The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way

037 When Life Breaks Your Back, Love Lifts You: Grandparenting Through Grit, Faith, and Showing Up With Doug Wadsworth

Guest: Doug Wadsworth — Utah native, Navy officer, devoted grandpa/great-grandpa.
The early roots: Growing up near both sets of grandparents; linotype-operator grandpa at the Deseret News; hard-work DNA and Depression-era frugality.
Service threads: Dad’s WWII Pacific stories; Doug’s own path through OCS and commissioning; what service taught him about people, truth, and leadership.
The day everything changed: Doug’s son Dan falls through a garage ceiling—skull fractures, broken neck/back, becomes a paraplegic. The family response: immediate presence, hope, and practical faith.
Resilience in motion: Dan’s adaptive three-wheel ascent to Delicate Arch—hundreds cheer as he raises his arms under the arch. Independence, pain management, and still teaching his kids how to wrench on cars.
Grandpa plays that work:
Show up ritual: Be at the games, the recitals, the rough days—and let them see you keep showing up.
Cousins as a team: Monthly dinner tradition for married grandkids + spouses to keep the web strong.
Model faith quietly, daily: Prayer in the home, consistent language of hope, and lived patterns that kids can copy under stress.
Savor > sprint: “Slow down” and laugh more—don’t let repairs and busywork steal the moments.
Superpowers & kryptonite:
Superpower: Getting along while getting things done—truth with compassion.
Kryptonite: Thinking you’re right too often (ask Joan!).
Advice to 30-somethings: Make memories on purpose (camping, trips, projects). Invest in marriage and family—everything else fades.
Sponsor shout: Recording your story is easier than you think—Doug-approved. Mention “Rivers” at Planted Media Co. for the Grandpa Channel discount.
CTA:If this helped you, share it with one grandpa who needs a reminder to show up—and hit follow so we can bring one million grandpas into the huddle.

036 Shut Up & Listen: A Grandma’s Masterclass in Grandparent Connection with Kathy Healey

In today’s episode, Rivers sits down with the unstoppable + deeply devoted Kathy Healey — a grandma who made connection her superpower.
Kathy reveals:
how being able to show up (literally) became her legacy
the insane story of holding her granddaughter’s hand through the NICU from hour one
why most grandkids aren’t asking for lectures…they’re asking to be heard
how to connect even when you live in different states
why tiny consistent gestures (like a 60¢ stamp + a handwritten card) become magic later
the #1 line Kathy wants every grandpa to tattoo on their brain: Shut. Up. And. Listen.
This episode is funny, bold, and surprisingly tender.
It will make you want to try harder — gently — without pressure.
Key Takeaway:Grandkids don’t need a perfect grandpa. They need a present one.And the doorway to their heart opens when you quiet down long enough to hear theirs.
 
Link to Kathy's book: Nan's Alpahbet by Maryjane Spillane
Record your life story with Planted Media Co

035 The Grandpa Who Taught Me Hard Things Are Holy — A Masterclass in Grandparenting Through Love + Work Wayne Samuelson

In today’s episode, Rivers sits down with longtime friend + retired pulmonologist Dr. Wayne Samuelson — to talk about the grandpas who shaped him, the lessons he learned while building a house side-by-side with his grandfather, and how he now shows up for his own eight grandkids.
Inside this episode:
how a Depression-era craftsman grandpa framed hard work as evidence of God’s love
why grandkids don’t need “perfection” — they need presence
the power of storytelling + shared projects
what Wayne’s dad did that made his grandkids feel deeply seen
how to hold legacy lightly (without pressure, guilt, or regret)
the surprising thing Wayne would say to his younger self about career, life, and faith
Key Takeaway:Legacy isn’t loud. Legacy is consistent. And the things you do with your grandkids now are the stories they’ll repeat for decades.
Interested in recording your life story, but you don't want to deal with all the "techy stuff". Reach out to Planted Media Co & tell them Rivers sent you for a nice little Grandpa Channel Discount. 

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.