Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time with Brad Ryan 

Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while her grandson Brad Ryan grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they set off on a journey not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes in all 63 US National Parks, but to come to a new understanding between themselves, to learn more about human nature and family. Each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other. Grandma Joy and Me follows Brad Ryan and Grandma Joy’s seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing and reveals the unique bond between a young man and his ninety-three-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park. Don’t miss hearing from Brad and, briefly, from his grandmother, about their travels and this unique travelogue—an emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience. 

Presented in partnership with Boston Public Library

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. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife and public lands. 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.