vital connections with other men. Rob also discusses how therapy offices and sessions are changing to meet men's needs and operate more closely with how men communicate and interact.
After listening to this episode, be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. The most important all is to share this conversation with anyone you know who is maybe struggling or is connected to someone who is struggling with any of the mental health topics discussed in this podcast.
Links Click HERE to view Dr. Rob Whitley's McGill University profile
Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Rob Whitley's book, "Men's Issues and Men's Mental Health
Click HERE to read Dr. Rob Whitley's latest article, "How to Talk With a Man About His Mental Health."
Click HERE to discover Dr. Rob Whitley's YouTube Channel, "Recovery Mental Health."
Click HERE to view Dr. Rob Whitley's articles published in Psychology Today.
Click HERE to learn more about Erik Erikson's term Generativity. There is a lot of information about Erikson and Generativity.
Click HERE to read Robert D. Putnam's article, "Bowling Alone," published in 1995.
Click HERE to read about Emile Durkheim's theory and types of suicide
Click HERE to learn more about the U.S. Men's Shed Association
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Open roads, out-of-the-way adventures, and building relationships are just a few things that we talk about with Jeanne and Ed Gaffney. Through her article, "RVing with Grandchildren," I found Jeanne on the Go RVing website (See the link below for the article). I thought this idea and experience sounded like great fun for grandfathers and grandmothers.
The Gaffneys share with us how they got into RVing while living out in Montana and started taking trips with their friends. Once Ed and Jeanne moved to Alabama and were closer to some of their grandchildren, they started taking two of their grandsons out with short trips to the local park. From starting with overnighters at the local lake to multiweek adventures to the mountains and their last trip to Key Largo for scuba certification.
Ed and Jeanne share valuable tips for anyone looking to start taking camping and RV trips with their grandchildren. A big bonus is just making sure the grandchildren can follow 'the rules and stay the night away from their parents. Ed points out that camping is camping, and it doesn't matter if it is ten miles down the road or across the country at a National Park. Jeanne discusses helping the grandchildren journal about their adventures and collects things like stamps or patches from the National Parks or places they visit.
Once you have listened to this fun episode, leave us a comment below about your memories of camping with your grandparents or camping with your grandchildren. What were your favorite adventures? What are some valuable tips that the other listeners could profit from?
Remember to like and share this podcast with your friends who are looking to create valuable and unique memories with their grandchildren.
Links Click HERE to read Jeanne's article about RVing with grandchildren
Click HERE to see a short video by Jeanne and Ed about RVing with grandchildren
Click HERE to visit Lazydays RV website
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Open roads, out-of-the-way adventures, and building relationships are just a few things that we talk about with Jeanne and Ed Gaffney. Through her article, "RVing with Grandchildren," I found Jeanne on the Go RVing website (See the link below for the article). I thought this idea and experience sounded like great fun for grandfathers and grandmothers.
The Gaffneys share with us how they got into RVing while living out in Montana and started taking trips with their friends. Once Ed and Jeanne moved to Alabama and were closer to some of their grandchildren, they started taking two of their grandsons out with short trips to the local park. From starting with overnighters at the local lake to multiweek adventures to the mountains and their last trip to Key Largo for scuba certification.
Ed and Jeanne share valuable tips for anyone looking to start taking camping and RV trips with their grandchildren. A big bonus is just making sure the grandchildren can follow 'the rules and stay the night away from their parents. Ed points out that camping is camping, and it doesn't matter if it is ten miles down the road or across the country at a National Park. Jeanne discusses helping the grandchildren journal about their adventures and collects things like stamps or patches from the National Parks or places they visit.
Once you have listened to this fun episode, leave us a comment below about your memories of camping with your grandparents or camping with your grandchildren. What were your favorite adventures? What are some valuable tips that the other listeners could profit from?
Remember to like and share this podcast with your friends who are looking to create valuable and unique memories with their grandchildren.
Links Click HERE to read Jeanne's article about RVing with grandchildren
Click HERE to see a short video by Jeanne and Ed about RVing with grandchildren
Click HERE to visit Lazydays RV website
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
This episode is a chance for you and me to catch up. It has been a month or so since we last spoke. In this conversation, I talk about the critical role of being a grandfather who is a cheerleader for their grandchild.
I review the different ages of development and the various ways that grandfathers can be intentional about encouraging and cheering on grandchildren. Grandchildren at different ages need different types of encouragement.
As former guest Richard Eyre says, "Kids thrive, flourish, and blossom in the light of the thoughtful, specific, sincere compliments, particularly from grandfathers!" I couldn't agree more. Grandfathers add that extra spark to a grandchild's life when given a compliment and encouragement to do well at tasks they attempt.
I believe, like so many of our guests and experts, that grandfathers can act a bit like a seawall where our actions and words can break up some of the negativity that comes at our grandchildren. How a grandfather encourages and cheers on their grandchildren must evolve to meet the grandchildren's needs. Our cheerleading must also be honest and provide truthful feedback. As the grandchildren grow, they are looking for mentors, like grandfathers, to encourage them and help them improve.
How are you a cheerleader for your grandchildren? How are you showing them that you are 100% on their side? Leave me a comment below and share your experience with being a cheerleader.
Links Click HERE to enjoy our conversation with Richard Eyre
Click HERE to enjoy our conversation with Frank Sinclair
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Our conversation is with Anieke Lamers. Anieke is an Ex-VC (Venture Capitalist) turned social entrepreneur on a mission to make every child feel special and connected to roots & loved ones.
In this conversation with Anneke, the co-founder of Peekabond, we discuss challenges that Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and anyone who is away from a young child in their family deal with every day. We talk about how Peekabond solves the problem of having little to no connections with the younger family members. Through hosting videos, creating fun activities for the children, and ensuring that the relationships between people in their Family Circle are safely secure.
You will enjoy listening to Anieke's story about wanting to connect and be involved with her niece, who lives in Australia. Anieke talks about how Peekabond has formed a team of youth development experts combined with top-notch IT experts on building an easy-to-use multi-generational connectivity tool.
After you listen to this conversation, visit Peekabond (link below) to learn more about this fun application and how you can start using it today.
Remember to subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform and then leave us a comment about how you enjoyed this show.
Here are some fun pictures of Anieke and her niece
Links Click HERE to download Peekabond for FREE
Click HERE to learn more about how Peekabond works
Click HERE to watch the demo video on the Peekabond website
If you would like to send Anieke an email, you can reach her at anieke@peekabond.com
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Our conversation is with Anieke Lamers. Anieke is an Ex-VC (Venture Capitalist) turned social entrepreneur on a mission to make every child feel special and connected to roots & loved ones.
In this conversation with Anneke, the co-founder of Peekabond, we discuss challenges that Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and anyone who is away from a young child in their family deal with every day. We talk about how Peekabond solves the problem of having little to no connections with the younger family members. Through hosting videos, creating fun activities for the children, and ensuring that the relationships between people in their Family Circle are safely secure.
You will enjoy listening to Anieke's story about wanting to connect and be involved with her niece, who lives in Australia. Anieke talks about how Peekabond has formed a team of youth development experts combined with top-notch IT experts on building an easy-to-use multi-generational connectivity tool.
After you listen to this conversation, visit Peekabond (link below) to learn more about this fun application and how you can start using it today.
Remember to subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform and then leave us a comment about how you enjoyed this show.
Here are some fun pictures of Anieke and her niece
Links Click HERE to download Peekabond for FREE
Click HERE to learn more about how Peekabond works
Click HERE to watch the demo video on the Peekabond website
If you would like to send Anieke an email, you can reach her at anieke@peekabond.com
Affiliate Links Peekabond
Readeo
Greg Vance joins us again to discuss job hunting, career management, and finding work that has purpose and meaning in our middle to later years.
Greg is a successful and sought-after coach who has been where many of us are currently. He has been in a position that paid well but was uninspiring. After working with renowned (and former guest of the show) career coach, Dan Miller, Greg set out to help other people find profoundly satisfying work. You know, the kind of work where you can't wait for Monday to come around so that you can take your strengths and dive into purposeful work.
You will be sure to enjoy this conversation and learn a lot from Greg's experience. Also, think about a friend who could use a bit of encouragement and valuable information about finding work and share this valuable resource.
After listening to this show, be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast.
Links Greg's Links
Click HERE to connect with Greg on LinkedIn
Click HERE to connect and follow Greg on Facebook
Click HERE to view Greg's coaching website
Click HERE to listen to Greg's other episode where we discuss his experience with being a grandfather.
Click HERE to listen to our good friend Dave Wadsworth's Cool Grandpa episode.
Click HERE to check out the 48 Days community that Greg and I belong to.
MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses)
Click HERE for a good article about MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses). This is an older but still relevant article.
Click HERE for a newer list with similar names.
Click HERE to access Courrsera, a very popular MOOC
Click HERE to access Udemy. There are many paid AND free courses on this site.
Click HERE to access DataCamp. DataCamp is supper popular for data training. Some of the largest IT companies use DataCamp.
BOOKS
Click HERE to check out Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance.
Click HERE to order the book: 48 Days; To the Work You Love
Affiliate Link Readeo
In this week's conversation, Rebecca Fraser-Thill joins us to talk about career choices for grandfathers and anyone in their middle years. Rebecca and I review some of the myths and old perceptions of changing jobs once you hit your late 40s and older.
I bring up how the old model was finding a position or organization that you tolerated and hopefully enjoyed and then riding that job out to retirement.
With today's information economy, the reduction in time spent at an organization or job may be a bit shocking.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the length of time depends on age and position, but for employees aged 55 to 64, the average time on the job is 9.9 years. Workers in management, professional, and related occupations had the highest median tenure of 4.9 years.
There is no doubt that as we get older, we tend to stay where we are for more extended periods for various reasons. HOWEVER, fear of not finding work that ignites our passion and purpose should not stop us from moving to another organization or a new career.
If changing organizations or career paths is not for you, check out Rebecca's guide on JOB CRAFTING (located on Rebecca's website). Rebecca talks about job crafting, what it is, and how to execute it successfully. Rebecca also discusses the success that many of her clients have had with working with their managers and organizations to reframe their clients' type of work.
Be sure to check out Rebecca's website for great resources and insights about creating fulfilling work. Rebecca also has excellent tips for engaging in coaching while transitioning to another organization or career.
If you connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or Twitter, be sure to let her know that you found her through our conversation.
Once you have listened to the show, please be sure to like and subscribe to The Cool-Grandpa Podcast.
Links Click HERE to visit Rebecca's website.
Click HERE to read (or listen) to Rebecca's article, "Easing New Job Blues While Working Remotely."
Click HERE to connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn
Click HERE to connect with Rebecca on Twitter
Affiliate Link Readeo
Armondo Garcia is this week's guest. Armondo and I discuss his relationship with his six young grandchildren. We talk about how Armondo is using his life experience and his experience as a 48 Days and Zigler certified coach to help his grandchildren learn and interpret the world around them.
Armondo discusses how he has implemented a book club with his grandchildren where he incentivizes them to read classic books about motivation, money, and life. Armondo talks about how he starts the book club reasonably early in their life and then tappers it off as they grow older, and the habit of reading uplifting books has already taken hold.
We get into a fun conversation about how Armondo also presents each of the grandchildren (boy or girl) with a pocket knife when they are old enough to be responsible for the tool. Armondo and I talk about how important it is to have milestones in a young person's life to leave one stage behind and move into a new chapter with added responsibilities and privileges.
You are going to enjoy all the stories and wisdom that Armondo shares about his experience with being a grandpa, a youth sports coach, and a parent to his adult children. Please share with us what your favorite takeaway was with this conversation. Also, be sure to check out all the links below and connect with Armondo.
Links Click HERE to visit Armondo's Facebook Page
Click HERE to visit Armondo's coaching website, On Target Achievement
Click HERE to view Armondo's LinkedIn profile
Click HERE to be taken to Dave Wadsworth's book, Living in the Ditch: 1 Ditch 2 Boys and 3000 adventures
Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Dave Wadsworth
Affiliate Link Readeo
Armando Garcia is this week's guest. Armando and I discuss his relationship with his six young grandchildren. We talk about how Armando is using his life experience and his experience as a 48 Days and Zigler certified coach to help his grandchildren learn and interpret the world around them.
Armando discusses how he has implemented a book club with his grandchildren where he incentivizes them to read classic books about motivation, money, and life. Armando talks about how he starts the book club reasonably early in their life and then tappers it off as they grow older, and the habit of reading uplifting books has already taken hold.
We get into a fun conversation about how Armando also presents each of the grandchildren (boy or girl) with a pocket knife when they are old enough to be responsible for the tool. Armando and I talk about how important it is to have milestones in a young person's life to leave one stage behind and move into a new chapter with added responsibilities and privileges.
You are going to enjoy all the stories and wisdom that Armando shares about his experience with being a grandpa, a youth sports coach, and a parent to his adult children. Please share with us what your favorite takeaway was with this conversation. Also, be sure to check out all the links below and connect with Armando.
Links Click HERE to visit Armando's Facebook Page
Click HERE to visit Armando's coaching website, On Target Achievement
Click HERE to view Armando's LinkedIn profile
Click HERE to be taken to Dave Wadsworth's book, Living in the Ditch: 1 Ditch 2 Boys and 3000 adventures
Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Dave Wadsworth
Affiliate Link Readeo
This week, we catch up one-on-one to discuss how we can build up love and affection with grandchildren who live away from us. The basis for this conversation comes from a guest blog that I wrote for Peekabond. Peekabond is a new company building an application to assist people with building and maintaining long-distance relationships with young ones.
In this conversation, I discuss the need to have a plan for communicating and sharing communications with grandchildren. We then discuss four ways to build up and strengthen those long-distance relationships. The four areas are:
- Send fun pictures and videos
- Video chats when you can (Peekabond can help with this item!)
- Virtual playtime
- Snail mail
We live in an age where we can take full advantage of voice and video to communicate to those young ones that we hold dear to us. By taking a few intentional steps and making plans with their parents about how and when to share with children, we can build up relationships where those children can TRULY KNOW US compared to us being remote but loving strangers.
To read more on how you can build Love and Affection with Grandchildren at a distance, please check out my guest blog and be sure to check out Peekabond.
Links Click HERE to read my guest blog
Click HERE to check out Peekabond
Affiliate Link Readeo
This conversation is with Greg Vance. Greg shares all the changes he had going on when the first grandchildren came along. We discussed how Greg was leaving corporate life and was building his coaching and consulting business. Greg discusses the changes in habits and lifestyle that were happening in the few years leading to welcoming in their first grandchild.
We discuss Greg's relationship with his young grandchildren and grandchildren living within the same neighborhood. Greg talks about the logistics of keeping toys, clothes, and the important stuffed animals all squared away between two close homes. Greg compares his relationship with his grandparents, who lived about 20 minutes away from him growing up, to his relationship with his grandchildren.
You will enjoy Greg's insights and delightful stories about being a grandparent. Be sure to check out Greg's website (link below) to learn even more about Greg and connect with him.
Link Click HERE to visit Greg's website, Career Meets Purpose.
Click HERE to visit Greg's LinkedIn profile
Click HERE to connect with Greg on Twitter
Click HERE to connect with Greg on Facebook
Affiliate Link Readeo
This week's conversation is with Robin and Stephanie from the podcast 'Stories from Grandparents'. Robin and Stephanie discuss the concept for their podcast and how they have been learning and capturing interesting stories from everyday people. 'Stories from Grandparents' is unique in that Robin and Stephanie facilitate grandchildren interviewing their grandparents about different topics.
We also learn more about Robin and Stephanie's exciting relationships with their grandparents. You will want to join us for this fun and fascinating conversation. If you are interested in being on their podcast and interviewing your grandparents or just sharing a funny story about one of your grandparents, click the link below and fill out their short questionnaire. It is straightforward, and Robin and Stephanie are extraordinary women you will enjoy getting to know.
Links Click HERE to be taken to the Stories from Grandparents website
Affiliate Link Readeo
This is a bonus episode. The episode is part two of my interview about Maj. General Rupertus, USMC. In this episode, Heather, Kim, and Amy join me to talk about their extraordinary grandfather. Amy and Don Brown's book about Major General Rupertus, Old Breed General, is now out and available for purchase. Not only is it now available for purchase, BUT it is in its second printing BEFORE the first run has been released.
After many years, Amy and her sister's hard work has been rewarded by releasing their book about their grandfather. This episode is part of a two-part series about a passion for connecting to an ancestor and the desire to "fill in the blanks" in the Marine Corps and United States history.
We learn all about William H. Rupertus in this fun and informative conversation. Heather, Kim, and Amy take us on an exciting journey into their grandfather's life. They share with us the fun times, the hard times, and their grandfather's perseverance in this conversation. We learn firsthand from his loving granddaughters how he served his country, lost his first family in his country's service, and then led the First Marine Division during the early years of the War in the Pacific.
If you haven't heard the first episode, I strongly recommend that you go back and listen to it. Click Here for the link to that first episode (26). In the first episode, we spend a lot of time going over the sisters' motivation to dive into their grandfather's story and connect with him even though they never met him.
You can find many of the sisters' helpful links to researching and documenting their grandfather's experience in the first episode's show notes (Click Here). Be sure to check out the links that we now have for book orders, Amy's Author Page, and many other resources about an essential American Hero.
Links @MajGenRupertus - Twitter
Click HERE to be taken to Amy's Author Page to learn more about Amy and the incredible work she is engaged in.
Click HERE to be taken to Don Brown's Author Page to learn more about Don and the many projects that he has and is working on.
Amy's Facebook group - Discovering My Grandfather MajorGen. William H. Rupertus, USMC
Click HERE to purchase your copy of Old Breed General Let Amy and her sisters know that you have listened to their fascinating story on The Cool Grandpa Podcast and what your favorite story is about their research and passion for connecting with their grandfather.
Below is an interview with Major General Rupertus
Affiliate Link Readeo
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us well - Voltaire
This is another one on one conversation with just me and you. We discuss the importance of helping grandchildren learn how to show appreciation in our discussion of how to show appreciation to their family, friends, and others. To me, Appreciation is a deeper form of giving thanks.
I suggest that being Thankful and expressing Thanks is undoubtedly a critical expression. We need to help moms and dads when they are teaching little ones basic manners and social interactions. The next level of expressing thanks is by showing or expressing gratitude. To me, being Grateful is a deeper level of being thankful. Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return Kindness."
Appreciation is defined as "Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." I believe this is why we have traditionally seen public displays of appreciation for heroic acts in the public space. Think about medals, honors, monetary awards, etc. I think that grandparents can help grandchildren and others express more profound thanks through appreciation.
There are at least three ways that grandfathers can help grandchildren learn to express appreciation. The first is by modeling how to verbally show appreciation to someone by using the word "Appreciate" when thanking someone for service. The second way we can model showing appreciation is by having the grandchildren see us, or better yet, help us write out notes of appreciation. Both of these ways will help teach the grandchildren without lecturing. Remember, most young people learn best from seeing compared to being told.
The third way to help grandchildren learn to express appreciation is to be looking for opportunities to prompt them to express appreciation. Helping a young person express appreciation could be as simple as coaching them to use "appreciate" instead of "thanks." It could also be making sure that they are taking note when giving appreciation about what they are appreciative for. For example, you could prompt a young person to let a store manager know that they appreciate the manager making an exception to allowing them to use the store's restroom even though the bathroom is not normally open to the public.
While helping to teach a young person to say thank you, it is just as important to teach them how to express gratitude and appreciation as deeper forms of thanks.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us well - Voltaire
This is another one on one conversation with just me and you. We discuss the importance of helping grandchildren learn how to show appreciation in our discussion of how to show appreciation to their family, friends, and others. To me, Appreciation is a deeper form of giving thanks.
I suggest that being Thankful and expressing Thanks is undoubtedly a critical expression. We need to help moms and dads when they are teaching little ones basic manners and social interactions. The next level of expressing thanks is by showing or expressing gratitude. To me, being Grateful is a deeper level of being thankful. Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return Kindness."
Appreciation is defined as "Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." I believe this is why we have traditionally seen public displays of appreciation for heroic acts in the public space. Think about medals, honors, monetary awards, etc. I think that grandparents can help grandchildren and others express more profound thanks through appreciation.
There are at least three ways that grandfathers can help grandchildren learn to express appreciation. The first is by modeling how to verbally show appreciation to someone by using the word "Appreciate" when thanking someone for service. The second way we can model showing appreciation is by having the grandchildren see us, or better yet, help us write out notes of appreciation. Both of these ways will help teach the grandchildren without lecturing. Remember, most young people learn best from seeing compared to being told.
The third way to help grandchildren learn to express appreciation is to be looking for opportunities to prompt them to express appreciation. Helping a young person express appreciation could be as simple as coaching them to use "appreciate" instead of "thanks." It could also be making sure that they are taking note when giving appreciation about what they are appreciative for. For example, you could prompt a young person to let a store manager know that they appreciate the manager making an exception to allowing them to use the store's restroom even though the bathroom is not normally open to the public.
While helping to teach a young person to say thank you, it is just as important to teach them how to express gratitude and appreciation as deeper forms of thanks.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us well - Voltaire
This is another one on one conversation with just me and you. We discuss the importance of helping grandchildren learn how to show appreciation in our discussion of how to show appreciation to their family, friends, and others. To me, Appreciation is a deeper form of giving thanks.
I suggest that being Thankful and expressing Thanks is undoubtedly a critical expression. We need to help moms and dads when they are teaching little ones basic manners and social interactions. The next level of expressing thanks is by showing or expressing gratitude. To me, being Grateful is a deeper level of being thankful. Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return Kindness."
Appreciation is defined as "Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." I believe this is why we have traditionally seen public displays of appreciation for heroic acts in the public space. Think about medals, honors, monetary awards, etc. I think that grandparents can help grandchildren and others express more profound thanks through appreciation.
There are at least three ways that grandfathers can help grandchildren learn to express appreciation. The first is by modeling how to verbally show appreciation to someone by using the word "Appreciate" when thanking someone for service. The second way we can model showing appreciation is by having the grandchildren see us, or better yet, help us write out notes of appreciation. Both of these ways will help teach the grandchildren without lecturing. Remember, most young people learn best from seeing compared to being told.
The third way to help grandchildren learn to express appreciation is to be looking for opportunities to prompt them to express appreciation. Helping a young person express appreciation could be as simple as coaching them to use "appreciate" instead of "thanks." It could also be making sure that they are taking note when giving appreciation about what they are appreciative for. For example, you could prompt a young person to let a store manager know that they appreciate the manager making an exception to allowing them to use the store's restroom even though the bathroom is not normally open to the public.
While helping to teach a young person to say thank you, it is just as important to teach them how to express gratitude and appreciation as deeper forms of thanks.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us well - Voltaire
This is another one on one conversation with just me and you. We discuss the importance of helping grandchildren learn how to show appreciation in our discussion of how to show appreciation to their family, friends, and others. To me, Appreciation is a deeper form of giving thanks.
I suggest that being Thankful and expressing Thanks is undoubtedly a critical expression. We need to help moms and dads when they are teaching little ones basic manners and social interactions. The next level of expressing thanks is by showing or expressing gratitude. To me, being Grateful is a deeper level of being thankful. Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return Kindness."
Appreciation is defined as "Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." I believe this is why we have traditionally seen public displays of appreciation for heroic acts in the public space. Think about medals, honors, monetary awards, etc. I think that grandparents can help grandchildren and others express more profound thanks through appreciation.
There are at least three ways that grandfathers can help grandchildren learn to express appreciation. The first is by modeling how to verbally show appreciation to someone by using the word "Appreciate" when thanking someone for service. The second way we can model showing appreciation is by having the grandchildren see us, or better yet, help us write out notes of appreciation. Both of these ways will help teach the grandchildren without lecturing. Remember, most young people learn best from seeing compared to being told.
The third way to help grandchildren learn to express appreciation is to be looking for opportunities to prompt them to express appreciation. Helping a young person express appreciation could be as simple as coaching them to use "appreciate" instead of "thanks." It could also be making sure that they are taking note when giving appreciation about what they are appreciative for. For example, you could prompt a young person to let a store manager know that they appreciate the manager making an exception to allowing them to use the store's restroom even though the bathroom is not normally open to the public.
While helping to teach a young person to say thank you, it is just as important to teach them how to express gratitude and appreciation as deeper forms of thanks.
Rebecca Fraser-Thill joins us to talk about grandfathers, multi-generational relationships, and the importance of traditions within the family. We are introduced to Rebecca's grandfather, Raymond Green, who lived about a half-hour from Rebecca. Although Rebecca talks about having a stronger bond with her grandmother, Raymond played an essential role in her life. They both enjoyed feeding the birds, spending the night at Grandma's and Grandpa's house, and being silly together.
We then talk about Rebecca's relationship between her children and her father. Rebecca shares how her daughter pulls out characteristics of her father that he usually does not let out so much. Rebecca's son and her father share many characteristic traits, such as becoming very focused on technical and engineering challenges.
Towards the end of our conversation, Rebecca and I discuss the role of traditions within the family. Some of the many benefits that family traditions have are:
- A sense of belonging
- Creating and re-enforcing identity
- Creates stability and expectations within the family
- Develops positive emotions among the participants
- It is useful in creating multi-generational memories and bonds
Links Click HERE to visit Rebecca's website and learn more about her.
Click HERE to read Rebecca's article, "How Family Traditions Build Stronger Bonds.."
Click HERE for the book we discussed, "In Good Faith: Secular Parenting in a Religious World"
Affiliate Link Readeo
Rebecca Fraser-Thill joins us to talk about grandfathers, multi-generational relationships, and the importance of traditions within the family. We are introduced to Rebecca's grandfather, Raymond Green, who lived about a half-hour from Rebecca. Although Rebecca talks about having a stronger bond with her grandmother, Raymond played an essential role in her life. They both enjoyed feeding the birds, spending the night at Grandma's and Grandpa's house, and being silly together.
We then talk about Rebecca's relationship between her children and her father. Rebecca shares how her daughter pulls out characteristics of her father that he usually does not let out so much. Rebecca's son and her father share many characteristic traits, such as becoming very focused on technical and engineering challenges.
Towards the end of our conversation, Rebecca and I discuss the role of traditions within the family. Some of the many benefits that family traditions have are:
- A sense of belonging
- Creating and re-enforcing identity
- Creates stability and expectations within the family
- Develops positive emotions among the participants
- It is useful in creating multi-generational memories and bonds
Links Click HERE to visit Rebecca's website and learn more about her.
Click HERE to read Rebecca's article, "How Family Traditions Build Stronger Bonds.."
Click HERE for the book we discussed, "In Good Faith: Secular Parenting in a Religious World"
Affiliate Link Readeo
Renowned keynote speaker Kent Julian sits down with us to talk about one of his three heroes, Enoch Marshall. Kent shares how they were opposites in many ways, yet he was drawn to Enoch. When Kent thinks about and describes his grandfather, the word that comes to mind is WISDOM.
We discuss how Kent's grandfather was there as Kent's spiritual awakening began in middle and high school. Kent talks about how his grandfather became that person that provided Kent with guidance as it was needed.
As we continue discussing the influence of Enoch on Kent, we learn that the other two heroes in Kent's life were a teacher and youth pastor. The three of them helped to turn Kent as an "at-risk youth" into a young man who grew closer to his faith and turned his life around. Kent talks about how his grandfather just seemed to have the right timing and accessibility to talk to Kent about spiritual matters and life.
We also talk a bit about the myth about quality time vs. quantity time. To Kent, quality time is what the receiver gets through quantity time. For example, shooting baskets in the driveway might be quantity time until a critical topic is brought up by the grandson or granddaughter, and then, that activity shifts to quality time.
Kent and I also talk about how grandfathers and others can get into the speaking game if they feel they have a message to share. We discuss how speaking could be a side hustle, something for fun, or a full-time gig, depending on what you want to get out of speaking. To learn more about getting into the speaking game, check out the links below to Kent's site.
Please remember to like and share this podcast with someone you know who needs to hear the message about how important grandfathers are in the lives of grandchildren and families.
Links Click HERE to learn even more about Kent
Click HERE to learn Kent's 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
Click HERE to go to Kent's Paid to Speak Podcast website
Click HERE to the Paid To Speak Conference that Kent and I briefly discussed
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In this conversation, we are joined by Richard Eyre. Richard and his wife Linda have been writing and speaking about values-based parenting for over 20 years. Richard has taken his experience and insight with parenting and created a great book about being a proactive grandfather. With over 34 grandchildren, Richard has had experience building deep and meaningful relationships with grandchildren both near and far.
Our discussion talks about the four different types or versions of grandfathers and which one is most rewarding for the grandfather and the grandchildren. Those four types are:
- Disengaged
- Limited
- Supportive
- Proactive
Richard and I also discuss the different roles that grandfathers play in the lives of their grandchildren as those grandchildren grow and develop.
Ensure that you check out the links to Ricard's book and website below. You are sure to enjoy and benefit from Richard's resources to offer grandfathers and parents alike.
Links Click HERE to be taken to Richard's website, Values Parenting
Click HERE to view Richard's book, Being a Proactive Grandfather
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Roland Thompson sits down with us to talk about the importance of connections with our grandchildren and family. Roland is currently working on two books and launching his foundation, Heart of the Fathers. We kick off our conversation, discussing Roland's reaction to the news that he would be a grandfather while still having children at home and adopting another young child.
Roland is passionate about doing what he can to stress the importance of building connections to grandchildren and the rising generation as a whole. With threats such as teen suicide, pregnancy, and runaways impacting young people, Roland believes that connecting and being part of the group of influencers is how grandparents can help battle these risks to our youth.
The major influencers on a young person's life, according to Roland, are:
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Peers
- Teachers, coaches, etc.
Be sure to share this episode with a friend and subscribe to the podcast if you have not done so yet.
Links Click HERE to watch Roland and one of his sons perform a medley of Old Man / Cat's in the Cradle.
Click HERE to be taken to Roland's Heart of the Fathers Facebook group
Click HERE to be taken to The Long Distance Grandparent
Click HERE for Imagine Dragons (band)
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Jody Noland joins us for this week's conversation. I met Jody at Kent Julian's Paid to Speak conference in September 2021. Jody is passionate about discussing the importance and intimacy of letter and note writing.
As an author, speaker, and coach, Jody Noland brings an infectious passion for writing words of encouragement. Her greatest joy comes from helping others leave nothing unsaid to the essential people in their lives.
In our conversation, you will learn firsthand the impact of writing a letter or a card on someone. Jody explains the impactful yet straightforward steps to writing a note that you need to know you see and appreciate. The process of writing an impactful letter is simple and can be broken down into three parts:
- Express your feelings for the individual.
- Highlight what is unique and special about the person. Affirm their most outstanding character qualities. Use a word picture, if possible, to illustrate.
- Describe your hopes, prayers, dreams for the recipient.
Jody has many valuable tools that you can find on her website to help get you started in writing meaningful letters and cards.
Once you have listened to this episode, please remember to share it with someone who would appreciate hearing about grandfathers' vital role in the family.
Links Click HERE to be taken to the Leave Nothing Unsaid website.
Click HERE to learn more about Jody.
Click HERE to be taken to Jody's Facebook page. (Be sure to click the "Follow" button to be kept up to date about what Jody is up to.)
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In this week's conversation, we are joined by Dave Wadsworth. I met Dave at Kent Julian's Paid To Speak conference in Atlanta, GA. We immediately hit it off about life and, of course, cool grandpa stuff.
In this conversation, Dave and I discuss the joy that he and his wife shared when they found out they would become grandparents. Dave is currently building a lake on his property, where he plans to put a pontoon boat for the grandchildren to play on and swim around as they get older.
Dave talks about his passion for helping men live a life on fire and purpose so that they can be as fulfilled as possible. Dave hopes that men recognize that they have the power and love to share with their grandchildren, friends, and family by living a life on fire. As an "encourager," Dave uses social media, especially TikTok, to reach out to thousands of followers to encourage and inspire people to live their lives with purpose and enthusiasm.
Dave was generous to share his number with us (812-499-5090), so if you want to connect with a cool grandpa and a heck of a nice guy, shoot Dave a text message. Let him know you heard him on The Cool Grandpa Podcast.
Remember to share this podcast with someone who needs to hear how significant the role of grandfather can be.
Links Click HERE for Dave's book, Finishing on Fire.
Click HERE for Dave's website and check out his services
Click HERE to learn more about Dan Miller's 48 Days community
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Our conversation is with James Lott Jr. James, and I sit down to talk about his relationship with his Dutch and Puerto Rician/Indian grandfathers. We talk about where James gets his gift of gab and fun times hanging out with his Grandfather in New York during the crazy 1980s. James also talks about the influence of his Dutch grandfather and his application for dry humor and the fun saying, "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much."
James opens up and talks about the challenges of becoming a grandparent while he was still in his 30's. We discuss how that experience was tough to go through and how he could navigate his way to having meaningful and deep relationships with his children and grandchildren.
You are going to love this conversation because we get deep but have fun all the way. Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to like us on your podcast feed. After you hit the like and subscribe button, think about someone in your network who needs to hear this conversation, and please share this episode with them.
Links Click HERE for James' Facebook page.
Click HERE to be taken to the JLJ Media YouTube Profile
Click HERE to go to James' Sound Cloud channel
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Our conversation is with Tabasco. Tabasco sits down with us to discuss his experience of being a grandfather who lives close to his grandchildren. In this exciting conversation, we talk about how Tabasco how hearing the news that he would be a grandfather was like starting a new chapter in his life and a chance to share the world with another child.
We continue to talk about how Tabasco could focus on the grandchild and block out worldly distractions. Tabasco shares with us how to enjoy the early years and not rush them to grow up. As we dive into our conversation further, Tacasco talks about how important it is to make sure that the parents have the opportunity to experience the "firsts" with their children.
Be sure to check out the links below for more information about Tabasco and the fantastic career and wisdom he has to share.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share it with a friend.
Links Tabasco's interview from Military.com
Affiliate Link Readeo
This great conversation with Lee explores how a grandfather's example of service teaches the grandchildren valuable lessons about helping others. We also discuss how Lee and the family positively install closely held family values to the upcoming generation.
Lee serves as director of the Brisbane Legacy group (https://www.legacy.com.au/brisbane/BrisbaneLegacy). This group serves the people of Australia by looking after the family of veterans. Do your self a service and review this fantastic organization and if you are moved to do so, please contribute by contacting fundraising@legacybrisbane.org.au.
Legacy is a charity providing service to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the incapacitation or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their Defence Force service. At Brisbane Legacy, we currently care for more than 6,700 widows and 250 dependents of the 52,000 widow(er)s and 1,845 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia.
Links Click HERE to listen to Lee's original episode
Click HERE to find out more about Australia's Legacy group
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This week's conversation is with Dave Evans. Dave and I sit down to talk about his experience with being a grandfather. We talk a lot about his granddaughter Nyia and her challenges. During Nyia's delivery, she went without oxygen for about 12 minutes resulting in Nyia having extensive brain and motor issues.
Nyia and her family are working with the great people at NAPA on an individual therapy plan to help Nyia learn to do as much for herself as possible. As you can imagine, Nyia relies on the therapists' support and care, her loving parents, and her supportive grandparents.
Dave and I discuss his reaction to the news of what happened to Nyia during delivery and how he could be a valuable support to Nyia's parents in the days and months after Nyia's birth. We also talk about how Nyia is doing now and how Dave reads to Nyia, pushes her in the swing, and writes music with Nyia. Dave also shares how he has taken the following scripture to heart to describe what it is to be a grandfather.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" - Colossians 3:12
Join us for this touching conversation about how grandfathers can play an important part in supporting the family through tough times. You will also want to hear how Nyia is growing stronger and doing many more activities with the help of Dave, Nyia's family, and caregivers.
At the end of our conversation, you will get a chuckle out of the story that Dave provides about his grandfather going the extra mile back in the 1960s by taking Dave to a rock and roll show.
Once you have listened and enjoyed the show, please share Dave's story with someone who could use some inspiration about how important grandfathers are in strengthening the family. If you would like to get in touch with Dave, please shoot me an email at greg@cool-grandpa.com, and I will share your thoughts with Dave.
Links NAPA
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This week's episode is another conversation just between the two of us. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of traditions and rituals. We can use traditions and rituals to create stronger family bonds and bonds between grandfathers and grandchildren. Rituals are those details that are part of traditions. An example of a ritual is that grandma and the grandchildren ALWAYS work together to bake an apple pie for Thanksgiving dessert.
No matter your traditions and rituals in your family, be aware that these activities are essential to the grandchildren and the entire family. Grandchildren will learn about their family's history and values through what you do with your traditions and rituals.
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Welcome back to another fun conversation with someone from my past. Thal Dixon is a good friend of mine from our High School days. Thal is sitting down with us to have a conversation about his interesting and entertaining Grandpa Penrod.
Thal discusses how no matter where his family moved, his Grandpa and Grandma were a constant in his life. We even hear about how Thal was going to school in Idaho, and he had his own room at his grandparent's house. Thal also talks about his closeness with his grandfather and how his grandfather allowed Thal to grow and develop into the man he is today.
We discuss Thal's passion for poetry and writing children's books as we wrap up our conversation. Thal shares how he was inspired as a young student in Hawaii by a classroom visitor who shared his poetry with Thal's class. Today, Thal is going into classrooms to share his art and passion for writing.
Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to like and share this podcast with a friend. Sharing with friends is the best way to help share this positive message about the influence of grandfathers.
Links Thal's Amazon author page
Thal's "About Page"
Thal's YouTube channel
Grumpy Publications Facebook Page
Grumpy Publications Website
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Our conversation is with Gramps Jeffrey. Gramps Jeffrey is a children's book author and grandfather of six. Gramps looks at the world through the lens of what has changed and evolved since he was a kid.
We discussed his book, I Don't Want to Turn 3, and what inspired him to write this exciting and entertaining book. We talk about how important it is to read to our children and grandchildren. Reading is not simply a way of bonding with them, but it has also been documented to increase a child's listening skills, build a varied vocabulary, and lengthen their attention span.
Let us know in the comments below what your Ah-Ha or big takeaway was from this conversation.
Be sure to check out Gramps Jeffrey's website (link listed below) and his book.
Remember to like and share this conversation with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help support our message of the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their families.
Links Gramps Jeffrey - Website
Gramps Jeffrey's email address is grampsjeffrey@gmail.com.
"I Don't Want to Turn 3" - Online purchasing options
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This week, we talked with DeeDee Moore. DeeDee was in a similar spot as I was when she found out that she would be a grandmother. That spot was that there were some articles, podcasts, and magazines, but nothing designed to help grandmas or grandpas understand their new roles.
Taking what she had experienced as a mom, elementary school office lady, and years as a communications consultant Dee Dee started More Than Grand. More Than Grand is dedicated to letting parents know how important the role of being a grandparent is in the lives of the grandchildren and grown children.
You are sure to enjoy this conversation, so lace up those shoes if you are going for a walk or pull up a chair if you are taking a break from your busy day and join DeeDee and me for a fun discussion.
After you listen to this conversation, be sure to share it with a friend.
Links More Than Grand - DeeDee's website and community
New Grandparent Essentials - One of the resources that DeeDee talked about
About DeeDee - The about page for More Than Grand and DeeDee
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Adulting 101
The episode that you will hear is a fantastic bonus show that can help grandfathers and grandparents.
Ever wonder who those people go over the top at Halloween and have the best home haunt in the neighborhood? Meet Nationally recognized home haunt and prop designer expert Roger Hayes.
Order your drink and pull up a chair so you can join my conversation with Roger as we catch up about all things Halloween. Rog is an old friend of mine with whom I have had many adventures. Some adventures we even tell our wives about. So, come on, pull up a chair, and join us for some great conversation.
Roger and I cover basic grandkid costume safety and general, trick-or-treat safety with the grandkids. BTW, Roger prefers makeup to masks. Roger also talks about how grandpas can give the neighborhood and community haunted house the 'stiff test' for fun and SAFETY before taking the little grand ghosts and grand goblins through a home haunt.
You would be surprised about the little details that can tip you off too if the home haunt is safe, professional, and likely to be an enjoyable experience for the grandkids.
Roger and I also talk about a few arts and crafts projects that grandpas can do with the grandkids. These arts and crafts projects can become a wonderful tradition that the kiddos get to do with grandpa each fall. We both agree that the artifacts that the kids make will become treasured memories of their time spent with their Cool Grandpa.
Roger is super talented, as you will see when you visit his website and view the pictures below. All of the artwork that you see is original and comes from the genius of Roger's mind.
Here are the links to Roger's site and some cool pictures of Uncle Rog's tombstone work.
Hayes Haunt
Roger's Halloween Coloring Book
Hayes Haunt YouTube Video
Our guest is Dr. Gene Beresin. Gene is a great guy and is working hard with the devoted staff of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. According to the center's about page, The Clay Center "...is a free, practical, online educational resource dedicated to promoting and supporting the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of children, teens, and young adults."
I knew that Gene would be the perfect guest to talk about how grandparents can be part of helping grandchildren through emotional and mental health issues. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of building connections with our grandchildren. If problems arise, they and their parents feel comfortable including us in the difficult discussions around emotional health issues.
We discuss how being open with our emotional challenges can lessen the awkwardness and shame that children and others can feel when dealing with mental health issues. Gene and I also talk about the recent revelations from gymnast Simone Biles about withdrawing from the Uneven Bars and Vault in the 2021 Summer Olympics. Simone started feel like she was mentally unable to compete and was dealing with a phenomenon known as the "twisties." We both agree that having public discussions about mental health can and should go a long way in helping our grandchildren. We believe that the grandchildren need to know that they are not alone when they are experiencing challenges themselves and that hopefully, they will feel safe enough to talk to someone, including their grandparents.
Gene and I also talk about the grandfather's role and how we, as grandfathers, are the keepers of the family narratives. Grandfathers offer a profound bridge to the past that can inspire and entertain our grandchildren. We often hold a hundred years or more of family history in our memories from our discussions with our grandparents.
You will be sure to enjoy this conversation. When you finish listening to Gene and me, be sure to check out the links below and leave us a comment about your big takeaway from our conversation.
Helpful Links The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
Gene Beresin, MD, MA - About Page
The Value of Being a Grandparent: 7 Ways to Support Your Family's Emotional Health - A great article written by Gene
Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple - The Clay Center's Podcast (They will be starting season 5 very soon, be sure to check out their podcast!)
Sara Rattingan - Super Star Communication Specialist who helped to get Gene and me together. Thanks, Sara!
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Adulting 101
"I'm in a place in my life where I get offered parts that I didn't get offered before - fathers and uncles and grandfathers and so on. And it took me a long time to get to that place, but I'm glad because it opens up new territory." - Christopher Walken
The episode is a one on one conversation with me and you. In this conversation, I discuss how we are taking on new roles even at our age, which is a good thing. Men heading into their "grandpa years" should be looking to take on new roles.
Regardless of your age, when taking on a new role, we should all be looking to do the following:
Seek Support Talk to other experts and those who have held the position longer than you have. Seeking out support is a two-part exercise. We want to get ahold of experts who can tell and show us how this new role should or can function. Two, we need our network to beware of what we are doing and what new roles we are taking on to support us and, most importantly, encourage us as we grow through learning our new role.
Get More Education Just because we have seen a lot and experienced a lot to this point in our lives does not mean that we should stop learning. When you hit your middle-age years, some would say that learning is something you only do on an "as needed" basis. I say, though, that learning should be part of your everyday life. The Cool Grandpas that I know are always learning. Indeed, education is critical for new roles, like Scout Master, Assistant Baseball Coach, or even the lead shift supervisor at the local food pantry. For example, you may never have had to work with non-paid volunteers. How do you keep non-paid people engaged and showing up every time with their "A game"? I bet there is a book, a podcast, or course on leading volunteers.
Rebrand Yourself We all have a brand. It is what people think about you, how they have labeled you. To be fair as well, it is what we also think of ourselves. When we take on new roles, we have a great chance to "rebrand" ourselves. If you have not been very outgoing in the past but you volunteer to run intake processing functions of the local food pantry, you will need to stretch yourself to become more outgoing. Taking on a new role is a great chance to educate your family and friends about your new role and help them start to think of you differently. YOU can help them see the shift in yourself and the growth you are undertaking and, as a result, change your brand.
What new roles are you taking on? Where are some areas where you are growing and increasing your knowledge through formal or informal education? How are you changing your brand? Are you directing that brand change, or are circumstances creating a defacto brand?
Please shoot me an email and tell me what roles you are taking on and what changes you are making in your life. You can reach me at greg@cool-grandpa.com
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Adulting 101
Sylvia Liu has never met her grandfathers, but they have played an important role in China's history. Most importantly, they have played a significant role in Syliva's life through their example and influence on her mother and father. Sylvia sits down with us to discuss her grandfathers, her life as an environmental lawyer, and now as a children and young adult author.
Sylvia's maternal grandfather was Lieutenant General Fan Hanjie. Lt. General Fan Hanjie was one of General Chiang Kai-shek's generals and a member of the Nationist Chinese Government. As one of the key military leaders of China, Lt. General Fan Hanjie was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm, which is the highest award that the U.S. presents to citizens and non-citizens who aided in the war effort.
Liu Yiguang, Sylvia's grandfather on her father's side of the family, was a Commander of Intelligence in Chiang Kai-Shek's army. Liu Yiguang was responsible for the security and house arrest of Zhang Xueliang who was a general that kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek and forced him to sign an agreement with the Communist to halt the civil war and work together to fight the Japanese. Liu Yiguang would guard Zhang Xueliang for more than 25 years, both in China and in Taiwan.
Sylvia and I also dive into her background and upbringing, including growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, before migrating to the United States. We discuss her professional life as an environmental lawyer for the U.S. Government and with several non-profit organizations. We also discuss her transition to being a child and young adult author with a new book, Manatee's Best Friend, now available.
Links Sylvia Liu's Home Page
Sylvia's blog about her grandfather Lt. General Fan Hanjie (Fan Hanjie (范漢傑) (1894-1976))
Sylvia's book page (MANATEE'S BEST FRIEND, A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, etc.)
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Adulting 101
Dan Miller joins us for a fantastic conversation about how to help our grandchildren to think creatively about education, work, and life. Learn about Dan's experience and expectations when he learned that he would become a grandfather. Dan was excited and viewed the grandchildren as an extension of the fun and exciting times he and his wife, Joanne, had with their children.
Our discussion then focused on helping his grandchildren learn to hold on to their creativity and passions from childhood to adulthood. We discuss how they use the game CASH FLOW as one of the fun activities that he and Joanne use to help the grandchildren think about how to create wealth.
We also talk about mentors when modeling roles such as being a husband, father, and grandfather. There are many resources available to learn these roles that we take on. Dan and I also talk about how grandfathers or men of the same age group can help reframe experiences that our grandchildren and other youth have. We can help them think differently about opportunities and find ways to find meaningful, purposeful, AND profitable work for them.
Dan talks to us about connecting with the grandchildren on their level and with their interests. By meeting the grandchildren where they are, we help them grow how they are 'bent' or created and not how their parents or we want them to be. By joining our grandchildren in activities that they enjoy, we as grandparents can learn from our grandchildren.
Be sure to check out the links below for resources that can help you be a Cool Grandpa AND help your grandchildren think creatively about life and work.
Links 48days.com
Dan's about page
48 Days Eagles Community
The five books that Dan recommends his grandchildren read by the time they are 13 years old:
Acres of Diamonds
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Think and Grow Rich
See You at the Top
The Magic of Thinking Big
Dan's Books:
48 DAYS TO THE WORK (AND LIFE) YOU LOVE
NO MORE DREADED MONDAYS
RUDDER OF THE DAY - One of my favorites
CLICK HERE to learn about the Game Cashflow that Dan mentioned on the show. This is a game developed by RICH DAD.
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Adulting 101
Kerry Byrne, Ph.D., joins us for our conversation today. Kerry has studied aging and care for 25 years. She is the Founder of The Long Distance Grandparent, a mission-driven business helping grandparents build strong bonds with their grandchildren from a distance.
As a mom to 2, with grandparents living at a distance, she believes children need their grandparents, now more than ever – no matter the distance between.
We have a blast discussing the idea that in today's world, moms and dads are not meant to parent alone, and hats off to those who have to. This world is more complicated and travels faster, making protecting, educating, and loving the little ones more of a challenge.
Kerry and I talk about her time in Dubai and Houston, TX, and how it inspired her to interview other long-distance grandparents to figure out how they stayed in touch with their grandchildren. During our conversation, we talk about the 5 P's of Kerry's Grand Path; those P's are:
Plan - Ensuring we are mindful and intentional about grandparenting.
Partner - Nurturing partnerships with parents, cousins, and others.
Prepare - Preparing for moments shared to make the best of every interaction.
Play - Playing and being playful about our connections.
Preserve - Capturing the moments we share with our grandchildren.
Regardless if you are a Long-Distance Grandparent or not, I strongly encourage you to check out Kerry's blog, website, and Long Distance Grandparent Society. These sources contain great ideas about activities and tools that you can use to strengthen your relationships.
Links The Long Distance Grandparent - Website
The Long Distance Grandparent Society - email sign up and information
Kerry's email address: kerry@thelongdistancegrandparent.com
Affiliate Links Readeo
Adulting 101
"Dear Mr. Venon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain…and an athlete…and a basketcase…a princess…and a criminal."
– Closing monologue, The Breakfast Club (1985)
I love this movie. You can tell that I am a member of Gen X. One of the reasons I enjoy this movie is the lesson of how labels, while sometimes useful, can place people in boxes that is hard for them to get out of. At least in our perceptions of who we think they are.
In this one-on-one conversation, I talk about how grandfathers should avoid using labels when thinking and talking about their grandchildren. While labels can quickly convey a lot of information in a few words, it limits the person to that one label in our own thoughts.
Talking about or describing attributes within a context or setting is a much better way to think or talk about our grandchildren. Where labels can carry a fixed meaning, discussing attributes lets us talk and think about the parts of the personality or skills that the grandchild has compared to just thinking of them in one term.
Thinking and speaking about our grandchildren's attributes allow them to grow and develop in our minds and does not keep them locked in as only one personality type or on a set of physical attributes.
While labels themselves are not good or bad, I would like to challenge the grandfathers and grandparents to be careful and avoid using labels and shift to thinking about and discussing the attributes that we want to praise or brag on. By shifting to calling out the attributes to describe our grandchildren, we allow them to evolve, grown, explore, and not stay fixed. After all, these precious little gifts are constantly changing and challenging themselves and their environments.
Affiliate Links Readeo
Adulting 101
In this conversation, Frank Pomata, aka Baba, sits down with us and talks about the impact and relationship with his grandfathers. We first learn about Carl (Carmello) and Anthony (Grandpa Tony) and what these two very different people did with Frank growing up in Brooklyn, NY. Frank had the interesting experience of living upstairs from his Grandpa Carl.
With Grandpa Carl, Frank became his driving buddy and was exposed early on to what goes on in an office environment. Frank learned some of the basics of being in an office in this environment, such as answering a phone and taking messages properly. Frank also learned some of the basics of making an office environment work.
With Grandpa Tony, Frank learned that there was a large world outside of New York through reading Grandpa Tony's National Geographic magazines. Grandpa Tony eventually gifted Frank his own subscription and cultivated an appreciation for learning that Frank still enjoys to this day. We get to hear some great stories about Grandpa Tony, including how he loved the music of Pete Fountain.
Frank also talks about his relationship with his grandson (8 years old) and the bond that they have developed over the years. We learn how Frank is intentionally working on taking an interest in his grandson by getting down on the floor and playing with him and even finding that his grandson is igniting a former passion of Franks; collecting Hot Wheels cars.
We talk about Frank's attitudes about how grandfathers today can change and be more engaged with their grandchildren and family. At the end of our conversation, we talk about Frank's article (a link is below) and how grandfathers can support their grandchildren and that nurturing is not the sole province of the grandmothers.
Once you have listened to this amazing episode, remember to subscribe and share this podcast with a friend.
Links Click HERE for Frank's LinkedIn Profile
Frank's article: Some Thoughts on the Value of Grandfathers
Affiliate Links Readeo
Adulting 101
In this conversation, we sit down with Richard, "Rick", Capriola to discuss the important topic of adolescent addition. We dive into what addiction means and how Grandfathers can play an important role in the identification, treatment, and recovery of a grandchild suffering from substance dependence.
Rick Capriola spent 11 years working as an addictions counselor for Menninger Clinic in Houston Texas before retiring in 2019. Menninger Clinic is one of the top ten psychiatric hospitals in the United States and specializes in the assessment, stabilization, and treatment of adults and adolescents with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.
During Rick's tenure at the Menninger Clinic, he worked in the Adolescent Treatment program and the adult Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment and Stabilization program. Working closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses he was responsible for comprehensive assessments and individual and group counseling with patients diagnosed with substance use disorders.
One of the big takeaways from the conversation is the response to the science of what the different drugs and substances do to the brain that impacted the youth that Rick worked with. It was amazing to me to learn that the reasons for stopping activities had more to do with the science and the behavior outcomes than just about anything else. What was your big takeaway from this important conversation? Be sure to leave a comment or even a question for Rick in the Comments section below.
Remember to subscribe to The Cool Grandpa Podcast if you haven't already and to share this podcast with a friend.
Links Click HERE to be directed to Rick's website
Click HERE to be taken to Amazon to purchase The Addicted Child: A Parent's Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse
Click HERE to be taken to Rick's workbook, The Addicted Child: Workbook
Sponsor Links Readeo
Adulting 101 - be sure to use the code: coolgrandpa at check out to receive 30% off your purchase price.
Please pull up a chair and join Aaron and me for an interesting conversation about a company he started almost ten years ago but is really catching fire today. Aaron and his brother Cody started Readeo to help connect Aaron and Cody's parents to Cody's children once Cody moved to Chicago.
Readeo holds several patents on the combination of video conferencing and digital children's books. The unique way these technologies are combined gives the users an interactive platform to share stories, conversations and strengthen bonds between children and adults.
This is an engaging conversation about how purpose and opportunity have come together to create a product that not only entertains children but also enables long-distance relationships to flourish. It isn't every day that we come across products and services that multiple generations can use AND are easy to use.
Based on the ease of use of Readeo, the quality of the individuals running the business, and the enjoyment my grandson gets out of our reading together. I am proud to become an affiliate of Readeo. To learn more about Readeo and to start your free trial, click HERE. To make it easy for you, there is an 'Affiliate' menu option on the top of my webpage, where you can also access the link to Readeo.
This conversation is just with you and me. I share four different activities you can do with your grandchild or anyone that do not require a smart device or application. These are fun and, most importantly, engaging activities that you can do today.
Collecting Collecting is a great way to discover what your grandchild is interested in. The grandchildren will naturally want more of whatever they are interested in. It could be toys, pictures, objects, just about anything. The important thing with sharing a collection is the conversation that it can generate. If the grandchild is into sports, there is a natural conversation that can be had about the sports heroes of the grandchild's generation and the sports heroes of your generation. Whatever your grandchild is into, do a little research and find those interesting points to comparing and contrasting.
Many areas of interest lend themselves to collecting. I mention in the conversation that stamps and coins are likely on the way out with advancing digital society. These two items, in particular, could be areas whereas a grandfather who grew up with coins, stamps, and paper money can introduce an interesting and fading hobby.
Map and Compass Learning to use a map and compass is not only something that can be fun, and it is a practical skill that every grandchild should know how to do. Teaching a grandchild how to orient a paper map with a compass to find the North will open up how their world is organized. Once a child learns that the North does not always equal 'up' or in front of them, their world becomes a little more complex. It also gives the grandchild a way of mastering or understanding their world.
Start easy with your grandchildren, find a map of your local area. I bet you can download or print off a map of your park, for starters. Show them how to orient the map and then create a simple map course that goes to recognizable features. Put a treasure or a reward at the end of the course, remember this should be a fun activity for them. After a few map and compass activities, invite the grandchild to create a course for you to follow. You will have taught them how to find their way if they are lost with a map and compass, giving them confidence and a valuable skill to help them in various situations as they grow up.
Cooking Cooking is like doing a science experiment that you can eat. Teaching kids to cook can be rewarding and a great way to connect with them. Cooking will lead to conversations about the origins of certain foods and meals, and you can also talk about what the grandchild's favorite dishes are.
Like all of our activities, it is best to start small and build on successes. Most children are going to want to help and be involved in the creation that they make. Don't forget that most children will want to show off their creations, so help them learn how to display their cookies or hotdogs. Cooking with grandchildren is a great way to work on math and science. Cooking involves fractions, following instructions, and chemistry. These are great ways to 'teach' without the formality of a workbook or chemistry paper. Don't worry if you are not up to date on all the science of cooking. You and the grandchild can always explore those processes together using different books and websites. The key takeaway here is that cooking is fun, transfers family history, and can be a learning experience rolled up into one activity.
Reading I am not talking about reading a book to your grandchild, although that is an important and bonding activity. No, I am talking about you and your grandchild(ren) alternate books to read. Think of this as a private book club. You can begin once your grandchild is old enough to read chapter books on their own. Start by asking the grandchild to pick a book, then you both read it by a determined date. For our purposes, let us say one month. During the month, of course, you can discuss the book but pick a date to either in person or remotely plan to discuss the book that they have chosen.
By allowing the grandson or granddaughter to pick out a book, you find out their interests. Will they pick out Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical drama? Who knows, but the point is that they are opening up their world of interests and ideas to you, and they are building a connection to you compared to you building that connection. Ideally, you can alternate who picks the books to have the option to stay in the same genre or help broaden their worldview by picking something age and ability appropriate that you enjoy.
Take away No matter what activity you choose from the list above, YOU will create meaningful and lasting memories with your grandchildren. Each of these activities is a fun way to connect AND either teach your grandchildren new skills or re-enforce what they are learning without using devices or software applications. Instead of complaining about the grandchildren being consumed by the devices, let's get better at being intentional about showing them how great and fun the world can be without electronics.
Have you done all four activities above? Download the document on my website for additional device-free activities. Have you found activities that your grandkids will leave the phone behind to do? Leave me a comment about what activities you do with your grandchildren that do not require devices or software applications.
You can find my hand out here: http://cool-grandpa.us/cool-resources/
Kitty Janvirn is a young woman who took a school assignment, had a passion for history, and created a podcast to capture the story of her grandparents and other grandparents. In our conversation, we learn about her mother's father, Paul Own, who, to Kitty, her brothers, and her cousins, is simply Doc. We learn that Doc was the town Pharmacist and enjoyed getting down on his hands and knees when the grandkids were over to play 'Monster' and chase them all about the house. (No doubt to grandma and mom's chagrin when they were trying to get the kids to go to bed.)
Kitty also shares tender stories about her father's dad, Bob Janvirn. Bob is known to his grandchildren as Grandpa. We discuss how Kitty is being intentional with connecting and communicating with her Grandpa. We learn that Grandpa and that relationship has been very consistent over the years and how he enjoys working on technical and mechanical projects.
We get into the background of how and why Kitty started her project, The Grand Project. What is great about Kitty's project is that she is not just collecting her family's history but reaching out to other older people to gather their fascinating stories, including the story of the first woman to play Little League Baseball.
Be sure to check out the links to Kitty's projects below. Reach to her and let her know how much you enjoyed this conversation.
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast, please subscribe and then share it with a friend.
Links
The Grand Project - Kitty's website
The Grand Project - Kitty's Instagram site
grandprojectpod@gmail.com - Kitty's email. Reach out and say hello.
Ted Page was tired of the negative messaging about grandpas in popular media when he learned that he would become a grandpa. Instead of just complaining about that negative messaging, Ted decides to launch a blog about the positive aspects of being a grandpa, and so, Good Grandpa was born.
We sit down for a unique show where Ted and I interview each other about how our lives changed when we found out we were going to become grandfathers. We both have similar journeys with different methods of delivering our messages of the positive impact that grandfathers have in the lives of grandchildren and their families. Ted writes about his experiences and his views about being a grandfather, and I use a podcast platform to create audio content about the value of grandfathers.
During our discussion, Ted shares many impactful and entertaining insights into his role and experience with being a grandfather. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the conversation we had about raising grandchildren to have the courage and strength to express that they respectfully disagree with someone else's position or opinion. We use the fun example of how great it is when Red Sox and Yankee fans can sit down and have a respectful conversation about baseball and their teams, even though you would be hard-pressed to find two groups that "hate" each other. (Although the Dodgers are really the best team) While we use sports as our example, it is important to teach our grandchildren and our families how to get along even when we disagree with one another.
Once you listen to this conversation, come back and leave me a comment or shoot me an email at greg@cool-grandpa.com and let me know what your big takeaway was from this episode.
Links
Click HERE for the Good Grandpa Blog
Click HERE for Ted's LinkedIn profile
Click HERE for Good Grandpa Blog on Instagram
Welcome back! In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, we are privileged to have Retired Lieutenant General Ralph J. Jodice II join us and talk about his experience with being a grandfather. Ralph is the father of one of our past guests, Brian Jodice (A link to Brian's conversation is down below). As you will learn, Ralph is a heck of a guy and another good example of someone who is "doing it right."
If you thought that Generals could not get down and play with children and become children again through their interactions with their grandchildren, you would be mistaken. As you will find out in this engaging conversation, nothing makes Ralph happier than sitting down and having high tea with one of his granddaughters or playing Legos with one of his grandsons.
As you will learn, Ralph comes from a very close family that he has intentionally passed on to his children and grandchildren. Although Ralph and his wife (affectionately known as Nonna by the grandchildren) may not live close to their children and grandchildren when needed, they deploy to wherever they are needed. Grandpa takes on logistics and supply duties while Nonna takes command of the kitchen. By being intentional with the time they spend, the grandparents and grandchildren build lasting relationships that are part of a long Jodice tradition.
Ralph also shares with us the story of how while serving his country and NATO in Izmir, Turkey, he was able to balance out the news and excitement of his first granddaughter being born. We learn from Ralph that the priorities of Faith, Family, Service can sometimes become out of wack during deployments and the call of duty but that it is important to restore that balance as soon as possible.
There are heartwarming stories and lessons shared in this conversation with Ralph that we can all learn from. My biggest takeaway is the importance of the dining room table. As Ralph talks about, that is where the family laughs, loves, cry, and learns. After you listen to this conversation, be sure to leave your big takeaway in the comments below.
Links:
Lieutenant General Ralph J. Jodice II biography
Brian's conversation about his grandfathers
Capturing unique stories is what filmmakers do. Understanding and recognizing that your family has unique and impactful stories is an awesome insight and realization. Award-winning filmmaker Tyler Gildin sits down with us to discuss his grandparents and how lucky he has been to have known and experienced both grandfathers and grandmothers for most of his life.
At the start of the conversation, we talk about Tyler's grandfather Kenny, a dentist and very active in his community. Tyler shares a great story that is an example of how his Grandpa Kenny showed up for Tyler's birthday party hurt and with a neck brace. Even though it would have been easier to drop by and visit with Tyler on another day, Grandpa Kenny showed up and "played hurt," which Tyler still remembers to this day.
Tyler and I continue the conversation by talking about his fantastic documentary, The Starfish. Tyler talks about how his grandfather Herb was a little embarrassed and unsure that his story would be something that people would want to hear about. The fact is, this is a fascinating story that sounds like it was right out of Hollywood based on the close calls, the toughness of young children and teenagers, and the kindness of strangers.
At a high level, Herb and his older sisters left Nazi Germany just before the outbreak of WW II after Kristallnacht. At first, Herb (10 years old) and his sisters (aged 12 and 14) left their mother and father behind and made it to Sweden with the help of HIAS. After a period of time, Herb and his sisters were transported across Russia and then Japan. Herb then made it on the last boat to reach San Fransico from Japan before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Tyler talks about how through these experiences, that his grandfather didn't talk about his early childhood experiences often because he felt that Grandpa Herb didn't want to be defined by his immigrant past. Herb wanted to be known for how he had worked hard to build several businesses in New York and raised a close family.
It is amazing that through the documentary, you get the sense that Herb would have rather spent an hour talking about YOU and what is going on in your life. It was just the way he was and what made Herb special.
In this feel-good story about surviving the holocausts, we have a very personal experience to prove that the kindness and generosity of strangers to individuals really make a difference. The poem The Starfish calls out the experience that Herb and his sisters experienced by strangers who took in the kids in Sweden and those that helped the family make the long journey to the United States. By strangers helping out Herb, it allowed him to later in his life to help out and mentor his employees, customers, and community in times of their need.
We wrap up our conversation by discussing how children and grandchildren can capture the stories of their grandparents to consume now or years down the road.
Click on The Starfish Documentary link below and be sure to watch this intriguing documentary. You will be inspired, and your faith in the goodness of strangers will be restored.
Links
The Starfish Documentary
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Tyler's About Page
Scott Paton is a world-traveling grandpa who, like other new(ish) grandfathers, thinks about the legacy that they will be leaving their grandchildren. Scott and I sit down and discuss his reaction to finding out that he became a step-grandpa and grandpa. Scott, like my dad, became a grandfather through marriage first, then through birth.
I was introduced to Scott by former guest of the podcast, Marc Mawhinney. (Click Here to listen to Marc's conversation) We go through and talk about how grandfather has the opportunity to be additional sources of support and love to children entering a blended family situation. Through simple acts such as going for walks or going to the park, engaging in conversations about what the new grandchildren are interested in builds a foundation of love and security between the step-grandchildren and step-grandfathers.
Scott has the unique perspective of traveling the world and having a location-independent career. As a result of his efforts to build his online businesses, Scott spends about 9 months of the year traveling the globe. Through his travels, Scott envelopes himself in the culture of the area that he is visiting. Scott searches out the little hole-in-the-wall eateries where only the locals know where to get that one-of-a-kind flavor and experience. He also has a knack for finding those out-of-the-way waterfalls and hiking trails that you can only find when staying in one place for months at a time. All of these travels have allowed Scott to build up a "must show" list of places and peoples that one day he hopes to introduce to his grandchildren.
Through all of our discussions, we touch on the idea of legacy and what we want to leave and do for our grandchildren. Like many of us, the idea of legacy was very abstract and not something that he or I thought about much until grandchildren entered our lives. Since we have received the gift of grandchildren, we are both now thinking in terms of the legacy of travel, experiences, and how we expose our grandchildren to a larger and more interesting world through our travels and experiences.
What idea or topic struck you in our conversation? What type(s) of legacy are you wanting to leave for your grandchildren or children?
Links to connect with Scott:
Scott's Facebook Profile
Scott's Twitter Account
Scott's YouTube Channel
Children's Author Jeanne Willis sits down with us for a fun conversation about her wonderful grandfather, Fredrick Willis. Fredrick was born in 1895 and was a Victorian who served in the Army in Africa as a Sapper (Army Engineer). Jeanne talks about how her grandfather used to joke about losing his helmet while riding in a jeep in North Africa. The result, according to Fedrick, was his head becoming burned and his hair falling out. Jeanne, always trying to help and show affection to her grandfather, created many homemade potions to try and restore her grandfather's hair.
We talk about Jeanne's early relationship years with her grandfather. Jeanne talks about walking about on stilts and signing Army songs that her grandfather taught her. Fredrick also used to walk to Jeanne's school with a pocket of sweets to pick up Jeanne and her sister from school. Jeanne shares a wonderful story about capturing caterpillars with her grandfather and credits this experience as the basis of her love of metamorphosis. We also talk about how her grandfather and grandmother would encourage her early storytelling ventures at an early age, including Jeanne using an old typewriter and Jeanne's sister doing the illustrations.
Jeanne and I talk about how her relationship evolved, including how she thinks that her grandfather missed the granddaughters being little girls. We talk about how we can internally break our grandparent's hearts as our focus starts to turn from them to our friends and outside interests. Jeanne even went so far as to write her grandfather a heartfelt letter apologizing for growing up and not having the same relationship as when she was younger. We both talk about how children today can be more focused on the screens versus relationships with grandparents.
I ask Jeanne about writing children's books and how she often has a grandfather character appear in the story without her planning on involving him. In particular, we discuss the fascinating book Stardust. In Stardust, the book is a bit more biographical in nature, where Jeanne's sister at times received more of the attention, and Jeanne sometimes felt left out. However, in the book, as in life, granddad shares with the little girl about how we are all made of stardust, and we all shine in different ways.
As we wrap up our conversation, Jeanne talks about how her grandfather was her soulmate, mentor, and she wouldn't have become a writer without him. Jeanne talks about how he is still with her and often bursts right into her writing.
Links:
Jeanne's Website
Stardust - I highly recommend this book if you have little granddaughters.
This is a fun conversation with filmmaker Dana Glazer. We start our conversation by discussing how his grandfather would work with Dana over multiple summer visits to create homemade claymation stop-action movies. We explore how his grandfather nurtured Dana's creativity and gift for filmmaking. The lessons learned about just diving in and doing a project and learning along the way is something Dana has passed on to his children. Dana and I talk about his children's projects, Blackhole Producers and No Pizza! No Cake! as well as how to encourage children's creativity.
As Dana grew older, and created his production company called Dane-Gramp productions. This childhood creation with his grandfather manifested itself to become where his films are created, produced, and promoted. We dive into the history of how Dana's movie A Case of Blue was developed. Dana also walks us through the relatively quick schedule to move from the story to casting, shooting, and then promotion.
Dana and I carefully talk about A Case of Blue because there is so much going on with this movie. We try very hard to give you an understanding of the movie while at the same time leaving a lot of the treasures of this movie to yet be discovered. We also talk about the lead actor, Stephen Schnetzer, and what a great job he does as a new retiree, Richard, who is faced with life-altering decisions and circumstances as well as a crisis.
We take a movement to have an enjoyable conversation about acting, actors, storytelling, and filmmaking. As part of that discussion, Dana talks about how good actors, like Stephen and Dustin Hoffman, in the film The Graduate, go into themselves to bring out the character and make the character external for the film or performance.
Dana and I wrap up our conversation with a heartwarming and funny story that Dana shared at his grandfather's funeral. This is a fantastic conversation about grandfathers, becoming a storyteller and a filmmaker in part because of those early home movies made with his grandfather.
Links:
Blackhole Producers - Dana's youngest son's YouTube channel
No Pizza! No Cake - Georgia Glazer's children's book
A Case of Blue - Dana's fantastic movie
Dane-Gramp Productions - Dana's production company
Stephen Schnetzer - Stephen's IMDB page
In this exciting conversation with Brian Jodice, we talk about his grandfathers and the lessons he learned from them. Brain shares with us stories about Pop (Jim Lepis) and Granddad (Pat Jodice). Both of these outstanding individuals were former servicemen in WWII and continued to serve their communities throughout their lives. Both grandfathers were from New Jersey (we didn't get into what exit...New Jersey joke there).
Brian's Pop was an aircraft mechanic in WWII and retired to the shore in Lavallette, NJ, after working in civilian life. Brian recalls family trips up to New Jersey full of cousins, noise, and, most importantly, family.
Granddad was a sonar man in the Navy during WWII and was able to see the Marines post the US Flag on top of Mt. Suribachi. Granddad also served in the Korean war. After serving his country, Granddad became a police officer in New Milford, New Jersey, where he eventually retired as the Chief of Police. Granddad retired and built a home in North Eastern North Carolina. Granddads was very different in that Granddad's house was not as crazy with just Brian's brothers and one other cousin.
Brian clearly remembers how no matter what was going on or what grandfather's home he was visiting, both Grandfathers were intentional about spending time with the grandchildren. We talk about how different but similar the time was at each house. You are going to love hearing the stories about Pop and Granddad, and there will be no doubt how much they loved their grandchildren.
From this conversation, you will see how Pop and Granddad loved and led their families and grandchildren. The legacy of being an intentional grandfather is evident with Brain and his brothers. Those lessons of being intentional came in many forms, from discussions around the kitchen table to working in Pop's woodshop or just cruising around the neighborhood.
Links:
Pickup the Six website
My interview on the Pickup the Six Podcast
Pickup the Six Facebook page
Pickup the Six Instagram page
Pickup the Six Twitter page
Brian's personal Facebook page
F3 Nation - Brian mentions F3 as a fitness group focused on Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.
Links to the interviews I had about Maj. General Rupertus: Part 1 and Part 2
Marc Mawhinney sits down and has a fun discussion about his grandfather, George Mawhinney, and growing up in Atlantic Canada. Marc's grandfather was a fisherman and hardworking guy that taught Marc and Matt (Marc's twin) how to work hard and love baseball.
Marc shares great stories about the connection that baseball has between family members and communities of fans. Through all the up-and-down years that George experienced with the Toronto Blue Jays, we learn that he could live to see the Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series. In this episode, you get to hear a couple of guys talk about the connection that sports have and how the last year of sports with Covid disrupted those connections.
We hear how George named his fishing boat, Mathew and Marc, after his first two grandchildren and how that made Marc feel honored in that way. Marc also talks about how he pulled a ball in his family's field and busted a window at his grandfather's house. True to his nature, Grandfather didn't scold the boys but just chalked it up to boys playing ball. Marc also discusses how his grandfather would take them snowmobiling, and he tells us of a certain race that he, his father, grandfather, and brother took part in. (Don't inform Marc's insurance agent about Marc's street racing past.)
Marc shares with us the story of Marc's mother prompting Matt and Marc to go over to their grandfather's garage to say and see what he was doing. Marc talks about how after going over to see his grandfather, his grandfather George was in the hospital the next day and passed away just a few days later. Marc's grandfather's passing hit him and his family hard. Years later, Marc used the anniversary of his grandfather's passing to push himself to launch his daily podcast, Natural Born Coaches, on November 17, 2014.
You will enjoy the interesting and loving stories that Marc has of his grandfather and the impact of his grandfather on his life.
To learn more about Marc and his work with helping people become profitable coaching businesses, check out the below links. You might also want to follow Marc on Facebook to enjoy his "dad jokes" and puns.
Links:
Natural Born Coaches - website
The Coaching Jungle - Facebook Group
Marc Mawhinney - Marc's Facebook Page
Lauren Huff is returning time with her grandparents by showing curiosity and interest in their varied and exceptional lives. Lauren is a writer and businesswoman from the California Central Valley. She was fortunate that her grandparents, for the most part, lived close by, which resulted in a close and meaningful relationship. Lauren and I met in Dan Miller's 48days Eagles community (see link below).
We get into the podcast by finding out about Lauren's Papa, whose family immigrated from Sicily. We dive into Papa's interest in history and how his family immigrated from Sicily into New Orleans and migrated to California. His family's experience is similar to our past guest, Vinnie Tortorich's family (Click HERE to be taken to Vinnie's conversation). Lauren talks about how Papa's stories would not change, but he adjusted the details based on her age and level of understanding.
Lauren also talks about her Grandpa Jerry and his woodworking shop, his love for 'dad jokes,' and how she spent a lot of time with him and her grandma, especially around the holidays while Lauren's parents worked and she was out of school. We hear a funny story about how Lauren acted up as a young girl and then didn't know how to react when her Grandpa was gently trying to discipline her.
Through all the time and effort that Lauren's grandparents have poured into her, Lauren has developed the podcast, and blog centered on capturing her grandparent's experiences. Lauren's project is titled Returning Time. (See the link below) As I mentioned, the purpose behind Returning Time is to develop a family history that can be shared with other people regardless if they are grandparents or granddaughters, or grandsons. These stories are powerful and interesting conversations that bridge the gaps between generational experiences.
Links:
https://www.returningtime.com/
48 Days - Dan Miller
General Rupertus Part 1
General Rupertus Part 2
Vinnie's conversation
Gordon Hunter sits down to talk to me about how to enjoy grandkids of all ages. Gordon Hunter is a good friend from here in the Atlanta, GA, area I have had the honor to know for about 16 years. We have a great conversation about Gordon's experience with being a grandpa and now great-grandpa to fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
In our conversation, we learn about Gordon's reaction to becoming a grandfather and how he could use his position as a Delta pilot to be close to the grandchildren when they were younger. Gordon also shares how three of his four daughters eventually relocated to Georgia, where the grandchildren were close by.
Gordon shares how he has shared his many interests and hobbies with the grandchildren. The grandchildren have been exposed to many hobbies such as working on cars, sailing, flying, and working on a farm.
We talk about how Gordon and his wife Brooke have included their children and grandchildren into their Christmas tree farm (Hunter's Christmas Tree Farm) business. Gordon includes the grandchildren in the preparation, planning, and daily working of the Christmas tree farm. You can imagine the important bonds developed by the family, all working together and the grandchildren learning how a business runs and operates.
Gordon and I also discuss the differences in how he views his role as a grandfather versus how his grandfathers interacted with him growing up. We compare and contrast how Gordon is very hands-on and very involved with the grandchildren but his grandparents, while loving him, were more formal in their interaction with a young Gordon.
Links:
https://www.hunterschristmastreefarm.com/
Victoria was blessed to have two awesome grandfathers that were from two very different worlds but enjoyed the love of them equally. In the fun conversation with Victoria, we learn about her early years growing up in New Mexico on a farm across from her Grandpa Ben Gomez. We learn how industrious and fun Grandpa Ben was and how he would look for ways to include Victoria in the chores and the fun of the farm.
As Victoria was growing up, her family lost their farm in New Mexico due to the pasteurization laws and not being able to comply with the new requirements. Victoria's family moved to Virginia, and as a result, Victoria was able to deepen the relationship with her Granddaddy Orin in the hills and mountains of Virginia.
You will enjoy this conversation with Victoria as we learn about her fantastic, strong grandfathers and the many memories that she has of their loving relationships.
Victoria is an author and owner of an outdoor construction company. Please be sure to check out what Victoria is up to, and feel free to connect with her on Facebook.
Bear Creek Outdoor Living
Victoria's Personal Website
Victoria's Facebook Page
Victoria's Writers Facebook Page
Amazon Link to Victoria's Book, Daring to Fight: When Grit, Grace, & Faith Take Depression Head-On
Root beer floats and slush funds two valuable lessons that we learn about from Ted and Bob's experience with their cool grandpa. In this episode, we learn about how Ted and Bob's grandpa worked hard to connect with his grandsons.
The biggest takeaway from this conversation is how much my friends loved going to Malibu, CA., Oregon, Montana, and other places to spend time with their grandfather and have the adventure of a lifetime each year that they were together.
Their grandfather was open to just about anything and keep the rules simple:
- You had to respect
- You had to love
- You and to share
We learn from Ted and Bob's grandpa that it is important to have a grandchild slush fund around for visits, fishing trips, and the occasional roadside ice cream binge.
You are going to enjoy listening to three buddies talk about old times, including a nickel poker game that almost ended up in my demise.
At the end of the day, we learn the important lesson that grandfathers have to make an effort to connect and nurture the relationship with the grandchildren. The secrete sauce, according to Bob, is to be relatable, be relevant and be passionate with your grandchildren.
Welcome back! This is part 2 of my interview about Maj. General Rupertus, USMC. In this episode, Heather, Kim, and Amy join me to talk more about their extraordinary grandfather.
If you haven't heard the first episode, I strongly recommend that you go back and listen to it. In fact, Click Here for the link to that first episode (26). In the first episode, we spend a lot of time going over the sisters' motivation to dive into their grandfather's story and connect with him even though they never met him.
In this fun second episode, we learn all about William H. Rupertus. Heather, Kim, and Amy take us on an exciting journey into their grandfather's life. They share with us the fun times, the hard times, and their grandfather's perseverance in this conversation. We learn firsthand from his loving granddaughters how he served his country, lost his first family in his country's service and then led the First Marine Division during the early years of the War in the Pacific.
You can find many of the sisters' helpful links to researching and documenting their grandfather's experience in the first episode's show notes (Click Here). Still, I am also providing a few key weblinks and references below, such as the Rifleman's Creed.
When you want to reach out to Amy or any of the sisters with information about the China Marines in the 1930s or about the First Marine Division during the War in the Pacific, or would like to follow the development of their book on their grandfather, please connect with them at:
@MajGenRupertus - Twitter
Amy's Facebook group - Discovering My Grandfather MajorGen. William H. Rupertus, USMC
Let Amy and her sisters know that you have listened to their fascinating story on The Cool Grandpa Podcast and what your favorite story of theirs is with regards to their research and passion for connecting with their grandfather.
Below is an interview with Major General Rupertus
Interview with Major General Rupertus. Major General Rupertus' remarks start at 17.39 The Rifleman's Creed - Author Major General Rupertus
Encouraging his grandchildren's innate design is what Frank Sinclair is all about. Frank is one cool grandpa and shares his insights into encouraging and leading his grandchildren with love and respect.
I was lucky to meet Frank through our mutual friend James Devine. After talking with James, he said that Frank had to be a guest and share his infectious personality and experiences with being a cool grandpa.
Frank takes his hard-won life lessons and his design to build others up into all aspects of his life, from raising children to influencing his grandchildren seriously. By seriously, I mean seriously with love, fun, and tolerance. Like so many of us, Frank has had struggles and has had to push through and grow from those struggles. These triumphs have lead Frank to believe that we all have a God-given design that needs to be encouraged to come out and shine.
Frank has grandchildren in the full spectrum of life. Grandchildren are excelling in college, and some grandchildren are toddlers, and a grandchild is on the way. You can easily tell that slowing down and taking it easy is not in Frank's vocabulary. Through the richness of his experiences, we learn what it takes to impress our grandchildren with a strong work ethic, a strong sense of self, and how to love themselves, their family, and their community.
One of the many nuggets of wisdom that Frank shares with us is how it is important that grandparents and grandfathers, in particular, must respect the boundaries of their children. Frank believes that it is vital that grandchildren know that their grandparents respect their parent's boundaries and goals for the family.
There are so many good insights and advice from Frank that I know you will come away from this conversation richer and with ideas of your own on how you can encourage your grandchildren, children, and those in close relationships to you to discover and then follow their personal design.
Once you have listened to this conversation, come back and leave me a comment about your own "ah-ha moment."
Dream Again LLC - Frank's coaching website
Frank's Facebook Page
James Devine's conversation with me on The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode, I talk with Heather, Kim, and Amy about the research and their drive to document and write about their grandfather, Major General William Rupertus, USMC.
This is part one of a two-part series. With this episode, the four of us dig into the methodology and research of their grandfather. In part two, we spend time going through the General's life before joining the military and his time serving in the Marines. (William H. Rupertus on Wikipedia)
This is a great episode where we dive into the General's life but focus on how the sisters came together to build out his life's documented history. The sister's discovered many interesting facts about his life, including finding out about a strong German community in the Washington D.C. area before the 20th Century.
You will enjoy this episode by learning about why family history is important and how the living family can grow closer to their grandparents and other ancestors who have passed away.
We also talk about how after their mother and father passed, there was a gap in knowing their own family history. Well, after you hear this episode, you will know that these sisters were not going to let that gap in their family history remain empty or misunderstood.
Below are the links that Heather, Kim, and Amy have provided as part of this episode. Many of these links will help with your own family history research.
Resources for researching and writing about your relatives:
Self Publishing School - On writing/publishing (tons of free advice and guides).
Hemingway Editor: The Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear
Dropbox: A great application that allows you to store and share documents, photos, media, etc. and share them with other people.
National Archives Request Military Service Records
National Archives Catalog
The U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958
The U.S., Navy and Marine Corps Registries, 1814-1992
Speecify - Excellent application! Free! Turns any text into audio. A great way to process your research.
Fold Three - Browse military records by Ancestry.
Oral History Resources and Guidelines
How to make an oral history - from the Smithsonian
Internet Archive is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
USMC Archives and History Division
Naval History and Heritage Command
Amy's Facebook group - Discovering My Grandfather MajorGen. William H. Rupertus, USMC
@MajGenRupertus - Twitter
In this episode of the Cool Grandpa Podcast, I discover how a grandfather and a godfather raised a boy to be a man. Ronnel Blackmon shares with me his powerful stories of his grandfather, Robert Hale, working with him at a young age to learn to be a man who walks with integrity and with a heart to serve others. Ronnel's grandfather worked full-time at the Firestone plant in Akron, OH, and then spent his downtime as a full-time pastor serving his congregation and community.
Ronnel shares with us that his grandfather, early on, would take a young Ronnel with him when he was ministering to his congregation. Ronnel shares the impact of learning to love and serve others had on him as a young man.
We discuss the difficult transition that Ronnel went through when his grandfather became sick and eventually passed away while Ronnel was a freshman in high school. Ronnel was blessed a second time in that his godfather, James Sheely, stepped into the role of mentor. James was the PE teacher, track coach, and local Councilman. Ronnel speaks about how James would push him in sports to really connect with Ronnel's full potential. James never let Ronnel back away from giving his best effort in sports and life. When Ronnel held back, giving his best effort, James was there to call Ronnel out and push him to do his best.
Ronnel's story is a powerful example of how a grandfather and godfather/mentor can keep a young man focused on growing stronger in his faith and becoming a man of character. Both his grandfather and godfather knew that young and older men are not perfect, but with love and respect, each can help one another hit their marks in life and with their faith.
Ronnel can be reached and followed at the below sites:
Ronnel's Emcee and hosting business - More than Me LLC.
On Instagram - Ronnel Blackmon
On Twitter - Ronnel Blackmon
Ronnel's personal website - Click Here
Here is a link to the book that Ronnel mentioned, Fathered by God
https://www.amazon.com/Fathered-God-Learning-Could-Never/dp/1400280273/ref=sr_1_1?crid=350TXSQXFCOUV&dchild=1&keywords=fathered+by+god+john+eldridge&qid=1612922741&sprefix=fathered+by+%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1
In this conversation, Alexis helps us understand the importance of growing with your grandchildren. We mean by this, and what Alexis helps to explain is that as our grandchildren grow and develop, it is important to recognize them at each development stage. This may seem like a "no duh" idea, but as parents and grandparents, it can be tricky to know when to adjust the relationship and how we interact with our grandchildren.
As much as we want to keep hanging on to those grandbabies, they eventually become teenagers (smelly and full of attitude) and then young adults. The expectations and interactions that we have with them at these life stages will impact our relationship with our grandchildren. Alexis shares how her cool grandpa adjusted the relationship to treat her as a growing young woman and not a little kid.
Alexis also shares the important traditions that her grandfather headed up while she was young and living in California. We learn how camping in the summer and progressive Christmas dinners made for loving and lasting memories.
We also learn that Alexis had a grandfather who was not so close to the family but made an effort to be present at birthdays and occasionally stop by for pie. These little gestures and the acts of showing that he wanted to be involved in his grandchildren's lives laid a foundation for a growing relationship in their later years.
Alexis is a super go-getter and is a busy young mom with a fun business selling fun jewelry. Please check out the links below if you are looking for some interesting pieces as gifts for a loved one or yourself.
Alexis' email is popandlockwithalexis@gmail.com
The web is https://paparazziaccessories.com/409101/
https://www.facebook.com/popandlocketwithalexis
This conversation is about the impact a self-taught aviator had on his grandson. My guest for this episode is Bryan Kirkpatrick. Bryan grew up in Wyoming and shared his grandfather's memories, Jim Good.
Bryan describes how his grandfather enlisted in the Army at the age of 15 and was discharged at 18. Bryan's grandfather immediately served in the occupation forces after the Victory in Europe. Once he returned home, Jim cowboyed for a while, became a welder, and started working for Amoco upon teaching himself to fly. As a pilot, Jim would fly 40 hours a week throughout the state of Wyoming, checking for any leaks or damage to the pipelines running through the state.
While working for Amoco, Jim started collecting WWII memorabilia and soon opened his own museum dedicated to WWII and general aviation. Within a hanger in Casper, Wyoming, Jim not only worked on his own growing collection of airplanes but started working and painting other War Birds collector's planes as well.
Bryan has amazing stories of growing up on the other side of town from his grandfather. We get to hear amazing stories of how Bryan and his brother built a B-17 (WWII bomber) that his grandfather stuck into the museum's display case next to professionally crafted models. Bryan also shares how his grandfather put him to work buffing and polishing his Reno Air Race airplane and how his grandfather displayed and taught him a strong work ethic that Bryan took into the U.S. Marines.
Be sure to check out the following links to learn more about Bryan's Cool Grandpa and the amazing life.
In this conversation, we are learning about a strong relationship with Adrienne's grandfather. Adrienne sits down with me to discuss how she came to live with her grandfather starting at the age of one year old.
Adrienne walks us through how her grandfather helped to raise her while her mom was driving a truck on national and regional routes. We learn how important it is that when grandfathers share little things like playing checkers or pulling a youngster in a wagon while cutting the grass. Adrienne shares that those seemingly little activities allow grandchildren to both enjoy the moment but build a connection with their Cool Grandpas.
We also get into how Adrienne's grandfather protected and guided her through challenging experiences in her middle and high school years including being expelled. Adrienne's grandfather seemed to know just what was needed at the moment to help Adrienne through trials and troubling circumstances.
Through all the years, Adrienne was able to maintain a bond with her grandfather that resulted in them having a loving relationship through his declining years. Although that bond was not always the strongest in terms of being physically close, the bond was powerful enough that his recall of who she was, stayed with him as connections with others drifted from his mind.
You will be richly rewarded by listening to this loving tribute by a granddaughter for her grandfather.
Grandpa's, listen to how the little things that Adrienne's grandfather did help to guide and set a direction with Adrienne so that she can use some of the same activities with her work as Forest Therapy Guide. You can check out what Adrienne is doing as a Forest Therapy Guide by clicking on their Facebook page HERE.
Below is the list that Adrienne share with me during our conversation.
In this conversation with Harold, we dive into his passion for his grandchildren and costume building. Harold shares his experiences with living with his 22-month-old grandson and his mom and dad.
Harold and I discuss how he and his grandson have developed a bond whereby the grandson is happy to comply with what grandpa wishes him to do like be still for diaper changes and going down for naps. The secret Harold says is to simply love them and make sure that THEY know they are loved and safe. The discipline really comes from the parents with the grandparents backing up the discipline but in a loving manner.
We discuss Harold's work with a haunted train ride in this conversation where people would wait up to two hours for about a six-minute train ride. The train and haunt props, characters, and effects would be planned out almost a year in advance. We also talk about our mutual friend, Roger Hayes, who has been a guest on The Cool-Grandpa Podcast and his experience with running a nationally recognized home haunt. (Click Here to listen to Roger's episode)
Harold and I also get to talk about his fascinating work in the documentary, Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary. Harold shares with us his experience in selecting the Thermians as the category they would dress as for the Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX. His passion for cosplay and excellent costume creation earned him and his family a role in the documentary. (A full article about this experience can be found Here.)
Harold is using his skill as a costume maker to create fun costumes that his grandchildren and family can enjoy together. It is great to see how a grandpa's talents and passions can be used to create enjoyment for the family and draw them closer together.
In this episode, Vinnie Tortorich shares his memories of his strong and loving Italian grandfathers. Vinnie and I dive into how his family immigrated to Louisiana from Italy. What his great-grandfathers and grandfathers did for a living in the bayous of Louisiana and how in just one generation the family moved from sharecroppers and immigrant fishermen into the middle class.
Vinnie talks about how one of his grandfathers used to work as a janitor doing the work of three men and then on the weekends deliver bulk mud to the oil and natural gas wells in the area.
Through all the hard work and sacrifice Vinnie's grandfathers experienced his biggest memory is the love they had for their family and grandchildren.
Vinnie's great-grandfathers and grandfathers' example has helped to form a drive and work ethic that has lead Vinnie to start and own three different companies, create two documentaries, and share his passion for living a healthy life with millions of other people.
In this conversation with podcaster, firefighter, and former minister Jon Sanders you will learn first hand what a powerful influence a grandfather can have on a grandson.
Jon shares with us how his grandfather affected his life. Jon was fortunate to know his grandfather for the first 37 years of his life. Jon discusses how he and his grandfather built a relationship through intentional communication, a love for the outdoors, and working side by side on many projects.
With our conversation, we get to hear a great story of how Jon used to call up his grandfather and make plans to chase girls in Hawaii and get into trouble with his beloved grandfather.
Jon also shares with us how his grandfather was able to help him with many life lessons such as when his grandfather loaned him money to buy his first car. Jon's grandfather didn't just turn around and forgive the load but held Jon accountable for paying back every dollar. This lesson at a young age helped to enforce the value of money, that debt is real, and that a debt MUST be repaid.
Do yourself a favor, grab your favorite beverage, and join us as we honor another Cool Grandpa.
"Oh, my aching back!"
I hate to admit it, but even before I was a grandpa, I had some back and neck issues. Mostly from sitting all day at my desk, I do have a few 'war' stories from my misspent youth that have contributed to my aches and pains.
This episode is all about learning the value that chiropractic care can have on a person's quality of life. My guest is Dr. Jay Di Vagno, who has been my chiropractor since 2004. I met Dr. 'D' (as some folks call him) when my back was so stiff that I had trouble sitting, standing, and walking. After a few visits, he had me right as rain, and I have been seeing him ever since.
In our conversation, we discuss the big and little physical traumas that we all experience in life and how they can lead to our joints and muscles, not working as designed over time. By adding chiropractic care into a Cool Grandpa's routine, we can enjoy our years of chasing the grandkids around and being the healthy leaders that our families need.
Dr. D and I discuss how, along with chiropractic care, grandpas can stay healthy by adding low impact and low-stress activities to our daily lives. We both agree that it is important for Cool Grandpas to stay active as we grow older because that adage of "a rolling stone gathers no moss" applies even more to us as we age.
Click HERE to visit Dr. Di Vagno's Chiropractic Practice in Alpharetta, GA.
Here is the link to the Georgia Chiropractic Associaton's website: https://www.gachiro.org/
To access the American Chiropractic Association, click on this link: https://www.acatoday.org/
Come on in and join the conversation with Mark Fonseca and me. We are discussing the impact that Mark's grandfather had on him in becoming a clothier and entrepreneur. Mark also talks to us about how grandpas can show up and be relevant to their families and grandchildren. In this episode, we talk about some of the dos and don'ts of putting together a look that expresses the respect we have for the people we are socializing with and most importantly the respect that we have for ourselves. If you go over to my website, www.cool-grandpa.us, you can find all the links we mention in this podcast.
My good buddy Roger Hayes stops by to have a conversation with us about trick or treating safety with the grandkids. We cover basic costume safety and then dive into what to look for in a quality home haunt that you might come across in your neighborhood or community.
You would be surprised about what goes into a good home haunt and what are the signs of a haunt that you and the grandkids should just avoid.
We also dive into some fun activities that grandpas can do with the grandchildren including carving tombstones, casting monsters, and creating spooky ornaments for the home and yard.
Of course, you should stick around and hear about what a fun guy Roger's own grandfather was/is.
Roger's haunt site can be found at www.hayeshaunt.com.
I will be posting some of the other links that we talk about over at my webpage: http://cool-grandpa.us/?p=271
I am checking in with you in this episode. I discuss my recent visit with my new granddaughter and how my wife was in heaven by getting to hold and take care of a newborn. I go into some detail about conducting my annual review with my 2 yr. old grandson. (We still have some things to work on before his 3 yr. review)
You and I sit down and you let me share some fond memories of my cool grandpa and what he meant to me and my family.
I was able to make two new friends in the podcasting universe who have been supportive and just great all-around guys.
I met Dean Showalter through Dan Miller's 48 Days community. Dean has a fun podcast about owning and working on small piston aircraft. You can find Dean's podcast here: http://airplaneownermaintenance.com/
I met Steve Owens by just reaching out to him after I heard his interview on Vinnie Tortorich's podcast about health and nutrition. Steve has an awesome podcast called Fascination Street. Steve's podcast centers on drawing out each guest's powerful and interesting personal story. Some guests you will know by name and others are totally fantastic people that you will meet for the first time. Steve's podcast can be found here: https://fascinationstreetpod.com/
This episode is another conversation with a granddaughter of two COOL GRANDPAS. Diana shares her memories of Big Jack and her other grandfather. We discuss how Diana learned first hand how important it is to be able to pivot in life when challenges and opportunities are presented to you. We also discuss how her relationship with her grandpa manifested itself by him calling Diana in college to celebrate his hole in one while he was in his 80's. Diana also shares with us the list that she and her grandfather put together on how to live to be 107. The list can be found on my website, www.cool-grandpa.us.
In this conversation, James and I discuss his background as a member of the US Army Band, marring his high school sweetheart and being a cool grandpa to six grandchildren.
James and I also dive into his work as a speaker, coach, and content creator. We both share how we connected through Dan Miller's' 48days community and how we are continuing to grow our interests, skills, and passions while being cool grandpas.
Be sure to check out my website for a fantastic offer that James has made on his flagship course 'Adulting 101'. This course is full of helpful tips and tricks that every middle and high school-aged youth should know as they grow into adulthood.
This conversation is with Dee Schnautz, Ph.D. is the first that I have had with a granddaughter about her cool grandpas. In this conversation, we explore the impact that Dee's Grandpa Martini and Grandpa Lloyd had on her life. Dee shares the lessons learned doing farm work, driving her grandpa to the pond, and back before she was 12 years old. We also discuss Dee's relationship with her grandfathers through her middle school and high school years.
As you listen to this conversation, you will be touched and come to learn how important grandpas are in the lives of granddaughters.
This is an impromptu conversation with Great-Grandpa John Hosler. John shares his reaction to becoming a great-grandpa. We learn about valuable multi-generational traditions, building bonds with the young grandkids, and the value of having multi-generational activities in building a strong sense of family for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren
In this conversation with Charles Pineo, we discuss rasing to in-home grandsons. Charles discusses his love of the outdoors, especially for epic canoeing trips in Canada and the North East United States. We talk about using scouts and the outdoors to help teach confidence and conversation skills with his grandsons. There are fantastic tips on spending time with the grandchildren out away from electronics and how helping them spend time with other adults on adventures increases self-awareness and self-confidence.
Rodney shares awesome stories about growing up the grandson of an Appalachian farmer. In our conversation, Rodney discussed powerful lessons that his grandfather shared with him about literally walking away from a bad situation. We also learn where Rodney's love of woodcarving and folk art started. The conversation wraps up with an important conversation about how the example of a grandson can impact the thoughts and behavior of a grandfather leading to more tolerance and respect.
In this great conversation, Russell Wynne shares the valuable lessons that his grandpas shared with him. Russell discusses lessons that were taught to him about business and contract negotiations which have served as a guiding example in Russell's business dealings today. Russell also shares great stories of spending time working on his grandfather's ranch including driving to town for supplies before he was 12 years old.
This conversation focuses on teaching family values to grandchildren. We also discuss being a grandfather with close ties to the grandchildren helping them to honor women. Lee shares his civic service experiences with his grandchildren which encourages them to learn about the larger world through service to others.
Check out my website, www.cool-grandpa.us for more information about Lee and the Legacy organization.
In this episode, I talk with my good buddy Lee Johnson about the impact and memories he has of his Papa. We dive deep into the ways that papa influenced Lee from great storytelling to the sharing of hobbies and interests. Papa had a huge impact on Lee. As a result, Lee honors him with his interest in living history as a WWII reenactor. Check out the website to see papa and Lee in his jump gear. http://cool-grandpa.us/?p=157
In this fantastic episode, I get to catch up with my good friend Jon Hosler. Jon provides great insight into living close by to the grandchildren. Jon also discusses helping grandchildren adjust to coming back home after spending time with a separated parent in another physical location.
In this episode, I introduce myself and the purpose of this podcast and project. I share my reaction to hearing the news I was going to be a grandpa for the first time and also share a powerful memory that I have of my grandfather.
This exciting conversation explores the positive impact of being a multi-generational mentor and adoptive grandpa. Jim and I discuss the impact that mentors can have on young men. We also talk about the positive impact multi-generational mentors can have with small children and foster kids.
In this conversation, I talk with MikeHalpin about the impact of having grandparents living close to their grandchildren. We talk about the impact of having his wife's family close by to their children. We explore being intentional with the time spent with the grandchildren and how having grandparents close by adds additional levels of trust and security to children as they grow.
This conversation is with my good friend Dean Nielson. In this conversation, we discuss being a grandpa to little girls. We also discuss being a grandpa who lives close to their grandchildren.