The Grand Balance: A Working Grandmas Podcast

Welcome to another enriching episode of The Grand Balance, where hosts dive deep into the financial intricacies faced by working grandmas. In this episode, Sharon and and Angela bring a dose of wisdom by engaging with Samantha Besnoff, an esteemed CPA and the voice behind Your Financial Maven podcast. During this insightful discussion, Samantha shares her journey into podcasting, unveils smart mon...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Sharon and Angela delve into a lively discussion about popular old wives' tales and evaluate their validity with a modern perspective. They also explore the evolution of parenting and grandparenting, discussing how rules and routines have shifted across generations. Tune in for a mix of humor, personal stories, and factual revelations as these grandmas share t...

Welcome to "The Grand Balance," where host grandmas explore the intersection of work, family, and the evolving challenges faced by grandparents. In this episode, Sharon and Angela shed light on the dramatic biological and psychological shifts observed in children over the past three decades. They discuss the early onset of puberty, the impact of body fat, stress, and environmental factors, and why...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon explore the significant financial contributions grandparents make towards their grandchildren, citing studies that reveal both the extent and potential impact on their own retirement savings. They offer practical advice on assessing financial capacity, setting clear boundaries, and prioritizing retirement savings, ensuring that grandparents a...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, hosts Angela and Sharon enjoy a heartfelt discussion with their special guest, Terri, the quintessential "Super Grandma," who manages the dynamic intricacies of caring for six grandchildren. Teri shares her successful strategies for building strong relationships with each grandchild and balancing the distinct needs of her family members. The episode also explo...

Join hosts Sharon and Angela in this engaging episode of The Grand Balance Podcast, where they navigate the joys and challenges of traveling with children. As experienced grandmas, and with the help of a little research, they share insightful tips and personal anecdotes about making family travel stress-free and enjoyable. From packing light and utilizing day rooms, to keeping kids entertained and...

Welcome to another episode of The Grand Balance, where our hosts, two dynamic working grandmas, delve into the world of fitness and nutrition with an exciting guest, Linda Terjesen. Linda, the founder and CEO of LTLTE Inc., shares her journey from being exercise-averse to becoming a passionate health advocate. In this episode, Linda reveals invaluable tips for women over 50, focusing on adopting a...

Join Sharon and Angela as we kick off Season 2 in this engaging episode of ”The Grand Balance”.  Listen in as the Working Grandmas discuss their aspirations for 2025. Explore their insights on setting goals rather than resolutions, with Sharon and Angela unveiling their personal aims: improving health, financial planning, decluttering, and managing the complexities of grandparenting alongside cari...

Welcome to the season one finale of "The Grand Balance" podcast. In this special episode, we introduce you the daughters of hosts Angela and Sharon, who without them the podcast would have never happened.   Hear from the daughters who share heartfelt advice, surprising revelations about parenting, and the special bond that strengthens with each generational layer. Whether you're a new mom, an aspi...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Julie Massey, an experienced pediatrician and first-time grandma. Join us as Julie shares her journey of grandparenting while reflecting on her 25 years of expertise in healthcare. Discover her advice for navigating the challenges of today’s parenting landscape, from picky eaters to developmental milestones. Julie offers a unique lens on family life, providing insig...

In this enlightening episode of "The Grand Balance," hosts Sharon and Angela are joined by special guest Martha Burich, a seasoned child psychology professor and author. Together, they delve into the secrets of effective parenting with insights from Martha's book, Yes, You Can Raise Happy, Responsible Children: Simple Solutions and Real-Life Examples for Successful Parenting. Martha introduces the...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, hosts Angela and Sharon provide tips and experiences preparing for the holidays, including staying healthy during the festive season. They discuss the importance of flexibility and new traditions as family dynamics evolve, and explore creative, non-toy gift ideas that bring joy without the clutter.  In this episode you will also hear an inspiring grandma story...

Join us for the first of this reoccurring segment of the "The Grand Balance," where our hosts respond to listener queries from the Working Grandmas Inbox.  In this episode, the grandmas discuss ideas on entertaining grandkids outside the home to explore fun-filled activities with their grandchildren. They also respond to the tricky question balancing parent requests with the desires of little ones...

In this episode of "The Grand Balance," hosts dive into the inspiring story of giving back by Lori Moore, a dedicated working grandmother from San Diego. Lori shares her journey from organizing community initiatives as a young mother to becoming a pivotal leader at Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary. Her story is one of passion, commitment, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference in her...

In this engaging episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon delve into the demanding world of modern parenting as highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General warning: the increased stress levels faced by today's parents is causing a public health crisis. The hosts explore how intensive parenting, characterized by the need for constant enrichment and engagement with children, has escalated parenta...

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with professional dog trainer Nicole Gossler to explore the crucial topic of dog safety around children. Nicole shares her wealth of knowledge on how to foster a harmonious relationship between pets and kids, emphasizing the importance of understanding canine behavior and body language. Listeners will learn practical tips on how to introduce dogs to childr...

In this episode of "The Grand Balance," hosts Sharon and Angela welcome a special guest, Carrie Whysall, a seasoned cybersecurity leader and a devoted grandma. Carrie shares her inspiring journey of balancing a demanding career in cybersecurity with the joys of being a grandmother.  Carrie opens up about her professional challenges and triumphs, and discusses the growing concerns of cybercrime, pa...

In this enlightening episode of The Grand Balance, we sit down with Sophie Zee, a child development expert, former school psychologist, and doula. Sophie shares her invaluable insights and evidence-based advice on raising children in a screen-free environment. As a mom herself, Sophie offers practical tips and guidance for parents and grandparents looking to foster healthier, more engaged family i...

In this episode, Angela shares an inspiring yet challenging story about balancing her professional life with grand parenting responsibilities. From unexpected travel hurdles to managing health issues, Angela recounts her busy week filled with work commitments and family time. Despite the challenges, she found ways to mix both worlds, even discovering some local gems along the way. The conversation...

In today's episode, we dive into the challenges of juggling different expectations of multiple sets of grandparents wanting to spend time with their grandchildren. Join us as we share personal stories, insights, and tips on ensuring grandchildren develop positive attachments to all their grandparents, no matter the distance. We discuss the matrilineal advantage, the importance of technology in sta...

In this episode, we’re joined by fitness expert Robbin Leopold to discuss how busy grandmas can achieve their fitness goals and make lasting health gains. Robin shares her top tips for establishing realistic goals, incorporating effective exercises into your routine, and using stacking techniques to stay consistent. We also highlight the importance of meditation and stretching at our age for maint...

In this special milestone episode, we recap the first nine episodes of the podcast, sharing key highlights, updates, and the best tips we’ve gathered so far. We’ll revisit some of the most popular topics and dive into listener feedback, addressing the challenges and successes grandmas have shared with us along the way. Whether you’re just joining or have been with us since the start, this episode...

In this episode, we dive into modern parenting styles, discussing how these new trends impact their roles as grandmothers. They reflect on traditional authoritarian and authoritative parenting they experienced, contrast it with today's gentle and child-centered approaches, and share personal anecdotes that highlight the challenges and surprises of grandparenting in today's world. Episode Notes &am...

In this episode, we delve into the treasured gift of time that grandmas give their grandkids, and how it’s often the simplest moments that create the most lasting memories. Whether it’s cooking together in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, or celebrating special moments, these are the activities that kids cherish most. Join us as we celebrate the unique bond between grandmas and their grandchil...

In this episode, we sit down with an accomplished executive grandma, Laura Young-Shehata who shares her unique journey of balancing a demanding career with the joys and challenges of grandparenting eight grandchildren. Having raised all girls herself, she talks about the learning curve of grandparenting boys and discovering how to meet their needs through their love languages. Additionally, she op...