エピソード

  • Understanding Men's Mental Health with Dr. Ed Stephens - EP 231
    2025/05/23
    In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ed Stephens about the evolving roles of fathers and grandfathers today. Dr. Stephens shares his deeply personal journey from corporate success to becoming a spiritual guide for men seeking purpose, presence, and legacy in their families. Key topics include: The power of authentic, present fathering How men transition into the grandfather role with impact Dr. Stephens' journey to founding Heart of the Father Studio How faith and mentorship build lasting generational change The unique influence grandfathers have on young men Whether you're a father, grandfather, or mentor, this conversation offers insights to help you lead with purpose, heart, and faith. 🔗 Links The Foundation for Male Studies Website: Postpartum Support International (PSI) Website: Dr. Stephens mentioned that this organization will highlight his "Bringing the Father Into Pregnancy" questionnaire. CTA: Discover resources and research on mental health for mothers and fathers. You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link:
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    46 分
  • Pulp, Prayer, and Plot Twists: Inside Jack LaFountain's World - EP 230
    2025/05/16
    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 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: 🔗 📚 🎧 📘 Facebook: You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/sBRXfLD9TdA
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    44 分
  • Break the Bottle: Lessons from a Grandson, Marine, and Leader
    2025/05/09
    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 growth. Michael shares the life-and-death moments that defined his military service and the deep mentorship that helped him evolve. He also explains how he now helps others through speaking and training programs that foster identity, purpose, and organizational strength. 🧠 Key Takeaways: The importance of legacy and storytelling across generations How to extract purpose from pain What "dark work" means and how it shapes real leaders. The impact of servant leadership in high-stakes environments Why leadership development must exist at every organizational level Building trust, especially with team members who feel undervalued The transition from military service to entrepreneurship Links Website: Leadership Training: Email: mallison@theadversityacademy.com Instagram: You can watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link:
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    48 分
  • Writing For Legacy, A Grandfather's Perspective With Kevin Hall - EP 228
    2025/05/02
    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 writing or video Kevin’s thoughts on AI, history, spiritual storytelling, and leaving a legacy This episode is packed with laughs, life lessons, and practical advice for anyone looking to write their own family stories. Links Use this link to view Kevin's website: Here is the link to Publisher Rocket: You can watch this conversation on YouTube by clicking on this link:
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    53 分
  • Navigating Grandfatherhood and Midlife Career Moves with Mark Aylward - EP 227
    2025/04/18
    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 grandson to a great story of a friend calling NBA executives pretending to be Larry Bird. Whether you're navigating grandparenthood or a late-career pivot, this episode offers something valuable and inspiring. 🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways: The surprise and beauty of becoming a grandfather at 17 Supporting a son through addiction and young fatherhood The importance of presence and modeling for children and grandchildren Tree climbing and gratitude: bonding through simple routines The broken hiring process and how to bypass the gatekeepers Why confidence is often the missing piece in career transitions Helping professionals in their 50s+ rediscover purpose and direction The art of storytelling in job interviews and career branding Why asking "What do you mean by that?" unlocks absolute Clarity. Embracing the role of a grandparent without overstepping boundaries Links – Website, coaching info, and newsletter – Real talk for men in midlife Use this link to book Mark's Free 30-Minute Coaching Call:
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    49 分
  • Support Networks for New Parents with Jane Honikman - EP 226
    2025/04/11
    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 Takeaways: The significance of peer support for new mothers. How societal expectations impact maternal mental health. The role of fathers and families in providing support. Advocacy efforts that have shaped postpartum care services. Actionable steps for building community-based maternal support. Links: You can listen to my first discussion with Jane about postpartum at this link: Check out Jane's website at: Click on this link to order your copy of Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers: You can watch this interview on YouTube by using this link:
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    45 分
  • Keeping the Connection: Avoiding Common Grandparenting Pitfalls - EP 225
    2025/04/04
    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 relationships. If you're looking for ways to improve communication and respect with your family, this episode is a must-listen! Key Takeaways: ✅ Respect your adult children's choices, even when they differ from your own. ✅ Be mindful of how and why you give gifts to grandchildren. ✅ Honor family schedules and avoid unplanned visits that add stress. ✅ Avoid arguing in front of grandkids—it impacts how they see family relationships. ✅ Self-reflect before assuming the problem is one-sided. Next Week's Episode: Join us next week as I sit down with Jane Honikman to discuss Support Systems for Postpartum Depression—an insightful conversation on how families can better support new mothers Links Use this link to explore The Long Distance Grandparent: To check out More Than Grand, use this link: You can watch this episode on YouTube by using this link: .
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    20 分
  • Unlocking Confidence: Public Speaking, Music, & Growth with Adam Cole - EP 224
    2025/03/28
    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 anxiety ✔️ Transitioning careers & finding new passions ✔️ The power of mentorship & self-awareness ✔️ The Feldenkrais Method & body awareness for confidence ✔️ Starting a side hustle and breaking through self-doubt Whether you want to grow personally or professionally, this episode offers wisdom on embracing change, building confidence, and stepping into new challenges. Links Connect with Adam Cole: 🌐 Website: or 📺 YouTube: 🎶 Piano Lessons & Coaching: Available in-person (Atlanta) or via Zoom You can also watch this conversation on YouTube by using this link: Upcoming Event: 🎤 Billy Joel Sing-Along Concert – March 29, 4 PM @ First Christian Church of Decatur, Atlanta. Don't miss it!
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    53 分