This Grit & Grace Life Podcast

This Grit and Grace Life hosts, Darlene Brock and Julie (Graham) Bender cross generational lines and draw from life experience to discuss all things life—from the boardroom to the bedroom, car-lines to college, being single, married, or single again. Combining the two traits found in all women, grit and grace, they laugh, share insights and explore the road taken to find strength every day.

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Why Moms Love Evereve, a Unique Fashion Experience – 053

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe’re having a party! On August 21 at the Evereve store, a contemporary fashion and styling company for women in Franklin, Tennessee, we are celebrating the release of Darlene’s new book Raising Great Girls! Combining Evereve, which provides a unique shopping experience for moms who want to feel good about themselves, with a book about moms raising confident and capable daughters felt like the perfect fit. To give you a little preview of what you will experience at this event, Darlene and Julie brought in two special ladies from the Evereve store, stylist Dorena Williamson, and store manager Shelley Kirkman, to chat about how moms […]

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Practical Ways Women Can Thrive in the Workplace – 052

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDid you know that the majority of women in America today are in the workplace? Of course, you did; you’re probably one of them. Something you may not know is, there’s a difference between how the genders approach challenges at work. How can we thrive as women in the workplace? What does it look like when we apply both grit and grace? With these thoughts in mind, Darlene and Julie discuss the common issues we face in our jobs, as well as, how to find the balance between work and home life. They share laughs over their least and most favorite jobs and admit their

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

This Is What Every Mom Needs for Back to School – 051

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreSuddenly summer ends. Faced with the start of the new school year, relief and anxiety collide as the transition begins. Your to-do list multiplies with shopping, meetings, reprioritizing your schedule, and dealing with the stress of your student(s) entering a new classroom. How can you handle it all without losing your mind? Darlene and Julie talk about saving money on back-to-school necessities, how to talk to your kids about the emotional changes they’ll face, and even give you some ideas on caring for yourself during this often stressful change of seasons. Know this: you’ve got the grit and grace for this, mom! Listen as you

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

A Therapist’s Practical Advice for Blended Families with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 050

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreSince nearly 50% of new marriages are remarriages, it should come as no surprise that many women are blending families. It doesn’t take long after making those marriage vows to discover combining families can be complicated. It can also be beautiful. How? We brought in our most reliable expert, psychotherapist, and relationship counselor, Dr. Zoe, to share a balanced and a realistic view of how to blend these separate families into one unit with equal parts grit and grace. Darlene (married mom of two adult daughters) and Julie (widowed single mom) ask the often searched for questions that are frequently found at The Grit and

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Hardship Hit This Singer’s Life and She Chose to Fight! with Cameron James Pt. 2 – 049

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreCameron James’ moving story of hardship and hope continues in this second installment. She first joined us on episode 048 when she shared her heartbreaking and inspiring journey of learning about her daughter’s ultra-rare disease. In part 2, she discusses the next season. As life became manageable and her daughter made progress (which seemed so unlikely when first diagnosed), she once again found herself in an all-out war with her husband in the crosshairs. This war led to her standing in Washington, D.C., passionately pleading with politicians and lobbying for a change. Listen to her open up to Darlene and Julie about the rest of

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Hardship Hit This Singer’s Life and She Chose to Fight! with Cameron James Pt. 1 – 048

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreHave you ever experienced hardships that felt insurmountable? Have you been tested on every side, not even sure you would survive? Our guest has been there. A few times. Singer/songwriter and mom of two, Cameron James, shares her moving story that began the day she discovered her daughter had an extremely rare disease. In this episode, she recounts her journey from devastation to hope and belief that miracles can still happen even in the midst of fear. James has learned to keep fighting, even with odds stacked against her. This episode is only part 1 of her heart wrenching story. Listen to her gripping interview

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Miss Independent: Can You Be Healthy, Strong and Dependent? – 047

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWhat does it mean to be an independent woman? Is this description only for the single, carefree women with no man or children in tow? Or does every woman need to master self-sufficiency in all our relationships? Whether we are a girlfriend, wife, or mother, it’s essential to be able to stand on our own as well as mastering healthy dependence. In this episode, Darlene and Julie reflect on culture’s definition of Miss Independent and The Grit and Grace Project’s take on being healthy, strong and dependent enough to be genuinely independent. We’re convinced we can balance it all with grit and grace. Viewing in

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

A Fresh Take on Resolutions You Need to Try – 046

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWith half of the year already behind us, we’re wondering how you’ve done with all those New Year’s resolutions? Did you keep one, two, or any? Yeah, same here… Statistically, only 8% of us ever do. So, let’s all breathe a collective sigh of relief and remember that we care about progress, not perfection, and always—give ourselves a little bit of grace! But let’s not entirely leave resolutions behind; let’s apply a little grit and see if we can think of a few ways to maximize the rest of this year. In this episode, Darlene and Julie reflect on the ones they did or didn’t

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Stop the Mommy Wars: Every Mom Is Doing Something Right – 045

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreMoms want to put a label on everything, including themselves. Are you a crunchy mom? Free-range mom? Do you practice attachment parenting or grace-based? What do these even mean? In this episode, Darlene (who raised her daughters a couple decades ago) and Julie (in the thick of it now) poke fun at themselves as they try to figure out what their styles would be called while they highlight the great parts of each style discussed. But no judgement here—we believe all moms are doing the best they can and deserve to be encouraged to find their own grit and grace along their motherhood journey. Viewing

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Skillet’s Jen Ledger Shares Her Faith, Her Fear and Her Strength – 044

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWhat happens when an incredible opportunity comes your way? Fear? Anxiety? Belief that you aren’t qualified? Well, you’re not alone; that is precisely where today’s guest found herself. Drummer, Jen Ledger, joined the multi-platinum, world-touring rock band, Skillet, at 18 years of age, all the while struggling with feelings that she didn’t have what it takes. Now a decade later, she’s facing her fears again with the release of her first solo EP “Ledger.” In this episode, Jen shares how her fear can derail her, bringing anxiety and panic along with it. Yet, it is in her faith that she finds strength. Whether you’re facing

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

What Makes a Woman Beautiful (Might Surprise You) – 043

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More It’s amazing what women will do to feel beautiful. From crazy beauty tricks through time to what truly sets a woman apart, we have all gotten caught in the trap. There’s a multi-billion dollar industry thriving on our desire to be attractive. The products we “need” fill our drawers but are soon discarded for the next must-have to get just the right look. In this episode, Darlene and Julie will discuss hilarious beauty hacks from the past (and ones we still try today), then dive deeper into a woman’s real beauty. Often it is the outer beauty that is first noticed, and of course,

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Vacation Ideas: Why We Want to See These Unique Places Now – 042

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWhat’s your plan for summer vacation? Are you looking for unusual or exotic destinations, or ways to make whatever trip you’re planning a little less painful? This week we discuss them all. From crazy must-see vacation spots across America to Darlene and Julie getting a little carried away as they ponder where they’d want to go, ”if money were no object!” Whether you’re planning a road trip, staycation or dream vacay with your people anytime soon, you’ll love this lighthearted chat. Of course, we can’t leave you without throwing in some practical tips for packing and traveling with less stress while sharing a few funny

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Do You Have to Be a Feminist to Be a Strong Woman? – 041

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreEach week we celebrate what we believe—women are strong, it’s demonstrated in who we are and all we do. But it seems in the current culture a woman’s strength is often considered synonymous with feminism. In the midst of the potentially confusing platforms we just have to explore this topic. What is a feminist today, anyway? Is there value in the movement, what have we learned from it and where do we go next? Has feminism lost the respect for and appreciation of the strength of a man? This week we are discussing what it means to be a strong woman and a feminist in

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

5 Things a Woman Must Do for Success in Life – 040

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDo you have a purpose in your life? Or avoid the subject because you feel that you don’t? Women who are living this #gritandgracelife can accomplish so many things, but we are often set back by fear or worry, or we compare ourselves to others. In this episode, Julie explores Darlene’s life journey. Sharing five life tips that she followed to get where she is now: having several successful careers, a rich multi-decade marriage, as well as launching two grown daughters into fulfilling lives of their own. If you’re at a crossroads, struggling with your next step, or seeking to discover a passion that is

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Dear Mom! Be Encouraged on Mother’s Day (and Beyond) – 039

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreMommin’ ain’t easy, friends! The days can be long while the years are incredibly short. There may be days you feel like you’re not doing it “right” (really, who is?). Or that you’re the reason your kid(s) are going to be messed up (not true!). Just give us a few minutes to remind you that you’re not alone and you are without a doubt, doing it well. Darlene shares insight as a mom of two grown daughters while Julie, recently a single mom, confesses some of her mom guilt. We also take some time to talk about the annual celebration of Mother’s Day. You may

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Funny Things Women Say (and What They Really Mean) – 038

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreHave you noticed that sometimes women say one thing and mean another? At least, your co-hosts do! We’re decoding some pop-culture phrases (filling you in on where they came from) and poking fun at the way we can completely confuse the opposite gender with our “womenspeak.” As you may have noticed, our own Julie Graham has her well-used catch-phrases. So, in this episode, Darlene adds to the “what we say” conversation by asking her to share her top 5 personal mantras and how you can apply them to your grit and grace life! This one has lots of laughs, and a few vulnerable moments too!

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Single? How to Thrive in the Online Dating World with Kristin Fry – 037

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAre you navigating the single scene? Do your emotions range from fear to embarrassment at the thought of trying online dating? Author of the book “Beyond the Swipe,” Kristin Fry joins Darlene (married for a million years, her words) and Julie (a newly single widow after her 15-year relationship) to discuss navigating the digital dating waters in an honorable way. In a warm, conversational style, Fry’s book tackles a broad range of topics from evaluating profiles to first dates to maintaining healthy peer friendships even while dating. In this episode, the three engage in enlightening, encouraging and entertaining girl talk about the single scene today.

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