Welcome to Grandparenthood, the podcast to help you be the best grandparent you can be. Join invested grandfather and founder of the National Grandparent Movement (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/), Ian Barnett, as he explores every facet and issue of grandparenting in the 21st Century.
With a special focus upon the legacy of Christian faith, Grandparenthood is a vital resource for equipping you in this important phase of family life.
Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 (https://hope1032.com.au/programs/hope-mornings/) in Sydney, Australia.
Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources. (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/)
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
Explore the dynamics of being a grandparent in your 40s with the unique challenges and opportunities faced by younger grandparents, including juggling parenting, careers, and building a legacy. Ian shares insights on the evolving role of grandparents, the importance of patience, and managing expectations while maintaining family relationships. Whether you're navigating this journey yourself or know someone who is, this thoughtful conversation offers perspective on embracing the joys and complexities of grandparenting across different life stages.
Key Takeaways:
Becoming a grandparent in your 40s offers energetic involvement, balancing with ongoing parental responsibilities and career commitments.
There's an evolving concept of grandparenthood due to changing societal norms, with people experiencing it across a broader age range.
The perspective between younger and older grandparents shifts from active engagement to contemplating legacy and life impact.
Grandparents must navigate their roles with adaptability, setting realistic expectations and boundaries to maintain personal and familial balance.
Regardless of age, being present and intentional in a grandchild's life is imperative to fostering lasting, meaningful relationships.
Notable Quotes:
"If you're a grandparent in your 40s, there'll be different expectations and pressures because you're still in the world of raising your students."
"It's not better or worse. I think when you're in your 40s, you're thinking, how can I be involved now with my kids' kids?"
"When I'm older, I want to leave them something that matters. I want to leave them something they can remember me about."
"Don't compare yourself to others. Just enjoy what it is. Don't be annoyed at what you can't do. Rejoice in what you can do."
"It actually might mean that you'll be a young great-grandparent, so you might get to see things that I'll never experience."
Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources. (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/)
Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 (https://hope1032.com.au/programs/hope-mornings/) in Sydney, Australia.
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) (https://hope1032.com.au/grandparenthood/) or via Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
8 Oct 2026
Grandparents Finding Joy and Purpose in Volunteering
Join Ben and Ian as they chat with Jenny Sawyer from Anglicare about what it means to volunteer as a grandparent. Discover why grandparents like Rod and Robyn, active in disaster recovery and community service, find fulfillment and purpose in giving back. Learn about the diverse ways grandparents can volunteer, the impact of their contributions, and how personal skills can be leveraged to serve. This conversation offers encouraging insights into the role of elders in fostering intergenerational support and community connection.
Places you could volunteer
Hope 103.2: Volunteer at Hope 103.2 (https://hope1032.com.au/volunteering/)
National Grandparent Movement: Visit ngmlegacy.com.au (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/) for the National Grandparent Movement.
Anglicare Australia: Visit anglicare.org (https://www.anglicare.org) for more information on volunteering opportunities.
Live Up: Visit liveup.org.au (https://www.liveup.org.au/) various volunteering ideas for retirees.
Volunteering Australia: Visit volunteeringaustralia.org (https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/) for the national peak body for volunteering.
Key Takeaways:
Volunteering Provides Fulfillment: Volunteering offers grandparents a sense of purpose and joy, allowing them to contribute their time and experience in meaningful ways.
Diverse Volunteer Opportunities: Grandparents can volunteer in numerous capacities, from disaster recovery efforts to community outreach through simple acts of kindness.
Intergenerational Impact: Volunteering helps strengthen bonds across generations, as grandparents model compassion and service for their grandchildren.
Practical Training and Flexibility: Organizations like Anglicare offer streamlined training for volunteers, making it easy and accessible even for those with limited time.
Significant Contribution by Retirees: Grandparents are a critical force within the volunteer community, significantly contributing to the economy through unpaid care and service.
Notable Quotes:
"Why wouldn't I choose to do that?" - Jenny Sawyer on the motivation behind volunteering as a grandparent.
"You will come to a point where you think, I'm still able to do stuff, I wonder what's out there." - Ian Barnett reflecting on the ongoing value of contributing even in older age.
"I think people are volunteering in all sorts of ways." - Ian Barnett expanding on the various forms volunteering can take.
"An 8-minute phone call can make the difference of looking forward to having a chat." - Jenny Sawyer on the impact of simple connections.
"70% of our volunteer workforce in disaster recovery are grandparents." - Jenny Sawyer highlighting grandparents' role in disaster response.
Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources. (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/)
Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 (https://hope1032.com.au/programs/hope-mornings/) in Sydney, Australia.
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) (https://hope1032.com.au/grandparenthood/) or via Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
1 Oct 2026
Building Healthy Relationships With Your Adult Kids
As many navigate the shift from parenting to grandparenting, this episode digs into the challenges and joys of setting boundaries, fostering trust, and the role of mutual respect. With Ian's deep expertise, listeners are introduced to the concept of affection in familial relationships, and how it can be expressed beyond traditional norms. The conversation highlights the necessity of embracing changing roles and perceptions within family hierarchies.
Key Takeaways:
Mutual Respect and Trust: Establishing boundaries and respecting individual decisions are key in maintaining healthy relationships with adult children.
Biblical Insights: Applying biblical principles such as love, patience, and forgiveness plays a crucial role in family dynamics.
Self-awareness and Growth: Encourage self-reflection to understand personal biases and obstacles in nurturing family relationships.
Shared Effort in Relationships: Success in relationships requires commitment and active participation from all parties involved.
Adapting to Change: Embracing the evolving roles of grandparents and adult children helps in adjusting to new family dynamics.
Notable Quotes:
"I've always thought to myself that grandparenting isn't a right. Being a grandparent is a privilege."
"Grace and forgiveness have got to be the key aspects of how we define a healthy relationship."
"We have to be affectionate, love those around us, regardless of views or disagreements."
"Healthy conflict means you can have disagreement and still love and appreciate that."
"Don't make the grandkids the battleground. Keep it space. What can you do? Pray. Always pray."
Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources. (https://ngmlegacy.com.au/)
Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 (https://hope1032.com.au/programs/hope-mornings/) in Sydney, Australia.
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) (https://hope1032.com.au/grandparenthood/) or via Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,323,554
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
79
Social presence
94
YouTube
93
Engagement
0
Contact Grandparenthood
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Grandparenthood
Who hosts Grandparenthood?
Ben McEachen and Ian Barnett host the show. Published by Hope 103.2.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Grandparenthood take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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