EP - 189 Declaring Independence from Negative Thoughts in Grandparenting
Release Date: 07/05/2024
EP - 209 The Sweet Journey of Ricky Dickson
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 through one of its most challenging experiences. Ricky's book combines lessons of leadership, faith, and fun. We talk about how Ricky wrote this book to help tell his story and the story of Blue Bell and, maybe more importantly, as a legacy for his...
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EP - 208 Daddying: More Than Just Fatherhood
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
Allan Shelin 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 creation of the National Elementary School Center, and the concept of 'daddy' as a nurturing process. We also discuss Allan's challenges in publishing his book on fatherhood. We talk about how great films can impact fostering father-child...
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EP - 207 Documenting Our Veteran's Stories
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 about his early years going through the Naval Academy and his academic career after leaving the Navy. Bob started his passion for collecting veteran stories when he noticed that one individual who had been a heck of an athlete before going to Vietnam...
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EP - 206 Grandparenting Wisdom: Tips for Connection
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 enjoyable connection with the grandchildren as a Long-Distance Grandparent during Thanksgiving and the Holidays when you can not be there in person. I also share my thoughts about how we, as grandfathers, can help our grandchildren connect with the...
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EP - 205 Breaking Generational Cycles
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 for his grandkids. Doug emphasizes the significance of community support and the role of faith in family life and offers practical advice for new grandfathers. Once you have listened to this conversation, be sure to share it with a friend who would...
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EP - 204 Cars and Grandpas
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 direct-to-consumer sales and wholesale brokers. Michael and I talk about the nostalgic pull that cars can have with grandchildren remembering their grandparent's vehicles and how that nostalgia can contribute to people buying cars that remind them...
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EP - 203 Being an Engaged Grandpa
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 grandchildren is a blessing, but at times, it can also be difficult. We learn about Andre's background growing up in Brooklyn, NY, with his extended family very close by and having that shared experience of living and growing up next to his...
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EP - 202 How We Can Support Moms
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
This is our second panel or round table discussion on The Cool Grandpa Podcast. I like to call these activities Cracker Barrels. I think I like that term because it is what we used in Scouts and because it is a fun nostalgic term for people getting together informally and sharing important and sometimes not-so-important information. We have four wonderful guests joining me to give their thoughts on how fathers and fathers-in-law can support moms. After all, the old adage that if mom isn't happy, no one is happy is more true than we might like to admit. This event's participants are Dr....
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EP - 201 Good Seer, Good Sayer
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 solid and meaningful connections. Neil believes that stories and shared experiences can strengthen the grandparent/ grandchild bond. You are going to love how Neil has worked hard to develop and maintain his relationships with his children,...
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EP - 200 Four Years of Fun and Learning
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode, I am taking a victory lap with my good buddy, Steve Ownes, 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 the heck the follow-up books are. We have a blast discussing the journies we have both been on, and we include some fascinating accounts of folks we have interviewed. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Please like and subscribe to the podcast if...
info_outlineThis weekend is July 4th or Independence Day in the United States. It was the day that the United States declared its independence from England. In this one-on-one conversation, I want to encourage you to declare your independence from just ONE thing holding you back on your journey to becoming the coolest grandparent ever.
We declare independence from a negative mindset, emotion, or even a condition by doing the following:
- Write down (paper, a Google Doc, whatever but something) ONE (1) thing causing you not to enjoy being the best grandparent ever. Don't write down more than one thing. We can rinse and repeat this process as often as we like.
- Think about and write down what actions, thoughts, etc., are in your control. Don't worry about what you can't control, focus on you.
- When you look at your list, is this complete, or have you left items off because of assumptions or oversite on your part?
- Create a plan to add to, enhance, remove, or reduce thoughts or actions that you control that would reduce or eliminate your inability to enjoy being the awesome grandparent you are.
- Keep track of your plan and then see if it resolves your negative thoughts or anxiety about whatever you decide to work on. Don't be afraid to adjust your plan as you need to. The goal of breaking free from what is controlling you is what is important, not how you get there.
- Celebrate your Independence!
In my example this week, I used the anxiety that some grandparents feel when they send letters or gifts to their grandchildren and then don't hear anything back from the children's parents. I talked about how, immediately hearing lately from the grandchildren's moms and dads whether something has been received, using a tracking number can help ease someone's mind. After all, you can follow up and check with the carrier whether an item was delivered.
I hope you find these steps and this helpful approach. If you did, please share this content with a friend or family member who might be struggling with an aspect of being a grandparent. I want all of us to declare our independence from whatever is holding us back from enjoying this exceptional period and role in life.
Links
I invite you to join me at Grandparents Week by clicking this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/a/2147832178/ikxv5HFd.
If you want to sign up for my course, Intentional Grandfathering, please use this link: https://training.grandparentsacademy.com/intentional-grandfathering-masterclass.