Join Ben for this episode of "Grandparenthood," recorded live at the National Grandparent Conference in Sydney. Ben and the team chat with real grandparents at the conference about their experiences and what they've learned.

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Ben for this episode of "Grandparenthood," recorded live at the National Grandparent Conference in Sydney. Ben leads a panel discussion with esteemed guests like Reverend Professor Elizabeth McKinley, Dr. Kim Oates, Stuart Piggin, and Simon Manchester and our own Ian Barnett. This episode dives deep into the significance of intergenerational faith, touching on sensitive topics like gender and same-sex issues, and challenges some grandparents face in accessing their grandchildren.

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She Wasn’t Born Yesterday (SWBY), hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker

Follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Pods. Join the discussion (with 1300 members!!) of being 40+ faaabulous on Facebook.

About the Guest:

Dr. Jenny Brown is a highly respected clinical couple and family therapist with over 35 years of experience, specializing in family systems theory. She holds a PhD in social science and has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate complex family dynamics. Dr. Brown is also an accomplished author and a key figure at the Family Systems Institute, where she contributes to training mental health professionals. Her work focuses on applying scientific theory to real-world relationship challenges, particularly emphasizing self-differentiation and emotional maturity.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Differentiation is Essential: Emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal growth and emotional maturity to improve relationships with parents.
• Curiosity Over Reactivity: Advocates for a curious rather than reactive approach to family dynamics, promoting understanding and empathy.
• Avoid Triangulation: Highlights the pitfalls of involving third parties unnecessarily, urging direct communication in resolving conflicts.
• The Impact of Labels: Warns against labeling family members as villains or saints, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of individual behaviors.
• The Role of Feedback: Stresses the importance of offering constructive feedback without criticizing, fostering healthier communication patterns.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Being a parent is like trying to stand up in a hammock without spilling your wine."
2. "If there's a lot of conflict with parents, it's probably a sign that there's a lot that isn't worked out."
3. "I will not give advice until I've heard the best advice that they have to give themselves."
4. "Even messy relationships are worth having the experience of dealing with them."
5. "We can't have three steps to the perfect relationship to achieve in one week."

Resources:

• Jenny Brown’s Books: Amazon
• Family Systems Institute: Information and resources on family systems theory.
• Family Systems Practice Website: Offers insights into familial relationship dynamics.
• Parent Hope Project: Dr. Brown's program focusing on improving parental approaches.

She Wasn’t Born Yesterday, hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker

Join the discussion of being 40+ faaabulous on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode invites Carmen Allen, an award-winning author of the "Molly Greenwood Adventures," to share her insights on writing children's literature embedded with enriching allegories. Carmen discusses her creative journey—from the serendipitous beginnings through dream-based inspiration to becoming a respected author in her field. Highlighting her upcoming role at the National Grandparent Conference alongside Ian, they delve into the themes of faith, writing, and the profound influence of grandparental involvement.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover Carmen Allen’s journey from dreams to penning the "Molly Greenwood Adventures."
• Explore how Carmen uses her faith to craft narratives that resonate with readers beyond religious connotations.
• Learn about the challenges and joys of grandparenting from afar, including maintaining relationships with grandchildren across the globe.
• Uncover the motivations behind grandparents seeking quality, value-driven literature for their grandchildren.

Notable Quotes:

• "As I've been writing, Molly has shaped my faith as I've been writing, which is really, really interesting." – Carmen

• "My journey... unpacks the whole parallel journey between writing Molly's adventures and what was going on in my real life at the same time." – Carmen

• "You want to make sure that your kids and your grandkids know the same, you know, same God that you know and that they have the chance to also accept faith." – Ian

Carmen Allen's books, background and resources — carmenlallen.com

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Grandparenthood, Ben and Ian run through some rapid fire questions! These are some of the most common questions that Ian gets asked as part of the National Grandparent movement and at the annual National Grandparenting Conference.
Questions

1. Should grandparents take sides in a divorce or separation?
2. How do you get your Pastor more interested in the role of grandparents?
3. What if my grandkids ask about gender?
4. What do grandparents pray for?
5. Is it ok to just be present with the grandkids without being a bible basher?
6. What if the grandkids ask a question and you don't know the answer?

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Grandparenthood podcast, Ben and Ian are joined by seasoned minister Simon Manchester. They explore Simon’s rich ministry journey—from London to North Sydney—and his insights on preaching, pastoral work, and the spiritual role of grandparents. Together, they offer thoughtful reflections on how faith, grace, and wisdom can empower older generations to deeply influence their families and churches.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of a grandparent is sacred and influential, providing spiritual guidance and support to the younger generations.
• Both guests highlight the importance of balancing ministry roles with personal and family life.
• Leveraging time with grandchildren is key—using everyday moments to impart values and wisdom.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you want to speak well from the Word, you need to listen well to the Word" — Simon

• "You learn to navigate that kind of behavior, which is different from what you might have expected." — Simon

• "Our praying is seen as a privilege and not a chore." — Simon

• "Grace is having its impact on you as you do move closer to that last moment in time." — Ian Barne

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Grandparenthood, Ben and Ian run through some rapid fire questions! These are some of the most common questions that Ian gets asked as part of the National Grandparent movement and at the annual National Grandparenting Conference.
Questions

1. Is it ok to keep a secret with your grandkids?
2. Should a grandparent step in if they think that the parent is wrong?
3. Is it ok for a grandparent to speak about Jesus if the parents have asked them not to?
4. How open and honest should you be about how you're going?
5. How to grandparents help their grandkids to get off technology?

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Grandparenthood, we explore the vital role of "church grandparents" in nurturing faith and biblical literacy among younger generations. Drawing from his leadership in the National Grandparent Movement, Ian highlights the value of spiritual mentorship, the difference between biological and spiritual grandparenting, and practical ways older adults can remain purposeful and engaged in church communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Church Grandparent Definition: Ian broadens the term "church grandparent" beyond just biological ties, highlighting it as a spiritual mentorship role that any older church member can embrace.

• Biblical Literacy Decline: The episode discusses the decreased engagement with scripture among younger generations, positioning church grandparents as pivotal in reversing this trend.

• Role of Church Grandparents: Church grandparents can offer unique wisdom, modeling devotion and providing spiritual guidance for younger members of their communities.

• Practical Engagement: Suggestions include volunteering for church activities, praying for youth members, and sharing insights from scripture with family and church communities.

Notable Quotes:

• "The younger generations now are more Bible admirers than Bible readers."

• "It's great to get back to sharing what you've learned about God and how it can impact others."

• "A church grandparent can be anyone who wants to contribute spiritually to the lives of younger generations."

• "Why wouldn't you want to be a church grandparent? Because there's so much opportunity to impact lives."

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.