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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Summer has arrived, and with it the shift from school busy has been replaced by summer busy. Hopefully, you’re going to get some time to relax, even a vacation in the schedule too! With this in mind, we’re going to change our podcast publishing rhythm ...
A catchphrase often used among the Christian community "a Proverbs 31 woman" is thrown about with underlying expectations. It can bring with it inspiration, but also pride, fear, and even insecurity. This passage is referenced when discussing "how we should live" as women of faith and even the way it begins, the "wife of noble character" can be intimidating. Can you be like her? Should you even try? Co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham (both Christian women who have been in church for decades) candidly share how they feel about this woman they've been taught to look up to (and emulate). They consider how grit and grace apply while learning what we can from this woman portrayed without the expectations of others. This episode offers encouragement to remember that your value comes from who you are, not what others see you do. Read Proverbs 31 in The Passion Translation here. Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Quote of the episode: "She wraps herself in strength, might, and power in all her works...and her shining light will not be extinguished, no matter how dark the night." Proverbs 31:17-18 TPT Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
“A lot of women treat everything in their life as equal, so when push comes to shove and you’re needed in two places, you don’t know what to choose.” That quote from this week’s guest resonated with your co-hosts, Darlene Brock and Julie Graham.
“Girl code,” you know what we’re talking about! Those unofficial rules that every member of our tribe understands, the code of behavior that governs female friendship. We have guidelines (even if we don't say them out loud) on everything from dating to...
Every mother-daughter relationship is unique. While some inspire the prose written in a Hallmark card, others can be much more challenging. Knowing this (and having their own complicated mother-daughter stories),
A life of grit and grace sounds like a great plan, something every woman wants. Right? But certain roadblocks just keep rearing their ugly heads! These struggles keep us from feeling strong: we have poor self-esteem, we’re riddled with shame or guilt from our past, or we feel the need to be perfect at everything. These plus a few more are the barriers that keep us from the life we all want to lead. In their relatable banter, your co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham admit to facing these struggles too but also encourage each other and you that they are, in fact, “figureoutable.” You can grow in strength as you apply grit and/or grace to each one. Part of the solution is knowing which one to tap into! This episode will be one we come back to regularly, and we’re sure you will too. As a bonus, the show notes are full of multiple resources for difficulties like shame, regret, addiction, divorce, abortion, body image, and many more! Viewing in an app? Full show notes here! Here are the struggles we discussed in this episode and some articles that speak to them: Poor self-esteem (and body image): 3 Ways Positive Self-Talk Can Improve Your Life 2 Ways to Break Free From Self-Sabotage 5 Helpful Tips for Loving Your Body the Way It Is What Every Woman Needs to Know About Body Image We feel the need to be perfect: 4 Reasons Why Being Selfish Is Best for Everyone 5 Truths About the Best Kind of Beauty Just Because She’s Pretty, Doesn’t Mean You’re Not On Courage: Strong People Have Weak Moments Shame/regret from our past: Overcoming Shame in the Grit and Grace Life The Amanda Bynes Story—Finding Grit and Grace in Recovery 5 Slogans From AA That Will Make Every Woman Wiser Are You Suffering From PTSD? Here’s How to Know and Get Help Not knowing our purpose: How to Get Honest About Your Dreams and Thrive! Unsure of Your Purpose? Discover It With These 5 Steps How to Become the Woman You Want to Be We don't feel strong: The 6 Qualities That Make a Female Leader Strong A Strong Woman Has These 7 Things on Her Bucket List How Do I Know What Defines Me? When a Strong Woman Is Quitting, But Not Failing We also wanted to mention these articles and other episodes that speak to specific difficulties: Ask Dr. Zoe – Can You Get Past a Betrayal in Marriage? This Is How to Overcome Toxic Emotions After Divorce Unplanned Pregnancy—the Tale of Two Girls (abortion) Ask Dr. Zoe – Coping with Anxiety Biblically This Is What I Learned About Life After My Rape and Pregnancy Infertility Is an Interruption, but Not the End Related podcast episodes that you don't want to miss: How to Make Decisions (Even the Hard Ones) – 076 (we discussed leaving an unhealthy relationship and abortion) Regret: All the Ways It Can Actually Serve You – 058 Can You Really Leave Your Past Behind You? – 028 Conquering Struggles Women Will Face in Every Stage of Life with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 009 Darlene mentioned an article from National Eating Disorder Association, you can read it here. She also referenced an article from Psychology Today about emotionally strong people, find it here. Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Quote of the episode: "I can't think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself." Emma Stone Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Isn’t every parent’s goal to raise happy, well-adjusted, and, yes, responsible kids who can find success in life? Even comedienne, Phyllis Diller said, “I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford...then I want to move in with them.
Who doesn’t love Easter—another opportunity to eat candy, decorate our home, create new family memories, and, of course, the dress. But at the core of this holiday lies the pinnacle of our Christian faith, so we wanted to take this opportunity to addre...
Has your life taken an unexpected turn after experiencing disappointment? Perhaps it’s left you feeling like you’re not good at what you thought you were, or worse, not good at anything at all. This week’s guest, JJ Heller, will inspire you. Her unlikely journey from basketball player to recording artist entailed many unexpected turns. She admits that “finding her voice” (not just musically, but figuratively) took time, tweaks, and listening to valuable feedback from others. It also required patience—and persistence too! With her recorded album count now in the double digits, she can attest to the fact that when you work within your limitations and trust God with each step, anything is possible. The conversation Darlene and Julie had with this talented artist is relatable to all who find themselves at a crossroads in life. JJ Heller is another lady who is successfully living this grit and grace life, and you can hear it in the music she sings. 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! Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Quote of the episode: "...sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself.” Miles Davis Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife
Most women are looking for a healthy, secure, and romantic relationship with the man in their life. Sometimes we do things that, instead of making it better, are killing it. Now, we know that men can be relationship killers too,
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