EP – 209 The Sweet Journey of Ricky Dickson

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...

EP – 208 Daddying: More Than Just Fatherhood

Allan Shedlin 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...

EP – 207 Documenting Our Veteran’s Stories

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...

EP – 206 Grandparenting Wisdom: Tips for Connection

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...

EP – 205 Breaking Generational Cycles

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...

EP – 204 Cars and Grandpas

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...

EP – 203 Being an Engaged Grandpa

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...

EP – 202 How We Can Support Moms

This is our second panel or round table discussion on The Cool Grandpa Podcast. I like to call these activities Cracker Barrels. I like that term because it is what we used when I was in Scouts. It is a fun, nostalgic term for gathering informally and sharing important and sometimes not-so-important information. We have four wonderful guests...

EP – 201 Good Seer, Good Sayer

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...

EP – 200, Four Years of Fun and Learning

In this episode, I am taking a victory lap with my good buddy, Steve Owens, 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...

EP – 70 Living in the same neighborhood

Our conversation with Greg Vance 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...

read more

EP – 69 Stories from Grandparents

Our conversation with Robin and Stephanie 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...

read more

EP – 68 Old Breed General – Bonus Show

Our conversation with Kim, Heather, and Amy about their Grandfather, Gen. Rupertus 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...

read more

EP – 67 Making Appreciation a Priority

Our one on one conversation about the importance of Appreciation 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...

read more

EP – 66 Grandparents and Meaningful Traditions

Our conversation with Rebecca Fraser-Thill 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...

read more

EP – 65 Grandpa was One of Three Heroes

Our conversation with Kent Julian 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...

read more

EP – 64 Being A Proactive Grandfather

Our conversation with Richard Eyre 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...

read more

EP – 63 Priorities and Connections

Our conversation with Roland Thompson 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...

read more

EP – 62 Leave Nothing Unsaid

Our conversation with Jody Noland 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. Written letters and...

read more

EP – 61 Serving and Bringing Out the Best In Others

Our conversation with Dave Wadsworth 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...

read more