PODCAST

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way

with Steve Harris (Rivers)

What a life reveals... because what a life reveals can steady another.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

25:12

064 You thought you were in control… until life said...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/27

Most people carry a quiet belief:If I work hard enough, plan carefully enough, and make the right decisions… life will go the way I expect it to. But life has a way of interrupting that. In this conversation, Jeff Taylor reflects on what it looked like to: Reach a long-held goal - and still feel unsettled Lose his career during the 2008 recession Rebuild without a clear roadmap Discover that what felt like disruption… was actually redirection This episode moves through the tension

19:00

063 She Fell 2 Feet… and Everything Changed | Rebecca...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/25

There are moments that don’t look like much from the outside. Two feet. A small shift. A single second. And then everything changes. Rebecca Critchfield was a full-time skydiver for over a decade, with more than 7,000 jumps. One unexpected moment in the air resulted in a spinal cord injury that completely altered her life. In this conversation, she shares what it actually looks like to rebuild — not just physically, but emotionally and relationally. We talk about: What people get wrong about

14:33

062 It’s Their Journey, Not Yours | Bob Cupitt

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/20

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you expected?In this conversation, Bob Cupitt reflects on the “sliding door” moments that shaped his life — from choosing his own path early on, to leaving teaching, building a global career, parenting through challenge, and learning that the journey matters more than the outcome. He talks about what it means to tell people what they need to hear, why respect matters more than being liked, and how some of life’s most meaningful lessons come through

7:04

061 Confessions from Rivers: I Was Told I Had the...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/18

What happens when you spend your early life avoiding hard things… and then life drops you into the deep end? In this Confessions from Rivers episode, Steve shares a story from his early days as a young missionary in Finland—cold, homesick, and completely out of his depth. Hoping to survive the brutal winter (and maybe look a little more impressive in the process), he sets out to buy a Russian fur hat. There’s just one problem. It doesn’t fit. What follows is a moment equal parts humbling and

26:23

060 "A Thick Skin & a Quick Wit" — Consumer Bob’s...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/13

Thick Skin & a Quick Wit — Consumer Bob’s Hard-Earned WisdomA mentor once looked at Bob Hansen and said something he never forgot: “I thought you were better than that.” Bob was 20 years old. The moment stung. But it became one of the most important lessons of his life. Bob went on to spend 40 years as a television consumer advocate known to many in Southern California as Consumer Bob, helping everyday people stand up to unfair business practices. But the wisdom he shares in this conversation

16:17

059 RootsTech Reflections: Three Lessons Life Teaches...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/11

At the world’s largest family history conference, RootsTech, we set up a small recording space and invited people to answer a simple but powerful question:What did life teach you the hard way? Three people stopped, sat down, and shared reflections from their lives. Angie Shumway shares how a devastating health crisis and a memory from her military service taught her the importance of taking the next step, even when the road feels impossible. Jeff Spencer reflects on growing up in poverty, learning

34:37

058 Slow and Steady Through Life’s Wake with Taunya...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/03/06

In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers sits down with longtime family friend Tanya Martin — grandmother, former company president, watercolor beginner, and lifelong learner.Tanya shares what life taught her the hard way: “You made the best decision you could with what you knew.” Don’t ever back anyone into a corner — always give them a way out. Forgiveness is a choice. Be careful what you say about others — speak as if they could overhear. When life throws a wake at you, go slow

9:57

057 I Junked the Family Car: Confessions from Rivers

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/02/27

The summer of 1972.A battered 1967 Oldsmobile station wagon. A teenage son who forgot to shift out of low gear. In this solo episode, Steve tells the story of the night he unknowingly destroyed the family car — and the way his father responded. No yelling. No shaming. No lifelong reminders. Just forgiveness. Through that moment, Steve began to understand something deeper about the nature of God — gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. In this episode: The story of the “thrown

32:21

056 The Crossing Guard Who Knows Every Name: Linda’s...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/02/10

In this moving and often hilarious conversation, Steve Harris (aka Rivers) welcomes Linda Childs, the local crossing guard who’s become a legend to the children (and parents!) she serves. Linda talks about how a “retirement job” turned into a calling—sharing powerful stories of kids who greet her, trust her, and even heal through her gentle presence.You'll hear about: The autistic boy who found his voice at her crosswalk Why she keeps a spreadsheet of every child’s name and birthday How she

8:34

055 The God of Dropped Dimes: A Grandpa's Story About...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/02/06

In this episode:– A trip to the ER becomes an unexpected spiritual moment – What “dropping dimes” really means—from sports to the sacred – Stories of Steve’s late father, and why he believes love lives on – How to recognize divine moments in everyday life – A reflection on faith, legacy, and the presence of God in hard times – A beautiful quote from Frederick Buechner on God's subtlety – Why Grandpa Steve believes in a God “in the thick of our day-to-day lives” 🔗 Mentioned in the episode: Planted

41:35

What Obituaries Teach Us About Living a Life That...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/01/31

Episode OverviewIn a culture obsessed with achievement, titles, and appearances, obituaries quietly tell a different story. In this deeply moving and surprisingly joyful conversation, Steve Harris welcomes Mary McGreevey, the woman behind the viral project Tips From Dead People, to talk about what thousands of obituaries have taught her about life, legacy, empathy, and meaning. Rather than focusing on famous people or polished lives, Mary highlights everyday individuals — complicated, funny, flawed

6:05

053 She Threw Up in My Red Sox Hat: A Love Story

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/01/09

In today’s episode, Steve Harris takes the mic solo to tell a tale that’s as tender as it is ridiculous. It starts with a beloved baseball cap and ends in a hospital parking lot with a whole lot of love (and a little bit of vomit). Along the way, he reflects on marriage, parenthood, and the wild ride of discovering you’re having triplets.Whether you’re a Red Sox fan or just a fan of good stories, this one’s got all the ingredients: – Unexpected plot twist – A long-suffering but amazing wife – Humor

28:35

052 Where Family Traditions Become Family Memories

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/01/06

Some family traditions are planned.Others just happen. Most don’t feel important while you’re living them. Until years later, when you realize they became the memories everyone still talks about. In this special episode of the Grandpa Channel, we’re sharing a collection of stories that highlight how everyday family rituals turn into lasting family memories. You’ll hear about: A hand-built motorhome and Saturday morning Burger King runs Fireworks, popcorn, and the legendary Cul-de-Sac of

7:29

051 The Hotline Is Open: Grandpa Lou, Lost + Found

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2026/01/02

This episode is a little different—and a little sacred.We’re launching The Hotline—a new way to capture the grit, glory, and heart of real-life grandpa stories. Each month, we’ll drop a prompt. You record your voice. We amplify it. To kick things off, Steve shares a recovered recording of his dad, Grandpa Lou, telling his own origin story: How he bribed a sergeant to get married Why Mormon boys made the best bartenders What $78 a month bought in 1950 And why food, faith, and family always

31:18

050 Urban Huck Finn: The Wild & Redemptive Life of...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/30

In this raw and riveting episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve Harris sits down with longtime friend and honorary "Urban Huck Finn"—Mike Deraedt. Born and raised on the hard-edged Lower East Side of Detroit, Mike shares powerful stories of survival, loss, resilience, and unexpected transformation.From stealing hubcaps to studying calculus, bouncing at biker bars to teaching science, and surviving Vietnam to raising bright, capable kids—Mike’s life is a study in contrast. He opens up about trauma,

35:52

049 Santa’s Secrets: What Kids Really Ask For (It’s...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/24

What if the most meaningful stories at Christmastime came not from gift wrap, but from the raw honesty of children sitting on Santa’s lap?In this powerful and unexpected episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers (aka Steve Harris) welcomes a real-life Santa who shares the funny, spiritual, and deeply moving stories behind the red suit. From silly sibling rivalries to tear-stained notes from kids asking for peace at home instead of presents, Santa reflects on what he’s learned after decades of

11:31

048 The Inmate Who Prayed for Me: A Christmas Story...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/20

What if your most meaningful Christmas gift came from a convicted felon?In this deeply personal episode of The Grandpa Channel, Steve "Rivers" Harris recounts the unraveling of his life during the 2009 holiday season: financial collapse, family stress, deep spiritual discouragement—and the surprising moment of peace that arrived through a tattooed, soulful, gospel-loving inmate named Moses. This story is a powerful reminder that God sees us, loves us, and often sends help through the most

32:08

047 Doctor, Grandma, Legacy Keeper: The Power of...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/16

In this heartwarming and wisdom-packed episode, Rivers (Steve Harris) chats with Dr. Katherine Schlaerth—a geriatrician& family physician, author, and grandmother of 21—about what it means to show up for your family across generations.Together they explore: How to stay healthy and active so your grandkids can climb all over you (literally) Why grandpas are powerful culture-keepers The surprising impact of rituals, letters, and language How faith, storytelling, and showing up build

43:47

046 Joyful Discipleship & Campfire Songs:...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/13

What does it mean to be a joyful disciple as a grandpa? In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Rivers (aka Steve Harris) sits down with his longtime friend Brent Nielsen, a father of six, grandfather to 26, and world traveler with stories and wisdom to spare.Brent shares how he and his wife Marcia have stayed deeply connected to their growing family — even while living halfway across the world. From weekly mission calls from New Zealand to car ride storytelling marathons, you'll hear powerful

35:51

045 Wisdom, Legacy & Love: A Conversation with...

The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way ·

2025/12/09

What does it mean to be a grandfather today — and how has that role changed over time? In this heartfelt episode of The Grandpa Channel, host Steve Harris (aka “Rivers”) welcomes legendary historian, author, and beloved grandfather Richard Lyman Bushman for a conversation filled with timeless wisdom, personal reflection, and multigenerational insight.Now 94, Bushman shares his lived experience as a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather — and opens up about the joys, challenges, and surprises

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The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way

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