Summary: Choosing senior living for a loved one can feel overwhelming, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with Jeannie Duckworth, co-founder of Blue Magnolia Senior Living Advisors, to unpack what families really...
Leadership Lessons from Santa Claus EP – 248
Show Notes: Santa Claus isn’t just a holiday icon—he’s a world-class leader. In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I explore four powerful leadership traits modeled by Santa Claus and how grandparents, parents, and team leaders can apply them both at home and...
Grandparenting in the Roman Empire with Dr. Lisa Brunet EP – 247
Summary In this episode, I talk with historian Lisa Brunet, whose work explores the hidden world of grandparents in ancient Rome. Together, we unpack what grandparenting looked like 2,000 years ago—how elders shaped family identity, cared for young children, preserved...
Bonus Show – How Grandkids Stretch Us: Lessons from Dean Nielson
Show Notes You are going to enjoy listening to the very first interview that I did for The Cool Grandpa Podcast. This episode originally aired back in May of 2020. This conversation still resonates with me, my wife Karen, and many other listeners to the podcast. If...
Lead Like a Grandpa: The Heart-Centered Leadership Your Team Needs EP – 246
Summary In this solo episode, I explore how the natural strengths of intentional grandfathers — presence, curiosity, encouragement, patience, and wisdom — translate into powerful leadership skills in today’s workplace. Using stories about Legos, pancakes, and...
Empowered Caregiving; with Renee Balcom EP – 245
In this follow-up conversation, I welcome back healthcare advocate and tech CEO Renee Balcom to discuss how grandparents and families can take control of caregiving decisions before a crisis hits. Renee shares practical insights on avoiding common caregiving mistakes,...
Caring Grandparents Insights from Neil Taft EP – 244
“Thou shalt honor the parents of your grandchildren. That’s the most effective way to build lasting family relationships.”— Neil Taft 🧩 Episode Summary In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I reconnect with author and grandparenting expert Neil Taft to explore the...
Millennial Grandparents; Insights From James Lott Jr. EP – 243
I welcome back longtime friend and repeat guest Dr. James Lott Jr., host of Really, I’m a Grandparent!, to discuss the rise of millennial grandparents and how shifting generational dynamics are reshaping modern family life. Together, we unpack everything from...
After Work: Redefining Retirement with Don Akchin EP – 242
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down again with author and creative thinker Don Akchin to talk about his new book, After Work: An Honest Discussion About What Comes Next. Don challenges the old idea of retirement as “the end” and redefines it as the...
Reductive Art and the Grandparenting Journey EP – 241
Summary In this episode, we explore the intersection of grandparenting and art, with a particular focus on reductive art. Drawing inspiration from John Maxwell's leadership principles, I explore how genuine influence isn't about adding more—it's about gently removing...
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