This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

“Why, God?” Finding Hope when Faith Is Battered – 188

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAs women of faith, it’s not unusual or uncommon to have seasons where we question God. Whether we’re experiencing disappointment or grief or we feel utterly broken, the first words to escape us are “Why God?” and “Why do bad things happen to good people?” In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender talk about the times we live with battered faith and a diminishing loss of hope in the God we serve. They draw countless examples of men and women from the Bible who doubted God, struggled with their faith, and yet still came out on the other end with a restored heart. During the […]

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Motherhood: Struggle Bus or Joy Ride? Or Is it Both? – 187

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreSociety is quick to point out the challenges of motherhood. We see it in the “Mommy needs wine” shirts at Target and read about the seemingly endless struggles from other moms on social media. We don’t deny that motherhood comes with its share of hard times, but with the difficult seasons come the rewarding ones, too. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down this week to talk about the beauty of being a mom—from the privilege of shaping a little one’s views and raising them with the potential to positively impact the world, to enjoying life from a child’s perspective and all of the other little gems

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How Do I Begin to Heal from Past Emotional Hurt? with Elizabeth Bristol -186

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MorePart of growing older—and being human—is learning how to recognize and manage our emotions in a healthy way. Our emotions have the power to help us grow, but they can also hold us back, especially when we’ve been hurt by others in the past. Elizabeth Bristol joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on this week’s podcast episode to share how she overcame her past emotional hurt. Elizabeth dealt with heartache and traumatic situations, including rape and drug use. After years of feeling stagnant in her pain, God prompted her to write down her story. It was only after she faced the pain of her past head-on and

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Do Conversations about Race Have to Divide or Can They Unite? with Torrie Sorge – 185

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreIs there a correct way to talk about race? Biracial speaker and writer Torrie Sorge helps unpack that question. The world is now striving more than ever to recognize the unique qualities and contributions of different ethnic groups and push uncomfortable conversations about race into the open. For many, this can be an unfamiliar subject, and one that leaves many questions as we work to come to a place of deeper understanding and respect for those who have led very different lives than us. But we certainly can’t charge into these conversations blindly. Torrie joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to discuss how to talk about race.

Do Conversations about Race Have to Divide or Can They Unite? with Torrie Sorge – 185 Read More »

What Does Optimism Bring to a Woman’s Life? – 184

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Life & Culture, Purpose

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe often hear about “the power of positivity,” and while it may sound like we’re looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, we believe that an attitude of optimism can actually serve us well. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down to chat about a woman’s inherent optimistic spirit, and how it leads us to push beyond what we thought was possible. They discuss what healthy optimism looks like in each area of our lives, through motherhood, relationships, faith and our purpose; when to pair it with realism; and how it can benefit those around us. Even now as the world looks a little murky, we know

What Does Optimism Bring to a Woman’s Life? – 184 Read More »

What Are the 6 Characteristics of a Strong Woman? with Leadership Expert Jenni Catron – 183

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Life & Culture

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWhat does it mean to be a strong woman? Beyond the literal definition, a strong woman exemplifies leadership qualities in every area of her life—namely, in the way she influences those around her. Leadership expert and CEO Jenni Catron joined Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to share the six characteristics you may not even know you have that make you strong. You’ll be surprised to learn that often, the biggest obstacle standing in the way of our potential for growth and impact is ourselves. One of the most critical traits of a strong woman is self-awareness; only when we take a personal temperature check can we clearly

What Are the 6 Characteristics of a Strong Woman? with Leadership Expert Jenni Catron – 183 Read More »

How Can I Connect and Communicate with My Teenager Better? with Jerusha Clark – 182

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Motherhood

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAre your teenagers driving you crazy? Are there days when you wonder who replaced your sweet, small child with a taller, sarcastic stranger? Handling the attitudes and emotions—and, sometimes, the whereabouts—of teens can be a daunting task, and one that a lot of first-time parents of teens aren’t prepared for. While seeing your child blossom into a young adult can be insightful and rewarding, it can also be painful to witness the more difficult changes and crises that can often accompany this stage of life. Bestselling author and speaker Jerusha Clark sits down with Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to chat about how parents can navigate this

How Can I Connect and Communicate with My Teenager Better? with Jerusha Clark – 182 Read More »

Living the Single Life: How to Love It – 181

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe live in a culture that puts a lot of emphasis on romantic relationships. If we’re not dating or married, people assume that something must be wrong or we haven’t found the right person yet. But the truth is, being single (or not) is just simply where one may be in life. It does not define you. And for those who like to arrange dates for their single friends: just because they’re single doesn’t mean they’re available! Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down to unpack both the challenges and strengths of singlehood. They discuss the inherent value of being single, how to shed societal expectations, and

Living the Single Life: How to Love It – 181 Read More »

Why Hasn’t Your Boyfriend Proposed Or Set the Date? with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 180

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAt Grit and Grace Life, we receive a ton of questions from women who are at a crossroads: They’re in a relationship with a man who didn’t propose, or seems to be dragging his feet when it comes to getting engaged or married. Because another holiday season and Valentine’s Day has passed and there are some women who didn’t get the proposal they were hoping for, we’ve decided to bring back a classic podcast episode. Dr. Zoe Shaw joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to share her insight and provide some guidance for women who are wondering if it’s time to walk away from their relationships. Dr.

Why Hasn’t Your Boyfriend Proposed Or Set the Date? with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 180 Read More »

Should I Keep Waiting For The Right Man? Rebecca St. James Shares Her Story – 179

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreEvery woman wants to find the right man, but finding your forever-after prince isn’t always so clear cut. We wonder whether he’s out there, how long it’ll take to find him, and if we’ll even recognize him when the moment arrives. We can even get so frustrated with the wait that we might be tempted to settle for a good man, but not the right man. But is it worth waiting for the right one? According to Christian singer and songwriter Rebecca St. James, it definitely is. She joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to chat about her own dating

Should I Keep Waiting For The Right Man? Rebecca St. James Shares Her Story – 179 Read More »

How Do I Build a Healthy Marriage? – 178

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Relationships

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreFor those who are single or dating, marriage might be seen as the answer, or the end-all be-all for wholeness and happiness. While marriage can certainly offer those things, it is so much more: it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship that requires commitment and a whole lot of work. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender get together to discuss the art of building a happy and healthy marriage through important principles like communication, open-mindedness, overcoming conflict and more. This episode isn’t just meant for those who’ve already exchanged vows—if marriage is something you see on the horizon, you’ll want to soak up this tried-and-true advice. Quote of

How Do I Build a Healthy Marriage? – 178 Read More »

How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Motherhood

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More Today’s culture is experiencing a shift that often runs counter to biblical beliefs. As parents and women of faith, this can create challenges we weren’t anticipating. When added to normal parenting duties, this shift can leave us feeling fearful or anxious toward the future our kids will grow up in. Dr. Jim Denison joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to discuss how parents of faith can raise their kids confidently in an age where the culture deems biblical values oppressive and outdated. He also shares what parents can pray for, and how they can practically prepare their children to

How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177 Read More »

Ready to Overcome Disappointment? Here’s How with Baylor Wilson – 176

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More Disappointment hurts! Especially when what disappointed you was something you’d been working towards or anticipating for a long time. So how can we come to terms with being let down? Country artist Baylor Wilson joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to share her own run-in with disappointment. After a door closed in her life, Baylor sat in the pain of rejection and grief before realizing her worth and the possibilities that awaited her after being redirected. A chance encounter following her disappointment led Baylor to a career she loves and opportunities she previously never would have expected. When life

Ready to Overcome Disappointment? Here’s How with Baylor Wilson – 176 Read More »

What Do I Need to Know to Begin My Weight Loss Journey? with Sharyn Saftler – 175

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Life & Culture

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreOne of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to prioritize our health or lose weight. But diets and exercise can not only be frustrating—they can be ineffective if they’re not right for our body. Registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor Sharyn Saftler joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on this week’s podcast episode to break down what true, healthy weight loss looks like. She discusses what the end goal might be for the individual; how to overcome shame from past failed diets; what foods and exercises are conducive to healthy weight loss; and how to cultivate respect for our bodies. Sharyn also dives into an

What Do I Need to Know to Begin My Weight Loss Journey? with Sharyn Saftler – 175 Read More »

This Is What We Want for You In 2022! – 174

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Life & Culture

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWe finally made it to 2022! It seems like a feat, especially after the events of the last two years. So you might be a little apprehensive about what’s in store for the next 12 months. In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat about what they’ve learned since the start of 2021, as well as 5 ways that we can intentionally shape our thoughts and actions to pave the path for a more peaceful, satisfying year. We hope you walk away from this episode with a feeling of control and anticipation for the experiences and interactions that await you—especially the good ones. Quote of

This Is What We Want for You In 2022! – 174 Read More »

Does the Bible Need to Be Part of Our Lives? with Steve Wiggins – 173

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Life & Culture

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDid you know that more than 100 million copies of the Bible are sold every year? In fact, it’s the best selling book of all time, and most people are familiar with the popular Bible stories (does David and Goliath ring a bell?) even if they haven’t read it. But how does the Bible actually fit into our everyday lives? Pastor Steve Wiggins joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to unpack the importance of reading the Bible. They’ll discuss how to find a like-minded community to study with, how to practically read the Bible on a consistent basis and find

Does the Bible Need to Be Part of Our Lives? with Steve Wiggins – 173 Read More »

Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Not Enough? with Jodi Shultz 172

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Purpose

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWomen have accomplished some pretty incredible things throughout history. It was women that patented windshield wipers, disposable diapers, non-reflective glass and a host of other products that benefit us to this day. And that’s just a glimpse into the life changing achievements we’ve made. Yet, it’s not uncommon for us to feel as though we’re not enough. We question our value when we see other women who are prettier, doing it better, or seem to be winning at life. Grit and Grace Life writer Jodi Shultz joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to discuss this epidemic. Jodi recalls a time in her life when she felt like

Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Not Enough? with Jodi Shultz 172 Read More »