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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We are a podcast for strong women and those who want to be, right? But what does it mean to be a strong woman? What defines a woman as powerful, secure, tenacious? What are practical things strong women do? Here’s what we think… A strong woman knows she can’t do it all. A strong woman asks for help. A strong woman doesn’t play games. A strong woman says what she means. A strong woman can be trusted. What else do strong women do? The best way to become a woman of strength is to understand these qualities. That’s why, in this This Grit and Grace Life episode, hosts Darlene and Julie unpack what they think a strong women truly is. The two also provide you with their best advice on how you can become her, one day at a time. This is a replay of a previous popular episode, (016) with a few new thoughts added from your co-hosts that relate to today. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love 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 know my purpose? These questions can become increasingly difficult to answer Read more A Strong Woman Has These 7 Things on Her Bucket List If you’re in search of more meaning in life, crossing off a few extra items on your bucket list can be the very thing that sends you on a Read more 5 Life Skills You Can and Should Master to be a Strong Woman I almost titled this article “Single? Here are five things you can do now to make marriage better,” but let’s be honest, it’s not all about marriage. So often, we Read more For the Woman Who Wants to Be Strong I would have never considered myself a strong woman seven years ago. In fact, I wasn’t a strong woman seven years ago. I was weak, wishy-washy, and wandering aimlessly. Read more 100 Things a Grit and Grace Woman Believes Today, In the last year, we’ve recorded our Read more
We need to talk about sex trafficking. We assume it’s not a problem that is occurring in our backyard, or even in our country, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether you like it or not, it’s happening in every community across the United States—even in yours. It doesn’t always look the way we think it would. A victim could look like a middle-class teenager at your kids high school who is still living at home. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, hosts Darlene and Julie are joined by Christy Ivie, the founder of Christy’s Cause, a non-profit working to eradicate child sex trafficking and exploitation. Christy reveals how her personal story inspired her life’s mission to ensure no child ever experiences what she did. Christy provides us with the proper steps to ensure our kids are protected and prepared. In this episode you will learn: * The difference between human trafficking, sex trafficking, and exploitation of minors * Simple ways to begin educating your kids on protecting themselves against predators * How to grow the conversation with their age * Deterrents for predators * Vulnerabilities predators seek * The importance of monitoring your kids social media * Tips for easily monitoring their social media * How to become a part of eradicating the issue We will leave you with a powerful quote shared in this episode by Christy: “If we aren’t going to protect our children, who else is going to step in and protect them?” Sex trafficking is an important topic that should not be ignored. If you see something, you need to report it. Save the number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline in your phone today as a first action step to being aware and prepared! Find more resources at Sharedhope.org Christy Ivie is the founder of Christy's Cause. She's a pastor's wife of over 30 years, mom of two amazing kids, Mimi to four grand kids, an artist and a poet, too! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love The Solution to the Sex Trafficking Problem Unlike the typical case of individuals learning about an issue through academia, books, and/or the media, I had the Read more Why You Need to Talk to Your Teen Girl About Sex and How to Do It Are you that mom who would rather stick an icepick through your eye than talk to your teen daughter Read more How to Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse The second the door to the light-fil...
Let’s talk about self-love. We all struggle to some extent with it, from doubting ourselves, to battling insecurities, and feeling unworthy. We know these are things we need to let go of, but the problem lies in the fact that we have no idea how. When we search for how to cultivate more self-love, the suggestions we find are just silly. Will getting a massage or buying ourselves another pair of shoes really help us love ourselves more? Let’s be real, those are just cover-ups. If those don’t work, then where do we find more of this thing called self-love? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, hosts Darlene and Julie dive into the topic of self-love, everything from what’s stopping you from loving yourself more, to mindset shifts for accepting your insecurities, and the changes you need to make to boldly and confidently walk in the way that God created you. This episode will help you recognize there are things to love about each and every one of us. But we need to stop focusing on what we love about others and start focusing on what we love about ourselves. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! These are the verses we mentioned on the episode. * “I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” Romans 12:3 * “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 * “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 * "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love How to Conquer the “I’m Not Enough” Syndrome Do you find these thoughts in your daily dialogue? “I’m not smart enough, thin enough, pretty enough, talented enough…” 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 Now Is the Time to Ignite Your Confidence I can be real with you, right? I felt a little like an imposter when I first started writing this Read more This Is Why You Need a Self-Care Day (And What to Do) My husband, Gary, woke me up one pre-sunrise morning. “Feels like the flu,” he said. We’d been here before. I Read more
In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, we chat with Dr. Holly Miller on women’s health issues you need to know about but are probably too embarrassed to ask. Dr. Miller is a board certified OB-GYN, wife of 20+ years, mother of four, and dedicated to ensuring you know everything you need to about your feminine health. This episode is filled with questions that women tend to run from… When do we see a gynecologist? Why do we see gynecologist? Do we have to see gynecologist? And the biggest question, why are we terrified of seeing a gynecologist? It’s our goal with this episode to put it up to your face that your feminine health is extremely important, and you need to stop putting it on the back burner. Whether you’re busy, you put the needs of others first, or maybe you’re scared something is wrong and you don't want to face it, you need to go see a gynecologist. It’s that simple! Neglecting your health is no way to handle potential issues you may be facing. We know after listening, you’ll feel comfortable and confident scheduling your next appointment! What else you’ll learn: * When a teenager should see a gynecologist * When you should have your first pap smear * How regularly you should have a pap smear and pelvic exams * How to feel comfortable when seeing your gynecologist * Important information you need to share with your gynecologist * What a “normal cycle” should look like * Symptoms you need to look out for throughout our womanhood * Common issues you need to know are not normal * When you need to begin getting regular mammograms * The top things Dr. Holly wants you to know about your feminine health * Why you never need to feel embarrassed! Find more from Dr. Holly Miller by visiting her practice website here. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love How to Get Your Hormones in Check Let me start by saying I am not an expert in balanced hormones. I Read more 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer In my early twenties, I started hearing more and more about breast health. I paid attention enough to know Read more Infertility Is an Interruption, but Not the End When I was a little girl, I distinctly remember playing with my baby dolls and being their “Momma.” I Read more To the Mom Who Has Postpartum Depression When I was young, I had this grand picture of what my life would be as an adult.
As women, have you ever noticed how we hold men and women to different standards? In This Grit and Grace Life podcast episode, hosts Darlene and Julie have an insightful and thought-provoking conversation on the different expectations we have for each gender. When it comes to our relationships with women, we often tend to be way more “judgy” and condescending, are quick to hold grudges, and dwell on what they did or didn’t do. If they don't stand by us, show up, and be the support system we would like them to be, we cut them off in a heartbeat without thinking twice. But rarely do we do any of that with our man. Instead, we make an excuse for him, we try to cover up something he did, and most often we just give him a pass. Ironically, there are times it’s the men that don’t deserve that get-out-of-jail card we so freely offer. So how do we combat this? What do we do? Tune in for the full episode to hear Darlene and Julie’s advice on how to level the playing field for all the relationships in our lives. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Rules for the Introvert Vs. Extrovert Fight This is the post in which I am the grumbling Israelites and my husband, Bill, is Moses. Not because Read more Why You Need to Support Other Women and 5 Ways to Start She sat across from me on the floor, on a multi-colored pillow. We were in a room full of Read more Why You Should Just Have That Hard Conversation (And How to Do It) Have you ever had that sick, anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach? The one that occurs when 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 When Will I Be Ready to Date After My Husband’s Death? When my husband passed away suddenly, I knew fairly quickly I would want to date again. For some, that Read more 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
Is it just us or are the words "grit” and "grace" seen everywhere now? It feels like the two have turned into buzzwords that fail to hold any real meaning. But at This Grit and Grace Life, they are so much more than buzzwords, they bring vision and direction to our lives. They even extend beyond being just two simple words and are ultimately life choices. We must choose to live with grit and with grace. But what do grit and grace really mean? Sure they are seen everywhere and perhaps words we use regularly, but do we really know, or more importantly, understand, the deeper meaning behind them? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life Podcast, hosts Darlene and Julie get real with you by sharing the larger meaning behind these two words, or life choices, and what they can mean for you in your life. Both ladies get vulnerable, sharing real-life struggles where grit and grace were the two things that pulled them through. So if you are looking for some strength, and perhaps some hope in your life, this episode is definitely for you. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love If Your Man Didn’t Propose (But Should Have) Read This To the girl who didn’t get the engagement you were expecting, this is what you need to do to Read more My Dad’s Suicide and the Hole in My Heart I knew my father was having a difficult time in life. It was so very unlike this man whose Read more 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 Battered Faith: Holding on to Hope Even When You Struggle I was 13 years old when I was diagnosed with a muscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis. I had a Read more You Are Loved More Than You Know My husband asked me recently if there’s anything I’ve learned since being pregnant for the first time. Thinking of Read more A Woman’s Grit Is Her Biggest Asset for Success Have you ever been introduced to an idea that radically changed your life? Did
A question we continuously ask in various ways is, "Who am I?” We have women constantly wondering if they are doing what they are meant to be doing and if what they’re doing right now even matters. And most of all, they’re wondering how to find their self worth (if they aren’t already trying to find it through the titles they hold, the roles they play, and things they do). While it’s impossible for anyone to answer these questions for you, we know this episode of This Grit and Grace Life will provide you with the guidance you need. Hosts Darlene and Julie are joined by guest, Meaghan Dawson. She’s a writer, wife, mother and team member at Grit and Grace Life but what makes this week so fun is she’s their friend, too. Meaghan also is the founder of the food blog and Instagram, Beauty From Burnt Toast. In this episode she brings spunk, real talk and introspective advice on finding yourself and your worth. As Meaghan says, it’s impossible to answer the ultimate question of “Who am I?” in one podcast episode. But by tuning in, Meaghan will show you the importance of never letting others define you and how to begin figuring it out on your own. So if you are going through a season in your life where you feel like you have lost yourself, let these three empowering women help you strip away all the excess in your life and find your way back home. Find more from Meaghan by visiting her blog, Beauty From Burnt Toast or following her on Instagram. You can read her writings at Grit and Grace Life here! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love How Do I Know What Defines Me? I am single. I am widowed. I am married. I am divorced. I am a mom. I have no Read more 10 Behaviors Found in the Inspired Woman You cannot mistake an inspired woman. Right away there is something enchanting about her. But what exactly is it? Read more For the Woman Who Wants to Be Strong I would have never considered myself a strong woman seven years ago. In fact, I wasn’t a strong woman Read more 9 of the Best Work From Home Jobs Looking for a new job can be a frustrating process, especially if you have conditions that require you to Read more Now Is the Time to Ignite Your Confidence I can be real with you, right? I felt a little like an imposter when I first started writing this
Life is good. Actually, life is really good! However, for many us, we are more negative in the way we view things and struggle to see how great this life really is. We think we can’t help it–focusing on the negative is just the way we are. And when people around us try to help us see more of the positives, we think they just don’t understand the difficulties we are facing, right? The reality is, no one’s life is perfect. Each and every one of us has stress, struggles, obstacles and hardships. No matter how hard we try to control our lives, it’s impossible for any of us to do so. The difference is in how we choose to respond to life as life responds to us. Each morning we all wake up to another great day, but some of us fail to open our eyes to the beauty it holds. If you are someone who tends to gravitate towards the negatives in life, press play for this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, where hosts Darlene and Julie share four simple ways for you to shift your mindset. The two acknowledge that being more positive isn’t natural for us all, but by implementing their practical tactics, we are all capable of experiencing the positives our lives have to offer. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Can We Find a Way to Be Grateful for the Tough Stuff? The season of Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to pause from everyday life, reflect, and list the plentiful things Read more When Winter Gets You Down and You Need the Sunshine For those who don’t live in a dark and dreary place most of the year, you won’t be able Read more A Fake Smile Will Not Cure Depression, So Do This Instead I’m sure most of us have been to a carnival or fair where they reserve some of the most Read more 7 Easy and Natural Methods to Boost Your Immunity Ah, winter. ‘Tis the season for crackling fires, family and friends gathered around the table, Clark W. Griswold, and Read more 100 Things a Grit and Grace Woman Believes Today, The Grit and Grace Project celebrates its fourth birthday! In the last year, we’ve recorded
That’s a wrap! 2019 is almost over, so let’s talk about… When the year starts coming to a close, it brings up so many emotional feelings. For many of you, it has you over-processing and reminiscing about everything that has happened in the past year–the good, the bad, and the ugly. And, you want to learn and glean as much as possible before you move on. But on the other hand, there are so many of you who just want this year to end now so you can move on and have a fresh start in the new year. Neither one are good or bad. But if you want 2020 to be your best year yet, you need to look at your past before rushing your future. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, hosts Darlene and Julie discuss the importance of taking inventory of your highs and lows of 2019 before you quickly move on to the new decade. They discuss their personal victories and failures in hopes of inspiring you to do the same. Plus, both share their biggest lessons learned in 2019 and their hopes for what’s to come in 2020. Let this episode be a blueprint for you to learn from your past and build a stronger future. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love 50 Weird Things That Make All Women Happy Many moments in life are great—like finding out you got a hefty pay raise or embarking on your much-anticipated 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 There Is Hope, God Is Not Only in the Gaps The surgeries started in her early 20s, and for the next 10 years, 12 would follow. The scars on Read more 100 Things a Grit and Grace Woman Believes Today, The Grit and Grace Project celebrates its fourth birthday! In the last year, we’ve recorded
We are living in a culture where everything is way too fast paced, where we somehow always over-schedule ourselves, and where we are constantly comparing ourselves to everyone else’s highlight reels in our social media feeds. It’s a hard culture to navigate! And when you add marriage into the mix, it can become extremely difficult to maintain one that is both happy and healthy. Sometimes it feels like all these things that make up today’s world are eroding the foundation and stability of our marriages. So how do we thrive in our marriage, or simply keep it in tact, when it feels like everyone and everything is fighting against it on every front? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, hosts Darlene and Julie chat with guest Kristi Hendriks, who helps answers this pressing question for us. Kristi is the owner of the online boutique, For the Field Apparel, as well as the wife of baseball All Star and MLB pitcher, Liam Hendriks. Kristi opens up about the struggles and obstacles she and her husband face in their marriage as a result of being in the public eye. She shares her best advice for maintaining a healthy and happy relationship when it feels like the world is constantly challenging it. Tune in to the full episode where Kristi will help you navigate your marriage in today’s crazy world with a whole lot more grit and grace. Meet Kristi Hendriks: a true lover of all sandwiches...she loves the humidity in Florida and hates parallel parking everywhere. She is the CEO of For the Field Apparel, a company she proudly built from the ground up. This Virgo babe is #marriedtothegame, works with her husband, MLB pitcher Liam Hendriks, off the field for several non-profits including work with animal rescues, community outreach and their initiative to “strikeout bullying”. Her name means “follower of Christ” and that she is. ‘Grit and Grace’ is a part of her everyday life and she is passionate to serve the Lord in any way she can. Connect with Kristi by visiting her site, For The Field Apparel or following them on Instagram. You can follow Kristi here and Liam here! You can get your own Coffee + Bible mug here! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love The Grit and Grace of a Baseball Wife Do you have any childhood memories of attending professional baseball games? I know I do. I was so enamored by the Read more One Thing That Will Improve After Your First Year of Marriage I’m going to tell you about one thing that will improve a lot after your first year of marriage… “I Read more 7 Questions You Need to Ask Before a Second Date My mother dubbed me the “Queen of First Dates.” She always professed to be shocked if I ever “let”
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