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
No man is an island, and no woman is either! Darlene and Julie discuss the importance of healthy relationships with the other women in your life, and more importantly, how to do it! They talk about your best friend (or lack thereof), the friend you need to let go of, your sister(s) and even share why building strong female relationships will actually make you live longer. Give it a listen, girlfriend. In the app? To see full show notes, click on the Episode Webpage link below. Research and studies we mentioned: The UCLA study about how women "tend & befriend" Brigham Run Study about women living longer when they have healthy relationships (they say it's more effective than working out or quitting smoking!) Reese Witherspoon's quote “I don’t know what I would have done so many times in my life if I hadn’t had my girlfriends. They have literally gotten me up out of bed, taken my clothes off, put me in the shower, dressed me, said, ‘Hey, you can do this,’ put my high heels on and pushed me out the door!” —In Touch, April 2013 Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love Quote of the episode: "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” Oprah Winfrey Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest
We ladies can’t seem to stop the struggle. The one where we compare ourselves to every.other.woman.around us. We've been doing it for a very long time. But, there’s hope! In this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss three ways we compare ourselves, and real ways to stop.
Living a life of grace is very often misinterpreted. Some believe it’s an indicator of weakness. In the eyes of many, extending the truest form of grace, which is forgiveness, means giving up. Others believe grace is automatic and easy to show. Quite the contrary—living a life of grace takes an enormous amount of strength and a boatload of tenacity..
Episode 002: How You Can Stop the Struggle with Comparison - Show Notes We ladies can’t seem to stop the struggle with the need to compare ourselves to every.other.woman.around us. But, there’s hope! In this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss three ways we compare ourselves, and real ways to stop. Research and Studies we Mentioned: The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report Anxiety UK study about social media behavior https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/for-some-with-anxiety-technology-can-increase-anxiety/ The same study is discussed by Huff Post here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/social-media-anxiety_n_1662224.html Body confidence and all body types are shared and appreciated by the Brand Aerie follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aerie/ Just Because She’s Pretty, Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Do you have a friend who wakes up looking angelic before she even washes her face? How about one who lives off of doughnuts and never lifts more than her purse, but somehow maintains the body of a supermodel? Maybe you have a friend who always gets what she wants and everything seems to go her way. Perhaps you have a funny, charismatic friend who can light up a room and make even a stranger feel like they’ve been life-long friends. More... Dear SAHM: I See You and Want You to Know These 8 Things Dear Stay at Home Mom (SAHM): If you had told me 10 years ago that I would end up being a stay at home mom who homeschooled her children, I would have straight up punched you in the throat. Then laughed. Then probably punched you again. I’m only telling you this to give you a better idea of your author. I didn’t plan on this role, but I didn’t plan on marriage or children either and had no idea how much they would turn my life and my heart upside down. For the better! More... Can You Start a Career Later in Life? Absolutely. Depending on whom you ask, being a stay at home mom can be: fulfilling, exhausting, joyful, mundane, and so on and so forth. Often times, it’s a mixture of all of that wrapped into one—or several—little bodies. Tack on the fact that every woman is different, with her own unique circumstances and feelings, and you’ll find a variety of perspectives. However, I will be so bold to say that many SAHM’s can feel a bit lost from time to time … like a piece of their identity is buried under the dishes, diapers, and discipline. More...
Episode: 001 What is a Grit and Grace Life? Show Notes Living a life of grace is very often misinterpreted. Some believe it’s an indicator of weakness. In the eyes of many, extending the truest form of grace, which is forgiveness, means giving up.
We are so excited to finally be launching This Grit and Grace Life Podcast! The “000 About Us” episode is a chance for you to meet our hosts, Darlene Brock and Julie Graham and learn a little bit about what you can expect from our weekly show. The full podcast starts Tuesday, August 29 and a new episode will be ready for download each Tuesday. Better yet Subscribe and you'll get them automatically! About This Grit and Grace Life Podcast Are you a strong woman or want to be? This Grit and Grace Life hosts, Darlene Brock and Julie Graham cross generational lines and draw from life experience to discuss all things life—from the boardroom to the bedroom, car-lines to college, being single, married or single again. Combining the two traits found in all women, grit and grace, they laugh, share insights and explore the road taken to find strength every day. Darlene and Julie will discuss everything from relationships to work-life balance, from parenting to empty-nesting and when they are stumped, bring in experts to help with these and other common issues women face. Join us, real talk for women embracing This Grit and Grace Life. #gritandgracelife About the Hosts Darlene Brock: Darlene left home at 18, lived in a commune, spent 20 plus years in the music business and para-glided off the Bavarian Alps.; you can’t put this lady in a box, she can do it all. She recognized early that embracing grit and grace were the traits that got her through many trials and triumphs. This realization made one of her life missions to encourage other women to do the same, leading her to become the Co-Founder and President of the Grit and Grace Project with husband, Dan. Author of Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters, Darlene has appeared on numerous network TV shows; has been a guest columnist for CNN, Thriving Family Magazine and appeared on radio programs such as Family Life Today and Keep the Faith. Darlene raised two daughters while producing award-winning music videos, managing music groups, promoting concerts and serving as COO of ForeFront Records. This unique blend of author, mother, business woman, wife, and creative producer has shown her that it is indeed true, “life challenges should neither defeat nor define you.” And just so you know, she wears the tool belt in her family. Of course, she does. Julie Graham Julie is full of stories created from the years she was raised by her great-grandmother, in a house filled with cats (which she will never parent again). This wife and #boymom to a toddler never leaves you wondering what she’s thinking. She’s so demonstrative, Emoji is her second language. Guided by her personal mantra #beboldandjustbeyou she shares her heart, her fitness and fashion tips, and her frequent embarrassing moments willingly. Totally vivacious, stylish and real, her ability to be vulnerable and encouraging, engages you from her first words. Social media and past leadership roles at a large church have created a following of women who look forward to her wisdom and humor each day. Juggling home life with her work life she’s been a Special Events Coordinator, Assimilation Director, and now serves as the Brand Manager for The Grit and Grace Project. Where Julie feels the most comfortable is in front of the camera or behind a microphone. But remember, she’s winging it. Life, motherhood, her eyeliner, everything. Articles We Mentioned or Know You'll Love 10 Funny Things All Women Do I obviously have spent a whole bunch of years being a female, well actually my entire life (no surprise there). But something I have realized is that we are a funny bunch, aren’t we ladies? There are some things we do and say that are unique to us. I’ve done them, and I know if you admit it, you have too! So I’m just going to step up and confess to some of the funny things all women do.
- Are you a strong woman or want to be? This Grit and Grace Life hosts, Darlene Brock and Julie Graham cross generational lines and draw from life experience to discuss all things life—from the boardroom to the bedroom, car-lines to college,
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
