The Grandpa Channel: The Stories That Connect Us All

with Steve Harris (Rivers)
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Every story has two stories. The one you just heard... and the one it stirs in your own life. The Grandpa Channel is a collection of conversations with people who have lived through joy, heartbreak, faith, loss, family, and everything in between. These aren't interviews about accomplishments. They're conversations about what life teaches us, often the hard way. As you listen to someone else's story, you may find yourself understanding your own a little more clearly. Because here at The Grandpa Channel, we believe we're all more alike than different. Every person has a story. And every story helps us see our own.

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    092 The Handshake That Got Me in Trouble with Steve Harris aka Rivers

    What happens when a simple handshake breaks the rules? In this solo episode, Rivers shares the story of volunteering at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, where one unexpected handshake with an inmate led to an unforgettable confrontation with a correctional officer. What begins as a humorous story quickly becomes a reflection on something much deeper: our need for human connection, the quiet dignity every person deserves, and the wisdom of knowing when to hold your tongue. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness leave the biggest impression. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why one jail rule always bothered Rivers The Sunday school lesson that unexpectedly came to life A handshake that caused more trouble than anyone expected The perfectly timed moment that still makes him laugh Why some moments of human connection stay with us forever Question to reflect on: Has there ever been a small act of kindness or human connection that stayed with you far longer than you expected? Why do you think it mattered? If you'd like to continue the conversation, explore our guided journal, Until It Starts to Speak Back, created to help you discover the stories that have shaped your own life. Learn more and listen to more conversations at thegrandpachannel.com.

  2. Aug 4 ·  Video

    091 Comedy Machines: The Family Stories We Never Stop Telling with Steve Harris aka Rivers

    Some of the most meaningful stories in a family aren't the ones we plan. They're the unexpected moments that become part of our family's history. In this solo episode, Steve "Rivers" Harris shares why creating a home filled with laughter became one of his greatest hopes as a father. From blessing each of his children with a sense of humor to an unforgettable family dinner at Hires Big H, this conversation is a reminder that perfection rarely creates our favorite memories. Sometimes it's the wonderfully imperfect moments that become the stories we tell for the rest of our lives. In this episode, you'll hear: Why Steve wanted laughter to become part of his family's legacy The beautiful tradition of blessing a newborn child Brian Doyle's unforgettable description of children as "comedy machines" The hilarious Hires Big H family dinner that didn't end quite as expected Why the stories we once found embarrassing often become our family's favorites How laughter helps us navigate the challenges of everyday life Reflection Question What's one family story that still makes you laugh every time it's told? Maybe it's something that seemed embarrassing in the moment. Maybe it's become part of your family's folklore. Or maybe it's simply a reminder that the moments we try hardest to control often become the ones we treasure most. Continue the Conversation If today's story stirred something in your own life, we've created a guided journal called Until It Starts to Speak Back. Inspired by the conversations on Grandpa Channel, it's designed to help you discover the stories that have shaped your own life. Learn more, explore the journal, and listen to more conversations at thegrandpachannel.com.

  3. Aug 1 ·  Video

    090 Quinns Don't Quit: What We Pass On Without Realizing It with Chase Quinn

    Every one of us inherits something. Maybe it's a family tradition. A phrase repeated around the dinner table. A way of treating people. Or simply the example of someone who loved us well. In this conversation, Rivers sits down with his nephew, Chase Quinn, to explore the stories and experiences that shaped him into the husband, father, coach, and person he is today. Together they talk about what it was like growing up with a father who coached him, the family motto that still guides his life, why coaching is about much more than winning games, and how parenting has taught him patience in ways he never expected. Along the way, the conversation explores a question all of us eventually face: What are we passing on to the people we love? In this conversation, you'll hear about: The family motto, "Quinns don't quit," and how it shaped Chase's life Lessons learned from being coached by his father Why Chase thought every dad wanted to coach Coaching kids with one simple philosophy: stay safe, have fun, and get better every week What becoming a father taught him about patience The surprising story of welcoming twins into their family Why being coachable matters far beyond sports The role of encouragement in helping children grow What Chase hopes his own children will remember about him Reflection Question What is something someone quietly passed on to you... that you're now passing on to someone else? Continue the Conversation If today's conversation stirred something in your own life, we've created a guided journal to help you keep exploring. Until It Starts to Speak Back is inspired by the conversations on Grandpa Channel and designed to help you discover the stories that have shaped your own life. Learn more, explore the journal, and listen to more conversations at thegrandpachannel.com. If you would like to follow Chase: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachchase_hq https://www.instagram.com/coachchase_hq/?hl=da

  4. Jul 29 ·  Video

    089 What Grief Taught Me About Love with Nadine Cooper

    Grief changes us. But according to Nadine Cooper, it can also reveal what mattered most all along. After walking beside her husband through a long illness and eventually losing him, Nadine reflects on what grief has taught her about love, purpose, faith, and the stories we tell ourselves. Drawing on decades of helping people heal through coaching and personal growth, she shares practical wisdom about changing limiting beliefs, understanding our own worth, building stronger relationships, and becoming more compassionate through life's hardest experiences. One of the most moving moments of the conversation comes when Nadine answers a simple question: "What do you miss most?" Her response offers a fresh perspective on grief and may change the way you support someone who is mourning. In this episode: Why grief revealed the depth of love in her marriage The difference between being victimized and becoming a victim How our personal stories shape our lives—and how they can be rewritten Why forgiveness is about freeing yourself, not excusing others The hidden misunderstandings that quietly damage relationships What most people get wrong when comforting someone who's grieving The better question to ask instead of "How are you?" How compassion grows through suffering The spiritual experiences that gave Nadine hope after loss Why our greatest gifts often become our life's purpose Every story has two stories: the one you just heard and the one it stirs in your own life. Download the free reflection journal inspired by this conversation in the description below. If this episode encouraged you, please consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may need these words today. To check out here weekly Facebook Live Videos Click Here!

  5. Jul 24 ·  Video

    088 The Rope Between Home and the Storm with Steve Harris aka Rivers

    The Rope Between Home and the Storm Sometimes the greatest lessons come from the stories we laugh about years later. When a rare blizzard warning sent Rivers' wife into full "mother hen" mode, she called everyone she loved, urging them to get home before the storm hit. The blizzard never really arrived, but the experience revealed something much deeper: her urgency wasn't about the weather. It was about love. Drawing on a moving passage from Parker J. Palmer's A Hidden Wholeness, Rivers explores the image of the rope that farmers once stretched from their back door to the barn so no one would lose their way in a whiteout. It's a simple image that becomes a powerful metaphor for navigating the storms of modern life. Whether you're facing uncertainty, raising a family, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, this episode is a reminder that we're never meant to weather life's blizzards alone. In this episode: Why one overblown weather forecast became a lasting family story The surprising connection between love and warning The timeless "rope" metaphor from Parker J. Palmer Finding our way through the storms of distraction, fear, and uncertainty Why home is more than a place—it's the direction we're meant to keep moving toward Journal Prompts Who has been a "rope" in your life during difficult seasons? What values or habits help guide you home when life feels uncertain? Have you ever looked back and realized someone's concern for you was really an expression of love? What storms are you navigating today, and what keeps you grounded? How can you become a steady rope for someone else this week? Because every story has two stories: the one you just heard, and the one it stirs in your own life.

  6. Jul 21 ·  Video

    087 You Can Be Right... And Still Be Wrong with Spencer Hoole

    Most people see success and assume it happened quickly. Spence Hoole tells a different story. He shares how a disappointing ACT score became one of the turning points of his life, why consistency mattered more than talent, and how one painful year in junior high changed the way he treats people forever. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors who shaped him, the importance of assuming positive intent, why being "right" isn't always worth it, and what success means after decades of business, family, and experience. This isn't a conversation about getting ahead. It's a conversation about becoming someone worth becoming. In this episode: Why "consistency enlarges capacity" The ACT score that changed his life Building a business one relationship at a time The painful year that taught him empathy Learning to assume positive intent The mentors who shaped his career "You can be right... and still be wrong." Why some battles simply aren't worth fighting The danger of taking yourself too seriously What real success looks like after 30 years Advice he'd give his 25-year-old self The legacy he hopes to leave his children Memorable Quotes "Consistency enlarges capacity." "Assume positive intent." "You can be right... and still be wrong." "Take what you do seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously." "The things that translate to success today are peace, health, and kids doing well." Reflection Questions Where has consistency quietly changed your life? Is there someone you've judged before assuming positive intent? What battle are you fighting that may not be worth the squeeze? What does success mean to you today compared to ten years ago? If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to The Grandpa Channel for more thoughtful conversations about life, family, faith, work, and the experiences

  7. Jul 17 ·  Video

    086 It Doesn't Feel Like Fear. It Feels Like Conviction with Slade Combs

    What if the thing shaping your life isn't something you're even aware of? For more than twenty years, Slade Combs worked in advertising, helping companies understand what motivates people to act. Along the way, he became fascinated by something much deeper: the hidden fears that quietly influence the decisions we make every day. Then his own life changed. After developing a serious heart condition, Slade began questioning the success he'd spent years pursuing. What followed was a complete reimagining of his life, his work, and his understanding of purpose. In this conversation with Rivers, Slade shares why our deepest fears often masquerade as certainty, how childhood experiences can shape the lens through which we see the world, and why he believes the greatest thing we've suffered can become our greatest gift. Whether you agree with every idea or simply find yourself thinking differently afterward, this episode invites an honest question: What if some of the things you've always been certain about deserve a second look? In this episode: Why unconscious fears rarely feel like fear The surprising connection between childhood experiences and adult decisions How a life-threatening health scare changed Slade's definition of success Why purpose may be found on the other side of our greatest struggles How curiosity can open the door to personal growth Reflection Journal Every story has two stories: the one you just heard and the one it stirs in your own life. Download this episode's free Reflection Journal in the description and spend a few minutes exploring the questions this conversation might awaken in your own story. To learn more about Slade and his work, click here.

  8. Jul 14 ·  Video

    085 Always Certain, But Not Always Right: How Our Emotions Keep Us from Seeing the Truth with Steve Harris

    Always Certain, But Not Always Right How Our Emotions Keep Us from Seeing the Truth Have you ever been completely convinced you knew exactly what was happening... only to discover you were looking at the wrong situation entirely? In this solo episode of Grandpa Channel, Rivers shares one of his favorite family stories. It begins with two determined grandmothers, a keyless Toyota, a parking lot, and a locksmith. It ends with a timeless lesson about perspective, emotional reactions, and why our strongest feelings aren't always our clearest guide. Drawing on insights from psychologist Kristin Neff's book Self-Compassion, Rivers reflects on what happens when our emotions become louder than our perspective, and why learning to pause may be one of life's greatest skills. Sometimes the answer isn't finding a better key. Sometimes it's realizing you're trying to unlock the wrong car. In this episode: Why strong emotions can cloud our judgment The surprising connection between perspective and emotional reactions A funny family story with a lasting life lesson Insights from Kristin Neff's Self-Compassion Why "always certain, but not always right" became a Harris family saying How taking one step back can help us move forward with greater wisdom

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Every story has two stories. The one you just heard... and the one it stirs in your own life. The Grandpa Channel is a collection of conversations with people who have lived through joy, heartbreak, faith, loss, family, and everything in between. These aren't interviews about accomplishments. They're conversations about what life teaches us, often the hard way. As you listen to someone else's story, you may find yourself understanding your own a little more clearly. Because here at The Grandpa Channel, we believe we're all more alike than different. Every person has a story. And every story helps us see our own.

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