The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way

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.

024 Poison Pillow, Duddo & Snow Removal: How Grandpas Create Joy in the Small Things with Mollie Diamond

What if the moments your kids or grandkids remember most aren’t the big vacations, the perfect holidays, or the expensive gifts… but the goofy games you made up in the living room?
In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris talks with Mollie Diamond about her dad, Wid — a grandpa who turned ordinary evenings into magic. From “Poison Pillow” battles to the game of “Duddo” to a pretend snow-removal business, Wid showed his family that presence over perfection creates the kind of joy that lasts for generations.
Through his playful grandpa stories, his unconditional love, and his Christ-like qualities, Wid left a family legacy of laughter, resilience, and faith that continues to shape his children and grandchildren.
This episode is a tender reminder that you don’t need to be perfect to leave a mark — you just need to show up, listen, laugh, and create joy out of the small things.
In this heartwarming conversation with Mollie Diamond, you’ll discover:
🎭 The power of small traditions — how games like Poison Pillow, Duddo, and a pretend snow-removal business became the most cherished grandpa stories.
❤️ How unconditional love explained through simple rituals can be a child’s greatest security.
👂 Why listening and understanding are the foundation for joy-filled relationships.
🌱 How spiritual resilience made Wid’s humor, faith, and laughter shine even in hospital rooms.
✝️ What living like Jesus looks like in practice: not grand sermons, but small, everyday acts of kindness and presence.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How these playful, made-up games turned into a family legacy his grandchildren will never forget.
✨ The takeaway: You don’t need big plans or perfect execution to leave a lasting legacy. Every parent and grandparent can create joy by leaning into the silly, the small, and the spontaneous.

023 How to Be a Good Grandpa | Quiet Dignity, Road Trips & Legacy with Kyle Winther

What does being a good grandparent really look like? In this heartfelt episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Steve “Rivers” Harris sits down with his longtime friend Kyle Winther to explore what it means to show up for your family.
Kyle shares lessons from his 93-year-old father, the importance of being grandparents who create road trip memories, and the quiet legacy of his Norwegian grandfather. You’ll hear why being a good grandpa isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, patience, and stories that last.
Tune in for:
How to be a good grandparent without overthinking it
The “quiet dignity” every family notices
Making family road trip memories your grandkids will treasure
Passing on values and humor through everyday moments
Why imperfect storytelling is still legacy-building
🎧 Listen now to discover practical wisdom and encouragement for your own grandparenting journey.
✍️ Show Notes Highlights
Growing up in Murray, Utah & raising a family nearby
Kyle’s father: a model of “quiet dignity”
Grandparenting across generations (from sleigh rides to road trips)
The mechanic grandpa who taught by doing
Norwegian ancestry, handwritten journals & family photos
How to be a good grandparent by simply being there
The superpower every grandpa already has
Advice for grandpas who want to improve
 

022 One-on-One Time, Funny Nicknames, and Finding the Hand of God with Lee Ann Meads

Grandparenting isn’t just about being there — it’s about how you show up.
In this inspiring conversation with Lee Ann Meads, our first grandma guest on The Grandpa Channel, we dive into the big and small ways grandparents leave lasting impressions. From funny names for grandparents (yes, she explains how “Bampa” stuck) to meaningful one-on-one time, Lee Ann shows us how family traditions turn into legacy.
🌟 Highlights include:
Grandpa and Grandma Camp ideas you’ll want to steal for your own family traditions.
How Lee Ann and her husband use creative teaching (like “HOGs: Hand of God”) to help grandkids recognize God’s hand in their lives.
Why unique nicknames for grandparents — from “Bampa” to “Queenie” — stick with kids forever.
How to create one-on-one time that makes every grandchild feel seen and loved.
A fresh perspective on faith, humor, and joy as the glue that strengthens family connection.
Whether you’ve wondered “where is the hand of God in my life?” or simply want practical, heart-centered ideas for deepening bonds with your grandkids, this episode will lift your spirit, spark new traditions, and leave you smiling.
👉 Listen now, and don’t forget to share this episode with a grandparent (or future grandparent) who needs fresh inspiration.

021 Keep Smiling: Life Stories, Family Jokes & 94 Years of Wisdom with Stanley Lear

What do you learn after nearly a century of living, loving, and laughing? Stanley Lear, our oldest guest yet on The Grandpa Channel, has the answer: keep smiling.
Born in 1930, Stanley grew up during the Great Depression as the eldest of 10 children in a 20x12 tar-paper home. From delivering newspapers at age seven to serving in France during the Korean War, his stories trace a life built on resilience, family, and love.
But Stanley’s legacy isn’t just about hard work. It’s about love — 73 years of marriage to his sweetheart, raising a family rooted in gratitude, and sharing joy through handmade gifts, gardens, and jokes that span generations.
In this heartfelt (and often hilarious) episode, Stanley reflects on:
Growing up poor — but never feeling it.
Meeting his wife and the secret to 73 years of marriage.
Building a life through farming, welding, and hard work.
Why he makes jewelry and shovel-bird sculptures… and gives them away.
How his garden and humor keep him young.
His best family jokes (yes, the Dolly Parton one makes an appearance).
The simple life lesson he hopes the Lear Family, 100+ grandkids and great-grandkids remember: always be honest, and never stop smiling.
This is an episode about humility, humor, and the kind of wisdom that can only be earned through nearly a century of living.
💡 Whether you’re here for the life stories, the family connection, or just a good laugh, Stanley’s message is one we all need right now: gratitude makes life rich, and a smile makes it better.

020 What We Carry Forward - Grief, Faith, And Family Bond with Dave Goates

Grief does not end love. It reorganizes it. In this Grandpa Channel episode, Dave Goates and Steve Harris talk about the grief process, the tender ways family connection endures, and the small guardian angel moments that make you pay attention. You will hear how one daughter’s 49 days reshaped a family, how a long marriage still mentors from the other side, and why recording family history in a simple life story book can steady grandkids in hard seasons.
You’ll hear
Grief observed - what helped and what still hurts
Guardian angel experiences the kids shared
Faith and family practices that make connection tangible
Why storytelling beats lecturing for grandpa wisdom
A simple way to start a life story book your grandkids will actually read
Content note: hospital scenes, bereavement.
YouTube Description (long, keyword rich)
In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Dave Goates joins Steve Harris to explore grief observed, family connection, guardian angel moments, and the quiet strength of faith and family. From a daughter’s 49 sacred days to a lifetime of marriage, this conversation shows how the grief process becomes a bridge, not a wall. We talk about family history in practice and how a short life story book can help kids feel anchored and brave.
Chapters00:00 Welcome to The Grandpa Channel01:05 Family roll call and posterity06:40 Grandpa mentoring through sports, music, and small rituals12:30 Two very different grandfathers - what stuck and why20:10 Grief process - a daughter’s 49 days and meaning made28:45 Who’s my guardian angel - experiences the kids still talk about34:20 Faith and family after loss - how connection keeps teaching41:30 Life story book basics - simple pages, real memories49:10 Practical grandpa wisdom for a steady home51:51 Closing
Keywords: grief process, grief observed, family connection, who’s my guardian angel, family history, life story book, faith and family, legacy storytelling, grandparent stories
Subscribe, leave a 2 sentence review, and share this with someone who is building a family history worth remembering.

019 Crazy World War 2 Stories: Art Brothers on Survival, Faith & Family Legacy

What happens when a story isn’t told? It risks disappearing — along with the wisdom, resilience, and warning it carries.
In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Art Brothers joins Steve Harris (aka “Rivers”) to share grandpa stories that bridge generations. From fearless dogs and childhood memories to his mother’s harrowing survival during World War 2 and the Dutch Hunger Winter, Art paints an unforgettable picture of family resilience in the face of trauma.
You’ll hear:
Crazy World War 2 stories of Jewish families being taken to trains, the underground black market, and children hidden in garbage trucks for survival.
How the Hunger Winter in the Netherlands shaped his mother’s faith, her courage, and ultimately their family’s journey to America.
Why telling these stories matters — and how grandparents can pass resilience, love, and wisdom to their grandchildren.
Reflections on intergenerational trauma and the hope that comes when one generation chooses to break cycles and start new traditions.
Art’s own message to his grandchildren: you are loved for who you are right now — and you can do hard things.
This episode is a reminder of the importance of storytelling in family life. Stories don’t just preserve history — they help grandchildren believe they can face their own hard things with courage.
🎧 Tune in and pass it forward — because every story worth telling is a story worth remembering.

018 Pedals & Presence: How Brian Golding Mentors Grandkids Through Mountain Biking & Listening

What if the best mentorship doesn’t happen in classrooms or at podiums — but on bike trails, over milkshakes, and in car rides home?
In this heartfelt episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris welcomes his cousin Brian Golding for a conversation that brings mentorship and coaching to life through family connection.
Brian shares how mountain biking with his granddaughter turned into an unexpected classroom — where lessons about effort, attitude, and presence carried far beyond the trail. Along the way, he reflects on raising his own kids, the gift of unconditional love from grandparents, and why listening and understanding matter more than getting it perfect.
From laughter-filled stories to hard-won wisdom, this conversation is a reminder that presence over perfection is the greatest gift we can pass on to the next generation.