Grandkids on Demand: The Origin Story of Papa with Andrew Parker

What started as one grandson helping his Papa has grown into one of the most innovative companies in healthcare today. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Andrew Parker, the founder and CEO of Papa, to explore how a deeply personal family moment sparked a nationwide mission to combat loneliness, support caregivers, and redefine what it means to care for aging adults.

Andrew’s story begins with a need familiar to many families: his grandfather simply needed a little help and a little company. Instead of relying on the traditional caregiving model, Andrew wondered, What if we could make companionship more accessible, more human, and more joyful? That question became the foundation for Papa, a platform connecting older adults with “Papa Pals,” a modern, community-driven approach he perfectly describes as “grandkids on demand.”

In the episode, Andrew walks us through the early days of the idea, how he tested the concept, what he got wrong, and the surprising ways people responded. He opens up about the challenges of building a company in a space where emotional connection matters as much as logistics, as well as the pressure and responsibility that come with serving some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

You’ll hear how Papa navigated fast growth, shifting market conditions, and the complexities of working with major health plans. Andrew also shares what he’s learned about leadership, resilience, and why the “kindness economy” may be the next frontier for healthcare innovation. His insights offer value not only to founders and operators, but to anyone curious about how a mission-driven business can scale without losing its heart.

This episode is a reminder that groundbreaking companies don’t always come from flashy tech or radical disruption, they’re often built from empathy, lived experience, and a desire to solve real problems for real people. Andrew’s journey proves that when you focus on creating meaningful human connections, the impact can reach far beyond what you imagined.

If you’re interested in aging, healthcare innovation, founder stories, or simply love hearing how a small spark can turn into something transformative, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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