The Grandpa Channel: Grandparent Stories, Family Legacy & Life Lessons

049 Santa’s Secrets: What Kids Really Ask For (It’s Not Toys)

What if the most meaningful stories at Christmastime came not from gift wrap, but from the raw honesty of children sitting on Santa’s lap?
In this powerful and unexpected episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers (aka Steve Harris) welcomes a real-life Santa who shares the funny, spiritual, and deeply moving stories behind the red suit. From silly sibling rivalries to tear-stained notes from kids asking for peace at home instead of presents, Santa reflects on what he’s learned after decades of listening — really listening — to the hearts of children.
We also explore:
The surprising #1 thing kids ask for
A haunting Christmas wish from an 11-year-old girl
Santa’s journey from air traffic controller to spiritual mentor in red velvet
What grandpas (and all of us) can do to bring magic and meaning back to modern life
Why grandparenting isn’t just for family — and how to “grandpa where you’re planted”
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this conversation is a beautiful reminder of what it means to see, hear, and lift each other. Let this episode fill you with wonder — and maybe change the way you think about Santa forever.
🎄 Merry Christmas — and may it last all year long.
 
Steal Our Best Plays: Get the Free Grandpa Channel Guide on How To Connect WIth Your Grandkids here!

048 The Inmate Who Prayed for Me: A Christmas Story with Rivers aka Steve Harris

What if your most meaningful Christmas gift came from a convicted felon?In this deeply personal episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve "Rivers" Harris recounts the unraveling of his life during the 2009 holiday season: financial collapse, family stress, deep spiritual discouragement—and the surprising moment of peace that arrived through a tattooed, soulful, gospel-loving inmate named Moses.
This story is a powerful reminder that God sees us, loves us, and often sends help through the most unexpected people.
You’ll hear about:
The triplet car crash that triggered a shame spiral
What volunteering in maximum security jail taught Steve about grace
The most profound prayer he’s ever heard (and why he cried through the whole thing)
The mysterious power of peace, even when it seems God is silent
A special message of hope for this Christmas season
PLUS: A shoutout to Planted Media for helping grandpas record their life stories on video — check them out at plantedmediaco.com and mention “Rivers” for a Grandpa Channel discount!
STEAL OUR BEST PLAYS: 10 Ways to Powerfully Connect With Your Grandkids, Free guide here!

047 Doctor, Grandma, Legacy Keeper: The Power of Health, Ritual, and Storytelling with Katherine Schlaerth

In this heartwarming and wisdom-packed episode, Rivers (Steve Harris) chats with Dr. Katherine Schlaerth—a  geriatrician& family physician, author, and grandmother of 21—about what it means to show up for your family across generations.
Together they explore:
How to stay healthy and active so your grandkids can climb all over you (literally)
Why grandpas are powerful culture-keepers
The surprising impact of rituals, letters, and language
How faith, storytelling, and showing up build unshakeable legacies
You’ll hear about Bones the skeleton, cousins camp, why letters still matter, and how grandpas transfer joy and lifelong passions through example. This one’s full of heart, humor, and helpful takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Schlaerth’s book: The Way Our Bodies Age
Planted Media video legacy services (use code RIVERS for a Grandpa Channel discount)
Grab our free guide: Steal Our Best Plays- 10 Ways to Powerfully Connect with Your Grandkids 
🎧 Listen, laugh, and leave a review!

046 Joyful Discipleship & Campfire Songs: Grandfathering Across Generations with Brent Nielsen

What does it mean to be a joyful disciple as a grandpa? In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Rivers (aka Steve Harris) sits down with his longtime friend Brent Nielsen, a father of six, grandfather to 26, and world traveler with stories and wisdom to spare.
Brent shares how he and his wife Marcia have stayed deeply connected to their growing family — even while living halfway across the world. From weekly mission calls from New Zealand to car ride storytelling marathons, you'll hear powerful insights on intentional grandparenting, legacy, and faith.
They discuss:
Building one-on-one relationships with 26 grandkids
Grandparenting from abroad (and how Zoom became sacred ground)
What he learned from family-centered cultures around the world
How storytelling becomes a legacy
Teaching faith through joy (and campfire songs)
The advice he’d give his grandkids... and his own father
If you're looking for real connection, spiritual grounding, and a few good laughs — this one’s for you.
 
Show Notes (with SEO & Keywords):
Episode Highlights:
[00:34] Rivers’ call to action to record your life story — and why your grandkids want your corny jokes and rugged voice on video
[01:26] Meet Brent Nielsen: Grandpa to 26, friend for 50 years, and servant-leader in global church service
Why “joyful discipleship” is the ultimate goal for family life and faith
Parenting and grandparenting while living in New Zealand and the Philippines
Maintaining relationships with grandkids across continents — and how a simple Monday ritual made all the difference
The surprising impact of storytelling on long road trips (and how grandkids remember every detail)
Why funny + faithful is Brent’s grandfathering sweet spot — and how campfire songs play a starring role
Advice for grandpas: Follow grandma’s lead, stay joyful, and stay present
What to say to a worried teen granddaughter in a chaotic world
The power of missionary letters, personal traditions, and being a fountain of peace for the rising generation
Key Takeaways:
Grandfathers have unmatched influence through intentional connection
Stories are your superpower — use them early and often
Faith doesn’t have to be formal — let joy and fun lead the way
Grandparenting is legacy-building in real time

045 Wisdom, Legacy & Love: A Conversation with Historian Richard Bushman

What does it mean to be a grandfather today — and how has that role changed over time? In this heartfelt episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Steve Harris (aka “Rivers”) welcomes legendary historian, author, and beloved grandfather Richard Lyman Bushman for a conversation filled with timeless wisdom, personal reflection, and multigenerational insight.
Now 94, Bushman shares his lived experience as a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather — and opens up about the joys, challenges, and surprises that come with growing a family legacy. Together, they explore what makes grandparenting so vital, how storytelling shapes connection, and why being fully present might be a grandfather’s greatest gift.
🎓 Richard Bushman is Professor Emeritus of History at Columbia University and author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. He’s been called “one of the most important scholars of American religious history” and continues to mentor and inspire across generations.
🔍 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
02:00 — Life in NYC & being surrounded by 20 grandchildren (and counting!)
05:00 — How the role of grandfathers has changed over the last century
08:00 — Lessons from his own grandfathers
10:00 — What he hopes his grandkids would say about him
13:00 — The power of stories, family lore, and being known
18:00 — Prophetic blessings and how he connects spiritually with his grandkids
25:00 — What inspires him from American history
30:00 — What he would tell his 34-year-old self
32:00 — A final message for grandfathers everywhere
💡 Key Takeaways:
Grandfathers today have more time and more tools to connect than ever before
Storytelling is how we pass down not just facts — but who we are
Being a grandfather isn’t just biology — it’s a calling of love, guidance, and presence
“They need to feel who you are” — Bushman on spending real time with grandkids
Don’t underestimate the power of small, everyday moments
🧭 Ready to start capturing your story on video?🎥 Visit PlantedMediaCo.com and tell them Rivers sent you for a Grandpa Channel discount!
📺 Subscribe to The Grandpa Channel on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify — and share this episode with someone you love.
Steal Our Best Plays: 10 Ways to Connect With Your Grandkids here!

044 Sleepovers, Snowball Fights & the Secret to Being a Great Grandpa — with Bill Mansell

Bill Mansell — longtime neighbor, father, and grandfather — joins Steve (“Rivers”) on The Grandpa Channel for a beautiful conversation about what it truly means to be a grandparent in today’s world.
From growing up knowing all four of his grandparents to now becoming the “older generation” himself, Bill shares stories full of humor, heart, and hope. He talks about the value of multi-generational homes, why being a peaceful grandparent matters, and how the real gift we give grandkids is simply showing up with love and presence.
💡 You'll hear:
Why mundane moments with grandparents become magical
The surprising thing Bill’s dad did every morning for him
The lesson behind a “snowball fight” that destroyed a backyard
Thoughts on sharing faith with grandkids — gently and authentically
What he’d tell his 32-year-old self about parenthood, grandkids, and life
Whether you're a grandparent, parent, or someone navigating family relationships — this one will leave you feeling seen, softened, and inspired.
Steal Our Best Plays: 10 Powerful Ways to Connect With Your Grandkids

043 The Book She Wrote with Her Grandson (from 10,000 Miles Away) with Kathy Nunn

In this heartfelt and history-rich episode, Rivers (Steve Harris) interviews Kathy Nunn, a retired educator and author living in Melbourne, Australia. Kathy shares her journey from Wales to Papua New Guinea to Australia — and the beautiful creative project she completed with her grandson: co-authoring a book inspired by Welsh legends.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
How Kathy and her grandson co-wrote The Welsh Warrior’s Wonder
Why everyday stories from your past matter more than you think
A fascinating legend about Welsh explorers arriving in America before Columbus
How to pass down ancestral heritage through story and imagination
The emotional ripple effect of engaged grandparenting
Why “boring” memories are actually gold to your grandkids
Whether you're a grandparent, a parent, or someone who values legacy, this episode is a warm invitation to capture and share the stories that connect us across generations.
👀 Mentioned in this episode:
Kathy’s pen name: Ariane Wen Nunn
The Mandan Tribe and Welsh coracles
Kathy’s upcoming plan to write a book with her granddaughter, too
And a whole lot of Grandpa Channel heart.
Link to Kathy's Book she wrote with her grandson
📥 Want more ideas to connect with your grandkids?Download our free guide: “Steal Our Best Plays: 10 Ways to Connect with Your Grandkids” — 
🎧 Listen now and be inspired to tell (or write!) your story.

042 Steal Our Best Plays: 10 Real Moves for Deeper Grandkid Connection

This episode is your audio companion to our most popular resource:👉 “Steal Our Best Plays: Top 10 Ways to Connect with Your Grandkids.”These aren’t made-up theories — they’re field-tested, story-backed plays from real grandpas (and grandmas!) who’ve shared their secrets on the show.
Each “play” includes:
A clip from a real Grandpa Channel guest
A simple, repeatable action you can take
A few twists to make it your own
🧠 Whether you're a brand-new grandpa or a seasoned pro, you'll walk away with fresh ideas, deeper purpose — and probably a few good laughs.
🛠 Download the full companion PDF here(You’ll get all 10 plays, step-by-step instructions, and a few hidden gems we didn’t have time to share.)
Guests Included in today's episode: Mollie Diamond EP: 024, Brent Dial EP: 002, Wayne Samuelson EP: 035, Ken Walters EP: 034, Steve Newton EP: 004, Brian Golding EP: 018, LeeAnn Meads EP:022, Lee Crayk EP: 026, Ty Yagi EP: 013, & Dan Gibbons EP: 012

041 The Day I Melted Into a Pool of Gratitude with Steve Harris aka Rivers

Welcome back to the Grandpa Channel — where grandpas share stories, grandkids get curious, and legacy lives on.
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Rivers (Steve Harris) shares a deeply personal story — one that’s equal parts vulnerable, redemptive, and quietly powerful.
Born with a cleft lip in 1955, Steve spent years undergoing surgeries and orthodontic work. But it wasn’t until a chance encounter during his mission in Finland — with a little girl on a cold October day — that all of his mother’s teachings about gratitude came flooding in.
This episode isn’t just a story about scars or surgeries. It’s about emotional breakthroughs. The kind that reshape how we see the world — and our place in it.
In this episode:
How Steve’s mom taught him gratitude with relentless kindness
His fear of learning a foreign language — and how he overcame it
The exact moment he “melted into a pool of gratitude”
A gentle challenge to reflect on your life’s turning points
Whether you’re a grandparent, parent, or simply someone reflecting on your own path — this story will stick with you long after the episode ends.

040 Wild Bill, Sheep Dogs & Grandpa Wisdom: Stories with Russ Miller

In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, we’re joined by Russ Miller — master storyteller, retired accountant, cowboy at heart, and proud grandpa.
Russ shares:
What it was like growing up as a “feral child” in rural Utah
His father’s incredible life as a world-renowned saddle maker (with clients like Robert Redford and Willie Nelson!)
What it meant to grow up around rodeos, leatherwork, and cowboy values
The legacy of “Wild Bill” Miller — his infamous saloon ride-in and connections to Butch Cassidy’s gang
The difference between real grandpa stories and “cardboard cutouts”
How trauma shaped generations — and why Russ never drank or smoked
Life lessons he’d give to his 30-year-old self (and his grandkids today)
His superpower as a grandpa — and his kryptonite too
What to say when grandkids ask, “Is there still hope in the world?”
A rich, tender, and often hilarious conversation about what it means to live, learn, and leave something behind.