Tag: grandfathers

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.

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 learn more about the PeriChair

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.

EP – 111 Memories of Strong and Loving Italian Grandfathers (Bonus Show)

Our bonus conversation with Vinnie Tortorich

This is a bonus edition of a fantastic interview that I had with Vinnie Tortorich back in December 2020. I thought it would be great to share this conversation again.

My guest on this episode is Vinnie Tortorich. Vinnie is a successful celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Vinnie has a successful podcast, Fitness Confidential, and is just a cool all-around good guy.

Vinnie sits down and shares memories of his strong and loving Italian grandfathers. Vinnie and I dive into how his family immigrated to Louisiana from Italy. What his great-grandfathers and grandfathers did for a living in the bayous of Louisiana and how in just one generation, the family moved from sharecroppers and immigrant fishermen into the American middle class through a lot of hard work and sacrifice.

Vinnie shares a touching and inspiring story about how one of his grandfathers used to work as a janitor, doing the work of three men and then, on the weekends, delivering bulk mud to the oil and natural gas wells in the area. 

Through all the hard work and sacrifice Vinnie’s grandfathers experienced, his biggest memory is their love for their family and grandchildren. 

Links

Vinnie’s great-grandfathers and grandfathers’ examples helped to form a drive and work ethic that led Vinnie to start and own companies Pure Coffee Club, Pure Vitamin Club, and NSNG Foods. (I use Vinnie’s vitamins and his UltraFat products.)

Vinnie also has three documentaries – Fat: A Documentary, Fat: A Documentary 2, and Beyond Impossible.

Vinnie’s homepage is https://vinnietortorich.com/, and he can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and just about everywhere.

Click HERE to listen to my conversation with Vinnie on his podcast, FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL WITH VINNIE TORTORICH

If you would like to support the show, you can “Buy me a Coffee” by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.

Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

EP – 110 Tips for Storytelling

Our monthly one-on-one conversation

This episode is our one-on-one conversation for December. Stories are important, and stories shared between family members are doubly so. Stories shared between family members help the family identify what is important to the family and what the family values regarding morals and actions and our relationships.

Don’t get me wrong, not every story has to be weighty or full of moral lessons. Stories for enjoyment can be just as powerful in creating memories about a night around a fire or a kitchen table for the participants.

With this episode, I share a few tips that can help make your story time experience enjoyable AND impactful. A few of those tips are listed below.

  • Choose Stories YOU Like
  • Practice Your Story
  • Take Out the Slow Parts
  • Keep the Story Moving
  • Use Gestures
  • Avoid giving ‘The Moral of the Story’ Finish

You might not even need to tell a story by memory, there are some great short stories and epic poems you can read and share with the grandchildren. For example, I read the poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee.”

I hope you take some time at the end of this year to sit down in person or even over a video chat to share some stories with your family.

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 would enjoy learning about this role of being a grandparent. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.

Link

To read the poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee, you can click HERE.

If you would like to support the show, you can “Buy me a Coffee” by donating a few dollars to the show. To support the show, click HERE.

Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

EP – 105 Grandpas Starting or growing a Side Business

Our conversation with James Divine

James ‘Papa Jimmy’ Divine is back to discuss his experience creating multiple side businesses while working full-time as a band teacher in a Title 1 school. James talks to us about his journey from transitioning from the U.S. Army to becoming a music teacher and the process it took to earn his Master’s in Music Education while in the Army and raising a family.

We get into an interesting conversation about the mindset of starting side businesses. How grandfathers can find the time to write a book or create a course. We also discuss mentors and coaches we have used to help us to get clarity about what businesses or projects we are involved in. As part of our discussion about mentors, we listen to Dan Miller’s 48 Day’s podcast and Dave Ramsey’s radio program. James and I also went through Chris LoCurto’s Next Level Life event.

James is incredibly open and honest in talking about how he has worked and continues to work on overcoming a negative mindset. The mindset was part naturally occurring and part of the environment that he grew up in. James outlines a great way to overcome or improve your negative mindset. His number one piece of advice is to “keep moving forward.”

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.

Link

Here is the link to my previous conversation with James Divine (Episode 13): A Cool Teacher Dedicated to Helping Young People Succeed.

James has generously offered the listeners of this episode an 50% discount on any of the products in his store IF you use the discount code COOL GRANDPA. Click HERE to go directly to James’ store and take advantage of this awesome deal!

Click HERE to visit James’ website and see all his great products and services. You can also connect to James on social media and email by clicking those links on James’ website.

Click HERE to visit Ramsy Solutions, learn more about Dave Ramsey, and listen to his daily radio program.

Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.

To Join Dan Miller’s 48 Days Membership group (I am a part of this group), you need to sign up for the waiting list. Dan only opens up the group for short periods. To reserve your spot in the 48-Days community, click HERE.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 104 Grandparenting 101

Our conversation with Richard Eyre

Richard Eyre is back to talk about a new program he and his wife, Linda, have created called Grandparenting 101. Richard was previously on the podcast to talk about his book, “Being A Proactive Grandfather.” You can listen to that conversation by clicking on the link below.

Linda and Richard have created a six-part course to help grandparents navigate this evolving role of being a Grandparent. Grandparents today seek guidance and support on maximizing their impact with their multi-generational family. With few books and resources available, Grandparenting 101 is a fantastic resource where Richard and Linda help to guide grandparents through important topics such as:

  • The Higher Perspective, Priority, and Paradigm of More Effective Grandparenting. (Examining the roles and priorities of being a grandparent)
  • Grandparenting Goals and Roles (by age)
  • Deep Life Relationships with Individual Grandkids
  • Smart Support (How and when to provide financial support)
  • Values and Faith
  • Being the Link and the Trunk (You are the link between the grandchildren and their ancestors)

You will enjoy listening to how the course was inspired and how it has helped bring together experts in this new and growing field of Grandparenting.

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.

Link

Click HERE to find out more and to sign up for Grandparenting 101.

You can listen to the previous conversation that Richard and I had about his book, “Being A Proactive Grandfather,” by clicking HERE.

To check out and purchase Richard’s book, “Being A Proactive Grandfather,” click HERE to order the book from Amazon.

Also, check out Richard and Linda’s podcast, “Eyres on the Road.”

Ready to check out Make Momentos? Click HERE to be taken to a landing page created just for you.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

Bonus – Halloween Fun with the Grandkids

Our conversation with Uncle Rog

Ever wonder who those people go over the top at Halloween and have the best home haunt in the neighborhood? Meet Nationally recognized home haunt and prop designer expert Roger Hayes.

Order your drink and pull up a chair so you can join my conversation with Roger as we catch up about all things Halloween. Rog is an old friend with whom I have had many adventures. Some adventures we even tell our wives about. So, come on, pull up a chair, and join us for some great conversation.

Roger and I cover basic grandkid costumes and general trick-or-treat safety with the grandkids. BTW, Roger prefers makeup to masks. Roger also talks about how grandpas can give the neighborhood and community haunted house the ‘stiff test’ for fun and SAFETY before taking the little grand ghosts and grand goblins through a home haunt.

You would be surprised about the little details that can tip you off too if the home haunt is safe, professional, and likely to be an enjoyable experience for the grandkids.

Roger and I also discuss a few arts and crafts projects grandpas can do with the grandkids. These arts and crafts projects can become a cool tradition that the kiddos get to do with grandpa each fall. We both agree that the artifacts the kids make will become treasured memories of their time spent with their Cool Grandpa.

Roger is super talented, as you will see when you visit his website and view the pictures below. All of the artwork that you see is original and comes from the genius of Roger’s mind.

Here are the links to Roger’s site and some cool pictures of Uncle Rog’s tombstone work.

Links

Hayes Haunt

Roger’s Halloween Coloring Book

Hayes Haunt YouTube Video

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 100th Episode

Our time to catch up and celebrate

Well, it was bound to happen. This is my 100th episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast!

In trying to think about what to do for my 100th show, I thought about putting together a collection of stories from past interviews. I had even thought about making the whole show just kind of a party by having some of the previous guests on to chat about where they are now in their Grandpa journey or what they have learned since our last conversation.

Neither of those other options seemed right to me, so I thought I would invite my good friend, Russell Wynne, to the show to interview me. I thought this would be a good way to catch new listeners on how and why I started the podcast. It would also let the audience know more about my road map for this Cool Granpa website and The Cool Grandpa podcast.

If you have been a long-time sufferer…er I mean, listener, thank you for your patience and support. If you are a newer listener, thanks for joining our fun and informative conversation.

I have included links below to Russell’s episode. I have also included links to Steve Owen’s and Erik K Johnson’s websites. I encourage you to check out their podcasts and to reach out to Erik if you are thinking of starting a podcast or if you could use some help in fine-tuning your existing podcast.

Once again, thank you to each of the podcast listeners and especially to all the guests I have had on the show. YOUR support and encouragement are what have made this journey so wonderful.

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. 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 Russell’s conversation with me back on episode 8

Click HERE to listen to Steve Owens’ Fascination Street Podcast

Click HERE to visit Erik K Johnson’s website, Podcast Talent Coach

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 99 Favorite Grampy

Our conversation with Manny Oliverez

Manny Oliverez is on a mission to be THE FAVORITE GRAMPY. Manny is someone who didn’t grow up with his grandfathers setting an example about what a grandpa should or shouldn’t do. This left Manny with a clean slate to create the types of relationships he wanted with his grandchildren.

We discuss Manny’s reaction to hearing the news that he would become a grandfather for the first time. Hearing that news started exploring what it would take to become a grandchild’s favorite grampy. Manny shares with us how for him, being a favorite grampy is a combination of creativity, opening yourself up to acting like a kid, and sometimes setting the rules aside.

Another big part of being a favorite grampy is to create opportunities for adventures. Adventures can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Manny shares with us an adventure he and his grandchildren took in the backyard where they encountered deer that an Oger had frozen and the dark spooky path that would take them to the brink of danger. Other adventures come in the form of trips to Disney, Universal, and other theme parks.

This pursuit of family-friendly, skip-generational adventures has led Manny’s daughter to start Favorite Grampy Travels. The focus of Favorite Grampy Travels is to help other families create these magical, once-in-a-lifetime memories with all members of the family. Check out the links below to Favorite Grampy Travels and see if they can help you schedule your next adventure with the family.

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. 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 visit Manny’s Favorite Grampy website.

Here is the link to Manny’s interview with the Adventures with Grammy podcast. Click HERE to listen to that great interview.

To check out Manny and the family’s good times, you can click HERE to follow Manny on Facebook.

Be sure to follow Manny on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Click HERE to follow Manny on Pinterest.

If you are looking for a great theme park or travel experience, let Manny and his family over at Favorite Grampy Travel take care of your needs. You and find your Favorite Grampy Travel by clicking HERE.

Click HERE to find the books that Manny has available on Amazon.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 98 What Makes Grandfathers Unique?

Our conversation with Dr. Abby Stephan

Dr. Abby Stephan had a unique experience as a youngster because she had an actual multi-generational household. This experience is unique because most of us in North America live with just parents and children and not with grandparents. This family environment is not the norm for a lot of families in the world. Often, those family units include the grandparents in the household structure.

Within this context, Abby grew to appreciate the role of grandparents within the family structure. Abby shares with us some great stories of her relationships with her grandparents growing up and how she maintains those active connections to this day.

Abby shares with us many of the findings of her Inter-Generational research. We discuss the unique role that grandfathers, in particular, play in the family unit. I also asked Abby many questions about what she discovered about how grandfathers feel about the position and the lasting impact of grandfathers on the lives and development of grandchildren.

You will be in for a treat with this conversation, and be sure to check out the link to the summary of Abby’s findings with her study. After talking with Abby, I believe more than ever that if grandparents and grandfathers, in particular, become active in the grandparent and grandchild relationship, our futures can be bright and meaningful.

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. 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 read Abby’s summary of her Ph.D. research

Click HERE to visit Abby’s website

Click HERE to check out Abby’s LinkedIn Profile

Click HERE to view Abby’s Twitter feed

Click HERE to connect with Abby on Instagram

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 97 Grandparents Day

This is our monthly one-on-one.

Welcome into this pre-Grandparents Day conversation. The conversation is a bit short this week, but I am calling out a few things to remember about being a Grandfather and Grandparent.

First, not every relationship will be exactly like we would like it to be if your relationship is not where you want it to be with your adult child, spouse, partner, or even your grandchild. Do an assessment and be truthful about some of the things you might be doing to create friction in that relationship and then address those items.

BUT remember that sometimes the cause of friction or strain on a relationship MIGHT NOT be your doing. Remember that the growth and maintenance of a relationship is a two-way street; sometimes, the other person may need to make some course correction or effort to have a relationship with you. Whatever the case is, I AM NOT suggesting that you abandon your boundaries or your beliefs but rather do an inventory and see if you could have had a misstep that requires you to humble yourself to heal the relationship.

Second, remember that most of us Grandpas only want to share the good stuff, not the challenges we are going through with our relations. This isn’t an action that anyone should take as being dishonest but rather understand that most of us want to keep our ‘business’ to ourselves or within the family.

So, if you are talking to your friends or viewing social media, remember that they may be having similar challenges but keep that information behind their walls. If you want to be bold, be honest with your close friends and family about your struggles and challenges. Share appropriately, but I bet dollars to doughts that if you open yourself up and be venerable with your close associates, you might find hidden sources of wisdom and compassion that you didn’t know existed.

Finally, let’s remember to take September 11 and celebrate being a Grandpa and Grandparent. YOU have traveled a long and winding road to get to this point. Celebrate that you are old enough to be a grandparent and have had a long and rich experience to get you here. So, this Grandparents Day, go ahead, take a victory lap. YOU have earned it!

Please remember that after you have listened to this episode, like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. 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 order your copy of Rudder of the Day: Stories & Wisdom to Kick Start Your Workday.

Click HERE to sign up for a membership to The Long Distance Grandparent Society.

Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

Click Here to sign up for Grandparents 101. The first session is on Sept 8, so sign up today!