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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Want a good laugh? Well, you’re in for a treat!
In this lighthearted episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender bring back an older episode where they discuss the importance of finding humor in life—and they do it by sharing several listener-submitted memes and funny phrases on topics like relationships and motherhood that will make you chuckle. And more likely than not, you’ll relate to many of them.
Quote of the episode:“You never realize how many people you don’t like until it’s time to name your baby.”
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Follow Us on Social Media!“Is my teen out of control, or is this normal behavior? At one point do I need to begin enforcing changes?”
These questions often consume moms of teens and preteens, and on this throwback episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender ask psychotherapist and relationship coach Dr. Zoe Shaw for advice. Dr. Zoe discusses how to approach privacy and your teen’s internet and social media use; how to recognize which moments you should step aside and allow your teen to make mistakes, and when it’s time for you to intervene; and
If you have a teen (or will soon), this episode is filled with the answers to some your most pressing motherhood questions.
Dr. Zoe Shaw is a passionate practitioner in the field of clinical psychology. She is licensed as a psychotherapist and divides her time between her family life, clinical practice, virtual life, and relationship coaching, speaking, writing and hosting her podcast. You can follow Dr. Zoe by visiting her site, or finding her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as her podcast, Stronger in the Difficult Places.
Submit a question to our free Ask Dr. Zoe column.
Quote of the episode:“We take it personally when it’s not personal; it’s their development.” —Dr. Zoe Shaw
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Check out these other podcast episodes with Dr. Zoe
Follow Us on Social Media!Want to make a change in 2024? No matter what it may be, you need a path to get there. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender break down the differences between a reset, a redo, and a restart—and how to outline a plan for each—so you can chart the appropriate course for the change you want to implement.
Making a change can be nerve-wracking, but the steps shared here will set you on a clear path to your goals with little room for error. And if you being to doubt your decision along the way, Julie shares some words of wisdom to help you get back on track.
Quote of the episode:“There’s a reason your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror: Where you’re headed is more important than what you left behind.” —Unknown
Resources Follow Us on Social Media!It’s the most wonderful time of the year—or is it?
We believe it is, but we know that stress and hardships can sometimes surface and crowd out those merry feelings. Rather than feeling swayed by the weight of those challenges, we want to help you find the good. In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share an assortment of quotes that remind us of our ability to make the most of every day, cultivate that happy moments mindset and lead the life we want by shifting our perspective.
What are you spending time thinking about? Are you focusing on the good deeds you witness, the blessings you have at home? The kindness of others, the beauty of nature? All those little happy moments? They are there—you just have to train your brain to see them for what they are!
Quote of the episode:“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” —Wayne Dyer
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Follow Us on Social Media!This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss what faith, hope, and love should look like when played out in our lives. You’ll learn how they each decided to pursue faith; how we should pour out love and gratitude back to God through the work we do and how we carry ourselves; how faith fulfills our ability to hope, which sustains us during hard times and reminds us of what’s good in a world that feels scary and messy; why we’re called to love others (even those who don’t love us back) and how to show it.
Any one of these tenets—or perhaps all three—may feel complicated or even a bit foreign to you. This episode is a helpful guide to understanding what they look like and how they all work together to resemble a fulfilling life that looks like Christ’s.
Quote of the episode:“We, at times, may be put right in the position to show love in a very tangible, real way to someone who desperately needs it.” —Julie Bender
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Follow Us on Social Media!Did you know that this podcast and its adjoining website, Grit and Grace Life, are run entirely by donations? That’s right—we’re not your typical media outlet!
The Grit and Grace Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by generous individuals who believe in our mission to inform and encourage women in their life journey. We believe women can prepare for every facet of life—from motherhood, work and health to purpose, relationships, and faith—by learning from those who have walked those paths before them. The articles on our site are a treasure trove of wisdom from our global collective of writers who want to give other women a leg up by sharing their experiences, both challenging and joyful. After all, strong women are stronger together!
This has been at the core of our mission since 2015, and we don’t plan to slow down. In fact, in this episode, Managing Editor Ashley Johnson reveals The Grit and Grace Project‘s next big undertaking, which will come to fruition in 2024. We’re passionate about helping women and getting these resources out to as many of them as possible. With your help, our reach will expand even further.
Quote of the episode:“You learn the best things in life from people who have lived it.” —Darlene Brock
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to The Grit and Grace Project. You can mail it to P.O. Box 247, Estero, FL 33929, or by using the link below from now until Christmas Day, and your gift will be matched:
Follow Us on Social Media!We’ve all heard the adage “Beauty is more than skin deep,” but do you believe it?
It doesn’t take more than five minutes scrolling Instagram or wandering the magazine newsstands to realize that the media—and, by extension, our culture—is saturated with images depicting luscious hair, dewy skin and trim figures. We live in a society that clamors for beauty, and because of that, it’s hard to escape our own concerns over our self-image.
In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down with Grit and Grace Life‘s Managing Editor, Ashley Johnson, to talk about real beauty. Over a decade ago, Ashley was diagnosed with alopecia areata, a disease resulting in hair loss. She discusses how she discovered she had alopecia, her emotional response, the treatments she’s pursued and how she’s ultimately come to terms with living with a disease that doesn’t offer many answers.
Despite feeling vulnerable and at one point grappling with the loss of her identity, Ashley shares how her faith helped restore her perception of herself, and how we can avoid disrupting the balance between caring about aesthetics to being obsessed with our image. Hint: It has to a lot to do with searching for the real beauty below the surface—both in ourselves and in others.
Don’t be fooled by Ashley Johnson’s quiet presence. She’s an internal processor who just might overthink from time to time. When she’s not caught up in her thoughts, she’s usually writing them or enjoying the thoughts of others. She’s a wife, new mom, and lover of all things pretty.
Quote of the episode:“If you look at our world, God created it with beauty. Obviously he cares about aesthetics. I think it’s only natural for people who are made like him to care about beauty. But I think, like anything, we can become obsessed with it.” —Ashley Johnson
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Follow Us on Social Media!It’s officially the holiday season, and we already know what’s lingering in the back of your mind—shopping for gifts. Gift-giving can be such a joyful exchange when your loved one has been casually dropping hints all year long, but what about the folks who keep mum?
This is where Darlene Brock and Julie Bender come in to save the (holi-) day. In this episode, the Grit and Grace Life co-hosts present a robust Christmas gift guide with more than 25 fresh ideas for every person on your list. Submitted by the team of writers at Grit and Grace Life, the items in this gift guide are perfect (affordable!) stocking stuffers or under-the-tree presents for the gym-goer, newlywed, gardener, mom on the go, bookworm, college student, man or child in your life. All of these products are linked below, and most of them can be added to your Amazon cart with a simple click.
Now you can knock out your Christmas shopping and spend the rest of the time you saved decorating, baking or just basking in the glow of the Christmas lights with a hot chocolate in hand.
Quote of the episode:“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” —Luke 6:31
Gift Guide Product LinksFor Women —Customizable Bobbleheads —14-in-1 Multitool Hammer —Vooray 23L Burner Gym Duffel Bag —EAONE Garden Kneeler and Seat —ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow —CAKES Body Nipple Covers —Personalized Initial Necklace —Apple Watch —Dressy Apple Watch Bands —Fun/Variety Apple Watch Bands —Sporty Apple Watch Bands —GCI Outdoor Rocking Camper Chair —Mkono Plant Propagation Wall Hanging Terrarium —BOGG Bag —Loop Wifi Digital Picture Frame —Stuff I’d Only Tell God Guided Journal —Christmas Memories Keepsake Journal —Used Books Monthly Subscription —Beautyrest Reversible Faux Sherpa Electric Wrap Poncho —Yarn Bowl for Crochet by Laborwood
For Men —Ooni Koda Gas Pizza Oven —Sharper Image Powerboost Deep Tissue Massager —Miracle Made NASA-Inspired Sheets —Wireless Charging Valet Tray
For Kids —Waterproof Digital Camera —MAGBLOCK 176-piece Marble Run Magnetic Tiles Sets —ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game —Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Indoor/Outdoor Game
Follow Us on Social Media!Every couple that says “I do” desires—and anticipates—a marriage bursting at the seams with love, respect and friendship. But that only happens when each partner is willing to put in the work to get there.
In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack 9 guidelines that every couple can use to build a strong marriage, whether they’ve been together for decades or just recently exchanged vows. Darlene and Julie share common marital misconceptions; the actions and behaviors that contributed to the longevity of their personal partnerships; how to have healthy arguments and disagreements; and other tips for blending two imperfect humans who want a happy, healthy lifetime together.
Quote of the episode:“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life—to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in silent, unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting.” —George Eliot
ResourcesMentioned: —Julie Graham’s Untold Story of Heartbreak, Healing and Hope – 101
Related Content:—Differing Sex Drives in Marriage: When He Wants More and You Don’t—The 3-Day Rule: My Mother-in-Law’s Secret to a Happy Marriage—Strength Under Fire: 5 Marriage Lessons from a Firefighter’s Wife—How Can We Have Teamwork in Marriage When We’re So Different?—Ready to Unpack the Baggage in Your Marriage? with Rachel Hagstrom – 213—Infidelity Isn’t the End—You Can Save Your Marriage with Cindy Beall – 198
Follow Us on Social Media!It seems as though 2020 was the impetus for division and global tensions: racial, political, health-related and more. We were faced with an unprecedented virus, and a reckoning with racial injustices that paved the way for more open-minded discussions and understanding.
And yet, the uncomfortable weight of not knowing the right thing to say—or saying the wrong thing—hasn’t quite lifted. Political correctness reigns supreme and cancel culture is still a very real threat.
So what do we do when we’re afraid to speak up? Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack this worry and how to overcome the paralysis as women of faith. They also offer practical mindset tips for being vocal about what you believe in a world that believes the contrary.
Quote of the episode:“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” —Winston Churchill
ResourcesRelated Content:—How Do We Embrace Truth in a Radically Shifting Culture? – 215—Our Duty to Celebrate Racial Diversity as Women of Faith – 207—Finding Happiness with a Scary Future Ahead – 190—How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177
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