New Podcast Values and Champions Grandparents

“We need to respect boomers,” says Ian Barnett. “They know things, like living through change. They know what it is like to wrestle with doubt, loss of hope and complex family relationships.

“We should value boomers because they are there for us, more than any other generation, such as through the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’.”

Ian, a proud ‘Boomer’ and leader of the National Grandparent Movement, is the voice of Hope 103.2’s new podcast, Grandparenthood.

In an episode titled “Are Boomers to Be Blamed for Everything Wrong Today?” Ian chats with Hope presenter Ben McEachen, about the great generation divide.

He says the “OK Boomer” trend, in which younger generations blame those born in the wake of World War II for any contemporary problem, is problematic.

“You name it: climate change, politics, the Global Financial Crisis, housing affordability, cost of living crisis, electricity prices, [we are blamed],” he said.

“Our parents lived through two wars. We didn’t, so we had so much more,” Ian said. “We are living longer, so our children are not receiving their inheritance as early as we did. Someone has to be blamed for something, so why not us?

“But, it’s not as if, somehow, we all had it easy. There were challenges – marital challenges, work challenges.”

Celebrating The Richness That Boomers Offer

Ian wants to celebrate the lived experiences with which boomers can support and encourage other generations, rather than what he admitted felt like unfair accusations of blame.

“We need every generation, across the board, in every aspect of life, speaking into different generations and helping each other. We cannot do this alone,” he said.

“It has never been how much we have in this life that matters, but how we treat others.”

Ian launched the Grandparenthood podcast after realising few resources existed for grandparents in the pursuit of being the best grandparents they can be.

The podcast explores issues, situations and relationships which impact grandparents. Every episode offers wisdom and practical steps on how to grandparent from a distance, exploring the value of grandparenting, spiritual support and what is distinct about a grandfather and grandmother.

The first episodes of Grandparenthood are available now on hopepodcasts.com.au or on all the major podcast platforms.