We’re looking forward to introducing you to Grant Merritt. Check out our conversation below.
Grant, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One moment that stands out for me is when I am set up at local markets sharing my book. I go in thinking I am there to talk about a story I wrote, but very quickly it turns into something much bigger. People will open up almost immediately about their own dogs, sometimes ones they have lost, sometimes ones still curled up at home. I have had strangers thank me for writing the book, share photos on their phones, hug me with tears in their eyes, and tell me stories they have not talked about in a long time.
Those moments make me feel proud in a quiet way. It reminds me that the book is doing what I hoped it would do, which is create a safe space for connection. It also makes me laugh sometimes how quickly a simple conversation about a dog can turn into something so heartfelt. I always leave those days feeling grateful and reminded of how powerful shared stories can be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Grant Merritt and I am an author and storyteller based in Los Angeles. I recently published a children’s picture book called A Puppy’s Tale, which is inspired by my own dog, Achilles. The story centers on the bond between a boy and his puppy and explores themes of love, growing up, and loss in a gentle and age appropriate way.
What makes the book special to me is how personal it is. I wrote it while navigating grief after losing Achilles, and the process helped me turn something painful into something meaningful. Since releasing the book, I have had the opportunity to share it directly with families through local events, school visits, and community markets, where it has sparked conversations and connections I never expected.
At the heart of everything I do is a love for storytelling that brings people together. I am grateful to continue growing this work, connecting with readers, and exploring where these stories can go next.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father probably taught me the most about work. He believed in structure and accountability, and while he could be tough at times, it came from a place of wanting to prepare me for the real world. I did not always appreciate it in the moment, but with time, I have come to see how much it shaped me.
He flipped homes when I was growing up and I spent a lot of time working alongside him. That meant real, hands on labor like chipping tile, pulling up carpet, or power washing roofs. It was not glamorous work, but it taught me the value of showing up, finishing what you start, and taking pride in effort.
He also believed that work was something you earned, and he usually paid me for my time unless I was grounded, in which case he found a way to get the work out of me anyway. I can laugh about that now. Those experiences stayed with me and continue to influence how I approach everything I do today.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think that shift began in 2013 when I started studying the Meisner technique in Austin under Laurel Vouvray. For the first time, I was encouraged not to hide parts of myself, but to actually bring them into the work. I learned that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a form of strength, and that being present and honest can be more powerful than trying to appear put together or unaffected.
That experience changed how I relate to pain and difficulty. Instead of pushing things down or trying to move past them too quickly, I began to see value in sitting with emotions and allowing them to inform my creative choices. It helped me become more open, more empathetic, and more connected to the people around me.
Over time, that mindset carried beyond acting and into my writing and everyday life. I stopped seeing painful experiences as something to hide and started seeing them as something that could be transformed into connection, understanding, and meaningful work.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my brother in law, Gary. He has been a steady presence in my life since I was about seven years old, after he married my older sister, and he naturally took on the role of a big brother to me. His character and integrity have always stood out, not in loud ways, but in how consistently he shows up for the people around him.
He is a great husband, father, uncle, friend, and now a grandfather, and he carries all of those roles with the same sense of care and responsibility. He is the kind of person who will give you honest advice, offer help without being asked, and follow through when it matters.
Growing up, I looked up to him not because of anything he claimed to be, but because of how he lived. Watching him over the years taught me the importance of showing up, treating people well, and leading by example, lessons that have stayed with me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I think I could, and in many ways I already have. Some of the most meaningful work in my life has happened quietly, without immediate feedback or recognition. I have learned that doing something with care and intention matters even if no one is watching or applauding.
For me, giving my best is less about being noticed and more about honoring the work itself. If I know I showed up honestly, stayed disciplined, and did the work the right way, that has to be enough. That mindset has helped me keep going during seasons where progress feels slow and uncertain.
That said, I will admit it is still nice when praise does come. I am human after all. But I have learned not to wait for it, and not to let the absence of it stop me from doing the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.apuppystalebook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apuppystalebook/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-merritt-79a70756/
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7XHYYGD
