Grandma Joy and Me Audiobook By Brad Ryan cover art

Grandma Joy and Me

A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time

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Grandma Joy and Me

By: Brad Ryan
Narrated by: Brad Ryan
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A heartrending, transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan as they embark on a seven-year journey to visit every US National Park.

Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings. Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.

Grandma Joy and Me follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing, wherein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injustices—real and imagined—that had long held them hostage. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, this unique bond between a young man and his ninety-three-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park—is more than just any travel tale; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human. Biographies & Memoirs North America Travel Writing & Commentary Heartfelt National Park Inspiring
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Critic reviews

“A heartfelt memoir… an uplifting tribute to nature and intergenerational healing.”
—Publishers Weekly
"Unfold[s] with the rawness and poignancy of an intergenerational family saga."
—The Age
Emotional Depth • Inspiring Content • Unforgettable Character • Heartwarming Journey • Raw Honesty • Funny Personality

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Just finished Grandma Joy and Me, and I’m still sitting with the beauty of it. There is something profoundly transformative about our national parks. Standing in the middle of vast, quiet landscapes has a way of stripping away everyday noise and putting life into perspective.

If you love the outdoors, heart-centered stories, or just need a gentle reminder that joy and reconnection are possible at any stage of life, highly recommend picking this one up.

Joy & Reconnection

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The beautiful descriptions of Grandma Joy & Brad’s adventures are funny & heartwarming. Brad’s courage to face himself is inspiring and not many do this. So many amazing moments of connections - a story of forgiveness that will make you look at your own life differently!! Get out and experience life like they do!

You will not be able to stop listening!

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Absolutely loved the entirety, of this book! After reading it, I knew I wanted to also listen to Brad‘s voice in the audiobook, I’ll probably listen to it two or three more times this month. I can’t get enough of it. Such inspirations, such emotion, and so much wanting to have the intergenerational love and respect for the world! This book has it all! I want to share my experience of reading this book to everybody I know.!

Phenomenally outstanding!

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Dr Brad Ryan wrote such an amazing book from his collection of notes, photos and videos that he shared as he and his Grandma Joy journeyed across the United States and saw all of the National parks. His descriptions of the beautiful places brought tears to my eyes as I remembered seeing the Badlands, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons for myself. Their journey will have you looking at a map in hopes of getting out on the road yourself. Following their journey has been so fun, LISTENING to Brad read this to us himself is pure gold! He is so funny as he shares Grandma Joy-isms with us, how can you not love them both.
Buy the physical book because you’ll want to hug it, treat yourself to the recorded book because you’ll will feel like you are sitting around a campfire listening to a friend tell an amazing story, and get out and meet them in person if you can while they are on their next journey across all 50 states. They are wonderful people that feel like family and bring a smile to your face and your heart with their spirits.
I cannot wait for Brad to write another book about the “after the book release journey.” I’m praying for Grandma Joy to live well over 100 years old. I will drive to that birthday celebration to hug her again.

Descriptive Journey of our Country & the Healing it brought

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I just finished Grandma Joy and Me and I'm in tears! Happy tears! Thank You to Brad for sharing his and Grandma Joys story. I discovered Brad and Grandma in August of 2021. I can't remember if I saw them on TV or an Instagram suggestion to follow, but I've been hooked ever since! Hopefully Brad will write about exploring all the continents too. I preordered this book and started the day it was made available. Their story will break and warm your heart and make you want to explore and be adventurous. And, I love it when the writer reads their story. Makes it even better!

Fun, Inspiring, Heartwarming!

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