Revisiting Ep. 207 Documenting Our Veterans’ Stories EP -266

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,...

Encouraging Entrepreneurial Grandchildren EP – 265

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...

Honor the Mothers of Your Grandchildren EP – 264

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....

Aging Isn’t Just Physical with Erica Sell EP – 263

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-...

Living in Crescendo with Cynthia and Kameron Haller EP – 262

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...

Winning the Battle for Connection: With Lee Ostler EP – 261

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...

From Self-Sabotage to Self-Leadership with Mark Aylward EP – 260

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....

Love Travels: How To Stay Connected with Helen Ellis EP – 259

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...

Aging in Place with Erica Sell EP-258

🎧 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...

The Grandparenting Blueprint: With Richard Eyre EP – 257

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...
EP – 157 Discussing Grief

EP – 157 Discussing Grief

Brittany Johns joins our conversation this week to discuss the important topic of grief. Brittany has worked 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...

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EP – 156 The Importance of Traditions

EP – 156 The Importance of Traditions

My wife, Karen Mangum, joins our conversation to talk to us about the traditions that her 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 grandparent's house. Even with those...

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EP – 155 Brotherhood of Fatherhood

EP – 155 Brotherhood of Fatherhood

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....

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EP – 154 See Differently

EP – 154 See Differently

Renee Balcom is one of these folks who took a career turn and unexpectedly found 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...

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EP – 153 Learning about Flex Mortgages

EP – 153 Learning about Flex Mortgages

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 indeed a step up from what was available back in the 1970s and 1980s. Like many of you, I didn't know how...

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EP – 152 Fall Storytelling for Grandchildren

EP – 152 Fall Storytelling for Grandchildren

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...

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EP – 151 Your Next Year

EP – 151 Your Next Year

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...

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EP – 150 Becoming a Sage

EP – 150 Becoming a Sage

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...

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EP – 149 AdventuRetired

EP – 149 AdventuRetired

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....

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EP – 148 The Importance of Having a Senior Living Plan

EP – 148 The Importance of Having a Senior Living Plan

Our conversation with Annalee Kruger 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"...

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