Episode Summary

What happens when families stop talking?

In this heartfelt conversation, I welcome fellow grandfather and family advocate Terry Willis, founder of The Power of Family. Terry shares the deeply personal experience that inspired his mission to help families reconnect, communicate, and strengthen relationships across generations.

Together, we explore the challenges facing modern families, including estrangement, generational differences, social media’s impact on relationships, and the growing need for meaningful conversations between parents, grandparents, and grandchildren.

Terry explains why “Start the Conversation” has become the guiding principle of The Power of Family and offers practical wisdom for grandparents who want to strengthen family bonds, rebuild connections, and leave a lasting legacy.

If you’ve ever worried about growing distance within your family—or wondered how grandfathers can help bring people together—this episode offers encouragement, insight, and hope.

In This Episode

The conversation explores:

• Terry’s journey into grandfatherhood
• The special role grandparents play in family life
• The moment Terry realized a larger family issue needed attention
• How social media can sometimes deepen family divisions
• The growing challenge of family estrangement
• Why younger and older generations often struggle to understand each other
• The importance of invitation versus expectation in family relationships
• How grandparents can strengthen family bonds without becoming overbearing
• The mission and vision behind The Power of Family
• Practical first steps for reconnecting with adult children and grandchildren

Throughout the conversation, Terry returns to a simple but powerful message:

Start the conversation.

Because strong families aren’t built through assumptions, they’re built through communication.

Key Takeaways

1. Strong families require intentional communication.

Relationships rarely improve through silence.

2. Grandparents can be guides, not controllers.

Support and invitation often create stronger bonds than direction and correction.

3. Family challenges are more common than many realize.

Many families quietly struggle with distance, misunderstanding, and estrangement.

4. Generational differences don’t have to create division.

Understanding and listening can bridge the gap.

5. Legacy begins with connection.

Healthy family relationships are built one conversation at a time.

Links and Resources:

The Power of Family: The Power of Family

You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/Noqlf0TylRw

Grand Magazine article on Gen X grandfathers: https://www.grandmagazine.com/

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