Millennial Grandparents; Insights From James Lott Jr. - EP 243
Release Date: 10/31/2025
Grandparenting in the Roman Empire with Dr. Lisa Brunet EP - 247
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 memory through storytelling, and passed on family and cultural traditions. While grandmothers often stepped into hands-on roles, grandfathers frequently became the family's historians and memory keepers—sometimes proudly seeing themselves in a toddler learning to speak or scribble. Lisa explains how Roman law, marriage...
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Bonus Show - How Grandkids Stretch Us: Lessons from Dean Nielson
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 you heard it before, I hope you enjoy it again. If this conversation is new to you, you will get a lot of wisdom from Dean. In this heartfelt, post-Thanksgiving episode, I sit down with longtime friend and seasoned grandfather Dean Nielson. Dean—a Lean Six Sigma project manager, Eagle Scout mentor, devoted husband, dad of four,...
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Lead Like a Grandpa: The Heart-Centered Leadership Your Team Needs EP - 246
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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 real-life team challenges, Greg reframes proven leadership ideas from Dale Carnegie, John Maxwell, and Dan Miller into an accessible, heart-first approach he calls Grandpa Leadership. Listeners will learn how to build stronger connections with their teams, empower younger employees, guide people through mistakes, and cultivate...
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Empowered Caregiving; with Renee Balcom EP - 245
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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, understanding medical and legal authority, and how technology, such as her new platform, Scroll.care, is changing the way families find trustworthy care providers. We explore why planning for aging is not about fear—but about empowerment—and how grandparents can build a legacy of compassion, preparedness, and advocacy...
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Caring Grandparents Insights from Neil Taft EP - 244
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
“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 evolving role of grandparents in modern families. Neil shares insights from his newest book, Caring Grandparents, and explains how grandparents can both care about and care for their grandchildren. We discuss the emotional and financial realities of grandparents raising grandchildren, the importance of respecting...
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Millennial Grandparents; Insights From James Lott Jr. - EP 243
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
I welcome back longtime friend and repeat guest Dr. James Lott Jr., host of to discuss the rise of millennial grandparents and how shifting generational dynamics are reshaping modern family life. Together, we unpack everything from Millennials' and Gen Z’s futures as grandparents to how technology, social media, and evolving family structures have changed what it means to be a grandparent today. The discussion is full of humor, honesty, and insight — a lively cross-generational conversation about love, legacy, and laughter. Highlights: Why millennials are redefining what “young...
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After Work: Redefining Retirement with Don Akchin EP - 242
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
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, . Don challenges the old idea of retirement as “the end” and redefines it as the beginning of a new and vibrant stage of life. Together, we explore how today’s retirees—especially men—can rediscover purpose, creativity, and connection after their careers wind down. In this conversation, you’ll hear insights from Don about: Why the old version of retirement no longer fits today’s longer, healthier lives The “fragile decade” — the five...
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Reductive Art and the Grandparenting Journey - EP 241
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
Summary In this episode, we explore the intersection of grandparenting and art, particularly focusing on the concept of 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 what doesn't belong, thereby revealing the beauty and potential already within our children. Through the metaphor of carving, I explore how grandparents can shape their grandchildren's development by employing tools like patience, perspective, encouragement, and presence. Our conversation culminates in the idea...
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Instilling Work Ethic in Grandchildren - EP 240
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I dive into one of the most valuable lessons a grandfather can pass down — a strong work ethic. From small chores to big projects, grandfathers have a unique opportunity to model what it means to start, stick with, and finish a job with pride. I share personal stories, practical ideas, and real-world ways to teach grandkids about responsibility, perseverance, and follow-through. You’ll hear how everyday activities — from raking leaves to building a birdhouse — can become powerful lessons in character and commitment. Whether you’re a...
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Welcome Back and Three Ways to Connect With YOUR Grandchildren EP - 239
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
In this episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, I return after a short break to share powerful tools grandparents can use to connect deeply with their grandchildren. I talk openly about my own journey over the past year — from navigating career changes and health challenges to stepping into a new role as a special education teacher. With those experiences, I'd like to introduce a practical worksheet designed to spark meaningful conversations with grandchildren. The episode explores three simple but profound questions: How would people describe you if you left the room? How do you WANT...
info_outlineI 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 Millennials' and Gen Z’s futures as grandparents to how technology, social media, and evolving family structures have changed what it means to be a grandparent today. The discussion is full of humor, honesty, and insight — a lively cross-generational conversation about love, legacy, and laughter.
Highlights:
- Why millennials are redefining what “young grandparent” means.
- The role of technology and social media in shaping modern family life.
- How Gen X’s “latchkey kid” experience impacts their grandparenting style.
- Why millennial and Gen Z grandparents may raise kids with less stigma and more openness.
- The growing visibility of grandfathers in modern families.
- What multi-generational households tell us about the future of family.
- The importance of humor, patience, and presence in every generation
Links and Resources:
Here are the links to James Lott Junior's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JLJMedia
Click HERE to visit the Caring Grandparents website.
Here is the link to James's blog about becoming the last living grandparent. It is titled, The Weight and Wonder of Being the Sole Grandparent: https://www.caringgrandparents.com/the-weight-and-wonder-of-being-the-sole-grandparent/
Click on this link to check out Ted Page's book, Good Grandpa: https://