The Grannies

Jane Isay and Adesewa Josh
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Biweekly

The Grannies bridges generations through candid, funny, and moving stories from real grandmothers—hosted by Adesewa Josh, award-winning international journalist, and bestselling author, Jane Isay.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    How to Be Old

    Modern culture treats aging as a failure state instead of a human stage. We celebrate growth in every form except the one guaranteed to happen to everyone: getting old.

    47 min

  2. May 17

    Behind our Backs: When Our Children Start Talking About Us

    There’s a moment that quietly happens in many families whenchildren start having conversations about their parents that they never used to have. Conversations about health. Memory. Independence. Safety.Finances. Sometimes out of love, usually out of fear. This episode explores what it feels like when parents lose autonomy, when the role reverses and children starts making decisions on behalf of their parents...and the emotional toll the experience takes on parents as they must relinquish control they've had all their lives

    57 min

  3. Apr 30

    Mother’s Day: Who Is It Really For?

    Mother’s Day is meant to celebrate love, sacrifice, and the women who raised us. But as families grow and generations shift… the question quietly becomes— Who is this day really for now?

    58 min

  4. Apr 13

    Grannies & Technology: It's Not You, It's The Stupid Computer

    As technology reshapes how families communicate, this episode explores the widening gap between generations—particularly for grandmothers whose communication styles have been disrupted or replaced.

    59 min

  5. Mar 30

    Holiday Sensitivity: Love, Boundaries, and Being Yourself

    As families gather during holidays like Eid, Passover, andEaster, this episode explores the emotional complexity of family time—where love, expectations, generational differences, and personal truth often collide. The conversation centers on how older generations navigatefamily gatherings, maintain authenticity, and keep communication open withtheir children.

    55 min

  6. Mar 18

    What Grannies Know About Living Through War

    In this episode, Granny Jane reflects on life during WWII, as well as living through earlier global conflicts. We discuss the anxiety many grandparents feel today as tensions escalate in the Middle East. The conversation explores fears about the future, including the possibility that younger generations could be drawn into war, and how love, family, and intergenerational connection help people cope in uncertain times.

    53 min

  7. Feb 27

    When Grandma Can’t Pay the Bills: Money, Retirement & Family Responsibility

    Somewhere in the world, a grandmother expects her children to care for her. Somewhere else, she insists on never depending on anyone. In this episode, Adesewa Josh and Jane Isay unpack money, dignity, and family obligation across cultures — from Western social safety nets to African traditions of reciprocity. Is independence true freedom… or quiet isolation? And when grannies can no longer make a living, where's the money to take care of them going to come from? the state, the family, or both?

    34 min

  8. Feb 5

    Why Grannies Dislike Unsolicited Advice

    Why does advice feel supportive when we’re young, but suffocating as we get older — especially for grannies? In this episode, Adesewa Josh and Granny Jane Isay explore why unsolicited advice often lands hardest in later life, when autonomy has been earned and dignity matters most. Through warmth, humor, and lived experience, they unpack when care quietly crosses the line, and why the same advice — like the same grape — can become wine or vinegar depending on the season.

    40 min

  9. Jan 15

    Loneliness in Old Age: Who Keeps Grannies Company?

    Loneliness in old age is real — and it’s rarely talked about! What happens when the house gets quiet…and no one checks in? On this episode of The Grannies Podcast, we unpack who really holds responsibility when grannies are left without companionship: family, friends, community, or society at large. We challenge assumptions and start a conversation we’ve all avoided for too long. Who do you think is responsible? #TheGranniesPodcast #AgingAndLoneliness #ElderCareConversation #SocialResponsibility #AgingMatters #CommunityOverIsolation #MentalHealthAtEveryAge #PodcastInstagram #ReelTalk

    1h 1m
  10. Grandma Knows Best: The Matriarchy Has Entered the Chat

    12/28/2025

    Grandma Knows Best: The Matriarchy Has Entered the Chat

    Grandmothers don’t retire — they rise.In our debut episode, host Adesewa Josh and special guest Jane Isay uncover the truth every family knows but rarely says out loud: Grandma runs the world…from the holiday table dramas to the healing only she can deliver. This is a love letter to the matriarchs — imperfect, powerful, hilarious, and full of history.The ones who raised us, fought for us, and still remind us to eat something. 💬 If you’ve ever survived a family holiday… this episode is your therapy. 👵🏾👵🏼 The Grannies Podcast — where legacy pulls up a chair and spills the tea.

    30 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Grannies bridges generations through candid, funny, and moving stories from real grandmothers—hosted by Adesewa Josh, award-winning international journalist, and bestselling author, Jane Isay.

Information

  • Creator
    Jane Isay and Adesewa Josh
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jane Isay and Adesewa Josh
  • Show Website
    The Grannies

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