Grandma Joy and Me

A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time

Read by Brad Ryan
LIST PRICE $26.99

About The Book

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.

Appearances

JUL 11
2:00PM
In Person

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Carmichael's Book Store
1435 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206
JUL 21
7:00PM
In Person

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Annie Bloom's Books
7834 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
JUL 28
7:00PM
In Person

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Bexley Public Library
2411 E Main St
Columbus, OH 43209
AUG 1
10:00AM
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Woven Words Bookshop
843 N Cleveland Massillon Rd
Akron, OH 44333
AUG 13
7:00PM
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Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
AUG 18
6:30PM
In Person

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Trident Booksellers & Cafe
940 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
AUG 22
12:00AM
In Person

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University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park Way
San Diego, CA 92110

About The Author

Brad Ryan

Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, and writer from southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University in Ohio, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and a DVM/MPH combined degree from The Ohio State University, specializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health. For Brad, storytelling is a vehicle for healing—rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife and public lands. Follow him on Instagram @GrandmaJoysRoadTrip and @DoctorBradRyan.

About The Reader

Brad Ryan

Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, and writer from southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University in Ohio, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and a DVM/MPH combined degree from The Ohio State University, specializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health. For Brad, storytelling is a vehicle for healing—rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife and public lands. Follow him on Instagram @GrandmaJoysRoadTrip and @DoctorBradRyan.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (June 16, 2026)
  • Runtime: 9 hours and 38 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781668137604

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Raves and Reviews

“A heartfelt memoir… an uplifting tribute to nature and intergenerational healing.”
Publishers Weekly

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