Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity

Have you ever felt like the system is writing the ending of your grandchild’s story before they’ve even found their voice? Are your grandchildren weighed down by labels—traumatized, behind, abnormal—while you’re expected to manage their pain and follow rigid rules? If you’ve ever felt powerless to change the narrative or wished you could help your grandchild reclaim their identity from the case files, this episode is for you.
I’m Laura Brazan, and after my own family was reshaped by adversity, I discovered that healing doesn’t come from fixing every problem—it comes from helping children find their voice. When today’s guest, Kate Markland, was granted just one hour a week on FaceTime with her son by the courts, she chose not to fill it with grief, but with a question: “Do you want to be the hero of your own story?” What followed was more than a bestselling book; it was a masterclass in how grandparents and kinship caregivers can become the scribes of their grandchildren’s triumphs.
On ‘Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,’ we delve deep into the realities of kinship care—navigating the legal, financial, and emotional challenges, but also recognizing the hidden power you have as a caregiver. This episode unpacks therapeutic storytelling, a simple but profound way to move children from trauma to creativity. Through asking questions like “tell me more,” you can help your grandchild move from fear to self-expression, turning moments of heartbreak at the kitchen table into stories of courage and hope.
Join us as we explore how to listen, clarify, and capture your grandchild’s words—without correction, without judgment—and help them take back the pen. Together, we’ll nurture resilience and rewrite futures, one story at a time.
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When we look at the child welfare system today, it’s clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?
Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue.
Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now. 
In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.
We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. 

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
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Are you a grandparent or relative in DuPage County or the AgeGuide region of Illinois suddenly responsible for raising a child? Are mounting legal bills, light bills, or school fees starting to feel heavier than your emotional reserves? Does the simple act of parenting feel impossible when every day brings a new administrative challenge?
You are not alone—and you shouldn’t have to shoulder the weight of kinship care by yourself. I’m Laura Brazan, and in this episode of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, we’re pulling back the curtain on the resources you may not even know exist: rental assistance, school supplies, legal aid, and more—tangible supports that can turn despair into hope for kinship caregivers.
Joined by Kristen Roskoff from DuPage County’s Kinship Family Program, we shine a light on real help for grandparents and relatives who suddenly find themselves raising children. You’ll learn how straightforward it can be to reach the dedicated staff—just an email or direct phone call connects you to someone who will walk you through grant applications and help you fill the gaps, from utility bills, rent, and counseling to legal fees, athletic programs, and much-needed respite care.
For those who fear reaching out, Kristen Roskoff reassures: this is a safety net, not a threat—it’s about keeping families together, not tearing them apart. There are ways to contact the program anonymously or with the help of school social workers. For more information please email senioroutreach@dupagecounty.gov
You have the strength to nurture your grandchildren and the right to know about every resource available. Join us as we help rewrite your family's story, replacing silent struggle with community, guidance, and hope.
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When we look at the child welfare system today, it’s clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?
Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue.
In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.
We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. 

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Have you ever wondered whether your grandchild’s emotional outbursts, hyperactivity, or inability to focus are really the result of past trauma—or if something deeper might be at play in their bodies? Are you overwhelmed trying to balance household expenses, legal paperwork, and your own health, all while struggling to understand why traditional therapies just aren’t working? As a grandparent raising grandchildren in today’s world, it can feel like you’re carrying an invisible load, searching for answers that go beyond the label of “bad behavior.”
I’m Laura Brazan, and like you, I know what it means to buy canola oil, believing it’s a healthy choice, or to live in an older home, simply trying to do my best for my grandkids on a fixed income. But what if the “normal” foods, cleaning products, or even the air they breathe are silently affecting their brains and bodies?
Welcome to 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode, we dive beneath the surface with Dr. Jeffrey Knight, an expert in natural health and cellular healing. Together, we explore the critical question: Is it ADHD, autism, or invisible toxins that could be derailing your grandchild’s ability to thrive? You’ll learn the hidden impact of heavy metals, mold, and even everyday seed oils, and discover concrete steps you can take—without expensive organic groceries—to lighten the toxic load for your family. Check out our Biological Wellness Checklist Use this checklist to audit the physical environment and biological signals that may be driving the "behavioral software" glitches in your grandchild.
This podcast is your community and resource. We’ll lift the veil on the silent triggers in your environment and reveal ways you can “open the drainage funnel” and strengthen your grandchild’s foundation for healing and focus. You are the CEO of your family’s health, and your voice belongs here.
Join us in this supportive space where your challenges are honored, your experiences are valued, and practical, hope-filled solutions await. Together, let’s reclaim the future for our grandchildren—from the inside out.
Send us Fan Mail
When we look at the child welfare system today, it’s clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?
Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue.
Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now. 
In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.
We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. 

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Have you ever been told that your golden years should be about rest, only to find yourself back in the world of school runs, sports practices, and sleepless nights? Are you a grandparent raising your grandchildren, wrestling with exhaustion and identity loss, while quietly wondering if you’ll ever reclaim a piece of yourself? You may be feeling the heavy weight of duty, but beneath the surface, there’s a quieter transformation happening—one that science now recognizes as generativity.
I’m Laura, and on this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' we’re flipping the script on aging. Joined by Dr. Deborah Heiser, a leading voice in developmental psychology, we discover why stepping up as a kinship caregiver might be the healthiest thing you can do for your brain. From the emotional boost of newfound purpose to the surprising cognitive benefits of mentoring a new generation, you’re not just surviving—you’re gaining a powerful new identity. Download her free Mental Mapping checklist here.
https://mentalmapping.floot.app/
You’ll hear real stories of messiness and joy, practical advice for adapting to unexpected parenting, and scientific insights into the ways kinship care can stave off stagnation and loneliness. We'll talk openly about transitioning from struggle to meaning, and how embracing the joys (and the chaos) of your grandchildren revitalizes your mind, body, and legacy.
Join us as we celebrate the mentors, athletes of the soul, who are nurturing through adversity and building a legacy stronger than ever before.
Send us Fan Mail
When we look at the child welfare system today, it’s clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?
Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue.
Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now. 
In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.
We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. 

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Are you a grandparent shouldering the daily stress of raising your grandchildren while quietly navigating your own chronic pain or health challenges? Is the health of the kinship caregiver your top priority? Have you found yourself getting up at 3am to manage family needs, only to realize your own body is running on empty? Do you feel guilty for putting your medical needs last while caring for kids who have experienced trauma—kids who might be battling their own struggles with body image or eating? In this space, we tackle these heavy realities head-on, focusing deeply on the vital connection between Eating Disorders and Kinship Caregiver Health.
You’re doing the heart-work. We’re here to help you lead with love—without losing yourself in the process.
After becoming a kinship caregiver, I learned how easy it is to sacrifice your health for the sake of stability at home. In our community, we rarely talk about how stress, medical trauma, and the demands of caregiving can lead to disordered eating, body image struggles, or emotional burnout. But ignoring our own well-being puts our families at risk—if the kinship CEO crashes, the whole organization feels the fallout.
In this episode, Tamie Gangloff, unpacks how chronic illness and eating disorders intersect—both for grandparents and the kids in our care. We'll share practical steps for self-advocacy with medical providers, tips for re-centering your health in the midst of chaos, and gentle daily reminders that nurture compassion for yourself. For more information about Tamie visit her website and don't forget to download her "medical appointment planning worksheet" here!
Send us Fan Mail
When we look at the child welfare system today, it’s clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?
Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue.
Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now. 
In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.
We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. 

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook