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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Did 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 value in it. There is a transforming power in God’s word, and a comfort in having a relationship, as Steve says, with the “one who holds the future.”
Steve Wiggins is a pastor and has previously served on the staff of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois; Greg Laurie’s Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California; and Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He’s the founder of Groundworks Ministries, a worldwide community of people committed to reading the Bible every day. Prior to his role as a pastor, Steve was the lead singer of Christian rock band, Big Tent Revival, which received 5 Grammy award nominations.
Follow Steve on Instagram @wigbone or through his ministry: Groundworks Ministries
Quote of the episode:“Even in the most difficult times, when I walk with the Lord and have the grounding of his Word in my life, my abundant life is richer, more doable, and more manageable.” —Darlene Brock
Resources:—Start 2022 reading the Bible with Steve: Groundworks Ministries
—If you’re new to the Bible, click here to start with Steve’s recommendation, the Gospel of John
Be sure to follow us on social media!Women 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 she didn’t measure up. Despite her efforts to hustle and rise to a prestigious position at work, those feelings never left, and she realized that our self-worth is about more than what we’re doing—it’s about our inherent value as determined by God. In this episode, Jodi, Darlene and Julie chat about why women feel like this, and practical ways we can settle the question of our worth once and for all.
Jodi Shultz is a wife and mom of two out of a little town in Kansas. She is a hairstylist who is extremely passionate about encouraging and inspiring her female clients, believing it to be her life’s calling. The name and slogan for her business is “Thairapy—It’s about more than just hair.” Jodi loves providing a safe and relaxing atmosphere where women can open up about their lives and their struggles, while she prays for and speaks truth and encouragement to her clients. You can follow Jodi on Instagram @thairapist_jodi .
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
Quote of the episode:“God didn’t create us to hustle for our worth. It’s something that he placed upon us.” —Jodi Shultz
Resources:—Click here for Biblical affirmations of your worth
—Grab a copy of The Help here
—Read Jodi’s article “What Happened When I Finally Heard God Whisper”
—Listen to Jodi’s message of encouragement:
https://youtu.be/SRVoFko8inA
Be sure to follow us on social media!It’s not uncommon in our world today to hear mixed messages on the subject of gender. Suddenly, the distinctions between men and women are blurred, and our expressions of femininity and masculinity are dismissed as being outdated, social constructs.
But Grit and Grace Life believes differently. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down for an expressive discussion about these gender wars, and instead urge women to celebrate the traits that make them uniquely female. We can thrive in the natural characteristics that make us who and what we are and embrace them. There’s nothing wrong with being female—in fact, it’s a superpower!
Quote of the episode:“I think as women, one of our greatest tools is our ability to be empathetic and compassionate.” —Julie Bender
Resources:For more articles on our unique feminine nature
True Beauty is Found in a Woman’s StrengthThe Bachelorette: A Romantic Culture in a Feminist WorldAnatomy of a Strong WomanMen and Women Are Equal, but Not Identical
Be sure to follow us on social media!Maybe this is your first year—or one of several—trying to balance the joy of the holidays with grief over a loss. The conflicted feelings can make it difficult to celebrate or even consider being around others.
Speaker and author Nancy Hicks joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to discuss how we can come to terms with our grief when the holidays are approaching. Nancy speaks from her grief journey after dealing with the loss of her son this year. She encourages us to give ourselves grace as we experience the vast set of emotions that accompany loss, and shares some ways we can cope with grief during the holidays.
Nancy Hicks is a speaker, teacher, podcaster and author who works at the intersection of head, heart and soul to help women live fully alive in their faith. For more than a decade, Nancy engaged millions of viewers as an on-air spokesperson for QVC—she understands what it’s like to try and balance work, marriage and motherhood. She has been featured on Hallmark’s Home & Family, The Jesus Calling Podcast, as well as in Publishers Weekly, The Christian Post, For Every Mom and more.
You can follow Nancy on Instagram @nancyhickslive, on Facebook at NancyHicksLive, or visit her website.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
Quote of the episode:“The grief or sorrow will never go away, but it will soften.” —Nancy Hicks
Resources:“Grieving the Loss of a Loved One: What to Do and What Not to Do” Nancy’s book, “Meant to Live” Phiilip Yancey’s book, “Disappointment with God”
Be sure to follow us on social media!For thousands of years, people have tried to answer the question, “Who is God?”
It’s a monumental question, and one that even people of faith still grapple with. We learn a lot about God by reading the Bible and through prayer, but how can we begin to really know Him?
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat with Christian Bevere to discuss what it means to be a son or daughter of God and how to grasp who God is, according to who He says He is. Christian details the ways that God shows up in our lives and acts as our defender. If you’ve ever desired to have a bigger picture of what God looks like, we encourage you to give this episode a listen.
Christian Bevere is one of the founding members of Sons & Daughters, a global movement geared toward helping young adults find adventure and purpose in their Creator. In addition to her work with Sons & Daughters, Christian is a wife, a designer and a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur.
You can follow Christian on Instagram @mrschristianbevere, or at Sons & Daughters TV.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.
Quote of the episode:“God’s not a genie in a bottle. But he provides for me the way a father does.” —Christian Bevere
Resources:Sons & Daughters’ new book, “I AM”
Be sure to follow us on social media!Motherhood is messy—literally and figuratively!
While moms work hard to raise healthy, happy and responsible kids, they’re also dealing with the pressure to be perfect. The age of social media is unforgiving in this arena, and moms often struggle with feeling like they fall short.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender interview Laila Schell, a writer, wife and mom of four who’s experienced her fair share of motherhood ups and downs. Laila expresses the importance of giving yourself grace when you feel like you don’t measure up, and understanding that you don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom. We encourage you to check out this episode if you need some support amid the messiness of motherhood.
Laila Schell is a wife and mom of four who lives in a small farming community north of Toronto. She loves people and has always enjoyed talking to others and hearing their stories. Laila knows first hand how important it is to receive grace and of the power that God can use to transform a life. She has a passion for encouraging mothers and wives in the day to day tasks and helping them to see that even the most menial tasks are important and have a purpose! A firm believer that guacamole should never be extra and miracle whip is not mayonnaise, she uses worship music as the fuel to carry her through in life.
You can read more from Laila at The Good Wives Blog, or follow her on Instagram @thegoodwife22.
Quote of the episode:“Be you. You’re exactly the mother God knew your kids would need.” —Laila Schell
Resources:Laila’s beach article: Sure, It Was a Disaster… But Not a Failure
Be sure to follow us on social media!Society tells us that we should pursue what makes us happy and cut ties with those who don't agree with that or who get in our way. But does finding our happiness have to be selfish-or-self-destruct? What even defines happiness, anyway? Darlene Brock and Julie Bender offer their insights on this important topic and talk about what happiness looks like in three areas of our lives: relationships, motherhood and work. Rather than focusing purely on how to find happiness—or, to adopt Darlene's preferred term, "contentment"—they discuss how to work towards this idea in a way that balances our responsibilities and takes into consideration the impact our pursuit of happiness will have on those we really care about. Quote of the episode: “In a healthy relationship, compromise will make you better; it will help you grow." —Julie Bender Resources: Podcasts mentioned, in order How do I Connect with Friends when I Feel Alone? with Katie Cress – 165 How to Take Back Your Time with Christy Wright – 166 Real Advice Any Grit and Grace Mom Can Use Now – 134 If You Want to Grow in Faith, Try These Simple Things – 144 Faith articles mentioned Beginning Faith Battered Faith Building Faith Articles on when to let a relationship go Dear Friend, He Doesn’t See Your Worth But I Do Are You Settling for a Red Flag Guy? How to Avoid the Wrong Guy: A Checklist for Strong Women Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
"How do I find a work-life balance?" seems to be an eternal question, one we just keep circling back to as the to-do list grows longer. Whether it's our jobs, homes, family or friends, there's always something or someone who needs us. Life feels demanding and 24 hours in a day to get everything done just doesn't cut it anymore. Author and speaker Christy Wright joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to offer her take on this question—and it has nothing to do with balance at all. Taking cues from her new book, "Take Back Your Time," Christy discusses five ways that we can create time to get back to the things that are truly important to us. So whether you're feeling overwhelmed, tired or inspired to make a significant change in your schedule, you'll learn how to effectively prioritize what matters–and feel better in the process. Christy Wright is a wife, a mom, a bestselling author, personal growth expert and the founder of Business Boutique, an academy that equips women with the knowledge and resources they need to launch a successful business. She also worked on a farm, and has competed in a Latin ballroom competition. You can follow Christy on Instagram @christybwright, on Facebook @OfficialChristyWright , or check out her website. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission. Quote of the episode: “Life balance is not doing everything for an equal amount of time; it's about doing the right things at the right time." —Christy Wright Resources: Grab Christy's new book, "Take Back Your Time." Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Friendships are incredibly valuable to our lives and our well-being, but they take work. Just like marriage, different seasons of life will require our attention and complicate these relationships. We might find that the dynamic has changed, or the frequency of communication has dwindled. In this episode, Grit and Grace Life writer and counselor Katie Cress joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to share the steps she took to connect with friends after a cross-country move left her feeling lonely and withdrawn. In order to maintain healthy friendships—or restore frayed ones—we need to put in the time and effort to connect. If this sounds like where you’re at, we encourage you to send off a simple, kind text to your friends today. Katie Cress is a counselor and educator who moved across the country from Georgia to California after marrying her high school sweetheart at the age of 22. Because of this, she has a vested interest in Pittsburgh Steelers football, Atlanta Braves baseball and the California fashion scene. Katie makes a mean sweet tea in the summer and craves a strong Seattle brewed coffee everyday. She’s also a mom of two and a writer for Grit and Grace Life. You can follow Katie on Instagram here. Check out these articles written by Katie: This Is What Justin Timberlake Taught Me About Motherhood How Brain Science Restored My Hope for Change Quote of the episode: “When you're patient and don't focus on the petty and actually reach out, you get to the place where you know those relationships will last through good times, bad times, absence, presence, and everything in-between." —Darlene Brock Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender call on licensed psychotherapist and life coach Dr. Zoe Shaw to find out how we can begin to find peace and purpose in a world we can’t control. It’s no secret that the world feels a bit crazy right now. With everything going on in politics and the news, it’s easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed in your personal life. Rather than shrinking back, Dr. Zoe urges us to guard our minds and step into our strength and our convictions. She explains how we can better listen to others, refocus our energy out of the negative and combat the things that concern us. You can follow Dr. Zoe by visiting her site, or finding her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as her podcast, Redefining Your Superwoman. Submit a question to our free Ask Dr. Zoe column. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission. Quote of the episode: “That anxiety is there; we have to speak it, and then we have to walk through it." —Dr. Zoe Resources: Grab Dr. Zoe’s new book, “A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself." “Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad” by John Eldridge “It’s All Under Control” by Jennifer Dukes Lee Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
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