Stories from Grandparents

A major theme that arose during our interviews were stories of immigration, settlement and displacement. A common thread through all of the stories though, was the idea of leaving (or fleeing) to find a better life in another land.

This is another epic tale that comes straight from a grandfather’s memoir. Jenna tells of her grandad’s adventurous life as a teenager between 1936 and 1939. You’ll hear thrilling, and heartfelt coming of age stories, that include crossing oceans, jumping trains, and stowing away on ships. The memoir ends ominously, at the start of WWII. Bookending these tales of course, are stories of what Jenna’s grandfather meant to her, and taught her about life.

In this episode you’ll hear love stories from generations past, which show the different types of commitment that develop over time. These stories from grandparents show us that love can not only survive over time, but through mental illness, dementia, and tragedy.

Sonia Lewis is an author and anti-racism advocate who joined us from California. She discussed her role as a grandparent figure in her family, and shared how an early life experience as a young girl in the 1970s propelled her into anti-racism work. This experience is also the premise of her new book, Monsters and Aliens, which is meant for both children and adults. Interspersed is advice on how to have tough convos about race and discrimination with family members, particularly an older generation.

Welcome to Season 2 of Stories from Grandparents! In this episode Madison interviews her amazing grandmother, G about her various adventures. G is probably the most badass grandmother we'll ever have on the show. She went skydiving for her 80th and 90th birthdays, worked as a Medevac nurse in the Canadian Arctic, and has travelled all around the world. As you'll hear, she never let her busy life get in the way of family.