Podcast

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Faith, Hope and Love: They’re All We Need – 229

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreThis week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss what faith, hope, and love should look like when played out in our lives. You’ll learn how they each decided to pursue faith; how we should pour out love and gratitude back to God through the work we do and how we carry ourselves; how faith fulfills our ability to hope, which sustains us during hard times and reminds us of what’s good in a world that feels scary and messy; why we’re called to love others (even those who don’t love us back) and how to show it. Any one of these tenets—or perhaps all three—may feel complicated […]

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Strong Women Are Stronger Together—Here’s How You Can Help – 228

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDid you know that this podcast and its adjoining website, Grit and Grace Life, are run entirely by donations? That’s right—we’re not your typical media outlet! The Grit and Grace Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by generous individuals who believe in our mission to inform and encourage women in their life journey. We believe women can prepare for every facet of life—from motherhood, work and health to purpose, relationships, and faith—by learning from those who have walked those paths before them. The articles on our site are a treasure trove of wisdom from our global collective of writers who want to give other women a leg

Strong Women Are Stronger Together—Here’s How You Can Help – 228 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

My Alopecia Diagnosis Changed My View on Real Beauty with Ashley Johnson – 227

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe’ve all heard the adage “Beauty is more than skin deep,” but do you believe it? It doesn’t take more than five minutes scrolling Instagram or wandering the magazine newsstands to realize that the media—and, by extension, our culture—is saturated with images depicting luscious hair, dewy skin and trim figures. We live in a society that clamors for beauty, and because of that, it’s hard to escape our own concerns over our self-image. In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down with Grit and Grace Life‘s Managing Editor, Ashley Johnson, to talk about real beauty. Over a decade ago, Ashley was diagnosed with alopecia areata,

My Alopecia Diagnosis Changed My View on Real Beauty with Ashley Johnson – 227 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Julie and Dar’s Christmas Gift Guide – 226

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More It’s officially the holiday season, and we already know what’s lingering in the back of your mind—shopping for gifts. Gift-giving can be such a joyful exchange when your loved one has been casually dropping hints all year long, but what about the folks who keep mum? This is where Darlene Brock and Julie Bender come in to save the (holi-) day. In this episode, the Grit and Grace Life co-hosts present a robust Christmas gift guide with more than 25 fresh ideas for every person on your list. Submitted by the team of writers at Grit and Grace Life, the items in this gift guide are

Julie and Dar’s Christmas Gift Guide – 226 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

9 Principles to Build a Strong Marriage (Even Through the Storms) – 225

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreEvery couple that says “I do” desires—and anticipates—a marriage bursting at the seams with love, respect and friendship. But that only happens when each partner is willing to put in the work to get there. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack 9 guidelines that every couple can use to build a strong marriage, whether they’ve been together for decades or just recently exchanged vows. Darlene and Julie share common marital misconceptions; the actions and behaviors that contributed to the longevity of their personal partnerships; how to have healthy arguments and disagreements; and other tips for blending two imperfect

9 Principles to Build a Strong Marriage (Even Through the Storms) – 225 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Are You Afraid to Speak Up When Others Disagree? – 224

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreIt seems as though 2020 was the impetus for division and global tensions: racial, political, health-related and more. We were faced with an unprecedented virus, and a reckoning with racial injustices that paved the way for more open-minded discussions and understanding. And yet, the uncomfortable weight of not knowing the right thing to say—or saying the wrong thing—hasn’t quite lifted. Political correctness reigns supreme and cancel culture is still a very real threat. So what do we do when we’re afraid to speak up? Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack this worry and how to overcome the paralysis as women of faith. They also offer practical mindset

Are You Afraid to Speak Up When Others Disagree? – 224 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Life Behind the Mic with Julie and Dar – 223

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWish you could go back in time and do something differently? We all do! Unfortunately, until time machines are manufactured, we can’t do anything about the past but reflect—and that’s often where we learn the most about who we are and where we want to go from here. This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender reunite after several months apart to catch up, swap stories about life behind the mic, and share wisdom they’ve gleaned over the last few years. In an inspiring display of vulnerability, the duo look back at moments in their lives that they wish they’d approached differently: everything from fashion choices and what

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Become a Strong Woman While Making These 8 Pit Stops – 222

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWant to become a strong woman? It may come as a surprise that embarking on this path has more to do with leaning into your vulnerabilities and weaknesses—not the areas you excel in. In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss 8 ways that you can begin your journey to becoming a strong woman, even as life’s challenges continue. Among these, you’ll learn the importance of talking less; why lowering the bar for yourself and others can actually be a good thing; and why choosing to become a strong woman is a decision that must be made daily. Quote of the episode: “Ultimately, strength comes from

Become a Strong Woman While Making These 8 Pit Stops – 222 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

If You Feel Alone as a Single Mom, Listen to This with Kim Breuninger – 221

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreBeing a single mom is challenging, and many times, moms enter this season of life unexpectedly. This was the case for Grit and Grace Life writer Kim Breuninger, who struggled with feeling responsible for her first husband’s happiness as a young married couple with three children. Disagreements weren’t uncommon as Kim tried to find a balance between being an honorable wife and making sacrifices she never expected. Then, during dinner on the night of their 10th anniversary, her husband dropped a bomb that shattered their marriage and suddenly left Kim a single mom. In this podcast episode, Kim sits down with Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to

If You Feel Alone as a Single Mom, Listen to This with Kim Breuninger – 221 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Get Ready to Break Free of Self-Doubt and Shame – 220

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWould you say you’re confident? Or would it be more accurate to say that you experience flickers of self-doubt now and again? If you said the latter, you’re not alone. This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the plague of self-doubt and shame we face as women, and how we get caught in the trap of comparison. They break down the most common areas we struggle with, including feeling too old; feeling too young; wondering if we’re good enough; feeling burdened by our pasts; and more, and share ways to identify your strengths (rather than focus on your perceived weaknesses). If you’re looking to break free

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Your Back to School Strategy: Life Lessons and Daily Hacks – 219

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreJust like that, summer is wrapping up and the next school year is around the corner. As a mom, maybe you’re breathing a sigh of relief, knowing you’ll gain a few hours back in the day where you won’t be pestered (we get it!). Or maybe you’re a bit apprehensive—you don’t know what’s in the curriculum this year, whether your child will get along with their teacher, or what they’ll hear from other students. No matter which feeling you identify with, this episode of This Grit and Grace Life will help you feel more at ease in the new school year. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat

Your Back to School Strategy: Life Lessons and Daily Hacks – 219 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

From Living on the Streets to Finding Redemption with Laila Schell – 218

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreYour circumstances don’t define you. Take it from this week’s podcast guest, Laila Schell, whose upbringing was anything but conventional. In this raw narration of her life story, Laila shares how she grew up poverty-stricken, bouncing between family homes and foster care and feeling the sting of rejection from her parents. Living on the street, Laila struggled with drugs and discovered she was pregnant. Her life seemed hopeless until one unexpected moment of deliverance changed everything. Now, Laila sees the beauty of leading an imperfect life—recognizing our past doesn’t define us. It only points back to God’s ability to pull us from our deepest despair and guide

From Living on the Streets to Finding Redemption with Laila Schell – 218 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

It’s Independence Day—Are You an Independent Woman? – 217

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreHappy 4th of July! While we’re celebrating our nation’s independence and the individual freedoms over backyard cookouts and late-night fireworks, we also can’t help but wonder: What does it look like to be an independent woman? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack the characteristics of an independent woman. They also discuss the importance of identifying your value outside of your job title or relationship status and, most importantly, how to channel confidence and find contentment in who you are. The independent woman is one who makes a difference because she knows what she brings to the table. Is

It’s Independence Day—Are You an Independent Woman? – 217 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

You Can Get to Where You Want to Be with Mignon Francois – 216

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreHardly anything is impossible. Take it from Mignon François—a speaker, entrepreneur and owner of The Cupcake Collection, a specialty cupcake business that ships nationwide—who, only a few years ago, found herself with only $5 in hand to feed her family as a single mom. On this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat with Mignon on how to get to where you want to be in life, and the ability to be resourceful even when it seems all the odds are against you. Mignon shares her unexpected journey from living paycheck to paycheck to investing seed money that would eventually turn

You Can Get to Where You Want to Be with Mignon Francois – 216 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

How Do We Embrace Truth in a Radically Shifting Culture? – 215

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe’re witnessing radical changes in our culture. Topics ranging from gender identity and sexual boundaries to living “your truth” are making both headlines and appearances in our daily life. And many times, these issues run counter to what we believe as women of faith. So how do we adapt to a shifting culture and still pursue what we know to be true? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the ways that traditional values and the understanding of what’s right or wrong have changed over the years, touching on topics like casual sex and family dynamics. They also share

How Do We Embrace Truth in a Radically Shifting Culture? – 215 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Is Your Man a Keeper? Here’s How to Be Sure – 214

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAre you dating someone or looking to date? Regardless of where you might be in those two categories, it’s never too late to evaluate whether your potential life partner is a keeper. In this podcast episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender outline what characteristics you need to look out for—both the red flags and the green flags—so you can quickly identify whether your man is a keeper, or someone who should see the door. Quote of the episode: “If we want to be a keeper, we need to have the same attributes we’re looking for in them.” —Darlene Brock Resources Mentions:

Is Your Man a Keeper? Here’s How to Be Sure – 214 Read More »

This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Ready to Unpack the Baggage in Your Marriage? with Rachel Hagstrom – 213

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe often hear that marriage is work—once the honeymoon phase is over, of course. And it’s true; marriage does require some adjustments and compromises. But what about the things that happened before marriage? The situations that may have taken place years ago, but the repercussions of which are still creeping into your union? Co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender are joined by Grit and Grace Life writer Rachel Hagstrom to talk about how to unpack the baggage in your marriage. Both Rachel and her husband experienced separate traumatic events that slowly began chipping away at the foundation of their union. In this episode, she speaks to the

Ready to Unpack the Baggage in Your Marriage? with Rachel Hagstrom – 213 Read More »

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