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

034 How Endurance Sports Shaped a Better Grandpa: Lessons from Ken Walters

In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers talks with guest Ken Walters — a 61-year-old grandpa with 12 grandkids spread across the country. Ken shares how endurance events (Ironman, ultras, biking) taught him the power of persistence, how to stay connected with grandkids you don’t live near, and why small check-ins & little moments will always beat big gestures.
You’ll hear stories about recording messages mid-race, surprising his kids with last-minute flights, how he partners with his wife to grandparent as a team, and why he wants to be a fountain of peace in a world that feels heavy to kids today.
In this episode:
What endurance races teach you about grandparenting
Tools for long-distance grandparent connection (FaceTime + tiny consistent touch points)
Why presence > perfection for grandkids
How tradition builds generational glue
Why relationships have to come first — always
The advice he’d give to his 31-year-old self
Looking to record your life story on video without the hassel? Reach out to Planted Media Co & mention The Grandpa Channel for a nice little discount

033 God, Grandpas, and the Gift of Time — with Jen Blosil

In this warm, laughter-filled episode, Rivers (Steve Harris) sits down with Jen Blosil — musician, thinker, and self-proclaimed “lover of people” — to explore what makes relationships between grandparents and grandkids truly meaningful.
Jen shares stories about her three very different grandfathers: a quiet priest, a gruff smoker with a soft spot, and a good man who didn’t always show it. Through humor and honesty, she reveals the truth that love is often spelled T-I-M-E.
Together, Steve and Jen dive into:🌿 The sacred power of presence and why showing up awkwardly is still showing up.💛 How faith and family legacy shape who we become — even generations later.🎶 What American Idol taught Jen about kindness, connection, and resilience.🙏 How a simple prayer (“Who needs me here?”) can transform any conversation.💬 The best questions a grandpa can ask — and how to follow up with heart.💡 Practical ways grandpas can reconnect and make up for lost time (and why “take her to lunch” might be the best advice you’ll hear today).
This conversation is funny, faith-filled, and surprisingly moving — a reminder that no matter your age, it’s never too late to connect, ask better questions, and love bigger.
Check out Jen's music here!
Check out Planted Media here!

032 Grandparenting on the Spectrum: How to Show Up for Autistic Grandkids with Heart with Jennifer Kaufman

What does it really mean to show up as a grandparent to an autistic grandchild? In this deeply thoughtful and practical episode, Steve Harris (aka “Rivers”) talks with Jennifer Kaufman, author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum and longtime principal of an autism-focused school.
Jennifer shares insights from both her professional life and her personal experience as the grandmother of a child on the spectrum. This conversation is full of heart, wisdom, and practical tips for any grandparent—or anyone—wanting to love better.
In this episode:
How autism shaped Jennifer’s personal and professional world
The importance of adjusting expectations as a grandparent
How Jennifer’s husband built connection by simply showing up and staying present
Common pitfalls (like going in “guns blazing”) and how to avoid them
Why asking the parent is your best starting point
Long-distance grandparenting ideas: Zoom, books, and just being available
The #1 gift every autistic child should receive (you may be surprised!)
What to do when traditions don’t match neurodivergent needs
Why autism is not something to fix—but something we can grow to understand
Bonus Mentions:
Jennifer’s Book: Grandparenting on the Spectrum – available on Amazon
Her website: grandparentingonthespectrum.com
PSA: 93% of accidental deaths in children with autism involve water — consider giving autism-friendly swimming lessons.

031 The Time I Threw Like I'd Never Seen a Baseball Before with Steve Harris aka Rivers

Everyone’s got a flub they’ll never forget.
In this solo episode, Rivers (aka Steve Harris) shares the time he thought he was major league-bound... until he airmailed a ball into right field and watched his coach hurl a mitt into the fence.
It’s a story about confidence, embarrassment, and the kind of failures you don’t edit out—because they end up being the ones you remember.
If you’ve ever wanted to disappear after a public mistake (or you’ve had a coach throw something in your general direction), this one’s for you.
The lesson? Don’t try to be cool when you’ve still got the ball in your hand. And whatever happens...
Move on, baby. Move on.
Hosted by: Steve Harris (aka “Rivers”)Episode type: Grandpa Channel Micro-EpisodeTheme: Imperfect memories, confidence, learning to recover
In this episode:– A teenage pitcher with big league dreams– One unforgettable overthrown ball– A mitt, a fence, and a lesson in humility– Why messing up in front of people is a rite of passage– What to do when you're embarrassed beyond reason
Interested in recording your life story? Reach out to Planted Media Co & tell them that Rivers sent you for a nice little Grandpa Channel discount
Quote to remember:
“I didn’t mean to look like an idiot, but I was. You learn to move on, baby. Move on.”

030 The Man Behind the Tater Tot: Legacy, Invention, and Grandpa Wisdom with Steve Grigg

What does it mean to build something that lasts—then teach your grandkids how to carry it?
In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris sits down with long-time friend Steve Grigg, son of Nephi Grigg, one of the founders of Ore-Ida and the inventor of the Tater Tot. But this isn’t just a food history story. It’s a deeply personal look at family legacy preservation, the evolution of grandparent family traditions, and the quiet superpowers grandfathers pass down through the generations.
From humble beginnings during the Great Depression to building a frozen food empire, Nephi Grigg’s legacy isn’t just found in grocery store aisles—it lives on in steak Sundays, backyard trampolines, and the way Steve Grigg shows up as a grandfather today.
This is a tater tot origin story you haven’t heard before—one filled with humor, love, and the kind of insights only a grandpa can offer.
If you care about legacy, family, or just really love tater tots, this one’s for you.
In this episode:
The true tater tot origin story (and the holey board that started it all)
How Nephi Grigg and his brother founded Ore-Ida
The Depression-era roots that shaped a family's work ethic
What “biting off more than you can chew—and chewing it” really looks like
Creating grandparent family traditions that stick
Why family legacy preservation doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful
What it takes to raise kids and build connective tissue between generations
How Steve Grigg passed on his father’s legacy in modern grandparenting
The power of making them laugh, knowing their names, and always having steak
Resources mentioned:
Planted Media (for recording your own legacy story)
Ore-Ida: oreida.com
Legacy Foundation: F. Nephi & Golden Grigg Legacy Project

029 Real Grandpa Stories: Love, Legacy, and the Mess We Don’t Edit Out with Jim McCrea

Guest: Jim McCreaHost: Steve “Rivers” Harris
In this episode:– Why some grandfathers don’t share war stories, and why Jim’s dad did– The redemption inside a rocky childhood– What “I am what I am” really means for today’s grandpas– How to show up with love, not performance– What to say when your grandchild says, “I’m scared”– How legacy gets recorded (even with a little swearing)
*Note: Contains a few unfiltered moments and light swearing.
Mentioned:– Planted Media Co. (video storytelling for families – tell them Rivers sent you for a nice little Grandpa Channel Discount)
Let’s Connect:💬 Leave a comment if this stirred something🔗 Share with someone who needs this kind of grandpa🎙️ Want to record your story? Get in touch

028 Newly Minted Grandpa & the Moon Role - Twins, Family & Presence with Scott Becker

Newly minted grandpa Scott Becker meets twins Jack and Iris and feels something he did not expect - not the weight of responsibility, but the joy of a new role. He calls it the moon role. Not center stage, always present. We talk long distance grandparenting that actually lands, why presence beats perfection, and how stories become the bridge when miles get in the way.
Scott also shares the family chapter that expanded fatherhood for him - welcoming Isaac, a refugee from Uganda, into their home and hearts. If you grew up without a grandfather, or you miss the one you had, this one will feel like a hand on your shoulder.
Show notes
In this episode
The moment that changed everything when he held his grandson for the first time
The moon role - a grandpa identity that feels steady and true
Long distance grandparenting with intention
Expanding family through love and belonging - Isaac’s story
What he wishes for Jack and Iris and how he plans to show up
Selected timestamps00:00 Welcome - stories do not fade if we record them00:34 Sponsor mention - Planted Media legacy video01:26 Meet Scott Becker - newly minted grandpa to twins06:00 Isaac’s story - belonging without paperwork13:00 Holding Jack and Iris - joy over pressure18:00 No grandfathers growing up - learning the role in real time21:00 The moon role - present, steady, supportive24:00 Long distance plans - photos, trips, hands-on time27:30 Closing and mission - keep the mic hot
Lines to keep
“When I held my grandson, I did not feel the weight. I felt this is going to be fun.”
“As a grandfather I get to be the moon.”
“Stories do not fade if we record them.”
Try this tonight
Ask a grandparent: “What do you wish your grandpa had told you?”
Then ask: “What do you want your grandkids to hear from you now?”
Hit record - phone video is perfect.
SponsorPlanted Media - the simplest way to record your life story on video. Tell them Rivers sent you for a Grandpa Channel discount: www.plantedmediaco.com
CTAIf this moved you, share it with a grandpa, leave a review, and subscribe. Your stories are the bridge. Your presence is the point.

027 Stage-4 to “Top of the World”: Grandkids, Grit, and Meeting the Pope with Frank Malizia

What do you do when doctors give you six months to live?
For Frank Malizia, a Bronx native and lifelong Yankee fan, the answer was simple: hold on to faith, fight with everything he had, and cling to the hope of seeing his grandchildren one day. Against staggering odds, Frank survived stage-4 esophageal cancer, endured years of chemo and experimental treatments, and walked away with the nickname “miracle patient.”
Now, Frank spends his days as the proud caretaker of his two grandsons, Liam and Mason. Whether it’s scaling the steps of Kensico Dam—what they call “Top of the World”—cheering at Little League, or strolling to the train station in a taxi stroller, Frank treasures every moment. His grandkids didn’t just give him purpose—they gave him the strength to keep going.
In this heartfelt conversation, Frank opens up about:
How his grandkids became the gift that saved his life
The miracle of surviving stage-4 cancer
Lessons on patience, presence, and joy as a grandfather
Meeting the Pope in Rome and the blessing that still leaves him speechless
Why being “all in” with family is the only legacy worth chasing
This episode is a moving reminder that resilience, faith, and family can turn even the darkest diagnosis into a story of hope.

026 The Mentor Who Saved My Life: The Power of Christ-Centered Grandparenting with Lee Crayk

What does a lasting family legacy look like in real life? In this moving conversation, Lee Crayk shares grandpa stories that model Christ-centered grandparenting: from writing letters to grandkids at graduation, to creating safety and stability for kids, to letting kids fail safely so resilience can grow. Lee opens up about coping with the loss of a parent, the mentors who redirected his path, long-distance grandparenting that still feels close, and the small, everyday choices that say “you belong.” If your heart beats for faith and family, this episode will give you simple ways to show up, speak life, and pass on a legacy that lasts.
In this episode:
Legacy in ink: why Lee writes personalized, keep-forever letters to each grandchild at graduation (and what he includes).
Safety first: practical ways to create stability—consistency, specific praise, and being “the steady one” in turbulent times.
Holy permission to stumble: how to let kids fail safely and coach through it without rescuing too soon.
Grief and grit: breaking a family pattern and coping with the loss of a parent while choosing the dad and grandpa you’ll become.
Long-distance, still close: Sunday Zooms, specific check-ins, and asking better questions to stay truly connected.
Faith that feels: everyday Christ-centered grandparenting—sharing spiritual experiences naturally, validating a child’s own witness.
Small acts, big signals: kindness at a drive-thru window, gifting “the Alaska pants,” and other micro-moments that become family lore.
Building family culture: second-Tuesday dinners, showing up for each other, and teaching grandkids to notice the forgotten.
Key takeaways
Write it down. A handwritten letter (tucked in a favorite book) becomes a portable anchor of identity and love.
Be the calm. Stability > perfection. Kids remember how safe they felt with you.
Coach, don’t control. Let them try, fail, reflect, and try again—with you in their corner.
Name the good. Offer specific, witnessed praise that tells them who you see they already are.
Share your faith simply. Tell short, real stories of how Jesus shows up in ordinary days.
Try this this week
Text or DM one grandchild with three specific things you admire about them.
Start a “legacy letter” doc: one page, one story, one truth you know.
Put a recurring reminder to ask a specific question about their world (class, team, friend, project).
Episode keywords: grandpa stories; family legacy; writing letters to grandkids; creating safety and stability for kids; letting kids fail safely; coping with loss of a parent; faith and family; Christ-centered grandparenting.

025 Family Legacy & Faith: How Grandpas Pass Down Resilience, Pioneer Stories, and Listening Paired with Curiosity with Dennis Bledsoe

What makes a grandpa unforgettable? In this heartwarming episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris sits down with financial planner and devoted grandpa Dennis Bledsoe to explore the true legacy of grandparents. From passing down faith and resilience through family traditions to sharing pioneer stories that inspire gratitude, Dennis reveals how grandpas can build deep grandchildren connections that last for generations.
Discover why curiosity and listening are the real superpowers of grandfathers, how faith traditions strengthen family ties, and the surprising ways grandkids nickname, connect with, and love their Papa. This episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and the timeless reminder that family legacy is built one small story at a time.
📝 Show Notes
In this conversation with Dennis Bledsoe, we explore the beauty and responsibility of being a grandpa:
Family Legacy & Faith → The role of traditions, testimonies, and gratitude in shaping strong families.
Passing Down Resilience → How sharing pioneer stories helps grandkids face today’s challenges with courage.
Grandchildren Connection → From nicknames like “Papa Dennis” to spoiling them with Mountain Man Breakfast, Dennis shows how joy is found in small, everyday moments.
Curiosity & Listening as Superpowers → Why leaning in, asking questions, and truly hearing others creates bonds that outlast generations.
Pioneer Stories That Inspire → Lessons from ancestors who endured hardship, sacrificed, and built a foundation for today’s blessings.
This episode reminds us that being a grandparent isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, resilience, and passing on love that shapes the future.
✨ Let’s Grandpa.