EPISODE · Nov 7, 2025 · 19 MIN
036 Shut Up & Listen: A Grandma’s Masterclass in Grandparent Connection with Kathy Healey
from The Grandpa Channel: What Life Taught The Hard Way · host with Steve Harris – Real Talk, Real Laughs & the Real Grandparent Life
In today’s episode, Rivers sits down with the unstoppable + deeply devoted Kathy Healey — a grandma who made connection her superpower. Kathy reveals: how being able to show up (literally) became her legacy the insane story of holding her granddaughter’s hand through the NICU from hour one why most grandkids aren’t asking for lectures…they’re asking to be heard how to connect even when you live in different states why tiny consistent gestures (like a 60¢ stamp + a handwritten card) become magic later the #1 line Kathy wants every grandpa to tattoo on their brain: Shut. Up. And. Listen. This episode is funny, bold, and surprisingly tender. It will make you want to try harder — gently — without pressure. Key Takeaway: Grandkids don’t need a perfect grandpa. They need a present one. And the doorway to their heart opens when you quiet down long enough to hear theirs. Link to Kathy's book: Nan's Alpahbet by Maryjane Spillane Record your life story with Planted Media Co
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What this episode covers
Grandpas — this one is going to stretch you in the best way. Kathy Healey may not be a grandpa…but she just might be the new patron saint of connection. From flying standby across the country just to show up, to holding a preemie baby for 16 hours straight, to learning to text at 70 — her secret is simple, blunt, unforgettable: shut up and listen. This is how you become the grandparent they remember.
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036 Shut Up & Listen: A Grandma’s Masterclass in Grandparent Connection with Kathy Healey
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