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
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What 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 see how to help ourselves make the best impact in every other facet of our lives.
Jenni also discusses how to combat self-doubt and recognize your innate strengths. This is a must-listen episode for strong women, and those who want to be.
Jenni Catron is a writer, speaker, and leadership coach who consults churches and non-profits to help them lead from their extraordinary best. She is also the founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, where she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health. She’s written several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.
Jenni loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis, and hiking the West Coast with her husband. You can follow Jenni on Instagram @jennicatron, on Facebook @authorjennicatron, and on her website, jennicatron.com.
Quote of the episode:“The more self-aware and comfortable we are with who we are, then we come with a confidence that’s really compelling and not off-putting.” —Jenni Catron
Resources:—Read Jenni’s articles:–Stuck in a Bad Work Culture? 6 Ways to Make it Better –The 6 Qualities That Make a Female Leader Strong –How to Be a Leader You Can Be Proud Of
—Grab a copy of Jenni’s book: The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength
—Click here to connect with Jenni for one-on-one coaching
Be sure to follow us on social media!Are 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 tough time. Together, they unpack the neurological changes that occur during the teen years, as well as how you can invite dialogue, connect, and have those tough conversations.
We hope this podcast gives you the knowledge and encouragement you need to guide your child successfully through the teen years.
Jerusha Clark is a bestselling author, speaker and minister to pastors and faith leaders through her and her husband Jeramy’s ministry, Standing Stone Ministries. They have two young daughters, and when she’s not working, you’ll find Jerusha body-boarding, reading, or singing around a bonfire at the beach.
You can follow Jerusha on her website, jandjclark.com.
Quote of the episode:“Open lines of communication are so vital through teen years.” —Darlene Brock
Resources:—Click here to read Jerusha’s book, “Your Teenager Is Not Crazy”
Articles
— Social Media Is Impacting My Child—What Can I Do About It? — Ask Dr. Zoe – Handling My Teen’s Anger — A Letter to My Preteen Son, I See You Finding Your Way — All the Feels from This First-Time Mom of a Teenager — My Sons Communicated Better When I Used These 5 Techniques
Be sure to follow us on social media!We 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 how to live life well as a single woman, a single mom, a divorced single mom, or a co-parenting single mom.
We hope this episode encourages you in this stage of your life and helps you to recognize your own innate strengths.
Quote of the episode:“At the end of the day, no man—even if he’s the right man—will make you smarter or more capable than you already are.” —Julie Bender
Resources:—If you’ve recently separated, here’s what you need to know about getting a lawyer: If You Can’t Avoid Divorce, Can You Do It Honorably? With Attorney Leesha Newkirk Crouch – 059
For our favorite articles on being single:
—To the Single Woman Searching for True Love —5 Ways to Love Your Single Life —How to Make a Happy Marriage, From a Divorced Single Mom —Learning to Love Your Single Self —9 Things I Miss About Being Single
Be sure to follow us on social media!At 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. Zoe identifies six ways to determine if your man is really interested in the long term; signs that indicate marriage is no longer on his mind (if you’re a forever fiance); and how to emotionally remove yourself enough to view the relationship with honesty and clarity. It’s not an easy place to be, but we hope this episode encourages you to see your relationship for what it is and make the best decision for your grit and grace life.
Dr. Zoe Shaw is a passionate practitioner in the field of Clinical Psychology. She is licensed as a psychotherapist and divides her time between her family life, clinical practice, virtual life, and relationship coaching, speaking, writing and hosting her podcast.
You can follow Dr. Zoe by visiting her site, or finding her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as her podcast, STRONGER in the Difficult Places.
Submit a question to our free Ask Dr. Zoe column.
Quote of the episode:“Sometimes a guy will tell you, ‘I’m not interested in marriage.’ You gotta believe them when they say it.” —Dr. Zoe Shaw
Resources:—Listen to episode 123, “How to Embrace Love in Every Season with Debra Fileta”
Be sure to follow us on social media!Every 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 journey and how she ultimately found her husband (and knew he was “the one” almost instantly).
They also discuss what character traits to look for in the right man, how you can stay committed to the values you set for yourself without settling, and whether you’re giving too many husband privileges to a boyfriend that won’t commit.Rebecca St. James is a GRAMMY-winning Christian singer/songwriter, author and speaker. She is also the host of her own podcast, called Rebecca St. James Friends and Family, where she discusses marriage and parenting as a wife and mom of three. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccast.james, on Facebook @RSJames or on her website at rebeccastjames.com.
Quote of the episode:“There was this soul connection where it’s like he has the same spirit, same values, same heart, same true, core desires in life.” —Rebecca St. James on finding her husband
Resources—Click here to check out Rebecca’s podcast, Rebecca St. James Friends and Family
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
For 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 the episode:“Marriage is the whole-meal deal.” —Darlene Brock
Resources:—Read the Marriage Box Myth
—Tune in to Julie’s marriage series, “Praying for Your Husband Daily”
“Be sure to follow us on social media!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 offer love and grace towards others that don’t share the same values. We hope this conversation encourages you that your role as a parent in this time and season is not an accident. You are well equipped to handle the task before you.Dr. Jim Denison is a cultural scholar, pastor, speaker, podcaster and author who helps people respond biblically and redemptively to the vital issues of our day.
He is the co-founder and Chief Vision Officer of the Denison Forum, a Dallas-based nonprofit that comments on current issues through a biblical lens. He is also a cultural consultant for various organizations that seek a Christian worldview on current events.
Prior to launching Denison Forum in 2009, he pastored churches in Texas and Georgia. He holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jim and his wife, Janet, live in Dallas, Texas. They have two sons and four grandchildren. You can follow Dr. Denison on Instagram @dr.jimdenison and @denisonforum, or on his website at denisonforum.org
Quote of the episode:“We’re not cultural warriors…we’re here to be grace-givers.” — Dr. Jim Denison
Resources—Click here to get your copy of Dr. Denison’s book, “The Coming Tsunami.”
—Read more about the book here.
—As promised! Darlene and Julie mentioned that city dwellers in the early 20th-century used cages to expose their children to fresh air and sunlight. Here’s historic evidence!
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
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 hands us disappointments, it’s easy to feel overcome with sorrow over what could have been. Instead, we hope Baylor’s story encourages you to recognize your identity in Christ and embrace change as part of life—it could lead to you to prosper in ways you may never have thought possible before your disappointment.Baylor Wilson is a Christian artist whose first single, “Jesus Happened,” just debuted in 2021. She’s been a country songwriter as well as a contestant on season 29 of the hit CBS show, Survivor. Baylor is newly married to her husband, James, and is a proud puppy mom to her Great Pyrenees, Willow.
You can follow Baylor on Instagram @baylorwilson, or at her website: baylorwilson.com
Quote of the episode:“When you’re walking through disappointment, it’s not for nothing.” —Baylor Wilson
ResourcesFor more on overcoming disappointment, check out:
– “How to Find Strength In the Midst of Disappointment” – “How Brain Science Restored My Hope for Change” – “5 Steps for Remaining Hopeful in Seasons of Change”
Be sure to follow us on social media!One 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 explanation of how the four main areas of our overall health—eating, moving, sleeping and stressing—are determined by the way we build a structure of predictability, stability, and boundaries in our weight loss plan, which ultimately help our bodies to thrive. If you’re focusing on weight loss this year, we encourage you to give this episode a listen. It’s full of expert tips that will help you pinpoint your body’s optimal health, regardless of what the scale says.
Quote of the episode:“You only get one body in this whole, wild life. So we might as well learn to work with it and befriend it, rather than constantly fight against it.” —Sharyn Saftler
This episode is sponsored by “Your Good Body” by Jennifer Taylor Wagner, a great read for a healthier you.
Other Resources:
—Read Sharyn’s article: “What Every Woman Needs to Know About Healthy Body Image”
—For helpful meal visuals, start at page 83 of The Full Plate Diet by Stuart A. Seale, M.D., Teresa Sherard, M.D., and Diana Fleming, PhD., LDN
—It’s Not About Broccoli by Dina Rose, PhD
—Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, PhD
—The Intuitive Eating Workbook by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
Sharyn has a background in psychology and behavioral change, has her master’s in Public Health, and is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Health At Every Size Practitioner. She has worked in the wellness industry for almost a decade empowering people to cultivate healthy relationships to food and their bodies so they can spend less time worrying about their health and more time enjoying it. She is a daughter/sister/wife/mom of two, book club and family bike enthusiast, and is powered by coffee, music, and playing outside in the Pacific Northwest. You can follow Sharyn on LinkedIn, or at her website: livingissimple.org
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
We 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 the episode:“At the beginning of the year, it’s a good time to refocus on where you want to put your energy.” —Julie Bender
Resources:How to Find Peace and Purpose in an Out of Control World with Dr Zoe – 164
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