Stay ConnectedTwo women. Two generations. Each with a mic and lots to talk about.
Hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender dive into honest, funny, and practical conversations about bridging faith with today’s cultural realities. They ask the hard questions and unpack what it looks like to bring smart living to a modern world—without losing your mind (or your sense of humor).
Expect laughter, gentle truth-telling, and the kind of advice you’d actually text a friend about
late
What does it mean to be a woman?
In recent years, the definition and depth of womanhood have become muddied as cultural expectations around gender have shifted. But in this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender take a closer look at what it means to be a woman, according to the Bible.
The duo discuss the nature of womanhood, the complementary roles of men and women, and the inherent qualities we should celebrate. They also explore the strengths that comes with being a woman, challenging the idea that femininity means fragility.
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!" Aretha Franklin may have been singing about how others should treat you, but what about respecting yourself?
In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the importance of building self-respect by recognizing your values and living in a way that reflects them. They also share some challenges that can damage our view of ourselves—like making mistakes or dealing with criticism from others—and how returning to those values can remind us how to show up in the world with confidence.
Tune into this episode to discover the values that matter to you and how they can shape your self-respect.
Whether you're new to This Grit and Grace Life podcast or a long-time listener, we're inviting you to take a look back at the last nearly 10 years of the show and all that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender have experienced since its debut.
Darlene and Julie have been in each other’s lives through many seasons—great ones, hard ones, and simple ones—and they will tell you they are blessed to have the relationship they have. But there's a lot you may not know about this duo. So this week, they're taking time to help you get to know them better. And, as usual, they'll probably share a few things they shouldn’t admit on a podcast.
Tune in as the friends reflect on their past and talk about the experiences that have shaped the women they are today.
A glimpse into what's ahead!
We're back! (Sorry for the longer-than-planned break.) And this time, we're bringing you along in a whole new way — the cameras are officially on!
Darlene and Julie are back in the studio, tackling the conversations every woman deals with. Grab a seat, laugh with us, cry with us, and share in the life experience we've gained along the way — every week, right here.
While you're waiting for the each week's new episode, check out all things for your Grit and Grace Life.
Facebook Our Grit and Grace Life
Facebook This Grit and Grace Life Podcast
Instagram Grit and Grace Life Website
Are you sharing your story?
Countless studies have shown that there’s substantial value in sharing our stories and listening to others tell theirs. Among the biggest benefits? The release of oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that fosters trust and bonding. Vulnerably discussing our joys and woes, our challenges and triumphs, our embarrassments and achievements, has the power to elicit empathy in recognizing how our stories overlap. We glean wisdom, or at the very least, the comfort of knowing we aren’t alone in facing certain experiences.
This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack why your story matters. What use are our experiences and hard-earned life lessons if they never make it outside the walls of our hearts? Consider how your own life has been impacted by your mother’s stories, perhaps, or a close friend’s. They also dive deep into the lives of two biblical women, whose actions challenged the culture of their time and whose stories stand as an example of the power of learning from others who came before us and walk alongside us now.
Quote of the episode:“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
ResourcesMentioned
Related Want more on this topic? Check out these articles and podcasts:
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Are you sharing your story?
Countless studies have shown that there’s substantial value in sharing our stories and listening to others tell theirs. Among the biggest benefits? The release of oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that fosters trust and bonding. Vulnerably discussing our joys and woes, our challenges and triumphs, our embarrassments and achievements, has the power to elicit empathy in recognizing how our stories overlap. We glean wisdom, or at the very least, the comfort of knowing we aren’t alone in facing certain experiences.
This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack why your story matters. What use are our experiences and hard-earned life lessons if they never make it outside the walls of our hearts? Consider how your own life has been impacted by your mother’s stories, perhaps, or a close friend’s. They also dive deep into the lives of two biblical women, whose actions challenged the culture of their time and whose stories stand as an example of the power of learning from others who came before us and walk alongside us now.
Quote of the episode:“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
ResourcesMentioned
Related Want more on this topic? Check out these articles and podcasts:
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
If your knowledge of how Independence Day came to be is a little fuzzy, settle in for a brief history lesson!
In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender recount America’s origin story, starting with Great Britain’s imposition of taxes and military presence in the colonies. You’ll discover how the Declaration of Independence came to be and why it’s significant (see the related resources section below for more), as well as our duty as women of faith (and Americans) to not only recognize our nation’s flaws and failures but to correct them.
For the little ones or fun-loving folks in your family, Darlene and Julie share 10 fresh ways to celebrate the holiday. We’re not talking about BBQs—have you ever tried watermelon bowling or hosting a 1776 party? Sign us up!
Quote of the episode:“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36).
ResourcesMentioned
Related Want more on this topic? Check out these articles and podcasts:
“How Can We Teach our Kids the True Meaning of Freedom? with Brooke Raybould – 199”
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Feeling discontent with life? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Less-than? There are typically three culprits to blame: clutter, comparison, and conflict. Their impact, individually or collectively, can bog you down. Luckily, you’re in control.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack the burden that the three Cs—clutter, comparison, and conflict—can drain our contentment with each area of our lives: our jobs, families, home, appearance, spirituality, and more. If we don’t keep them in check, we’ll never be satisfied.
Tune in to learn practical strategies for managing the three Cs and reclaim your peace.
Quote of the episode:“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
ResourcesMentioned Catch up on these podcast episodes:
Related Want more on this topic? Check out these articles:
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Bad days and hard seasons are to be expected, and yet we can never fully prepare for the way they might shake us to the core and disrupt our lives. So how are we supposed to respond when life seems to dish out one hit after another?
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack five practical ways to work through the sting of a rough season, especially when it tests your faith.
If you’re in the middle of one of those chapters—you know, the kind you’d rather forget about entirely—this conversation is for you.
Quote of the episode:“I have told you these things so that in me, you may have perfect peace. In the world, you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous; be confident; be undaunted. Be filled with joy. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
ResourcesRelated
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Cheesy puns, recliner naps, and mischievous risks… these are just some of the hallmarks of a great dad—maybe even yours!
As Father’s Day approaches, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender remind you of what makes a great father. Why we need to take time to celebrate the unique qualities that set dads apart. They share how their husbands handle fatherhood, explore the innate differences between men and women that make a father’s approach to raising kids to complementary, and why it’s important to give dads grace when that approach veers a little risky. They have their reasons, and your kids may be all the better for it!
Whether you’re celebrating your own dad this Father’s Day or the father to your children, this episode is a reminder of the comfortable, safe space a loving father creates and holds for a lifetime. Let every great father know how important they truly are.
Quote of the episode:“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13).
ResourcesRelated
Check out the Smart Living book series here, and be sure to follow us on social media!
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
