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
Christian women often aspire to live that Proverbs 31 life, or what we perceive it to be. But sometimes the expectations are unrealistic, the pressure gets to be too great, and the doubts set it. Are you doing the right things and avoiding the wrong things? Do you feel the need to be better, sweeter, and to live a more godly life? Are you living up to the biblical example found in that text. Is it even realistic? These questions and more are discussed by co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham as they willingly admit their failures and tendencies to compare. While becoming like Christ is their desire, they realize too often we are judging ourselves and others by impossible standards. In this episode, they freely embrace the grace God extends to every strong woman (and those who want to be)—encouraging you to remember that it is not because of what you do or how good you are that you are loved. A perfect God loves you exactly as you are, and it is his joy to help you become who he knows you can be. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! This is a replay of a previous popular episode (092) with a few new thoughts added in from your co-hosts that relate to today. Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Bible Verses From the Grit and Grace Team on Grace What would we have if it weren’t for grace? Where would we be? Only through grace can we receive Read more A Modern Day Esther: Finding My Voice Through a Hero in the Bible It was kind of like a modern-day beauty pageant, minus the talent section. It required no essay entrance exam Read more 100 Things a Grit and Grace Woman Believes Today, In Read more What Does It Take to Be a Strong Woman of Grit and Grace? What defines a strong woman? Can I become strong? How do I find my purpose? Do I have to Read more To the Christian Woman With a Crooked Past As I sat in that stuffy, little room listening to the woman on stage, I looked around at the other women—some Read more This Is What Jesus Says About Equality for Women
Families are together a LOT these days, and this can be challenging! But blended families? They are facing unique struggles. With this in mind, we invited licensed therapist and relationship expert, Dr. Zoe Shaw back to share some practical success str...
There’s no escaping this truth: we all have a past. How we let it shape us, well, that’s up to us. Will we decide to take the drama, trauma, hurt, and heartache and allow it to harden us? Or, will we learn from our struggles and choose to face them with both grit and grace? It takes grit to face the hurt that may feel constant. It takes grace for ourselves (rejecting shame and guilt) and grace for others (extending forgiveness where we find freedom). In this episode, Darlene Brock probes into co-host Julie Graham’s difficult childhood, asking honest questions about the challenges she faced. With vulnerability, Julie unveils a part of her life she doesn’t often speak of, giving a glimpse into her story. This behind-the-scenes view will help you understand the woman she is today—positive, dynamic, and real. It’s never too late to break free from your past, too. We hope this episode will set you on the road to do just that. Listen in and share this with someone who might just need some inspiration as well! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! This is a replay of a previous popular episode (028) with a few new thoughts added in from your co-hosts that relate to today. Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Overcoming Shame in the Grit and Grace Life If you were a victim of child abuse or neglect like me, you very likely have experienced or do Read more When You’re Desperate to Know the Reason for Your Pain Friends. I write this with a very heavy heart. Pain. Confusion. Rejection. I want to talk about all of Read more There Is Hope and Healing for the Fatherless I was about 11 years old when I realized my dad didn’t love me. I remember praying and telling Read more This Is a Window Into My Widowhood I remember getting the call. “Paul has had an accident and it’s not good. We need to get over Read more Is Your Anger Holding You Hostage? Freedom Can Be Found The assault stole more than my innocence: it also taught me how to withhold forgiveness. As time marched on, that Read more 5 Tips for Mending Fences in Your Relationships It’s a great time to mend fences. Not the ones in the back 40 of the ranch where very
Women love to plan. Some of us had our whole lives planned out as little girls, writing our stories down with brightly colored pens in flowery little journals. Our guest, singer/songwriter JJ Heller, understands this well and took it to heart. In light of our new reality due to COVID-19, she wrote a song reflecting on all the plans that have come undone. Traveling and trips canceled, Easter celebrations changed, and so many plans for the best summer ever—poured down the drain...vacations, parties, and simple joys like swimming in the local pools. Right? But in this grit and grace life, things are always subject to change. Virus or no virus, life is full of unexpected turns; sometimes we are put on paths we never intended to follow. In this episode, JJ shares her journey. She believed her future was one of an athlete, but to her surprise she was destined to become a musician, writing and recording her own songs. Hearing her story reminds us that even the best and most logical plans sometimes have to change. God is always at work, preparing us for what He has next, and that is usually where we find our own individual “voice.” He has a purpose in all He does, and even though we may not realize it at first, His purposes become ours as well! In this shifting season, we know that you will find hope, encouragement, and confidence as you listen to JJ’s experience. And make sure you check out the video of her new song "You Already Know" here or watch it below! You can follow JJ Heller by visiting her site or following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! This is a replay of a previous popular episode (085) with a few new thoughts added in from your co-hosts that relate to today. Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love This Is How Mom Can Save the Day When Plans Change From the “Love My Senior” Facebook profile frames to the “Drive-By Birthday Party” article on Patch.com, disappointment is lurking around every corner. While I was walking (a healthy 6-feet-apart and then some) with my neighborhood Read more Here Are 5 Ways to Ease Tension in the Midst of a Pandemic “I have too many emotions to count,” I told my therapist a few days ago as we sat looking at each other’s faces on the screen. “For good reason. Start with these then, and name any you feel,” she said Read more How to Crush Comparison With a Compliment
Easter happens every April (whichever Sunday they spring it on us!), but the lessons we learn from Jesus’ life as he walked this earth should impact us every day! Whatever month you listen to this episode, these insights from the risen King will affect your right-here-right-now existence. Darlene and Julie shed light on seven incredible lessons from Jesus’ life that will not only inspire but encourage you this Easter and all year round. We learn countless things from Jesus, but the lessons we discuss in the episode are: 1. You may prepare a long time before you do what you are supposed to do. 2. You don’t have to be important to hang with Jesus. 3. Your purpose may be different than others think. 4. Jesus didn’t avoid messy people; in fact, He loved them. 5. We are fully known and loved even when we fail. 6. Women are important to Jesus. 7. Life is very often darkest before the dawn. So don your Easter best, enjoy some cream-filled eggs, and be reminded of how vital your grit and grace life is. Remember and celebrate, the One who paid the ultimate price for you to live it! This is a replay of a previous popular episode (086) with a few new thoughts added in from your co-hosts that relate to today. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love 5 Inspiring Women of Faith I Love to Follow Instagram is filled with inspiring women, both “famous” and not, who are being brave and sharing their stories and Read more This Is My New Exercise Regimen (for My Faith) I love new beginnings. I’m a girl who enjoys looking back, reflecting, evaluating, and dreaming for the future. For Read more TobyMac’s Son’s Cause of Death Reminds Us That Faith Doesn’t Protect Us From Pain I just read an article that made the cause of TobyMac’s son’s death public. Read more Bible Verses From the Grit and Grace Team on Hope We all need a little hope now and again. Whether something in our lives is severely testing our faith, Read more What Is the Best Love Story Ever Told? I sit this morning, alone,
We’re looking to each other a lot these days, for hope, encouragement, and even advice, and we're all experiencing life with some level of anxiety and mounting pressure. These days can challenge our faith or strengthen it, often a bit of both. Looking for inspiration, Darlene and Julie interview Jen Ledger, solo artist and drummer with the multi-platinum, world-touring rock band, Skillet. Jen shares honestly about how bouts of panic and anxiety almost kept her from pursuing her dreams and how she found the strength, grit, and grace to endure these setbacks and still accomplish her dreams. She even talks about how she has used that strength to reach for new goals. In this episode, she reminds us all that this life will always have challenges, but they don’t have to defeat or define us. Instead, they can be the catalyst to propel us forward. This is a replay of a previous popular episode (044) with a few new thoughts added in from your co-hosts that relate to today. You can follow Jen Ledger by visiting her site, or finding her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Keep up to date with all the content we have related to coronavirus here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Feeling Anxious? How to Snap Out of It and Live in the Moment I recently read a great article about how anxiety can negatively affect our health, stress our immune systems, and Read more Our Grit and Grace Life… Battling Anxiety? Many of us struggle with anxiety and wonder if we are failing as women of faith because we do? Read more Skillet’s Jen Ledger Shares How to Have Faith Over Fear Skillet’s Jen Ledger is nothing short of a powerhouse when she performs: with soaring vocals and a gift for Read more Can Faith Bring Hope to Everything—Even Anxiety? Although I should be sleeping like a baby, I’m wide awake. The projection clock shines 3 am on the
Are you feeling anxious, with heightened levels of fear as we all grapple with new concerns that we didn’t see coming? Everything that brings the feeling of security has become uncertain: our health, finances, jobs, even our daily routine. It’s normal to be affected by all of this! But, we know that what is certain in this life is uncertainty. We also realize that we have an opportunity to turn to and genuinely rely upon the One who is certain. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham share real tips on how to handle the stress of the coronavirus pandemic at hand while relying upon the source of their faith. They also give advice, ways to get your mind off the news, and focus on the positives that even this season brings. Download it now, and maybe have a virtual gathering with friends to share the show with them, too. Banding together (practicing proper social-distancing) is one of the ways we will all make it out of this, with grit and grace. Now wash your hands and listen to the episode! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Beginning Faith: Walking This Life With Grit, Grace, and God When I was loading the car to fly my elder daughter off to college, I stopped and made her Read more An Adventure in First Time Homeschooling (We Miss You Teachers) 6:00AM: My house is silent. By some stroke of #Coronamiracle I’m up first, trying to settle myself as we Read more Feeling Anxious? How to Snap Out of It and Live in the Moment I recently read a great article about how anxiety can negatively affect our health, stress our immune systems, and Read more A Psychologist Shares How to Talk to Children About Coronavirus As a child psychologist, I am concerned about the fear we are instilling in our children. All last week, Read more Bible Verses From the Grit and Grace Team on Hope We all need a little hope now and again. Whether something in our lives is severely testing our faith, Read more 5 Inspiring Women of Faith I Love to Follow
Women are so resilient. Even when we face challenges that could potentially take us out entirely, as is the case of our guest Molly Stillman, we tap into our deepest grit. With countless roles and seasons, we are continually reinventing and re-shifting. We give ourselves and others the necessary grace needed to gain strength and wisdom on the other side. Molly faced the death of her mother as a teen, found herself drowning in debilitating debt post-college, was a comedienne, weathered a toxic dating relationship, and then after marrying the true love of her life (and having two healthy kids) experienced the heartbreak of back-to-back pregnancy loss. And yet today, she stands even stronger; each trial was rebuilding her into the more confident version of herself—filled with deep purpose and passion. Each time life dealt her a blow, she got back up, and this episode will let you know that you can too. Listen, as Darlene Brock and Julie Graham journey through Molly’s life with her, gleaning lessons we can all apply to our own stories, ultimately building the belief that we too can rebuild, even more than once. A picture of what it looks like to live our grit and grace lives, conquering one setback at a time. Molly is the founder of the Still Being Molly blog, the host of the Business with Purpose Podcast, and a woman who is deeply rooted in her faith. She does everything she does in hopes of inspiring women to walk joyfully and confidently, and for them to believe they were created with a purpose for a purpose. You can follow her on Instagram here! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love The 7 Ways I Paid off Student Loans Do you know what the three scariest words are in the English language? Student… Loan… Debt! For something as Read more How to Move On From the Loss of a Dream in a Healthy Way I recently sat with a client who was devastated over the loss of a dream. This door was clearly closed Read more This Is How to Balance Money and Marriage Like a Pro When you made vows “for richer or poorer” to your sweetheart, you probably didn’t realize the role that money Read more What Your Grieving Friend Really Wants You to Know When I first lost my mom, I had so many well-meaning friends, and relatives offer help, advice, and words
Women have incredible influence. Whether we realize it or not, embrace it or not, or even like it or not, we have the power to affect others' lives for good or for bad. Our life impacts those closest to us, in our homes and our social circles. We even influence across the internet, which reaches all around the world. This fact shouldn’t scare us (although some healthy fear could be appropriate here). Instead, it should inspire us to live a life worthy of imitation in all things—from family to faith to what we do for fun. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Co-Hosts Darlene Brock (wife, mom, Nonie, and serial CEO) and Julie Graham (widow, boymom, #girlgang leader, and social media guru) talk through all the ways we influence. They discuss why strong women should embrace this role and how to do it well. You'll hear them touch on tricky topics like dating, drinking, and how we dress, all with the balance of grit and grace. Listen in, and use your influence to share this one with a friend! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love He Brings Me Flowers, but Is That Enough? I have watched as so many women compromise on what they will accept from a man, especially the man Read more 5 Ways to Love Your Single Life So a large majority of your friends are married and you are not. Do you celebrate because you dodged Read more The Good Christian Girl Who Struggled With Porn I was 13 when I found pornography. Understand my family was super conservative. I was raised in the church. My mom Read more Bible Verses From the Grit and Grace Team on Love Love! The word itself sends a warm, tingly feeling up our spines. What joy it is to love and be Read more Would Jesus Unfriend You? I don’t know if you realize it, but the WWW in front of every web address stands for World Wide Read more This Will Make You Question Why You Judge New Christians I have a question for all who share my faith, for my brothers and sisters in the family of Read more Why You Need to Support Other Women and 5 Ways to Start
Just as nature cycles through seasons, so do our relationships. No matter what relationship you are in, there are four stages that it will cycle through that spiritually and psychologically mimic the four seasons we see in nature. In This #GritandGraceLife podcast episode, hosts Darlene and Julie chat with Debra Fileta who dives into the four stages every relationship cycles through. She explains how each stage is vital for building a deeper relationship, how we can find hope in knowing we will never get stuck in one stage, or “season”, and how to successfully navigate through each one. Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in dating, marriage and relationship issues, along with a spectrum of mental health disorders and issues. Whether you are single, married, or single again, you will leave with actionable advice you can apply to any relationship in your grit and grace life. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Debra K. Fileta's work has been featured by numerous media outlets from national television to church ministries such as Saddleback Church, Focus on the Family, ChristianMingle.com, The 700 Club, NGEN Radio, KLOVE, and many more. She, her husband, and three children live in Lancaster, PA. She is the author of True Love Dates, Choosing Marriage:Why it Has To Start With We > Me and Love in Every Season. She’s also the creator of the popular relationship advice bog, www.TrueLoveDates.com as well as the Love + Relationships Podcast reaching millions of people each year with topics of love, sex, marriage, and relationships. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter to get your dating questions answered and to learn more! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Establishing Healthy Boundaries in the Grit and Grace Life Healthy personal boundaries are the key to healthy relationships. Without them, healthy relationships are impossible.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
