Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity

• A Grandmother and Grandfather That Are Fighting For Grandparents Rights

  Are you a grandparent who’s suddenly been cut off from your beloved grandchildren, heartbroken and powerless in the face of family conflict or shifting laws? Have you poured years—sometimes decades—of your life, love, and resources into nurturing your grandkids, only to have that sacred bond abruptly severed? You are not alone, and your pain is shared by countless grandparents across the country.I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In each episode, we bring together grandparents, experts, and advocates to navigate the complex legal, emotional, and financial challenges of kinship care. This week, we share the powerful story of Cheri, an Indiana grandmother turned activist, as she transforms grief into a movement for grandparents’ rights. Alongside her husband, Rex, and daughter Brooke, discover the urgent fight to change visitation laws, practical steps you can take to protect your connection with your grandchildren, and resources to empower you wherever you live.We encourage you to please visit and sign the petition to change the Indiana law for grandparents rights, and to print, sign and send this form to your state senator or representative to advocate for grandparents rights in your state.If you’re yearning to be heard, understood, and supported, join our community. TogetSend us a textAs you know, many families operate with less-than-perfect technical supplies and Wi-Fi services. You might notice a few minor audio hiccups in today’s episode, and I apologize for that in advance. But despite the technical difficulties, we felt it was so important to bring this powerful story to you through the power of podcasting. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. 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/grgLiked 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

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• Straight Talk With Love: Addressing Childhood Trauma

  Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren who have experienced trauma, struggling to break cycles of silence and create an emotionally healthy home? Do you worry about how your own childhood wounds impact your family’s well-being? Are you searching for real-world strategies to help your grandchildren heal in a world that feels very different from the one you grew up in?I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode, “Straight Talk with Love – Addressing Childhood Trauma,” we sit down with licensed professional counselor and trauma survivor Stacy Schaffer, author of With Love from a Children’s Therapist. Together, we dive into the transformative power of play, storytelling, and authentic connection as tools to address trauma and foster intergenerational healing. You’ll hear candid stories of resilience, practical conversation starters for building trust, and expert insights on tackling shame, stigma, and the emotional complexities that grandparents and kinship caregivers face. If you want to learn how to recognize hidden pain beneath “shiny” behavior and create a foundation of safety and understanding for the children in your care, this episode is for you. To read more about Stacy and her work, please visit her website.Join our supportive community as we honor your journey, break the silence around childhood trauma, and discover hopeful new ways to nurture your family.Send us a textAs you know, many families operate with less-than-perfect technical supplies and Wi-Fi services. You might notice a few minor audio hiccups in today’s episode, and I apologize for that in advance. But despite the technical difficulties, we felt it was so important to bring this powerful story to you through the power of podcasting. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. 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/grgLiked 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

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• Practical Tools for Grandfamilies Dealing With Hidden Grief

  Are you a grandparent who has stepped up to raise your grandchildren following profound family loss, feeling the weight of multi-layered grief while striving to create a nurturing, stable home? Do you find yourself struggling to support children’s emotional needs while managing your own sorrow and uncertainty? For many grandfamilies, the journey through grief is complex and often misunderstood, leaving caregivers searching for effective, faith-based tools to bring healing and hope.I’m Laura Brazan, and I know firsthand how unexpected loss can change everything. In this episode of “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,” I’m joined by Dr. Jerry Woodbridge—a compassionate grief advocate, educator, and widow—who shares both her powerful personal story and practical, expert guidance on children’s grief. Together, we explore how grief manifests differently in children, subtle warning signs caregivers shouldn’t ignore, and concrete strategies like journaling, creative expression, and building supportive communities rooted in faith.Don't miss watching the trailers for Jerry's new book, "Joy Overcame Sorrow", on her website!Tune in as we provide real-life examples, insightful resources, and encouragement for grandparents shouldering the role of kinship caregiver. Discover how, even in the midst of sorrow, you can help your grandchildren heal and thrive. Join our supportive community and find reassurance that you’re not alone—hope and resilience are possible, one step at a time.Send us a textAs you know, many families operate with less-than-perfect technical supplies and Wi-Fi services. You might notice a few minor audio hiccups in today’s episode, and I apologize for that in advance. But despite the technical difficulties, we felt it was so important to bring this powerful story to you through the power of podcasting. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. 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/grgLiked 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

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• Dyslexia as a Superpower: A New Model for Teaching Kids

  Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild who struggles with reading, writing, or “racing thoughts” that seem impossible to organize? Are you searching for practical answers and genuine hope, exhausted by a school system that just doesn’t get your child’s needs? Do you ever wonder if hidden strengths could be unlocked in your grandchild, turning struggle into a superpower?I’m Laura Brazan, and in this episode of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity, we welcome dyslexia expert Russell Van Broecklin, who redefines dyslexia not as a disability, but as a unique gift of rapid, creative thinking. Russell shares his personal journey overcoming severe dyslexia and reveals a low-cost, science-backed method to help disorganized, speedy brains build confidence and skill as readers and writers. Together, we’ll explore passion-driven learning, easy screening tools for dyslexia, and why focusing on your grandchild’s interests can accelerate their progress and self-esteem.For more information on Russell Van Brocklen and the dyslexia classes, please visit his website. If you think your child or grandchild might be dyslexic, I encourage you to fill out the questionnaire and set up a half hour free consultation with Russell.You’re not alone in this journey. Join our supportive community, access practical resources, and discover how to transform adversity into opportunity for both you and your grandchild.Tune in and reimagine your grandchild’s future—starting today.Send us a textAs you know, many families operate with less-than-perfect technical supplies and Wi-Fi services. You might notice a few minor audio hiccups in today’s episode, and I apologize for that in advance. But despite the technical difficulties, we felt it was so important to bring this powerful story to you through the power of podcasting. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. 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/grgLiked 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

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• Rebuilding Trust and Connection: A Guide to Healing in High-Conflict Divorce

  Are you a grandparent caught in the crossfire of a high-conflict divorce, suddenly responsible for raising traumatized grandchildren? Do you struggle to rebuild trust and connection in a world turned upside down by legal battles and fractured family ties? Are you faced with children who are emotionally shut down, unpredictable, or struggling to regulate their big feelings—while you long for guidance, community, and hope?I’m Laura Brazan, and when my life changed overnight, I learned firsthand how important it is for kinship caregivers to become soothing, predictable anchors for children from broken homes. In Episode 78 of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' I sit down with Dr. David S. Marcus—a clinical psychologist and child advocate with over 40 years’ experience in high-conflict family court—to illuminate the essential steps for healing, trust-building, and resilient family connections.Together, we unpack real stories, expert insights on avoiding the most common mistakes that block communication, and the healing power of consistency. Learn about the transformative “empty out” process, the role of predictability in restoring trust, and practical tips to change the course of your family legacy.To read more about Dr. David Marcus and his work as a please visit his website.Join us and discover how you can nurture emotional security, support your grandchildren’s healing, and rewrite the narrative of your family—one soothing, reliable moment at a time. You’re not alone on this journey. Let’s build a foundation of hope and resilience, together.Send us a textAs you know, many families operate with less-than-perfect technical supplies and Wi-Fi services. You might notice a few minor audio hiccups in today’s episode, and I apologize for that in advance. But despite the technical difficulties, we felt it was so important to bring this powerful story to you through the power of podcasting. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. 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/grgLiked 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

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