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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The process of forgiveness and reconciliation is a two-way street, and both parties are equally responsible for putting in the work to restore the relationship. Yes, even if you were the one wronged!
In part two in this miniseries on forgiveness to reconciliation, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the four steps of making amends and emphasize the importance of approaching each one with humility. Whether you’ve been wronged or have wronged someone else, you must set aside your pride and commit to rebuilding trust, whatever that might look like for your situation. It’s certainly not easy, but when done with sincere intentions (and often with the aid of outside counseling), the process of reconciliation can become a powerful example of peacemaking.
Quote of the episode:“You’re going to find true peacemaking to be way more effective and way more fruitful if you’re willing to put in the work.”—Julie Bender
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Forgiveness is a radical act—it’s not about holding someone’s offense over their head like a debt, and it’s also not about forgetting what they’ve done. So what is forgiveness in and of itself?
In part one of two in this miniseries on forgiveness to reconciliation, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender debunk several misconceptions around what real forgiveness entails, revealing a much simpler approach that removes the pressure and pain normally associated with it. You’ll learn how your relationship with God plays a critical role in truly forgiving someone and a sample prayer that you can use when you’re not sure where to start. We’ve also included a graphic of the prayer below—scroll down to screenshot and save it for easy reference.
Join us next week for part two of the series, where Darlene and Julie unpack the process of reconciliation.
Quote of the episode:“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5: 23-24).
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We tend to gloss over the intention behind Memorial Day each year as we prep for a long weekend full of good food, games, and time at the beach. But to be clear: We wouldn’t be able to enjoy any of those things without others’ sacrifices.
To keep this truth top of mind as we approach the holiday weekend, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender walk through the history of the national holiday and share the startling numbers of those lost in recent wars. There is a depth and gravity to the topic that’s worthy of honor and remembrance, including the first recorded Memorial Day celebration in which former slaves from Charleston, South Carolina, gathered to honor the Union soldiers lost during the war in 1865.
If you’ve felt removed from the reason for Memorial Day, we urge you to take a listen to this short but meaningful podcast episode.
Quote of the episode:“We should honor and remember the sacrifice of those who have [answered the call to go off and fight a war], and even immensely more those who have given their lives on the battlefield.”—Julie Bender
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“Wives, submit to your husbands…” Ladies, how do you feel about this command? If you’re like us, it may throw you off, or even make you feel a little defiant.
We approach life differently than men, but we’re still equal—which is probably why we tend to bristle when we read or hear this verse in Ephesians 5. The problem is this that “submitting to your husband” is often misinterpreted as “obey your husband without question,” both by our current society and not-so-well-meaning individuals past and present.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share the context around this Bible verse and the real meaning of the word “submit.” You’ll also learn how to shed the negative connotation around the word with practical ways to honor the command in your own marriage—in a way that also honors you.
Quote of the episode:“Submission is not like the obedience of a child. To our shame, some men think of their wives as a sort of first child who should obey them. That’s not what the Bible teaches. A wife’s submission is voluntary to a man who loves her. Rather than submit, the better word is she should respond to her husband.”—J. Vernon McGhee
Resources*If you’re a victim of verbal or emotional abuse, please visit this page for support.
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Doubt your impact as a mother (or a mother figure)? Don’t—and we’ll tell you why.
In this special Mother’s Day week episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender dissect the complicated role of being a mom. With days that are challenging, rewarding, or a heavy mixture of both, motherhood may incite guilt or prompt you to question whether you’re doing anything right. The good news? If you’re doing your best, you’re absolutely doing it right.
Darlene and Julie share their own personal motherhood anecdotes and offer encouragement for those days when you feel exhausted and uncertain. You have a bond with your child that can’t be replicated in any of their other relationships. Even when you’re not sure your child hears you or understands you or agrees with you, the way you show them your love will be the thread tying you together even in the most difficult seasons.
Quote of the episode:“Even when you’re messing up, it’s important to remember that God put you here with this child for a reason for a season for a purpose.”—Julie Bender
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If you’ve ever been turned down by a crush, passed up for a promotion, or dismissed by a parent, you’ve felt the sting of rejection. And if left unchecked, that pain can surface and cause harm to our other relationships.
In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender are joined by Dr. Gary Lawrence, the founder and director of New Life Dynamics Christian Counseling Ministries, to talk about the impact of rejection and how to overcome its stronghold. Through the retelling of his own personal stories, Dr. Gary reveals how early rejection can form a root of bitterness that negatively impacts our interactions as we age. But we’re not without hope. He also shares practical steps for recognizing the source of our pain and breaking the cycle so we don’t break our relationships.
Dr. Gary Lawrence is the founder and director of New Life Dynamics Christian Counseling Ministries, and author of his bestselling book, Rejection Junkies. After 20 years as the host of his own radio show, Life Mastery Counseling with Dr. G, Dr. G has personally met with and coached more than 6,000 clients and has inspired thousands more on radio, television, and stage.
Dr. G specializes on breaking down the damaging effects of rejection and the way in which this trauma manifests throughout all phases of life. In Rejection Junkies, Dr. G helps readers to recognize the circumstances that hold them hostage, keeping them stuck, and making them bitter.
Quote of the episode:“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”—Romans 8:31
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Do you ever wonder why we named our podcast Smart Living with Grit and Grace? Or what “grit and grace” actually means when used in tandem? Maybe you’re just curious to know how smart living can change your life.
Darlene and Julie are taking it back to the basics in this episode, chatting through the origin story of our nonprofit, Grit and Grace Life, and the mission God placed on Darlene’s heart to create a space where women could feel seen and encouraged and gain wisdom through life’s highs and lows by hearing other women’s stories.
They also break down what we mean by the phrases “smart living” and “grit and grace,” defining and unpacking the intention behind each word. Whether you’re new to our wonderful, welcoming side of the internet or you’ve been around with us for the last 10 years, we hope this episode re-centers your understanding not only of why Grit and Grace Life exists, but how the literal values of “grit” and “grace” can shift the way you experience the world as a woman of faith.
Quote of the episode:“It’s in us; that innate grit is in women, and we want to break that out, encourage it, mold it, and allow it to shine.”—Julie Bender
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We’ll take a guess and say that your calendar, like ours, is booked with Sunday services, Easter brunches, and egg hunting this weekend. And all for good reason: It gives us many opportunities to rejoice with loved ones in the eternal hope Jesus secured for us through the resurrection.
So in the spirit of celebrating Easter with our friends and family, Darlene and Julie take a closer look at the life of the ultimate relationship expert: Jesus! The Lord changed lives not only after his resurrection but during his years walking among us, and we have much to gain by reflecting on the many interactions he had with others. In this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss:
We hope this glimpse into Jesus’ conversations and interactions offers a glowing example of how we can show up in our relationships—both this Easter and in the years to come.
Quote of the episode:“As personal as Jesus was with his followers, he is that personal with us, individually, today.” —Julie Bender
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One of the few certainties in life is also one of the things we fear most: change.
Change—whether expected or not—can instill fear in us due to the mere fact that what lies beyond it is unknown; we might see it as a threat to our purpose, safety, and comfort. But instead of fearing change, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender reason that it’s only frightening because we default to what can go wrong instead of what can go right. Change might be just what you need.
In this podcast episode, they challenge you to shift your perspective to embrace change and all the opportunities it can present. They’ll walk through some scenarios (think a new job or the end of a relationship) where change can offer more clarity and new areas for growth.
And if you’re still on the fence about change, let us leave you with food for thought: If you’ve encountered life changes before and you’re reading this today, that means you overcame them, and you’re capable of doing it again.
Quote of the episode:“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” —Winston Churchill
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We have no tricks up our sleeves with this April Fool’s Day podcast—just wisdom to guide you along your grit and grace life. (But it might be foolish if you choose to skip this episode!)
The mark of a foolish person is one who carries on with life without learning to discern the different between fact and fiction, wisdom and folly. Even automobile magnate Henry Ford suggested as much: “The only real mistake we make is the one from which we learn nothing.”
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender take it one step further in this episode, offering 5 common life mistakes to avoid altogether. Some of these you may not have experienced yet; others you may repeatedly encounter. All the more reason to prepare for them now—you’ll know exactly what to do when the moment arrives!
Quote of the episode:“We’re all going to make mistakes, but we do not have to be fools about it.” —Darlene Brock
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