It's A Grand Life

Ryan Armbrustmacher
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

You thought you were empty nesters.Then you became a Grand Family.Don't worry, you're not alone.Craig Nash is experiencing this right now and wants to share his journey with others. Millions of Grandparents around the world are now raising their Grandchildren. There are a variety of reasons why this happens, but often times people are unprepared for the challenges.We're here to help. This podcast will give you tips and real life stories on how to navigate kinship care and maximize it to it's fullest.We'll have experts on this podcast to offer the best advice possible and highlight all of the resources available to help.We're thrilled to be bringing you this impactful content. Enjoy!#grandfamilypodcast#kinshipcarepodcast#grandparentspodcast

  1. 5d ago

    How False Narratives Control Your Life — And How To Change Them (Part 2 with Daniel Schulerr)

    In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, identity coach Daniel Schulerr joins Craig Nash on It’s a Grand Life to discuss how false narratives shape our relationships, emotions, parenting, finances, and sense of self. Daniel explains how people often operate from default beliefs formed years earlier — beliefs tied to performance, rejection, fear, inadequacy, or shame — and how uncovering those narratives can lead to real transformation. Topics covered include: • Why your identity should not be tied to performance • How negative thought patterns affect grandparents and grandchildren • What “false narratives” really are • How transformation begins by questioning core beliefs • Why coaching should create autonomy, not dependence • The role of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in identity work • How grandparents can bring healing into family relationships This episode is packed with practical insight for grandparents raising grandchildren, caregivers, parents, and anyone seeking emotional freedom and personal growth. Subscribe to It’s a Grand Life for more conversations supporting grandfamilies and kinship caregivers nationwide. Hashtags #Grandfamilies #IdentityWork #MentalHealth #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #DanielSchulerr #KinshipCare #PersonalGrowth #FalseNarratives #itsagrandlife  0:00 Welcome to Part 2 with Daniel Schulerr 2:25 How transformation really begins 3:56 When identity becomes tied to performance 5:30 The “excavation” process in coaching 7:01 Coaching vs dependency 8:00 Creating autonomy through identity work 10:11 Understanding neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) 11:58 Helping grandparents in group settings 13:09 How false beliefs shape behavior 14:16 Preview of Part 3 and closing thoughts Support the show

  2. Sep 17

    Teaching Kids Kindness, Manners & Compassion with The Good Eggs

    How can parents, grandparents and caregivers help children develop kindness, manners, forgiveness and compassion? On this episode of It’s a Grand Life, Craig Nash and guest co-host Deborah Suzette Brown welcome Sandra Ciaramitaro, creator of The Good Eggs. Sandra explains how her children’s book trilogy grew into an educational ecosystem for children ages 5–9, featuring lesson plans, videos, a podcast, interactive games, kindness challenges and calming sleep stories. Sandra also shares how The Good Eggs Foundation turns those lessons into action by supporting organizations serving children through monthly community “eggings.” These projects have provided bedding, school supplies, STEM materials, pajamas and other essential resources. In this conversation: How The Good Eggs teach kindness and positive values Why manners and forgiveness remain essential lessons Helping children understand different cultures Encouraging community service at an early age The Good Eggs app and its kindness challenges “Goodnight Corner with Miss Poach” sleep stories How book purchases help support children in need The importance of positive role models for children Learn more about The Good Eggs, explore the books and find links to the app, podcast and YouTube channel at https://thegoodeggs.org/. It’s a Grand Life supports grandfamilies and kinship caregivers through information, encouragement and practical resources. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to help us reach more families. #TheGoodEggs #KidsBooks #TeachingKindness #Grandfamilies #KinshipCare #ChildrensBooks #Parenting #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren 00:00 – Welcome to It’s a Grand Life 01:19 – Introducing Sandra Ciaramitaro and The Good Eggs 02:27 – The Good Eggs Media vs. The Good Eggs Foundation 03:27 – Building an educational ecosystem for children 04:08 – Community “eggings” that help local children 06:00 – Teaching children manners and positive values 07:02 – The Good Eggs book trilogy 08:04 – Exploring cultures and global awareness 09:11 – Inspiring children to serve their communities 10:43 – International voices and The Good Eggs podcast 11:51 – The importance of positive role models 12:20 – Children turning lessons into community action 13:23 – How grandfamilies can use The Good Eggs 15:34 – The Good Eggs educational app 16:00 – Kindness challenges, games and activities 17:14 – Goodnight Corner sleep stories 18:11 – Grandkid tested and approved 20:20 – Teaching forgiveness and accountability 21:49 – Why Benedict’s friends never give up on him 22:11 – Where to find The Good Eggs books and resources 22:31 – Purchases support The Good Eggs Foundation 23:17 – Sandra’s 15-year journey with The Good Eggs 24:07 – Final thoughts and closing remarks Support the show

  3. Sep 3

    Why Grandchildren Lash Out — And What They’re Really Feeling (Part 1 with Daniel Schulerr)

    In this powerful episode of It’s a Grand Life, Craig Nash sits down with identity coach Daniel Schulerr to discuss the hidden beliefs, fear, guilt, and shame that affect both grandparents raising grandchildren and the children themselves. Daniel shares how false narratives shape behavior — from homework battles to emotional outbursts — and explains how grandparents can begin uncovering what their grandchildren are really feeling beneath the surface. The conversation explores: • Why children react emotionally to homework, cleaning rooms, and bedtime • How grandparents can respond without escalating conflict • The importance of validating feelings without affirming false beliefs • How identity impacts behavior, confidence, and relationships • Why transformation starts by addressing our own false narratives first This is Part 1 of a deeply impactful conversation focused on healing, communication, and transformation for grandfamilies and kinship caregivers. Subscribe for more episodes supporting grandparents, caregivers, and families nationwide #Grandfamilies #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #IdentityCoaching #ParentingAdvice #KinshipCare #MentalHealth #CaregiverSupport #ItsAGrandLife #DanielSchulerr 0:00 Welcome to It’s a Grand Life 2:16 Daniel Schuler’s background and coaching journey 5:25 Identity, false narratives, and self-worth 8:01 Helping grandparents understand emotional reactions 11:48 Homework, bedtime, and cleaning room triggers 14:08 Asking better questions instead of reacting 15:58 “I’m not smart” — uncovering hidden beliefs 18:27 Why validation matters in communication 20:05 Grandparents addressing their own false narratives 21:20 Part 2 preview and closing thoughts Support the show

  4. Aug 20

    From Retirement to Purpose: Tony Rosati’s Mission to Serve Others

    What happens when retirement turns into a calling? In this inspiring episode of It's a Grand Life, Craig Nash sits down with Tony Rosati, founder of St. Joseph's Helpers, to discuss how a simple mission of helping neighbors with home repairs has grown into a powerful movement serving seniors, grandfamilies, and people in need across multiple states. Tony shares his personal journey from business owner to nonprofit founder, the role faith played in shaping the organization, and how St. Joseph’s Helpers is helping people remain safe and secure in their homes through volunteer-driven repairs, companionship, prayer support, and their rapidly growing “Julie’s List” resource network. The conversation also explores: • The loneliness epidemic affecting seniors • Why serving others creates purpose after retirement • How volunteers are making a real impact in their communities • The growing need for support systems for grandparents raising grandchildren • The expansion of St. Joseph’s Helpers into additional states If you care about community, faith, service, caregiving, or helping older adults age in place, this episode is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations supporting grandfamilies and kinship caregivers. #GrandFamilies #SeniorSupport #Volunteerism #FaithInAction #KinshipCare #HomeRepairs #Nonprofit #Caregiving #ItsAGrandLife #StJosephsHelpers 00:00 – Introduction to It’s a Grand Life 01:15 – Meet Tony Rosati & St. Joseph’s Helpers 02:23 – Tony’s journey from business success to ministry 04:42 – Seminary experience and changing direction 05:56 – Discovering purpose after retirement 06:58 – How St. Joseph’s Helpers began 09:25 – What St. Joseph’s Helpers actually does 10:12 – The story behind Julie’s List 12:53 – Expanding outreach through resources and partnerships 15:15 – Expanding into Kentucky and beyond 17:04 – How the volunteer system works 19:47 – Scaling the organization nationally 20:28 – Why volunteering changes lives 22:04 – A simple grab bar that changed everything 23:17 – How neighborhoods and communities have changed 25:00 – Finding purpose through serving others 26:03 – The importance of companionship and prayer 28:15 – Supporting seniors emotionally and spiritually 29:00 – How to get help or volunteer 31:24 – Partnership with It’s a Grand Life 32:53 – Connecting families to additional support services 34:22 – Final thoughts and closing message Support the show

  5. Aug 6

    Michigan Is a Top 5 State for Human Trafficking: Warning Signs Every Grandparent Should Know

    Human trafficking isn't just happening overseas—it's happening in communities across America. In this powerful episode of It's a Grand Life, Craig Nash speaks with Barbara Roush of Hope Against Trafficking about the alarming reality of human trafficking, online predators, and the risks facing children and grandchildren today. Barbara shares eye-opening statistics, warning signs families should watch for, the dangers of social media, and practical steps grandparents and caregivers can take to help keep children safe. This is an important conversation for anyone raising or caring for children in today's digital world. Topics include: Human trafficking in America Online safety for children Social media dangers Warning signs of trafficking Sleepovers and child safety Protecting grandchildren online Family communication strategies Hope Against Trafficking's mission 00:00 Introduction to It's a Grand Life 01:25 Meet Barbara Roush of Hope Against Trafficking 02:20 Human Trafficking in Every ZIP Code 05:44 How Trafficking Impacts Families and Children 08:25 Why Children Are Vulnerable to Predators 09:57 The Average Age of Targeted Victims 12:50 Online Grooming and Social Media Risks 15:08 What Grandparents Need to Know 16:01 Sleepovers, Trusted Adults, and Hidden Dangers 18:45 Internet Safety and Monitoring Devices 22:51 Half a Million Online Predators Every Day 25:58 Key Takeaways for Grandparents 26:15 Warning Signs to Watch For 28:59 No Blame, No Shame Parenting Approach 29:44 Why Michigan Is a Top 5 State for Trafficking 30:15 Final Thoughts and Resources Support the show

  6. Jul 23

    Helping Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan

    In this episode of It’s a Grand Life, Craig Nash speaks with Paul Propson, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, about the wide range of support available for families, seniors, immigrants, caregivers, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Paul shares how Catholic Charities serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lapeer counties through programs including food assistance, senior outreach, adult day services, foster care and adoption support, mental health counseling, substance use counseling, housing assistance, and immigrant legal services. The conversation also highlights a key message for grandfamilies: you are not alone. Help is available, and community support can make a meaningful difference. Learn more: CCSEM.org Join the It’s a Grand Life Facebook group and subscribe for more conversations supporting grandfamilies and kinship caregivers. Hashtags #Grandfamilies #KinshipCare #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #CatholicCharities #SeniorSupport #MentalHealthSupport #FoodAssistance #FosterCare #ItsAGrandLife Chapters 0:00 Welcome to It’s a Grand Life 2:08 Paul Propson’s path to Catholic Charities 5:52 Mission and reach of Catholic Charities 8:22 Immigration and legal support 10:10 Food distribution and senior outreach 14:45 Serving neighbors of every background 18:08 Housing, adult day programs, and human connection 22:15 Support for grandparents raising grandchildren 27:08 Where families can find help 28:32 Foster care, adoption, and partnership opportunities 32:57 A story about caring for one another 34:52 Closing message for grandfamilies Support the show

  7. Jul 9

    How to Hear God’s Voice | Hope & Healing for Grandfamilies

    Are you a grandparent raising your grandchildren and searching for hope, purpose, and peace? In this episode of It’s a Grand Life, Craig Nash sits down with Joshua Hutto, author of To Know His Voice, to explore how connecting with your higher power can bring healing—not just for you, but for your entire family. With over 2.3 million grandparents raising grandchildren in the U.S., many families face emotional, financial, and behavioral challenges. This conversation offers a powerful perspective on overcoming those struggles through faith, identity, and purpose. 🔑 In This Episode: How to hear God’s voice in everyday life Why identity and purpose are critical for caregivers Healing emotional struggles through faith Helping grandchildren find peace and confidence Moving from fear to faith in difficult seasons 📘 Want a copy of To Know His Voice? Email: cNash@itsagrandlife.com  (first 5 requests) #HearGodsVoice #FaithOverFear #PurposeDrivenLife #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualGrowth 0:00 Introduction & Mission 1:00 Meet Josh Hutto 2:30 His Story & Hearing God’s Voice 5:00 Why People Are Searching for Purpose 7:30 Religion vs Relationship 10:00 Grandfamilies & Behavioral Health Challenges 13:00 How to Start Connecting with God 16:00 Identity, Fear vs Faith 19:00 Impact on Children 22:00 Powerful Granddaughter Story 24:30 Transforming the Whole Family 26:00 About the Book 27:00 Final Thoughts Support the show

  8. Jun 25

    Grandmother’s Story: How Tutoring Changed Her Grandson’s Life | Learning Disabilities Help

    If you're a grandparent raising a grandchild who is struggling in school, this story will hit home. In this episode of It’s a Grand Life, we visit the Learning Disabilities Clinic in Oak Park, Michigan to hear a powerful story from a grandmother who fought to get her grandson the help he needed. After years of struggling with reading and school, everything changed with the right support. 👉 You’ll learn: How learning disabilities can impact children differently Why one-on-one tutoring can be life-changing How the right teacher can unlock confidence and ability What grandparents and caregivers can do to advocate for their child This episode also highlights the mission of The Grand Fund, providing real support for grandfamilies across the country. 📌 If you or someone you love is raising a grandchild, you are not alone. 👉 Subscribe for more stories and resources 👉 Join our Facebook group: It’s a Grand Life 👉 Share this video to help another family #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #LearningDisabilities #DyslexiaSupport #KinshipCare #itsagrandlife  0:00 Introduction to Grandfamilies 0:30 2.3 Million Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 1:45 Meet the Guests 2:30 Finding the Right Tutor 4:30 Grandmother’s Emotional Story 7:00 First Signs of Progress 9:00 How Tutors Match with Students 11:00 Can Kids Learn Later in Life? 13:00 Reading Challenges & Misconceptions 17:00 Services Offered at the Clinic 20:00 Who They Help (Full Breakdown) 21:30 Final Thoughts + Resources Support the show

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out of 5
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About

You thought you were empty nesters.Then you became a Grand Family.Don't worry, you're not alone.Craig Nash is experiencing this right now and wants to share his journey with others. Millions of Grandparents around the world are now raising their Grandchildren. There are a variety of reasons why this happens, but often times people are unprepared for the challenges.We're here to help. This podcast will give you tips and real life stories on how to navigate kinship care and maximize it to it's fullest.We'll have experts on this podcast to offer the best advice possible and highlight all of the resources available to help.We're thrilled to be bringing you this impactful content. Enjoy!#grandfamilypodcast#kinshipcarepodcast#grandparentspodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Armbrustmacher
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's A Grand Life
  • Show Website
    It's A Grand Life