Show Notes
Can grandparents influence our lives even if we never really knew them?
Author and former environmental attorney Sylvia Liu believes the answer is yes.
In this fascinating conversation, Sylvia shares the remarkable stories of her two grandfathers, both generals in Nationalist China whose lives intersected with some of the most pivotal events of the twentieth century. Although Sylvia met one grandfather only once and never met the other, their courage, sacrifice, commitment to service, and love of family profoundly shaped the generations that followed.
Sylvia and I also discuss immigration, education, family traditions, children’s literature, and why every family should preserve its stories before they’re lost.
This episode is a reminder that our greatest legacy isn’t wealth or accomplishments—it’s the values we pass from one generation to the next.
What You’ll Learn
- Why grandparents influence us—even across generations
- The extraordinary history behind Sylvia Liu’s family
- How family stories strengthen identity
- Why preserving your family’s history matters
- Lessons from military service, sacrifice, and resilience
- The importance of education as a lasting family legacy
- How Sylvia transitioned from Harvard-trained environmental lawyer to award-winning children’s author
- Why grandparents make such powerful characters in children’s books
Memorable Moments
- Two grandfathers who helped shape modern Chinese history
- Growing up between Chinese, Venezuelan, and American cultures
- Family recipes that connect four generations
- Why Sylvia’s books often feature grandparents
- How history can inspire future generations
About Sylvia Liu
Sylvia Liu is an award-winning children’s author whose books celebrate family, culture, courage, and resilience. Before becoming a full-time writer, she practiced environmental law for more than a decade, including work with the U.S. Department of Justice and Oceana.
Her books include A Morning with Grandpa, Manatee’s Best Friend, and several acclaimed middle-grade novels featuring strong family relationships and multicultural themes.
Key Takeaways
Sometimes the grandparents who influence us the most are the ones we barely knew.
Legacy isn’t simply what we accomplish—it’s what future generations remember, repeat, and build upon.
Family stories give children a stronger sense of identity.
Education, service, resilience, and curiosity can become generational gifts.
Every family has stories worth preserving before they’re lost.
Links and Resources
- Sylvia Liu’s Home Page
- Sylvia’s blog about her grandfather Lt. General Fan Hanjie (Fan Hanjie (范漢傑) (1894-1976))
- Sylvia’s Father’s Book about her grandfather: The House Arrest of Zhang Xueliang: A Memoir of Growing Up with China’s Most Famous Political Prisoner
- Sylvia’s book page (MANATEE’S BEST FRIEND, A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, etc.)
- Buy Me a Coffee – a great way to help out the podcast; use this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/coolgrandpa
More Than Grand 
Grandfathers have a unique and meaningful role to play in grandchildren’s development, yet they often find themselves behind the scenes, on the sidelines, or less engaged than they’d like to be. This masterclass delivers a playbook for helping grandfathers level up their influence and impact. Listeners to The Cool Grandpa Podcast can receive 40% off this course by using Cool40 at checkout.
Founded in 2011 by Aaron Larsen as a way to honor his grandparents, GrandparentsAcademy.com is the world’s first and only online academy dedicated to helping grandparents grow meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their loved ones.
