Several years ago, Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll entered into a unique mentoring relationship with two of his grandsons, Austin Swindoll Thompson and Parker Nelson, both of them in their thirties. Both had endured difficult family situations during their childhood and relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to be closer to their extended family. In this podcast John Coulombe and Wayne Rice talk with Austin and Parker about the relationship they now have with their “Bubba” Swindoll and what lessons they have learned from their mentoring sessions with him. And in a surprise development, they are joined on the phone by “Bubba” himself.

Books referenced in this podcast:

• Living on The Ragged Edge by Chuck Swindoll
• David: A Man of Passion and Destiny by Chuck Swindoll
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• Books (fiction) by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan.
• How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
• The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• Biographies by H.W. Brands (Washington)
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Cynthia Tobias is the best-selling author of more than 16 books including You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child. Cynthia believes that being strong-willed is not a negative trait in children but something that can contribute to their ability to develop strong convictions, solid reasoning and good communication skills. In this podcast, Cynthia discusses with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe how grandparents can relate effectively to their strong-willed grandchildren by treating them with respect, choosing battles wisely and building strong relationships that can last a lifetime.

Resources mentioned during this podcast:

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (Daily Bread Publishing)

You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child by Cynthia Tobias (WaterBrook Press)

Jaime Saint is the grandson of Nate Saint, one of the five missionaries who in 1956 were famously killed by the Auca (Waodani) tribe in a remote rain forest of Ecuador. Over the years, the story has been told and dramatized in many books, magazines, movies, documentaries and stage productions but in this conversation with John Coulombe and Wayne Rice, Jaime explains how the faithfulness of his grandfather Nate as well as his father Steve has impacted the lives of the Waodani people and his own life in the sixty years that have passed since those missionaries gave their lives. This episode of Legacy Grandparenting will reconnect you with that powerful story of courage and sacrificial love and inspire you to consider the generational impact that we can have on our children and grandchildren.

BOOKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THIS PODCAST

• Seriously! 100 Laugh-Out-Loud Stories that Teach Bible Truths by Wayne Rice (available from LegacyCoalition.com/store or from Amazon.com)
• The Great Omission by Steve Saint (YWAM Publishing)
• Love Does by Bob Goff (Thomas Nelson Publishing)
• “End of the Spear” (2005 movie) is the story of Steve Saint (Jaime’s father) who as a child accompanied his father to Ecuador, then as an adult returned to Ecuador and lived with the tribe that killed his father.
• Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Beyond the Gates of Wonder” live concert featuring Steve Saint and “grandfather” Mincaye of the Waodani tribe (available on YouTube).
• ITEC, the ministry founded by Steve Saint: www.itecusa.org
• "Counting the Cost" (video) is available on YouTube
• “The Next Chapter” (video) is available on YouTube
• “The Grandfathers” (video) is also available on YouTube

Dr. Dudley Chancey is a long-time youth pastor and educator who is the founder of the Intergenerational Faith Center at Oklahoma Christian University. His most recent book is Keep Faith Alive: Grandparents and a Godly Legacy (Abilene Christian University Press), based on the findings of The Grandparent Project, a national study on grandparenting. Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with Dudley about his book and how grandparents today can become more intentional about telling grandchildren their faith stories and the great things that God has done and is doing in the world.

Books and Resources mentioned:

Keep Faith Alive: Grandparents and a Godly Legacy by Dudley Chancey – Order from ACUPressBooks.com and use the CODE: KEEPFAITH40 for a 40% Discount.

The Family Crucible by Napier and Whitaker

Intergenerational Christian Formation by Holly Atherton Allen

The Big God Story by Michelle Anthony

Doug Fields is one of the leading experts and practitioners of youth ministry in the church today. His books and resources are used by thousands of youth workers all over the world. Now a grandparent of nine, Doug shares with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe how he has been able to transfer many youth ministry principles to his role as a grandparent. During this conversation, they also discuss ways for youth workers to involve, encourage and equip grandparents. Doug also reveals one of true advantages of being a Tesla owner.

Doug’s websites:

• www.dougfields.com
• www.downloadyouthministry.com

Books mentioned:

• Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
• The Intentional Parent by Doug and Cathy Fields

Keeping Up with Youth Culture:

• www.axis.org (subscribe to their weekly newsletter The Culture Translator)
• www.cpyu.org (lots of current youth culture information here)
• www.homeword.com (subscribe to HomeWord’s Culture Update newsletter)

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with Mark Gerson, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and author of God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Has Proved that the Torah Is True. From his uniquely Jewish perspective, Mark explains why the teachings of Moses emphasize the crucial role that grandparents play in the lives of grandchildren and what social science has proven about the health benefits of intentional grandparenting. You’ll enjoy this conversation which takes several interesting turns including Mark’s description of “the best people in the world.”

For more information: https://www.godwasright.com/

Dr. Joannie DeBrito is a licensed marriage & family therapist, social worker and the former director of parenting and youth for Focus on the Family. She has also written a feature column for LegacyCoalition.com called “Ask Dr. Joannie,” a Q & A for grandparents on a variety of topics. On this podcast, Dr. Joannie talks with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe about such grandparenting issues as grandparent estrangement, influencing grandchildren’s screen time, communicating effectively about political differences, aging gracefully and much more.

Resources mentioned on this podcast:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Bunny Blue by Catherine Stahlman

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