Grandmothers: The Silent Forces Behind Every Generation
In this week’s episode — Ep. 230 Grandmothers, Silent Forces Behind Every Generation with Haidy Leal — we explore a theme that feels familiar yet carries remarkable depth: the influence of grandmothers across time. Far beyond being comforting figures or keepers of family recipes, studies in epigenetics suggest that their experiences, joys, and traumas may ripple into future generations. These inherited imprints can shape resilience, stress responses, and even behaviors, reminding us that our lives are intertwined with stories lived long before we were born.
According to science, grandmothers have more influence in us than our own parents
Women also tend to live longer than men, making them the primary carriers of family history, wisdom, and traditions. Evolutionary biology reinforces their significance through the “grandmother hypothesis,” which proposes that post-menopausal women increase the survival of their grandchildren through care, knowledge, and support. Yet, despite their profound impact on cultural identity and generational continuity, older women remain underrepresented in media and cultural narratives — as if their power fades with age when, in truth, it often becomes stronger and more essential.
My friend Haidy’s great great-grandma had dinner with Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House
Our conversation with Haidy Leal also touches on the modern challenges grandmothers face today. In the United States, nearly one in four adults over 65 reports feeling socially isolated, a condition linked to higher risks of depression and cognitive decline. This reality urges us to rethink how we include and support our elders, especially the women who have quietly held families together for decades. Loneliness is often invisible, but its consequences are not — and addressing it is part of honoring the generations that shaped us.
Finally, we highlight the emotional power of intergenerational storytelling, a practice shown to strengthen family bonds and enhance emotional well-being, particularly between grandchildren and grandmothers. Every story becomes a bridge, reminding us of where we come from and helping us imagine where we’re going. And as we share in this episode — including a special Toyota Tundra segment — recognizing grandmothers as silent forces doesn’t just honor their legacy; it teaches us to move through life with deeper connection, greater purpose, and a stronger sense of belonging. Understanding our grandmothers is, in many ways, understanding ourselves.
I’m really excited to share with you that this episode is brought to you by Toyota Tundra — a truck I absolutely love and actually drive myself. Toyota launched a beautiful campaign called Abuelita’s Food Truck, and with a Tundra in tow they brought a food truck filled with “abuelitas’” traditional cooking to different neighborhoods across Texas. More than just towing a food truck, the campaign was about carrying forward the heritage and culture of our grandmothers — their recipes, their love, and their legacy.
I had the privilege of attending their event in San Antonio, where I met the wonderful Aurora, who delighted us with her handmade tamales. In this episode, I share more about that experience and include an interview with Aurora herself.
For more information about the campaign and its mission, visit this link — and if you’re interested, don’t forget to check it out for full details: Toyota’s “Llevando Tradición” campaign ❤️
