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...
Navigating the Complexities of Grief – EP 216

Navigating the Complexities of Grief – EP 216

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...

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Film as a Bridge in Family Relationships – EP 215

Film as a Bridge in Family Relationships – EP 215

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...

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The Role of Grandparents in Family Life – EP 214

The Role of Grandparents in Family Life – EP 214

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...

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EP – 212 Parental Mental Health and How We Can Help

EP – 212 Parental Mental Health and How We Can Help

DeeDee Moore 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...

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EP – 211 Connecting Generations Through Muzzleloading

EP – 211 Connecting Generations Through Muzzleloading

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...

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EP – 210 Tips To Find Peace This Holiday Season

EP – 210 Tips To Find Peace This Holiday Season

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...

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EP – 209 The Sweet Journey of Ricky Dickson

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...

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EP – 208 Daddying: More Than Just Fatherhood

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...

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