Frances Jeffries holds a PhD in Counseling from Kent State University and has spent her career weaving together education, service, and activism. She is a Rotary Peace Fellow, a mediator, and an outspoken advocate for nuclear abolition — calling nuclear weapons “the number one public health issue.” She recently marked her 84th birthday by hiking 84 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness and inspire action. She is also known locally for plunging into icy waters each New Year’s Day to raise funds for ShelterBox, supporting communities displaced by conflict and disaster. Through it all, Frances has shown us that determination, courage, and care can fuel movements for change. Her story demonstrates that grandmother leadership is about both steady presence and bold action.

Barbara Shaiman is a renowned educator, businesswoman, and social entrepreneur whose family history instilled a lifelong sense of responsibility to make the world better by being kind, standing up, and speaking out. In this episode, we learn about Barbara’s upbringing as the daughter of Holocaust survivors, and how this shaped her diverse career chasing her “technicolor dreams.” As a grandmother changemaker, she carries forward a legacy of action and empathy, grounded in the belief that everyone — regardless of age or background — has the power to make a difference. Barbara shares how her greatest strength lies in knowing her limitations and building diverse, intergenerational teams to bridge them. Her work through Champions of Caring brings together people across the country to recognize and empower children as social activists. Collaborating with psychologists, academics, and even film-makers, she’s exploring the measurable impact of empathy-driven activism — and inviting others to join her. Barbara reminds us that “Everyone can be great,”, echoing Martin Luther King Jr., “because everyone can serve.” This episode is a call to action — for young and old alike — to transform pain into possibility, and to find joy, meaning, and connection in the work of building a better world.

Sue Boardman proudly calls herself a “fiercely compassionate rebel grandmother-for-rent” — a title that perfectly captures her fierce devotion to healing, growth, and self-discovery. Through her many roles as a nurse, pastor, artist, writer, and lifelong learner, Sue has spent her life guiding individuals and communities toward transformation. In this conversation, she shares how a single moment — encountering the phrase “fierce compassion” — shifted her internal filter and set her on a journey into intentional creativity, oracle cards, and sacred storytelling. As a grandmother and children’s book author, Sue is reimagining creation as a place where every child feels seen and included. With radiant artwork, inclusive language, and even a cover that feels good to the touch, her book offers a tactile and heart-centered invitation into an expansive, welcoming world. Sue reminds us that transformation doesn’t require having all the answers — it begins with the willingness to do the next right thing. And sometimes, that next right thing is telling a new story. One that ripples outward.

Dr. Kathleen Walls is a powerhouse in leadership development, communication, and personal transformation. With a rich career spanning academia, consulting, NGO work, and authoring a children’s book series, to name a few, she is deeply rooted in values of togetherness, open intergenerational conversation, and the guiding belief that “As I heal, you heal.” Growing up in a progressive family environment in Pennsylvania, surrounded by strong, wise grandmother figures, Dr. Walls shares the profound impact of having older women in all phases of life — women who offer connection, wisdom, and life stories that shape and inspire. Throughout this episode, Dr. Walls reflects on her ever-expanding mosaic of passions and projects — each piece adding its own vibrant color to the larger picture of her legacy.

Rosemarie Mollinedo has dedicated her life to fostering resilience, self-compassion, and growth in children, families, and communities. With a career spanning over four decades, Rosemarie has worked in early childhood education, family counseling, and community-based interventions, leaving an indelible mark on organizations like the Dubnoff Center for Child Development, El Nido Family Centers, and the East Los Angeles Women’s Center.

In this episode, Rosemarie shares her journey of overcoming personal hardships, finding healing through an education and career in service, ultimately embracing a “divinely engineered treatment plan” that has shaped her life. As a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Rosemarie also reflects on how her experiences inspire her to pass down lessons of resilience, self-compassion, and trust, and the importance of family history to future generations.

Ruth Ochieng is a Ugandan peace activist, gender justice advocate, and expert in post conflict transformation. She served as the executive director of Isis Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE, now WIPC), a Kampala-based women’s resource center that moved from Geneva to Uganda in 1993 to address the root causes of gender-based violence and conflict. She and her team documented cases of sexual violence and pioneered holistic survivor centered programs, integrating medical, psychological, and economic support to help women heal and rebuild their lives. Our contributor, Nina Valenbreder, recently interviewed Ruth about her trajectory to a career in peace building initiatives, lessons she has learned about the role of grandmothers in restoring resilience in post-conflict environments, and the legacy she plans to leave behind.

Madhu Bala Nath is an inspiring leader and advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, and public health. Her career has spanned multiple organizations, including the Swedish International Development Authority, UNIFEM, UNDP, and EngenderHealth and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). In this podcast episode, Madhu highlights unlearning as a guiding principle, drawing from her experiences in HIV and AIDS prevention in India. She also reflects on the collective strength of women and the importance of pausing to witness one’s own work as a grandmother changemaker. If there’s one lesson to take away from the remarkable Madhu Bala Nath, it is: “Dissonance is the word.”

In this episode, we introduce the inspiring Stella Fosse, a writer who transitioned from a career in biotech to championing creativity and empowerment for older women. With encouragement from her children and a supportive network of changemakers, Stella discovered the political power of her writing in response to ageist and sexist norms in the publishing industry. Through her books, blogs, and workshops, Stella actively challenges social constructs surrounding aging and advocates for women’s continued growth and exploration of their own stories. Speaking on the importance of intergenerational connection, Stella shares, “No matter what age you are, if you’re lucky, you’re going to get to be an older person.”

Pat Sabiston is passing on her grandma magic as a successful author, motivational speaker, writing instructor, and proud great-grandmother. Through her work, she encourages other elders to share their rich legacies of wisdom and life experiences with future generations, offering lessons to learn from and lean on. With Pat’s warm humor and insightful anecdotes — including the inspiration to write her recently published children’s book, Can’t Never Could — this episode will leave you eager to go “totally unplugged” at Gram’s Camp!

Sarah Thompson and Elayne Richard bring decades of experience and unwavering dedication to reproductive rights and social justice advocacy. As active members of Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR), one of our newest member organizations, they are working to challenge the shame and stigma surrounding abortion access as healthcare while empowering elders to harness the power of their voices. Their experiences have deepened their appreciation for the impact of sharing lived stories from the pre-Roe v. Wade era and, as Elayne puts it, the “wicked cool” intergenerational relationships fostered by grandma magic.