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

009 Jewish Family Traditions, Shabbat Dinners & A Grandfather’s Legacy | Gary Lapin on The Grandpa Channel

Show Notes: From Tailor Shops to Shofars — A Grandfather’s Legacy of Faith, Family & Friday Nights with Gary Lapin
What do tailor shops, Friday night Shabbat dinners, and shofar-blowing have in common? They all live at the heart of Gary Lapin’s story — a longtime neighbor, father of three sons, grandfather of seven, and someone who carries forward the deep traditions of Jewish family life.
In this heartfelt conversation on The Grandpa Channel, host Steve “Rivers” Harris sits down with Gary to explore the legacy of immigrant grandparents, the sacred rituals that shaped him, and the small but powerful ways love gets passed down across generations.
Gary grew up in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of three boys. His grandfather “Jake the Tailor” — an immigrant from Poland — was a WWI veteran, storyteller, and well-known community figure who sewed custom suits for Denver’s wealthier families. Friday nights meant something special: gathering around the table for traditional Sabbath dinners of challah, chicken, and homemade chopped liver. Those meals were more than food — they were rituals of belonging, consistency, and faith.
Alongside those traditions came quiet resilience. Gary recalls that his grandparents weren’t huggy or verbally affectionate. They didn’t say “I love you,” but they lived it through presence and provision. That style shifted with each generation. Gary himself has embraced the opposite — warm hugs, bedtime prayers, and goodnight kisses with his grandchildren. He sees affection as a natural outflow of love, and proof that fatherhood and grandfathering evolve over time.
This episode touches on:
Immigrant grit & legacy: from Russia and Poland to the furniture shops and tailor shops of Denver
Shabbat rituals: why Friday night dinners were sacred ground
Kosher kitchens & faith practices: how traditions shape daily life (and yes, even cheeseburger workarounds)
The evolution of affection: how three generations of fathers expressed love differently
Travel as a love language: why Gary believes summer trips and one-on-one time with grandkids matter more than toys
Shofar-blowing & Jewish holidays: keeping traditions alive for the next generation
Holocaust remembrance & immigrant silence: why many grandparents avoided “the old country” stories, and why telling them now matters
Gary’s reflections remind us that the most powerful heirlooms aren’t material things — they’re stories, rituals, and the time we choose to spend with the people we love.
Whether you grew up with Shabbat candles or Sunday suppers, you’ll find yourself nodding along to Gary’s memories of faith, food, and family. His legacy is one of presence: showing up for dinners, board games, bedtime prayers, and life’s everyday moments.

008 Grandfather Wisdom on Work, Family, and Faith with Curt Dahl from C Minuses & Smoke Rings

Grandfather wisdom is at the heart of this week’s episode of The Grandpa Channel. Curt Dahl joins Steve Harris (“Rivers”) to reflect on the quiet strength, faith, and work ethic that shaped his grandfather’s remarkable legacy.
Curt shares how his grandfather taught lessons not through lectures, but through presence: showing up for his family, working with discipline, and weaving faith into the everyday. These weren’t just values for his generation — they became a compass for children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren who still feel the ripple effect of his choices.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
✨ How a strong work ethic built not only a career but a family foundation.
🙏 Why faith and discipline were his grandfather’s guiding lights.
💬 The simple but profound ways he made his grandchildren feel loved.
🎉 Why laughter and lightheartedness are just as much a legacy as hard work.
This episode is both a tribute and an invitation: a reminder that our grandparent stories matter — that the way we show up every day becomes the inheritance our families carry forward.
Pull up a chair and listen in for laughter, heart, and a little perspective on what it means to live a life worth passing down.
🎧 Hit play, share it with your family, and let’s grandpa.

007 Grandparent Stories: McFluffies, Fireworks & Life Lessons with Brad Harris

Grandparent stories are more than just tales from the past — they’re threads that weave families together. In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve “Rivers” Harris invites his oldest son, Brad, to the mic for a journey through laughter, lessons, and legacy.
You’ll meet two grandfathers who couldn’t be more different — yet both left unforgettable marks. Grandpa Lou, the charismatic former bank executive, had a knack for turning even a McFlurry run into comedy gold (“It’s a McFluffy, you clown!”). He loved 4th of July fireworks so much that his “Cul-de-Sac of Fire” tradition still lights up the neighborhood years later.
Then there’s Grandpa Hank — a WWII survivor who grew up in Amsterdam under harsh conditions, emigrated to the U.S., and built a life defined by hard work, integrity, and quiet strength. His lessons came not through lectures but through example, showing what it means to show up for family.
From building backyard basketball hoops to discovering the secret stash in the locked treat closet, Brad shares moments that reveal how both men played to their strengths — proving there’s no one “right” way to be a great grandparent.
Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the humor, or the heartfelt fatherhood lessons, this episode delivers. It’s a reminder that curiosity, presence, and a little quirkiness can create memories your family will talk about for generations.
Pull up a chair and join us for stories that stick, laughter that lingers, and a reminder of what matters most. Hit play, and let’s grandpa.

006 From Miles Apart to Heartfelt Moments: How Stephen Webster Shows Up Across Continents

In this heartwarming episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Steve Harris (aka “Ritters”) welcomes his first international guest, Stephen Webster, for an inspiring conversation on long-distance grandparenting and the art of staying close when family is scattered across the globe.
Stephen shares how he and his wife bridge the miles between loved ones in Australia, New Zealand, and New York City — proving that physical distance doesn’t have to mean emotional distance. With stories that range from tech-savvy family connections to unforgettable holiday adventures, Stephen offers practical insights on how to connect with grandkids, maintain cross-generational connections, and create meaningful family traditions that stand the test of time.
From digital photo frames and group chats to in-person school events and spontaneous memory-making, this episode is filled with tips for grandparents who want to stay relevant, visible, and loved in their grandchildren’s lives. You’ll hear about:
Creative ways to use technology to keep in touch with far-flung family members.
The importance of building memories and making every moment count.
Why recognizing each grandchild’s personality and communication style matters.
How international travel and shared adventures strengthen grandparent-grandchild bonds.
The lessons Stephen learned while serving in Ghana — and how they shaped his view on gratitude and family.
Whether you’re a grandparent living across continents or just a few towns away, you’ll walk away from this episode with a basket of strategies to keep your relationships thriving — plus a renewed appreciation for the stories, traditions, and small moments that bind families together.

005 Bearing the Beams of Love: Grandparent Wisdom, God’s Love & Steady Presence

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In this moving solo episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers unpacks one of his favorite books, Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, and a dream that reveals the truth about bearing the beams of love.
Through Pedro’s story of grief, darkness, and finding light, we discover what it really means to be a grandparent: not to fix, but to love steadily, to hold the flashlight, and to trust that the light is always stronger than the darkness.
Rivers reminds us that:
God’s love shines through quiet, consistent presence
Grandparenting is a calling, not just a role
The greatest legacy is offering grace, patience, and unwavering light
None of us can save anyone, but we can help them find their way
💡 Grandpa takeaway: You are the flashlight. Your steady presence is the sermon.
🎧 Who Should Listen:
Grandfathers (or parents) navigating grief, faith, or self-doubt
Anyone wondering if their presence really matters
Those seeking hope, light in darkness, and encouragement to show up with love
✨ Quote to Remember:“None of us can save anybody—but we all fumble for grace and flashlights.” — Greg Boyle

002 Why Service Is Important | Presence Over Perfection with Brent Dial

Why service is important is a lesson Brent Dial learned from the very beginning — watching his grandfathers, his father, and now trying to pass it on as a grandfather of 17. In this moving conversation on The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris and Brent dive into the service opportunities, messy moments, and stories that built a lasting family legacy.
One grandfather was a dog catcher and pecan farmer who always sent you home with a stray puppy. Another was a knife maker and sentimental pinochle player who sometimes cried at General Hospital. Both men embodied presence over perfection, teaching Brent that humility and devotion often speak louder than words.
But it was Brent’s father who left the deepest mark: a bishop, husband, and neighbor who never raised his voice, shoveled others’ driveways before his own, and taught patience even in moments of failure. When 15-year-old Brent accidentally fired a rifle through a windshield, his dad responded with love instead of anger — a lesson in gratitude and humility that stuck for life.
Now, Brent reflects on his own grandparenting journey — the temptation to give gifts instead of time, the moments of impatience, the stories he wishes he’d told sooner. Through it all, he reminds us of the power of storytelling. Every embarrassing, hilarious, and heartfelt memory is a thread in the tapestry of family legacy. When we unleash the power of storytelling, we remind our kids and grandkids that presence matters more than polish, and love always outshines perfection.
✨ Join us for this episode and be inspired to lean into service, share your stories, and pass down the lessons that matter most. Because sometimes the power of a story is the legacy itself.

003 The Meaning of Mentorship & Why Being Present Matters | Rivers

The meaning of mentorship isn’t always found in formal titles or programs. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet, unexpected presence of someone who chooses to show up.
In this deeply personal episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Rivers (Steve Harris) reflects on growing up a “grandpa orphan,” never knowing either of his grandfathers. Like many who wonder about the meaning of mentorship, he longed for the presence, advice, and affection he saw other grandkids receive.
But life had different plans. When he married, he boldly asked his wife’s grandfather — a Cubs fan with a quick wit — “Will you be my grandpa?” The answer was yes. That moment became a lifelong mentorship built on being present and genuinely caring.
Later, another mentor appeared in an unexpected form: his orthodontist, Dr. LeGrand Curtis. After years of quiet interest, Dr. Curtis invited 13-year-old Steve and his father to lunch and said, “I’ve been thinking about you… I believe you should study accounting and then go to law school.” That sentence, from a man who was not related by blood, changed the course of his life.
Through these stories, Rivers reminds us why mentoring is important: because presence can transform identity, confidence, and future direction. Mentorship doesn’t need grand speeches or perfect timing — it’s about interest, guidance, and love. In other words, being present.
💡 Whether you’re a grandparent, mentor, or simply someone who wonders if you matter, this episode is your reminder: you do. You don’t need DNA to “grandpa.” You just need to show up.
Because the power of mentorship is this: sometimes, a single moment or sentence can change a life forever.
 

001 Grandfather Legacy: Abby Harris on Love, $20 Bills & Life Lessons

The heart of a grandfather legacy isn’t found in the big speeches or the perfect life plan — it’s tucked inside the quiet moments, the quirky traditions, and the unconditional love that grandpas pass down.
In this very first episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Steve “Rivers” Harris sits down with his daughter, Abby Harris — triplet, life coach, and proud granddaughter — to remember the two men who shaped her family: Grandpa Lou and Grandpa Hank.
Grandpa Lou was the life of the party — classy yet goofy, always rooting for the underdog, and known for slipping $20 into his grandkids’ hands when they needed it most. From buttermilk sipping to 5 PM fireworks, his blend of humor and warmth created a family tradition of joy. Most importantly, he showed Abby the power of unconditional love — the kind that meets you exactly where you are.
Grandpa Hank, by contrast, was disciplined, faithful, and steady. An immigrant from Amsterdam who built a life from scratch, his legacy was devotion — to his family, his faith, and his wife Darle, whom he championed with quiet pride. While Lou gave out candy money, Hank gave out gospel books, but both were teaching lessons that still endure.
Together, these two grandfathers proved that there’s no single way to leave a legacy. Some legacies sparkle with fireworks, others with steady faithfulness — but both matter deeply.
✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:
How a $20 bill became a symbol of unconditional love
Why grandpa stories are the heartbeat of family traditions
The quirky habits (buttermilk, candy closets, fireworks) that live on
Why being present matters more than being perfect
Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation full of laughter, nostalgia, and timeless wisdom. Because every grandpa has a story — and those stories are worth keeping.
"Hit play, and let’s grandpa."
🔗 Links & Resources:
Learn more about Abby: www.abbyharriscoaching.com
More on the show: www.thegrandpachannel.com
Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, or text it to your dad or grandpa. Because wisdom unshared is wisdom lost.
#TheGrandpaChannel #LegacyLoud #AbbyHarris #FamilyStories #GrandpaWisdom
**Here are some notes from Hank Hoole's Exemplary Life: Born in the ghetto of the Jordaan of Amsterdam — 6O years later as a US citizen he returned to the Netherlands as a leader/representative of his church and laid a floral wreath at the feet of the Queen during a ceremony at the war memorial cemeteryDropped out of school during 4th grade speaking Dutch, graduated from U/U at age 27 speaking English with no formal education in between.As a young boy he planned to join the Dutch navy when of age and sail the seasConversion to church story at  age 15  — table tennis and kind people, total  life change as he learned the eternal truths of the gospel of Jesus ChristArrived US penniless, 40 years later was listed among the  top 100 agents of New York Life Insurance company  world-wideArrived alone at age 19, passing away at age 83 leaving a large posterity including 80 great-grandchildrenDrafted in US military, spending most of his time in Japan, returned with $2,000 savings and planned to buy a car. His bishop recommended a mission instead and he chose the mission, returning to the Netherlands for 2 years of service.Married Daryl Van Dam in Salt Lake Temple in 1957.Parents of 9 children, 1 twin infant girl lived only 6 days.He was a temple veil worker for 35 years minus missions.Served 3 missions: proselyting elder, mission president, humanitarian mission for 2 years in Asia Aria for a total of seven yearsWalked the covenant path — forever faithful and exemplary, children and grandchildren knew they were safe in doing or saying anything he said or diddeveloped a glowing, shining countenance during the last weeks of his life, indicating his readiness to see his SaviorLived by: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” D&C 82:10

The Grandpa Channel Podcast Trailer

Welcome to The Grandpa Channel—where legacy isn’t something you leave behind, it’s something you live right now.
This isn’t just another podcast. It’s a movement. Calling all grandfathers everywhere to show up with purpose, pass on what matters, and tell the stories only they can tell. Hosted by a Steve Harrris aka Rivers (what his grandkids call him), this trailer is your first taste of the humor, heart, and holy ground of modern grandfatherhood.
You’ve got more to give. Let’s go out with a bang, not a thud.
Subscribe now—your grandkids are listening.

The Grandpa Channel Podcast with Host Steve Harris, aka Rivers

Welcome to The Grandpa Channel—where legacy isn’t something you leave behind, it’s something you live right now.
This isn’t just another podcast. It’s a movement. Calling all grandfathers everywhere to show up with purpose, pass on what matters, and tell the stories only they can tell. Hosted by a Steve Harrris aka Rivers (what his grandkids call him), this trailer is your first taste of the humor, heart, and holy ground of modern grandfatherhood.
You’ve got more to give. Let’s go out with a bang, not a thud.
Subscribe now—your grandkids are listening.