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 – 139 Getting Aligned on Family Care

EP – 139 Getting Aligned on Family Care

Our conversation with DeeDee More This week's conversation centers on Family Care and how parents and grandparents can get alignment on who is responsible for what and how parents want their children cared for while in the care of the grandparents. DeeDee More, from...

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EP – 138 A Dad’s Path

EP – 138 A Dad’s Path

Our conversation with Will Braunstein Will Braunstein is our guest this week. We discuss how grandfathers can help support our adult sons and sons-in-law. It was great to sit down with someone focused on the challenges that fathers are experiencing today and how...

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EP – 137 BoomerTECH Adventures

EP – 137 BoomerTECH Adventures

Our conversation with Jill Spencer and Ed Brazee This week's conversation is with two of the three founders of BoomerTech Adventures. Ed Brazee and Jill Spencer join us to talk about the founding of BoomerTech and how these educators came together to start working...

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EP – 136 Father’s Day 2023

EP – 136 Father’s Day 2023

Our Monthly One-on-One In this month's conversation, I talk about Father's Day. I think that, for the most part, dads and grandfathers have most of the material things they want or need. Despite what retailers bombard us within the lead-up to Father's Day, I think...

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EP – 135 The Call to Adventure

EP – 135 The Call to Adventure

Our conversation with Tina Sibley Everyone needs to have a goal—something to work towards or work through. Tina Sibley joins us today to talk about how we can infuse a spirit of adventure into our personal and professional lives. You will enjoy how Tina planned and...

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EP – 134 Supporting a Grandchild Through Trying Times

EP – 134 Supporting a Grandchild Through Trying Times

Our conversation with Joe Cochran Joe Cochran joins us to discuss his experience supporting his grandson and his family through a very trying time. We learn about Joe, his pediatric dentist background and his life in Oregon raising three wonderful daughters. Recently...

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EP – 133 Five Tips for Planning a Fun Visit

Our monthly one-on-one conversation This month's one-on-one conversation is about how to make in-person visits fun and stress-free. Like most things in life, communication and planning are the keystones to making sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to when...

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EP – 132 Adaptation

EP – 132 Adaptation

Our conversation with Jan Lipes Jan Lipes is a cool grandpa. Forty years ago, Jan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As an Emergency Room doctor, Jan was faced with a number of constraints AND opportunities in his professional and personal life. I first...

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EP – 131 Grandpas United

Our conversation with Jim Isenberg and Frank Williams Frank Williams and Jim Isenberg are on a mission to get grandpas active at home and especially in their communities. Grandpas United was founded in 2018 to provide multigenerational mentors and leadership to youth...

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EP – 130 Permission to be Creative

Our conversation with Frank Pomata A friend of the show, Frank Pomata, joins us to discuss how grandfathers can release their creative spirits with projects and play with their grandchildren. Frank and I enjoy catching up and talking about how Frank started creating...

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