Gary Alexander is a retired businessman who started writing letters to his ten grandchildren as they were approaching their teen years to guide them into their emerging adulthood and to share his faith with them. 55 of those letters were compiled into a book titled Love Papa: Letters of Wisdom from a Grandfather to His Grandchildren. In this podcast, Gary explains to Wayne Rice and John Coulombe why and how he wrote these letters and how he ended up publishing them in book form. He even reads one of his letters from the book that answers the question “Why Did I Write These Letters?” As you listen to Gary, you’ll be inspired to consider the power of letter-writing as a way to connect with your grandchildren and to pass on a legacy of faith.

Resources mentioned during this podcast:

Love, Papa: Letters of Wisdom from a Grandfather to His Grandchildren by Garold W. Alexander

GaroldWAlexander.com

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

My Wish of All Wishes by Larry Fowler

Renowned children’s musician Mary Rice Hopkins and her puppet ministry partner Darcie Maze talk with Wayne Rice (Mary’s brother) and John Coulombe about their upcoming “Grand Kids Camp” being held in Glendale, California this summer, an example of what can be done by individuals or local churches as a way to help grandparents connect with their grandchildren in a creative and powerful way. In addition, Mary and Darcie talk about their ministry to kids over the years and we get to hear some of Mary’s most popular songs. 

Websites mentioned on the podcast:

• MaryRiceHopkins.com
• MRHKids.org
• PuppetswithaHeart.com
• LinksPlayers.com

Books mentioned during the podcast:

• Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name by Max Lucado
• Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science by Louie Giglio
• The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio

Kari Baker is the founder of "KiND Families," a ministry that exists to encourage and equip parents and grandparents who have children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions that seem invisible to the naked eye but which have great impact on behavior, social, and academic performance. Kari is also the author of the recently released book Finding KiND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences. Wayne and John talk with Kari not only about what she has learned raising a child with autism and ADHD, but also how her experience has deepened her relationship with God. You will enjoy this inspiring and informative conversation.

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne and John talk with Charlie Bradshaw, executive pastor at North Coast Community Church in Vista, California and a respected expert on leadership. They talk at length about a legacy project that Charlie did for each of his grandkids—presenting them with a personalized notebook full of wisdom and photos, hand-selected and written by their grandfather. He explains not only what he did, but why and how he did it. He also shares other grandparenting ideas and life principles that have helped him to become an intentional Christian grandparent. 

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with James and Geoffrey Banks, co-authors of Hope Lies Ahead: Encouragement for Parents of Prodigals from a Family That’s Been There. James is the founding pastor of Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina and a speaker at this year’s Legacy Grandparenting Summit. Geoffrey Banks is the son of James Banks and is currently the youth pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. But before Geoff became a youth pastor, he spent more than a decade as a “prodigal,” following the crowd rather than Jesus. Geoff shares openly how he became addicted to drugs and walked away from his faith while his parents prayed fervently for his return. James and Geoff share their remarkable story of redemption and offer hope and guidance for parents and grandparents who are currently praying for their prodigal children or grandchildren.

For more information: https://jamesbanks.org/

What role do grandparents play in making disciples of grandchildren? How can grandparents support their children as they lead their children to follow Christ? In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe have a lively conversation with Barrett Johnson, founder of “INFO for Families” and author of Disciple Them Like Jesus: Leading Your Kids the Way Christ Led the Twelve. Johnson describes a simple strategy for discipleship based upon the ministry Christ had with his disciples and he shares his personal story which has compelled him to leave a spiritual legacy for his children and grandchildren. John and Wayne also talk with Barrett about his online course “Smartphones 101” and the impact that technology is having on family life today. Learn more about Barrett Johnson's ministry at https://www.infoforfamilies.com/

There are lots of excellent resources available now for older adults who want to share their life stories with their children and grandchildren. In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with Sheri Kohlmann, founder and director of More Than Words, Inc., an organization that helps adults of all ages to reflect on their lives in a more meaningful and in-depth way and to share their stories with guided autobiographies, ethical wills and other methods for preserving and passing on a legacy that can last for generations. During the podcast, Sheri demonstrates her interviewing skills by getting John Coulombe to open up about some of his formative early memories. For more information about More Than Words, visit www.morethanwordsinc.com.

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, John Coulombe interviews his good friends Steve and Annie Chapman who have for some 50 years been performing and recording together, conducting parenting seminars and developing other resources focused on faith and family issues. You’ll learn how they got started with their ministry, what they have learned along the way, and what they are doing now to encourage their children and grandchildren to follow Christ faithfully. You will also hear some of their music as they tell the stories behind the songs. For more information about Steve and Annie Chapman, visit steveandanniechapman.com.

Songs included in this episode:

• "Finish Well" words and music by Steve Chapman/Times & Seasons Music/BMI 2008
• "Love Was Spoken" words and music by Steve Chapman/Times & Seasons Music/BMI 1998
• "We Are Family" words and music by Steve Chapman/Times & Seasons Music/BMI 2018

Bill Parkinson is one of the founding pastors of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, a mega-church that has been serving grandparents for many years. In this conversation with John Coulombe and Wayne Rice, Bill explains how the ministry got started and how it has managed to remain sustainable over time. He shares key principles for not only getting a grandparenting ministry started, but how to help it grow into an important part of the church's overall discipleship strategy. 

Kim Botto has worked with children and youth for several decades at Crossroads Church – a multi-site megachurch with locations in Ohio and Kentucky and she has been uniquely gifted with a heart for children who have been neglected, bullied, abused, traumatized or have had trouble just “fitting in.” In this podcast she talks with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe about how we as grandparents and church leaders can help create environments where children like these will feel safe, included and welcome. Kim is a certified trauma and resilience coach, a grandmother of ten and a popular speaker at conferences and training events nationwide.

 Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (Scallywag Press Ltd) 2020
• What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry (Flatiron Books) 2021
• The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams (George H. Doran, New York) 1922
• Everyone Poops by Tarō Gomi (Fukuinkan Shoten, Tokyo) 1977
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins) 1964
• Wherever You Go I Want to Know by Isabel Lundy (Good Book Company) 2020. Available at LegacyCoalition.com bookstore.
• His Grace is Enough: How God Makes It Right When We’ve Got It Wrong by Isabel Lundy (Good Book Company) 2022. Available from the LegacyCoalition.com bookstore.
• My Wish Of All Wishes by Larry Fowler (Legacy Coalition) 2023. Available from the LegacyCoalition.com bookstore.