EP – 94 Kinoo

Our conversation with Jim Marggaff

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.

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.

Affiliate Links

These are links to products and services that I highly recommend AND use. I do get a percentage of the purchases you make.

More than GrandMore 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.

Intentional Grandfathering MasterclassGrandfathers have a unique and meaningful role to play in grandchildren’s development, yet they often find themselves behind the scenes, on the sidelines, or less engaged than they’d like to be. This masterclass delivers a playbook for helping grandfathers level up their influence and impact. Listeners to The Cool Grandpa Podcast can receive 40% off this course by using Cool40 at checkout.

Grandparents academyFounded in 2011 by Aaron Larsen as a way to honor his grandparents, GrandparentsAcademy.com is the world’s first and only online academy dedicated to helping grandparents grow meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their loved ones.

My Grandpa’s Grandpa

When it is time for bed, Charlie’s grandpa tucks Charlie in. Charlie asks his grandpa many questions about his grandpa’s grandpa. Charlie’s grandpa shares a magical moment as he introduces Charlie to his great-grandpa through fun memories.

 

This is my children’s book, created to entertain and inspire conversations about other family members that the children may not have had the opportunity to meet.

 

 

If you prefer an eBook, you can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.

Recent Podcasts

EP – 173 It’s Their Turn

EP – 173 It’s Their Turn

Cynthia G. 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...

read more
EP – 172 Live Life In Crescendo

EP – 172 Live Life In Crescendo

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...

read more
EP – 171 Creative Thinking with Dan Miller

EP – 171 Creative Thinking with Dan Miller

This is somewhat of a 'Bonus' or repeat episode. This episode is a conversation that I had with Dan Miller, author of the book 48 Days To The Work and Life You Love. I start this conversation with a few thoughts about Dan and his 48 Days Community's influence on me...

read more