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.

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

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!

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.

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-Episode Theme: 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.”

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

Guest: Jim McCrea Host: 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

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.

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 timestamps 00:00 Welcome - stories do not fade if we record them 00:34 Sponsor mention - Planted Media legacy video 01:26 Meet Scott Becker - newly minted grandpa to twins 06:00 Isaac’s story - belonging without paperwork 13:00 Holding Jack and Iris - joy over pressure 18:00 No grandfathers growing up - learning the role in real time 21:00 The moon role - present, steady, supportive 24:00 Long distance plans - photos, trips, hands-on time 27:30 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.

Sponsor Planted Media - the simplest way to record your life story on video. Tell them Rivers sent you for a Grandpa Channel discount: www.plantedmediaco.com

CTA If this moved you, share it with a grandpa, leave a review, and subscribe. Your stories are the bridge. Your presence is the point.