Podcast Episodes - The Cool Grandpa -

Featured

EP – 54 I Don’t Want to Turn 3

Our conversation with Gramps Jeffrey

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: [email protected]

“I Don’t Want to Turn 3” – Online purchasing options

Affiliate Link

Readeo

Featured

EP – 45 The examples we set

My conversation with Frank Pomata

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

EP – 123 Youth Substance Abuse Information

Our conversation with Richard Capriola

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.

EP – 122 Resources for Grandparents

Our conversation with Aaron Larsen

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.

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.

EP – 121 Sharing Values and Faith

Our conversation with Dick Olson

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.

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.

EP – 120 The Year of Adventure

This is our monthly one-on-one conversation.

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.

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.

EP – 119 A Grandfather Teaches Understanding of Others

Our conversation with Mijntje van Beers

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.

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.

EP – 118 My Journey to Publish

Our Conversation with Nathan Andersen (Anders Roseberg)

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!

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.

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.

EP – 117 The Grandparent Vocation

Our conversation with Richard Olson

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.

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.

EP – 116 Don’t Fade Away

Our Monthly One-On-One Conversation

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 3×5-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 3×5 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.

EP – 115 Using Work as a Connection Point with your Grandchildren

Our Conversation with Dr. Kerry Byrne

Four in ten American 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.

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.

EP – 114 PeriChair

Our conversation with Vince Ehrenberg

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 24×7 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.

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.