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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Wish you could go back in time and do something differently? We all do! Unfortunately, until time machines are manufactured, we can’t do anything about the past but reflect—and that’s often where we learn the most about who we are and where we want to go from here.
This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender reunite after several months apart to catch up, swap stories about life behind the mic, and share wisdom they’ve gleaned over the last few years. In an inspiring display of vulnerability, the duo look back at moments in their lives that they wish they’d approached differently: everything from fashion choices and what they spent their money on to establishing better boundaries and fighting for failed friendships.
Take a note from Darlene and Julie and think about what the past has taught you—and how you can use that knowledge and wisdom to inform you in your next season.
BetterHelp sponsor, courtesy of Julie Bender
Quote of the episode:“I could look through all of my life mistakes and insecurities and areas where I still need healing and recognize God knows all of it. … And he still has a plan for where I’m going to go in spite of and because of those things.” —Julie Bender
ResourcesMentions: —This Is a Window Into My Widowhood
Related Content:—5 Steps for Remaining Hopeful in Seasons of Change —Busyness: Is It Really Your Badge of Honor? —Establishing Healthy Boundaries in the Grit and Grace Life
Follow Us on Social Media!Want to become a strong woman? It may come as a surprise that embarking on this path has more to do with leaning into your vulnerabilities and weaknesses—not the areas you excel in.
In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss 8 ways that you can begin your journey to becoming a strong woman, even as life’s challenges continue. Among these, you’ll learn the importance of talking less; why lowering the bar for yourself and others can actually be a good thing; and why choosing to become a strong woman is a decision that must be made daily.
Quote of the episode:“Ultimately, strength comes from two major sources: one is your life experience; the other, of course, is a dependence on the God we serve.” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesRelated Content:— How Breaking Up Made Me a Strong Woman — Anatomy of a Strong Woman — When a Strong Woman is Quitting but Not Failing — What I Wish I Had Known: The Hard Years Make You Strong — Women’s History Month: Be Inspired By Strong Women of the Past
Follow Us on Social Media!Being a single mom is challenging, and many times, moms enter this season of life unexpectedly.
This was the case for Grit and Grace Life writer Kim Breuninger, who struggled with feeling responsible for her first husband’s happiness as a young married couple with three children. Disagreements weren’t uncommon as Kim tried to find a balance between being an honorable wife and making sacrifices she never expected. Then, during dinner on the night of their 10th anniversary, her husband dropped a bomb that shattered their marriage and suddenly left Kim a single mom.
In this podcast episode, Kim sits down with Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to share the challenges she faced raising her three boys in the years after her marriage fell apart.
Now, decades later and remarried, Kim is able to look back on that season of life and offer hope and sage advice for those who feel alone as a single mom, including how to surround yourself with a helpful, loving support group; the importance of implementing and keeping a structure for your kids; the promise of “waiting well” before pursuing a new relationship; and more. She also offers advice for friends and family of single moms, from what not to say to the best ways to be a safe place and listening ear.
Kim Breuninger believes everyone has a story, we’re all looking for something more, and we all need help to get there. She’s a personal growth enthusiast who journeys with others as they move toward spiritual and emotional character development. Recently retired from 30 years of full-time ministry to women, her story continues in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Kim loves to write, teach, and speak. She’s also a volunteer counselor for Respero.org and a qualified Townsend Leadership Coach. Kim’s husband and best friend Dave is also retired from full-time ministry. They’ve joyfully raised their blended family of five and are overly attached to their nine exceptional grandchildren. They enjoy all the biking, hiking, and year-round sports the outdoors offers.
Quote of the episode:“Do what you need to do to keep yourself together. A child that has a mom who is composed has a treasure.” —Kim Breuninger
ResourcesRelated Content:—5 Tips for Grit and Grace as a Single Mom —Dear Single Mom, This Is Why You Inspire Me—Trapped in a Past Relationship? Here’s the Best Way to Move On —After Losing My Husband To Suicide, One Good Man Restored Our Family —5 Tips for When You Want to Re-Enter the Dating World —Encouragement and Hope for a Single Mom
Follow Us on Social Media!Would you say you’re confident? Or would it be more accurate to say that you experience flickers of self-doubt now and again? If you said the latter, you’re not alone.
This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the plague of self-doubt and shame we face as women, and how we get caught in the trap of comparison. They break down the most common areas we struggle with, including feeling too old; feeling too young; wondering if we’re good enough; feeling burdened by our pasts; and more, and share ways to identify your strengths (rather than focus on your perceived weaknesses).
If you’re looking to break free of self-doubt, embarrassment and shame, this is the right place to find hope.
Quote of the episode:“We love to tell other people they’re equal and valuable, but what about us?” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesMentions:
—Ask Dr. Zoe – 6 Steps to Transform Your Self-Talk —From Living on the Streets to Finding Redemption with Laila Schell – 218 —My Parents’ Murder-Suicide and the Road to Forgiveness with Tracy Brandt – 208
Related Content:
—This Is What I Would Say to the Man Who Raped Me —How Do I Know What Defines Me? —Advice for the Woman Who’s Not Happy in Front of the Mirror —To the Mom Lacking Self-Confidence: Do This
Follow Us on Social Media!Just like that, summer is wrapping up and the next school year is around the corner. As a mom, maybe you’re breathing a sigh of relief, knowing you’ll gain a few hours back in the day where you won’t be pestered (we get it!). Or maybe you’re a bit apprehensive—you don’t know what’s in the curriculum this year, whether your child will get along with their teacher, or what they’ll hear from other students. No matter which feeling you identify with, this episode of This Grit and Grace Life will help you feel more at ease in the new school year.
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat through everything you need for a strong back to school strategy, from getting your kids out the door faster in the morning and establishing a routine, to preparing them for new (and potentially divisive) information and people they might not get along with. You’ll learn how to help them respond to any situation with respect, dignity and critical thinking—the ultimate lesson for school and life.
Quote of the episode:“You are the parent. There’s no one in your child’s life… that has the same influence and impact in their lives as you do.” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesMentions:
—How Do We Embrace Truth in a Radically Shifting Culture? – 215
Related Content:
—“4 Ways to Save Your Sanity In a New School Year” —How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177
Follow Us on Social Media!Your circumstances don’t define you. Take it from this week’s podcast guest, Laila Schell, whose upbringing was anything but conventional. In this raw narration of her life story, Laila shares how she grew up poverty-stricken, bouncing between family homes and foster care and feeling the sting of rejection from her parents. Living on the street, Laila struggled with drugs and discovered she was pregnant. Her life seemed hopeless until one unexpected moment of deliverance changed everything.
Now, Laila sees the beauty of leading an imperfect life—recognizing our past doesn’t define us. It only points back to God’s ability to pull us from our deepest despair and guide us to finding redemption.
Laila Schell is a wife and mom of four who lives in a small farming community north of Toronto. She loves people and has always enjoyed talking to others and hearing their stories. Laila knows first hand how important it is to receive grace and of the power that God can use to transform a life. She has a passion for encouraging mothers and wives in the day to day tasks and helping them to see that even the most menial tasks are important and have a purpose! A firm believer that guacamole should never be extra and miracle whip is not mayonnaise, she uses worship music as the fuel to carry her through in life.
You can read more from Laila at The Good Wives Blog, or follow her on Instagram @thegoodwife22.
Quote of the episode:“I think if we all just stop pretending, we can start healing.” —Laila Schell
ResourcesRelated Content:
—I Made a Change—And It Brought My Prodigal Home —Childhood Trauma—How to Spot it, How to Heal It —I Found Freedom After Sharing My Painful Story
Follow Us on Social Media!Happy 4th of July! While we’re celebrating our nation’s independence and the individual freedoms over backyard cookouts and late-night fireworks, we also can’t help but wonder: What does it look like to be an independent woman?
In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack the characteristics of an independent woman. They also discuss the importance of identifying your value outside of your job title or relationship status and, most importantly, how to channel confidence and find contentment in who you are.
The independent woman is one who makes a difference because she knows what she brings to the table. Is that you?
Quote of the episode:“We have to find independence in ourselves…it comes with you finding your worth.” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesMentions:—Listen to this podcast episode: “Is Your Man a Keeper? Here’s How to Be Sure — 214” —Heed this advice from Billy Sunday: “Take 15 minutes each day to let God talk to you. Take 15 minutes a day to talk to Him. And then spend 15 minutes a day telling others about the Savior.”
Related Content:
—For insight into what a healthy relationship looks like, read: “This Is What a Well-Loved Woman Feels”
Follow Us on Social Media!Hardly anything is impossible. Take it from Mignon François—a speaker, entrepreneur and owner of The Cupcake Collection, a specialty cupcake business that ships nationwide—who, only a few years ago, found herself with only $5 in hand to feed her family as a single mom.
On this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat with Mignon on how to get to where you want to be in life, and the ability to be resourceful even when it seems all the odds are against you. Mignon shares her unexpected journey from living paycheck to paycheck to investing seed money that would eventually turn into a bakery empire. But her story didn’t come without its share of challenges: While this was all happening, Mignon went through a divorce, her car was repossessed, and her house was up for foreclosure.
She believes the heartache and her hard work ultimately led her to where she currently is, and she hopes other women in a season of doubt and struggle will take her message to heart. Tune in for her advice on striving through hardship, why your past might actually serve you, and why you should write a mission statement for your future self.
Mignon François is a speaker, entrepreneur, and community leader who has inspired thousands through her “Follow Your Spirit” approach. After years of drowning in debt and brokenness, Mignon founded The Cupcake Collection in 2008, on the last $5 she had to feed her family and turned it into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold.
Her grassroots story of success has garnered national attention from TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, Southern Living, Entrepreneur and Business Insider, just to name a few. In addition, her business savvy has earned her numerous titles and awards, including Woman of Legend and Merit, Entrepreneur of the Year, Women’s Empowerment Innovator, NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur, and Black Enterprise magazine’s Family Business of the Year.
Today Mignon is committed to teaching anyone who will listen about what they can do if only they believe.
2023 forges a new path for Mignon’s career as she adds author to her resume. In her memoir, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, Mignon shares her story of finding success with no presets in place, mapping a journey that led to the joy that has become synonymous with Mignon François.
Quote of the episode:“Every single thing that you’ve ever had to do is taking you from where you are to where you want to be.” —Mignon François
ResourcesMentions:—Buy Mignon’s new book: Made From Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe
Related Content:
Follow Us on Social Media!We’re witnessing radical changes in our culture. Topics ranging from gender identity and sexual boundaries to living “your truth” are making both headlines and appearances in our daily life. And many times, these issues run counter to what we believe as women of faith. So how do we adapt to a shifting culture and still pursue what we know to be true?
In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the ways that traditional values and the understanding of what’s right or wrong have changed over the years, touching on topics like casual sex and family dynamics. They also share how we as women of faith can embrace truth and navigate these new waters through grace and compassion, rather than judgment through measuring sin. Are you willing to sit and talk with someone whose beliefs or decisions differ greatly from your own?
God designed a perfect life for us to live. Our job is to pursue His truth—which includes loving others the way He would.
Quote of the episode:“Truth, couched in mercy and grace, is the only thing we can find hope in.” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesMentions:—Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr—“Are Women Being Marginalized—Again?”
Related:—How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177 —“So, We Disagree—Can We Still Talk?”
Follow Us on Social Media!Are you dating someone or looking to date? Regardless of where you might be in those two categories, it’s never too late to evaluate whether your potential life partner is a keeper.
In this podcast episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender outline what characteristics you need to look out for—both the red flags and the green flags—so you can quickly identify whether your man is a keeper, or someone who should see the door.
Quote of the episode:“If we want to be a keeper, we need to have the same attributes we’re looking for in them.” —Darlene Brock
ResourcesMentions:—Why Hasn’t Your Boyfriend Proposed or Set a Date? With Dr. Zoe Shaw – 140 —”Is Your Man a Never-Fiancé, Forever-Fiancé, or The One?” —View Caroline’s Instagram reel: “I Have a Broken Picker”
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