Pulp, Prayer, and Plot Twists: Inside Jack LaFountain's World - EP 230
Release Date: 05/16/2025
Pulp, Prayer, and Plot Twists: Inside Jack LaFountain's World - EP 230
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this engaging conversation, Jack LaFountain shares his unique journey to becoming an author later in life, reflecting on his diverse experiences from military service to nursing and ministry. He discusses the joys and surprises of becoming a grandfather, the challenges of maintaining family relationships over distances, and the creative inspiration he draws from his family, particularly his grandson Brian. Jack elaborates on his writing process, the evolution of his book series, and the themes that resonate throughout his work, including the Man of God series, which offers a fresh take...
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Break the Bottle: Lessons from a Grandson, Marine, and Leader
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michael Allison, a Marine veteran, author, and founder of the Adversity Academy, to explore a journey shaped by hardship, legacy, and purpose. From growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Miami after immigrating from Jamaica to becoming a decorated Marine and now a leadership coach, Michael shares how his two grandfathers—both named Vincent—influenced his values and resilience. Listeners will hear how formative life experiences, including time in Fallujah and setbacks in high school football, became catalysts for leadership...
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Writing For Legacy, A Grandfather's Perspective With Kevin Hall - EP 228
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
I welcome Kevin Hall to The Cool Grandpa Podcast for a powerful and entertaining conversation on legacy, storytelling, and life after retirement. Kevin opens up about his 49-year marriage, raising a family, and how becoming a grandfather inspired him to write personal memoirs that turned into a published series of books. You’ll hear about: How telling stories to grandkids sparked Kevin’s writing career His transition from corporate life to creative writing How he self-published and marketed multiple books without a big budget Tips for grandparents on preserving memories through...
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Navigating Grandfatherhood and Midlife Career Moves with Mark Aylward - EP 227
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this heartfelt and candid episode, I sit down with career coach, entrepreneur, and proud grandfather Mark Aylward. They dive into the complexities of becoming a grandfather under unexpected circumstances, the power of simply "showing up," and how intentional presence can transform relationships. Mark also shares powerful insights from his decades-long career in IT recruitment, his transition into career coaching, and his mission to help midlife professionals reclaim Clarity, confidence, and courage. Expect real talk, big laughs, and memorable moments—from vocabulary lessons with his...
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Support Networks for New Parents with Jane Honikman - EP 226
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode, Jane Honikman and I discuss the evolving role of fathers and grandfathers in parenting, particularly in the context of postpartum support. We explore the importance of emotional wellness, communication, and social support in navigating the challenges of parenthood. Our conversation highlights cultural shifts in parenting dynamics, the impact of generational perspectives, and the need for open discussions about mental health. Jane emphasizes the significance of understanding family history and traditions while advocating for a supportive environment for new parents. Key...
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Keeping the Connection: Avoiding Common Grandparenting Pitfalls - EP 225
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I discuss the challenges of maintaining strong relationships with adult children and grandchildren. I discuss the common mistakes grandparents make—disrespecting parenting choices, giving gifts with hidden expectations, ignoring family schedules, or arguing in front of the grandkids. By recognizing these issues, grandparents can foster a more positive and lasting connection with their families. I also highlight insights from experts like DeeDee Moore (More Than Grand) and Dr. Kerry Byrne (The Long Distance Grandparents) on mending strained...
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Unlocking Confidence: Public Speaking, Music, & Growth with Adam Cole - EP 224
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Adam Cole, a jazz musician, educator, author, and confidence coach. Adam shares his fascinating journey from performing jazz and teaching music to becoming a sought-after confidence coach. He discusses the different phases of life and how we can reinvent ourselves. We also discuss how confidence is crucial in public speaking, music, and professional growth and how Adam gets his clients over the hump and into a space where they can effectively share their message with the right audience. Topics covered include: ✔️ Overcoming stage fright & performance...
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The Evolving Role of Grandfathers - EP 223
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this engaging episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I sit down with writer and grandfather Don Akchin for a thoughtful discussion on modern grandfathering. We explore the evolving role of grandfathers, the joys and challenges of connecting with grandchildren, and how today's granddads are breaking past generational stereotypes. Don shares personal stories about his grandchildren, his love for writing, and the importance of staying active and engaged post-retirement. Key Topics Discussed: Don's initial reaction to becoming a grandfather The joys of having grandchildren nearby and...
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Vietnam Uncensored: A Veteran's Journey with Jerry Glazer - EP 222
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
Vietnam veteran and author Jerry Glazer joins me in this compelling episode. Jerry shares his remarkable journey from being drafted into the U.S. Army, going through grueling training, and serving in one of the most harrowing conflicts in American history. He reflects on his experiences, the challenges of military service, and the deep brotherhood forged in war. Jerry also discusses his book, Vietnam Uncensored: 365 Days in a Nightmare, which provides a firsthand account of his time in combat and the historical context behind the Vietnam War. His candid storytelling takes listeners through...
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Show and Share: Teaching Life Lessons as a Cool Grandpa - EP 221
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode, I discuss the importance of sharing life skills with grandchildren and creative ways to teach them essential lessons. I reflect on personal experiences with my father and how small, everyday moments can provide invaluable learning opportunities for grandkids. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The power of showing and sharing life skills instead of just telling. How can travel experiences teach kids practical skills, from navigating an airport to problem-solving on the go? The benefits of bringing grandkids to meetings and social gatherings to expose them to real-world...
info_outlineIn this engaging conversation, Jack LaFountain shares his unique journey to becoming an author later in life, reflecting on his diverse experiences from military service to nursing and ministry. He discusses the joys and surprises of becoming a grandfather, the challenges of maintaining family relationships over distances, and the creative inspiration he draws from his family, particularly his grandson Brian.
Jack elaborates on his writing process, the evolution of his book series, and the themes that resonate throughout his work, including the Man of God series, which offers a fresh take on the Western genre. He also touches on the influence of his childhood and local history on his storytelling.
In our conversation, Jack shares his love for classic B-Sci-Fi movies and discusses how they influenced his writing. He delves into his writing process, distinguishing between 'pantsers' and 'plotters', and shares insights on character-driven storytelling. Jack also reflects on the challenges of maintaining consistency in supernatural narratives and the importance of satisfying endings in literature. As a proud grandfather, he expresses the joys and challenges of this role while also providing listeners with information on where to find his work.
What You'll Learn:
- How Jack transitioned from military service and nursing to full-time writing
- The touching story of how his grandson inspired a novel trilogy
- The difference between "pantsers" and "plotters" in writing
- Behind-the-scenes insights into his Moon Series, Man of God Series, and Red River Death Series
- How being a grandfather continues to influence his work
Links & Resources:
- 🔗 Jack LaFountain's Website
- 📚 Books by Jack LaFountain on Amazon
- 🎧 House of Honor Books
- 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/author.jacklafountain
- You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/sBRXfLD9TdA