Shows
The Grit and Grace ProjectWhy You Shouldn’t Doubt Your Impact as a Mother – 280Doubt 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...2025-05-0617 min
Smart Living with Grit and GraceWhy You Shouldn’t Doubt Your Impact as a Mother – 280Doubt 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...2025-05-0617 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectDiscover How Grit, Grace, and Smart Living Can Change Your Life – 278Do 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 st...2025-04-2220 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDiscover How Grit, Grace, and Smart Living Can Change Your Life – 278Do 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 st...2025-04-2220 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectNeed a Relationship Expert? Look to Jesus – 277We’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 mu...2025-04-1517 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceNeed a Relationship Expert? Look to Jesus – 277We’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 mu...2025-04-1517 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectDon’t Be a Fool: 5 Mistakes to Avoid – 275We 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...2025-04-0116 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDon’t Be a Fool: 5 Mistakes to Avoid – 275We 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...2025-04-0116 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Have Trouble Speaking Up for Yourself – 272The one thing most people fear more than death? Public speaking.¹
There’s something about standing in front of another person (or multiple people) and sharing our thoughts, ideas, and feedback that makes us want to shrink until we evaporate. But sometimes, neglecting to speak up for yourself can have harmful repercussions.
Here to help you see past your fear this week is Darlene Brock and Julie Bender, who get to work excavating the possible reasons why speaking up is so terrifying. Maybe you’ve often been ignored, or never taken seriously, or you feel you’l...2025-03-1119 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Have Trouble Speaking Up for Yourself – 272The one thing most people fear more than death? Public speaking.¹
There’s something about standing in front of another person (or multiple people) and sharing our thoughts, ideas, and feedback that makes us want to shrink until we evaporate. But sometimes, neglecting to speak up for yourself can have harmful repercussions.
Here to help you see past your fear this week is Darlene Brock and Julie Bender, who get to work excavating the possible reasons why speaking up is so terrifying. Maybe you’ve often been ignored, or never taken seriously, or you feel you’l...2025-03-1119 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf Hope Feels Beyond Your Reach – 271How is your future looking right now? If what you’re envisioning feels bleak, let us offer some encouragement.
Hope often flies right out the door as soon as life starts to unravel differently than we planned. Your kids drop out of college. Your spouse is distant. You haven’t been promoted at work in years. When reality doesn’t match the vision, what can we look forward to?
In this episode of Smart Living in Small Bites, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack ways to find hope in the mundane. It may require work on you...2025-03-0418 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf Hope Feels Beyond Your Reach – 271How is your future looking right now? If what you’re envisioning feels bleak, let us offer some encouragement.
Hope often flies right out the door as soon as life starts to unravel differently than we planned. Your kids drop out of college. Your spouse is distant. You haven’t been promoted at work in years. When reality doesn’t match the vision, what can we look forward to?
In this episode of Smart Living in Small Bites, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack ways to find hope in the mundane. It may require work on you...2025-03-0418 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf His Promise of Marriage Feels Empty – 270You’ve dreamt of wearing a billowy white dress and floating down the aisle to your prince charming since you were 5. Fast forward several years, and the man you love is doing everything but committing to making that dream a reality. Maybe you’ve been dating for years and are losing hope that a proposal will ever come, or you are engaged, but his promise of marriage feels empty and conversations around setting a date have stalled out. What do you do?
In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender talk...2025-02-2521 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf His Promise of Marriage Feels Empty – 270You’ve dreamt of wearing a billowy white dress and floating down the aisle to your prince charming since you were 5. Fast forward several years, and the man you love is doing everything but committing to making that dream a reality. Maybe you’ve been dating for years and are losing hope that a proposal will ever come, or you are engaged, but his promise of marriage feels empty and conversations around setting a date have stalled out. What do you do?
In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender talk...2025-02-2521 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Don’t Know What to Do for Spring Break – 269Don’t know what to do for spring break? That means it’s time to decide how you really want to spend that time off: planning and prepping for a week-long getaway someplace far away, or catching your breath with a few relaxing days at home with your family?
If 2025 has been a busy year for you (or if saving money is top of mind), you’ll likely opt for the latter. But there’s no reason a staycation can’t be as inspired as a destination trip. In fact, there are ways to make it more wholesome...2025-02-1816 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Don’t Know What to Do for Spring Break – 269Don’t know what to do for spring break? That means it’s time to decide how you really want to spend that time off: planning and prepping for a week-long getaway someplace far away, or catching your breath with a few relaxing days at home with your family?
If 2025 has been a busy year for you (or if saving money is top of mind), you’ll likely opt for the latter. But there’s no reason a staycation can’t be as inspired as a destination trip. In fact, there are ways to make it more wholesome...2025-02-1816 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Want to Love Your People Well – 268When we think of Valentine’s Day, our thoughts often gravitate toward images of men purchasing giant teddy bears and bouquets of roses for the woman they love. As nice as that is, it’s a bit commercialized, and love deserves so much more intention—and recipients!
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender want to challenge you to think outside the box this year. Who else can you show love to aside from your significant other? Your friends? Jesus? Maybe even yourself? In this podcast episode, Darlene and Julie share small yet touching ways you can let those special...2025-02-1115 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Want to Love Your People Well – 268When we think of Valentine’s Day, our thoughts often gravitate toward images of men purchasing giant teddy bears and bouquets of roses for the woman they love. As nice as that is, it’s a bit commercialized, and love deserves so much more intention—and recipients!
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender want to challenge you to think outside the box this year. Who else can you show love to aside from your significant other? Your friends? Jesus? Maybe even yourself? In this podcast episode, Darlene and Julie share small yet touching ways you can let those special...2025-02-1115 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf God Feels Distant – 267Has it been a while since you heard from God? Does it feel like ages since you’ve seen his goodness or felt the Holy Spirit stirring?
Distance from God is one of the most frustrating things we can experience as women of faith. We wonder where he’s gone and why he would ignore the children he loves. The uncomfortable truth? The onus may be on us—and if it’s not us, it’s God trying to help us grow in our faith. Yes, even in the ‘silence’!
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Juli...2025-02-0419 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf God Feels Distant – 267Has it been a while since you heard from God? Does it feel like ages since you’ve seen his goodness or felt the Holy Spirit stirring?
Distance from God is one of the most frustrating things we can experience as women of faith. We wonder where he’s gone and why he would ignore the children he loves. The uncomfortable truth? The onus may be on us—and if it’s not us, it’s God trying to help us grow in our faith. Yes, even in the ‘silence’!
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Juli...2025-02-0419 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Want Your Goals to Reflect Your Priorities – 266Shoot straight with us for a minute: Did you set any goals at the start of this year?
If you answered ‘no,’ we’re right there with you. After all, weren’t we all just trying to get settled back in after the holidays?
Now that we are settled in, it’s the perfect time to revisit any changes you may have wanted to make this year. In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share five priorities that would benefit from having structure backed by a goal: home, heal...2025-01-2819 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Want Your Goals to Reflect Your Priorities – 266Shoot straight with us for a minute: Did you set any goals at the start of this year?
If you answered ‘no,’ we’re right there with you. After all, weren’t we all just trying to get settled back in after the holidays?
Now that we are settled in, it’s the perfect time to revisit any changes you may have wanted to make this year. In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share five priorities that would benefit from having structure backed by a goal: home, heal...2025-01-2819 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf Your Desire for Control Is Controlling You – 264Life offers an endless rotation of surprises, so the only thing not surprising is our desire for order—often in the form of control. When we believe we can control what goes on around us, we can somewhat come to terms with the way our lives unfold. But controlling everything is impossible, and when we make that our aim, consciously or not, it can leave us on edge and erode our relationships.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss all the areas we might find hard to control—our tongues, our children, our appetite for...2025-01-1421 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf Your Desire for Control Is Controlling You – 264Life offers an endless rotation of surprises, so the only thing not surprising is our desire for order—often in the form of control. When we believe we can control what goes on around us, we can somewhat come to terms with the way our lives unfold. But controlling everything is impossible, and when we make that our aim, consciously or not, it can leave us on edge and erode our relationships.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss all the areas we might find hard to control—our tongues, our children, our appetite for...2025-01-1421 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf Your Clutter Is Driving You Crazy – 263If you’ve been putting it off, consider this podcast episode as a sign to clean up your clutter!
As we get swept up in the busyness of life, we inadvertently let things accumulate. We outgrow our clothes or forget the items we’ve once loved and the gifts we’ve been given. Over time, we stash these items away to make room for new stuff we need or want. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Sadly, no. These items tend to pile up, consuming space in our homes and in the back of our minds.
...2025-01-0719 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf Your Clutter Is Driving You Crazy – 263If you’ve been putting it off, consider this podcast episode as a sign to clean up your clutter!
As we get swept up in the busyness of life, we inadvertently let things accumulate. We outgrow our clothes or forget the items we’ve once loved and the gifts we’ve been given. Over time, we stash these items away to make room for new stuff we need or want. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Sadly, no. These items tend to pile up, consuming space in our homes and in the back of our minds.
...2025-01-0719 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Think Joy Should Feel Better Than This! – 261In this season of “tidings of great joy,” what if joy doesn’t come easily to you?
As women of faith, there’s an unspoken expectation that we should live in a constant state of joy, that it should be the lens with which we view our lives and circumstances. Although the Bible states we aren’t of the world, we are still in it, which means our perception of joy is often colored by the world’s ideals—namely, success, status and money. But there’s more to real joy.
In this Smart Living podcast episode...2024-12-2420 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Think Joy Should Feel Better Than This! – 261In this season of “tidings of great joy,” what if joy doesn’t come easily to you?
As women of faith, there’s an unspoken expectation that we should live in a constant state of joy, that it should be the lens with which we view our lives and circumstances. Although the Bible states we aren’t of the world, we are still in it, which means our perception of joy is often colored by the world’s ideals—namely, success, status and money. But there’s more to real joy.
In this Smart Living podcast episode...2024-12-2420 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You Want to Keep Your Friendships from Fizzling Out – 260Life is better with friends. There’s just something remarkably special about finding a person (or a few) out of billions in the world who can belly laugh with you over a meal or willingly be at your side in a time of grief. Friendships are mostly easy, but healthy ones still require some work!
In this Smart Living with Grit and Grace podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender dive into two important discussions on this topic: building strong friendships and navigating ones that are fizzling out. For the former, you’ll discover five ways to set...2024-12-1718 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You Want to Keep Your Friendships from Fizzling Out – 260Life is better with friends. There’s just something remarkably special about finding a person (or a few) out of billions in the world who can belly laugh with you over a meal or willingly be at your side in a time of grief. Friendships are mostly easy, but healthy ones still require some work!
In this Smart Living with Grit and Grace podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender dive into two important discussions on this topic: building strong friendships and navigating ones that are fizzling out. For the former, you’ll discover five ways to set...2024-12-1718 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You’re Looking for a Reason to Be Thankful Today – 257It’s usually early- to mid-fall when we hear others expressing a desire to fast forward through the season and jump right into the holidays. The year has been too long, too hard, too unforgiving. Wouldn’t it be better to skip right to the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities and brush all our complications behind us (at least until the New Year)?
The fast forward button isn’t a thing—at least not yet—so you’re better off focusing on the good in each day. In fact, studies show that just a few minutes of practicing gratitude ea...2024-11-2617 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You’re Looking for a Reason to Be Thankful Today – 257It’s usually early- to mid-fall when we hear others expressing a desire to fast forward through the season and jump right into the holidays. The year has been too long, too hard, too unforgiving. Wouldn’t it be better to skip right to the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities and brush all our complications behind us (at least until the New Year)?
The fast forward button isn’t a thing—at least not yet—so you’re better off focusing on the good in each day. In fact, studies show that just a few minutes of practicing gratitude ea...2024-11-2617 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You’re Ready to Leave Stress Behind – 256We don’t need research studies to tell us we’re stressed (although they do, and frequently—a 2021 Gallup poll found that 41% of adults worldwide experience a lot of stress). We feel it everywhere: demanding hours and clients at work; raising kids; the news; the ever-ending list of things to do—the list goes on. Are you ready to leave stress behind? We’ve got you covered!
In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender rip off the band-aid: We can’t get rid of stress entirely. But we can get a better handle on it by dealing...2024-11-1917 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You’re Ready to Leave Stress Behind – 256We don’t need research studies to tell us we’re stressed (although they do, and frequently—a 2021 Gallup poll found that 41% of adults worldwide experience a lot of stress). We feel it everywhere: demanding hours and clients at work; raising kids; the news; the ever-ending list of things to do—the list goes on. Are you ready to leave stress behind? We’ve got you covered!
In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender rip off the band-aid: We can’t get rid of stress entirely. But we can get a better handle on it by dealing...2024-11-1917 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIf You’re Flat-Out Tired of Waiting – 253Are you tired of waiting? Maybe you’re waiting on a future spouse to walk into your life, sitting in fast food lines that feel anything but, or pining for that dream job opportunity to fall into our laps. We’re all excitedly—and usually impatiently—waiting for something. Why do all the good things in life take so long?
One could argue those things wouldn’t be very good to begin with if they didn’t require at some patience, but we think there’s more to it. In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Dar...2024-10-2915 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectIf You’re Flat-Out Tired of Waiting – 253Are you tired of waiting? Maybe you’re waiting on a future spouse to walk into your life, sitting in fast food lines that feel anything but, or pining for that dream job opportunity to fall into our laps. We’re all excitedly—and usually impatiently—waiting for something. Why do all the good things in life take so long?
One could argue those things wouldn’t be very good to begin with if they didn’t require at some patience, but we think there’s more to it. In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Dar...2024-10-2915 minThe Grit and Grace ProjectReady to Conquer Life’s Challenges? Here’s How – 248When it comes to battling life’s challenges, the odds are rarely in our favor. We might feel as though we’re putting forth a ton of effort into making our circumstances better, only to find we didn’t make much headway after all.
It feels like a far cry from the life God designed for us to live, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss new ways to approach these challenges—and they’re all rooted in the mission of Grit and Grace Li...2024-08-2729 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceReady to Conquer Life’s Challenges? Here’s How – 248When it comes to battling life’s challenges, the odds are rarely in our favor. We might feel as though we’re putting forth a ton of effort into making our circumstances better, only to find we didn’t make much headway after all.
It feels like a far cry from the life God designed for us to live, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss new ways to approach these challenges—and they’re all rooted in the mission of Grit and Grace Li...2024-08-2729 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIs Easter the Ultimate Call to Action? – 237Easter isn’t all about Peeps and Cadbury eggs, although co-host Julie Bender wouldn’t mind one or two! But is Easter the ultimate call to action?
In this heartfelt podcast episode, Julie and Darlene Brock discuss the significance of Easter, which they recognize as the pinnacle of their faith. But what does it mean to truly observe the holiday? Here, they unpack the meaning of Jesus Christ’s brutal death on the cross more than 2,000 years ago and why His suffering, while difficult to think on, is crucial to understanding the scope of His love for us and...2024-03-2629 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceJulie and Dar’s Christmas Gift Guide – 226
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 writer...2023-11-0730 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceLife Behind the Mic with Julie and Dar – 223Wish 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 li...2023-09-2632 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceCohost Julie Bender: Life Lessons Learned in her Newest Chapter – 205In our nearly six-month hiatus, a lot has happened in the lives of This Grit and Grace Life‘s hosts. Darlene developed and launched Grit and Grace Life‘s sister project, Smart Living with Grit and Grace, while Julie welcomed a brand new baby girl named Reverie Bender.
Like any good friends would do after being apart, Darlene and Julie spend some time catching up and discussing what else is new in Julie’s life (hint: a lot!). For our newer listeners, Julie recaps her first marriage, her sudden widowhood, getting back into the dating scene and how sh...2023-01-1743 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWe Lied 🤦♀️But We’re Back! 💁♀️ – 204We lied!
In our last episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender signed off with a promise to return in September 2022 after Julie had her baby. Well, life happened, and This Grit and Grace Life’s return got pushed back to January. Better late than never, right? At least we’re starting off the new year with a bang!
In this episode, Darlene and Julie share some of the new changes happening behind the scenes at Grit and Grace Life and give a preview of this season’s upcoming podcast guests. We have a lot in store—...2023-01-1014 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceCan We Just Admit We Judge Other Women? – 203Humanity has a natural tendency to judge others—and often, it seems, women are the worst offenders.
Why do we do it? How do we stop? These are the questions that Darlene and Julie unpack in this week’s podcast episode on judgment. They discuss the different areas of life in which women are prone to judge others, the reasons we do it, and why we should think twice before casting off any opinions or unwarranted labels.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of pointing fingers at the way others fall short, but it end...2022-07-2628 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow to Make Decisions You Won’t Regret – 200Psychology Today estimates that we make 35,000 decisions per day. That means from the moment we wake up to the moment we crawl back into bed, we’re constantly assessing and weighing out thousand of choices to see which ones are most beneficial.
This week, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender review the steps you need to make decisions you won’t regret, and how to abstain from judging others for the decisions they make in their own lives.
Whether you’re debating your options in a relationship, in appearances, in your career, or any other area of lif...2022-07-0528 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow to Be the Mother Yours Wasn’t – 196No mother-daughter relationship is perfect, but some are more difficult than others.
In this episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down to share the distinct challenges they each had with their moms growing up. They open up about how the dysfunctional dynamic impacted their own motherhood duties and what they chose to do differently with their own children.
Through each of their stories, you’ll glean advice on what to do (and not do) in your relationship with your child, how you can begin the process of mending a fractured mother-daughter relationship, and get the...2022-06-0731 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDo You Know Your Purpose? It May Surprise You! – 193Studies have proven that we’re more productive, live longer, and laugh more when we spend time with others. It only makes sense, then, that our relationships are significant to our existence—and that the most important purpose we can have is pouring into the lives of others.
On this week’s podcast, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss how to do just that. They lay out a framework for how to show unconditional love to friends and family that have made both small and serious mistakes; they share stories of the women who invested in them and ch...2022-05-1730 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceFinding Happiness with a Scary Future Ahead – 190If you don’t already know, Julie is having a baby! (A girl!)
At her recent baby shower, amid all the laughter and gifts from friends and family, there was a conversation about the fears people are feeling as a result of the daily circumstances occurring around the world—there was a general consensus that we’re heading into a scary future.
That juxtaposition prompted Darlene and Julie to sit down and talk about our collective uncertainty about the future. Between cultural tension and disagreements, economic hardships, lingering pandemic worries and more, it can be hard to...2022-04-2627 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceMotherhood: Struggle Bus or Joy Ride? Or Is it Both? – 187Society is quick to point out the challenges of motherhood. We see it in the “Mommy needs wine” shirts at Target and read about the seemingly endless struggles from other moms on social media. We don’t deny that motherhood comes with its share of hard times, but with the difficult seasons come the rewarding ones, too.
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down this week to talk about the beauty of being a mom—from the privilege of shaping a little one’s views and raising them with the potential to positively impact the world, to enjoying l...2022-04-0528 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhat Does Optimism Bring to a Woman’s Life? – 184We often hear about “the power of positivity,” and while it may sound like we’re looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, we believe that an attitude of optimism can actually serve us well.
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down to chat about a woman’s inherent optimistic spirit, and how it leads us to push beyond what we thought was possible. They discuss what healthy optimism looks like in each area of our lives, through motherhood, relationships, faith and our purpose; when to pair it with realism; and how it can benefit those around us. ...2022-03-1520 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceLiving the Single Life: How to Love It – 181We live in a culture that puts a lot of emphasis on romantic relationships. If we’re not dating or married, people assume that something must be wrong or we haven’t found the right person yet. But the truth is, being single (or not) is just simply where one may be in life. It does not define you. And for those who like to arrange dates for their single friends: just because they’re single doesn’t mean they’re available!
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down to unpack both the challenges and strengths of singlehood...2022-02-2228 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow Do I Build a Healthy Marriage? – 178For those who are single or dating, marriage might be seen as the answer, or the end-all be-all for wholeness and happiness. While marriage can certainly offer those things, it is so much more: it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship that requires commitment and a whole lot of work.
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender get together to discuss the art of building a happy and healthy marriage through important principles like communication, open-mindedness, overcoming conflict and more. This episode isn’t just meant for those who’ve already exchanged vows—if marriage is something you see on t...2022-02-0131 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceThis Is What We Want for You In 2022! – 174We finally made it to 2022! It seems like a feat, especially after the events of the last two years. So you might be a little apprehensive about what’s in store for the next 12 months.
In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender chat about what they’ve learned since the start of 2021, as well as 5 ways that we can intentionally shape our thoughts and actions to pave the path for a more peaceful, satisfying year.
We hope you walk away from this episode with a feeling of control and anticipation for the experiences and i...2022-01-0426 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDoes the Bible Need to Be Part of Our Lives? with Steve Wiggins – 173Did you know that more than 100 million copies of the Bible are sold every year? In fact, it’s the best selling book of all time, and most people are familiar with the popular Bible stories (does David and Goliath ring a bell?) even if they haven’t read it.
But how does the Bible actually fit into our everyday lives? Pastor Steve Wiggins joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to unpack the importance of reading the Bible. They’ll discuss how to find a like-minded community to study with...2021-12-2136 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceCan You Embrace Your Femininity In a World That’s Against It? – 171It’s not uncommon in our world today to hear mixed messages on the subject of gender. Suddenly, the distinctions between men and women are blurred, and our expressions of femininity and masculinity are dismissed as being outdated, social constructs.
But Grit and Grace Life believes differently. Darlene Brock and Julie Bender sit down for an expressive discussion about these gender wars, and instead urge women to celebrate the traits that make them uniquely female. We can thrive in the natural characteristics that make us who and what we are and embrace them. There’s nothing wrong with...2021-12-0723 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceCan I Find Happiness without Neglecting the Needs of Others? – 167Society tells us that we should pursue what makes us happy and cut ties with those who don’t agree with that or who get in our way. But does finding our happiness have to be selfish-or-self-destruct? What even defines happiness, anyway?
Darlene Brock and Julie Bender offer their insights on this important topic and talk about what happiness looks like in three areas of our lives: relationships, motherhood and work. Rather than focusing purely on how to find happiness—or, to adopt Darlene’s preferred term, “contentment”—they discuss how to work towards this idea in a way that b...2021-11-0925 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWe’re Back! – 163We’re back! After what co-host Julie Bender calls “the shortest summer ever,” her and Darlene Brock catch up on life and give a preview of the great things in store as they return with new episodes of This Grit and Grace Life podcast.
But the summer hiatus wasn’t all road-tripping and mountain-hiking. The team at Grit and Grace Life spruced up the website and revamped the podcast to better meet you where you are. We’ve realized that the world continues to spin out of control, but we know answers can be found.
The podcas...2021-10-1214 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWise Words for Women in Our Grit and Grace Life – 162With life traveling faster than we can keep up, many of us are facing storms that threaten to take our joy, sanity, and peace. What we all need right now are wise words for women to handle this grit and grace life. We don’t need a quippy cliché or a half-hearted platitude but real practical truths to apply as needed. To offer that, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender take to the mic to share six insights on life that benefit every woman. Since they are taking a recording break for a few months, they wanted to leave you...2021-05-1128 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow Strong Women Can Have Healthy Friendships – 150Do women really need friends? Do they need female friendships? What does it take to create a bond that flourishes? How do you know when a friendship should end because the harm outweighs the good, bringing hurt instead of joy? Can women have long-term friendships? Can they be “just friends” with men? These are just a few of the issues that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender consider while unpacking how to deepen relationships with friends who are safe, those you can trust. Also, they’ll discuss how to cut off a bond that has turned toxic. It takes both g...2020-12-0127 minSmart Living with Grit and Grace7 Things a Strong Woman Does (It’s OK To Start Now) – 148
We women possess innate qualities that make us strong. But did you know that we can do things to grow the power we have within us? Co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share seven ways to do so, whether you’re starting now or simply need a reminder.
Here are just a few they discuss that we all need to master:
respect yourself (and others)
go with the flow
trust your gut
Viewing in an app? Full show notes here!
Quote of the episode:
“You see I am...2020-11-0330 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhy Your Life and Community Matters Right Now – 142
2020—the year none of us expected. The fear, isolation, and division created have left us feeling lost and even hopeless. But we don’t have to stay here. At Grit and Grace Life, we believe in community, we believe in us. In this episode, Julie and Darlene step back to revisit the things that will sustain us—rebuilding a community of women who value one another and believe in unity, removing fear, and replacing it with hope. If we could look you in the eyes (over your mask), we would encourage you to remove yourself from the news o...2020-08-1823 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceA Strong Woman Plays Her Hand With Grit and Grace – 138
We don’t often choose the cards life deals us, but we always get to play the hand. At some point, every woman finds herself in a place she didn’t plan to be. Youthful dreams and expectations are often interrupted by challenging circumstances, blindsiding you with realities you never saw coming. Inspired by International Widows Day, co-hosts Julie Graham (widowed boy mom from a very dysfunctional childhood) and Darlene Brock (having already played a lot of life’s hands) talk about how they’ve learned to take what life gives you. They discuss how tough hands build stro...2020-06-2326 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceReal Advice Any Grit and Grace Mom Can Use Now – 134
Motherhood has all the feels: pride, joy, fear, accomplishment, worry, and overwhelm (often with a hefty side of mom-guilt). Juggling these terrifying and satisfying waters can be challenging, especially if you want to master motherhood with both Grit and Grace. Real-life moms, Darlene Brock (who’s raised two daughters, now upgraded to Nonie—her fancy title for grandmother) and Julie Graham (widowed boymom in the trenches of single motherhood like many of you) share practical tips to do this. Strong Mama, don’t worry that you’re messing up or that you’re alone. In this episode, Julie and...2020-05-1932 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhen You Want to Break Free of Your Past – 130
There’s no escaping this truth: we all have a past. How we let it shape us, well, that’s up to us. Will we decide to take the drama, trauma, hurt, and heartache and allow it to harden us? Or, will we learn from our struggles and choose to face them with both grit and grace? It takes grit to face the hurt that may feel constant. It takes grace for ourselves (rejecting shame and guilt) and grace for others (extending forgiveness where we find freedom). In this episode, Darlene Brock probes into co-host Julie Graham’s diff...2020-04-2133 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDarlene and Julie Chat Balancing Adulting, Barbells and Booties – 109Your co-hosts bust out their booties (we mean boots, because yay, fall temps!) for an honest chat about their grit and grace lives. Is adulting overrated? What are the benefits of multi-tasking, or should we buy into the new trend of mono-tasking (yes, that’s a thing)? Darlene takes a little time to get an update on how Julie finished her recent training and what she learned from her journey through her first fitness competition. You may be surprised at what this strong woman gleaned about herself as she took on this challenge, even one as ridiculous as strutting he...2019-11-1231 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceStep Into Your Confidence Now – 108
Do you ever find yourself second-guessing your worth, questioning your decisions, or doubting your purpose? Do you generally struggle with confidence? You’re not alone; we’ve all felt that way! But here’s the good news, we don’t have to live there! We genuinely believe every one of us has the grit, grace, and strength we need to overcome that doubt within us. On this episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham have an honest conversation about what confidence means to them, where they have it, and when they lack it. Most importantly, they offer real, pra...2019-11-0528 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIt’s Time to Stop Saying These 7 Things! – 106Isn’t it true that there are some phrases we find ourselves repeating? We do it without realizing we say them over and over again. Whether we have spoken to ourselves or even to others, there are certain things we say that may do way more harm than good! There may be more than seven, but on this episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham admit these particular ones they say far too often. Since they want to change this unhealthy pattern in their own lives, they’re sharing why and how to do just that. If you’re “sorry fo...2019-10-2227 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDarlene and Julie Chat Fall, Facial Hair and Friendship – 104Wonder what happens when your co-hosts leave the outline behind? This week you’re going to find out. From fall festivities to female facial hair, friendship to frustrations in motherhood, they keep it real. This unscripted convo between these two friends, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender (formerly Julie Graham), sounds a lot like ones they have in the living room over a cup of coffee. Taking a little break from tackling hot topics, sharing deep thoughts, and discussing challenging issues, they instead chat about what they’re thinking—talking about their own grit and grace lives!
We welcom...2019-10-0828 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceRest Easy Moms, Here Are the Things That Matter – 102Moms, are you stressed? Do you find yourself worrying about almost everything? The right food, the growth chart percentile, the best school, grades, their behavior, screen time, and that discipline subject—terrifying. What is even more stressful is worrying about what other moms think about our decisions. It’s exhausting. It’s time to go back to the basics and remember what matters! Cross-generational friends and moms, Darlene Brock (mom of two grown daughters and Nonie to two grandkids) and Julie Graham (single, widowed boymom), discuss the things that do matter, what we should spend our energy on, and what w...2019-09-2429 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceJulie Graham’s Untold Story of Heartbreak, Healing and Hope – 101Every woman’s story is unique. So is the road she’s traveled while discovering her inner strength, her grit, and her grace. We don’t always tell these stories, perhaps the hurt is still present or we fear what others may think. But sharing is what often encourages others and offers hope to them when they, too, find themselves in hard places. That is why, this week, our bubbly, quick-witted co-host, Julie Graham, shares the full story of one part of her life. You’ve heard a bit of her traumatic childhood and the unexpected passing of her husband...2019-09-1748 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhat Today’s Dating Scene is Really Like – 094Are you dating or do you have a friend who is? If you haven’t been in the dating world for the last decade, the cultural shift that has hit will leave your head spinning. For those who are currently single, we realize you’re going to face challenges your married friends may not understand. In this episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock (happily married for several decades) and Julie Graham (widowed after 11 years of marriage to her college sweetheart….and currently dating) talk through some of the stereotypes in the dating scene. First, they discuss how to know if you’re ready...2019-06-2533 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhat Makes a Great Dad? How Can You Encourage It? – 093Many men can be a father, but a dad, that’s so much more. He holds a special place in a child’s life—a different one than mom, and that’s a good thing. When daddy does things his way, our kids are better for it. But, what is it that makes a good dad? What qualities does he offer our children that we may not? How can we encourage his relationship with our kids? With Father’s Day approaching, Darlene Brock and Julie Graham take this episode to discuss those things and celebrate the unique position and qualities...2019-06-1126 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceThis Is How to Handle a Hard Relationship With Your Mom – 089Every 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), Darlene Brock and Julie Graham devote this episode to the woman who might not have that picture-perfect relationship. Daughters, if your mom can be harsh, distant, controlling, neglectful, or absent, this episode is for you. In this real-life discussion, you’ll learn how to set healthy boundaries and how to take steps toward healing your relationship (you’ll also hear real examples from Darlene and Julie’s lives). Maybe your r...2019-05-0733 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow to Raise Responsible Kids: Tips for Every Age – 087Isn’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.” We may not want to live with them, but we do want them to be able to build a life for themselves. In this episode, single boy mom Julie Graham asks all these questions and more of Darlene Brock, who literally wrote the book on raising great girls. They discuss some of the practical ap...2019-04-2329 minSmart Living with Grit and Grace5 Philosophies You Need for Your Grit and Grace Life – 083What makes a woman able to live This Grit and Grace Life? The desire to be strong and secure in her worth. A woman who loves people well and is confident in her talents, demonstrating tremendous character. That’s true, too. You see it in how a woman carries herself in her relationships, whether at home, at work, or in her community. With this goal in mind, our fearless leader, (Co-Founder of The Grit and Grace Project) Darlene Brock, took an inventory of the life philosophies that she’s followed that she believes work. Ones that will help every woma...2019-03-2629 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhen Is a Friendship Unhealthy and What Do You Do? – 081Healthy friendships can bring joy to your life. Unhealthy ones, well, they can make it complicated and bring a list of questions with them. What does it take to create a friendship that flourishes? How do you know when a friendship should end because the harm outweighs the good, bringing hurt instead of joy? Can women have long-term friendships? Can they be “just friends” with men? These are just a few of the issues that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham consider while unpacking how to deepen relationships with friends who are safe, those you can trust. Also, they’ll dis...2019-03-1227 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceSimple (and Funny) Advice for Your Grit and Grace Life – 074One of the reasons we love the internet and especially social media is the wealth of inspiration and entertainment that you will find there. The memes and quotes that we post and often share are worthy of repeating. We went to our tribe of strong women and asked them to give us ones that they like, ones that make you laugh and even make you think! Join co-hosts Darlene Brock, and Julie Graham as they bring these to you. You’ll relate, laugh, and also ponder the truth behind these sayings that are so accurate and yet so funny. Yo...2019-01-2224 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow to Get Your Hormones in Check with Ashby Duval – 070Do the words “hormone health” make you cringe? Our hormones get blamed for mood swings, tiredness, complexion nightmares, and even weight gain! But, could there be a little truth in that blame game? There is something to be said about understanding the things that can make you crazy! So, Darlene and Julie are joined by their resident “hippie in heels,” friend, and writer at Grit and Grace Life, Ashby Duval.
Having lived through a personal battle with this issue, she brings insights into what role hormones play in a woman’s health and what to change if yours are...2018-12-1133 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceIs Society Right About Women or Are We Misunderstood? – 069Society has a lot of misconceptions about women. Are we emotional, unable to handle a budget, or into shopping? The answer is maybe yes and maybe no. Stereotypes can often be harmful, and a few are downright ugly! While we admit our shortcomings, we believe each woman has unique traits and qualities that set her apart. So, how does a woman of grit and grace combat these cultural assumptions? We start by realizing that we aren’t all alike, yet we do possess many characteristics that unite all women and make our gender special. Co-hosts Darlene and Julie discuss ho...2018-12-0431 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDarlene and Julie Recommend These Unique Christmas Gifts – 066Are you looking for unique Christmas gifts this year? Something a little different and more personal than what you will find in the avalanche of sale guides that hit this time of year? Since this is an excellent time to start your Christmas shopping you have to look no further. This episode will introduce you to a collection of 7 unique shops which will offer something special for every person on your list. Darlene and Julie would like you to meet a few friends of This Grit and Grace Life who make specialty items. They will offer a little insight...2018-11-1325 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceOn Business, Happiness & Health with Burn Boot Camp’s Morgan Kline – 065Can you start a business, build a strong marriage, be a present mom, and take care of your health too? If you do attempt that balancing act, can you expect to be perfect, accomplishing all without the occasional failure? Absolutely not—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to chase that dream you have! On this episode, Darlene and Julie talk to Morgan Kline, Co-Founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp. She and her husband, Devan, defied odds (and haters!) to launch Burn Boot Camp in 2012, and today there are over 300 franchises across the country. She also hosts...2018-11-0635 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceStop the Holiday Hustle: Celebrate More, Stress Less – 064
The holiday season is upon us, and with it: the stress. We find ourselves with an overloaded schedule, and often in the midst of the fun is family drama. Maybe this is the year you’ll get ahead of the hustle of the season and find a way to slow down. Wouldn’t we all like to experience real celebration and enjoy it, not merely survive “the most wonderful time of the year?” Darlene and Julie discuss what they love about each holiday as well as ways to get the most out of the gatherings and how to make...2018-10-3029 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceThese Strategies Will Help You Raise Great Kids – 063
It doesn’t take a perfect mom to raise great kids. It takes intentionality, grit, and grace! Author and Co-Host, Darlene Brock, shares her hindsight and offers practical tips from her new book, Raising Great Girls: Help for Moms to Raise Confident, Capable Daughters (perfection not required), that will apply to moms of both genders. As a single boy mom, Julie asks honest questions and explores how Darlene navigated the tricky parenting situations in which most parents find themselves.
Darlene explains how being your child’s coach, creative counselor, and professor of gender studies (three of t...2018-10-2333 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhy Cross-Generational Friendships Make You Better – 060Can you learn something from those who are younger than you? Should you listen to those “older and wiser?” Yes and yes! We began this show because co-hosts, Darlene and Julie, come from two generations and we believed their different life seasons could intersect and bring a unique perspective for your #gritandgracelife! In this episode, we consider how having cross-generational friendships with women and men can make you better in all arenas: home life, work life, parenting, and passion-pursuing. We explore the strengths of millennials to boomers and everything in-between. We will glean so much grit and grace when we p...2018-10-0232 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWomen and Judgment: Why We Do It and How to Stop – 057Have you ever been unfairly judged? Were some things said or believed about you that wasn’t true? Or perhaps you’re hesitant to admit that you could be the one doing the judging. The struggle is real, and every one of us has experienced both sides of this coin, probably not very long ago. Whether we like it or not, women are quick to judge, and we have a hard time not letting the opinions of others determine our self-worth.
On this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss the common areas we tend to over-analyze others: appearance, work and...2018-09-1131 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceSingle Again? How to Know When to Date After Death or Divorce with Ashby Duval – 056Single again and confused about what’s next? Are you ready for another relationship or is it too soon? Since our co-host Julie Graham is in this place we invited fellow widow and one of our most popular writers at The Grit and Grace Project online magazine, Ashby Duval, to share her story. Ashby, while pregnant with their first child, faced her husband’s unexpected passing and speaks to us with vulnerability and hope. She honestly shares her journey as she navigated grief and the world of dating once again. Darlene and Julie ask her the questions you might be a...2018-09-0438 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWe’re 1! A Look Back on Our First Year of This #GritandGraceLife Podcast – 055This Grit and Grace Life podcast turns ONE today! We’re like a wobbly toddler who’s just starting to get her stride. Since it is our birthday, we are throwing a party! Your co-hosts, Darlene and Julie, laugh, cry, and reminisce on what they’ve learned from a year of recording their conversations for you. This reflecting led Julie to provide an answer to an inevitable question, “People are asking how I’m doing. Being a part of The Grit and Grace Project and starting this show has been healing for me. I’m so thankful for all the support...2018-08-2834 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow Can You Raise Great Girls? Darlene’s Daughters Tell All – 054Are you trying to raise confident, capable daughters but feeling unsure about how you’re doing? Every mother feels that way! Darlene Brock, in her new book, Raising Great Girls, takes a look back at the years she raised her two daughters. By breaking down the roles, this mom took on doable jobs, and she shares what she learned. Since today is the official book release date, we wanted to celebrate by inviting her daughters to join us for this fun episode. You will hear firsthand from Darlene and her daughters the successes and failures that led to them bec...2018-08-2149 minSmart Living with Grit and GracePractical Ways Women Can Thrive in the Workplace – 052Did you know that the majority of women in America today are in the workplace? Of course, you did; you’re probably one of them. Something you may not know is, there’s a difference between how the genders approach challenges at work. How can we thrive as women in the workplace? What does it look like when we apply both grit and grace? With these thoughts in mind, Darlene and Julie discuss the common issues we face in our jobs, as well as, how to find the balance between work and home life. They share laughs over their leas...2018-08-0727 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDo You Have to Be a Feminist to Be a Strong Woman? – 041Each week we celebrate what we believe—women are strong, it’s demonstrated in who we are and all we do. But it seems in the current culture a woman’s strength is often considered synonymous with feminism. In the midst of the potentially confusing platforms we just have to explore this topic. What is a feminist today, anyway? Is there value in the movement, what have we learned from it and where do we go next? Has feminism lost the respect for and appreciation of the strength of a man? This week we are discussing what it means to be...2018-05-2234 minSmart Living with Grit and Grace5 Things a Woman Must Do for Success in Life – 040Do you have a purpose in your life? Or avoid the subject because you feel that you don’t? Women who are living this #gritandgracelife can accomplish so many things, but we are often set back by fear or worry, or we compare ourselves to others. In this episode, Julie explores Darlene’s life journey. Sharing five life tips that she followed to get where she is now: having several successful careers, a rich multi-decade marriage, as well as launching two grown daughters into fulfilling lives of their own. If you’re at a crossroads, struggling with your next step...2018-05-1532 minSmart Living with Grit and Grace6 Qualities that Make a Female Strong with Leadership Expert Jenni Catron – 030How can a woman lead in every area of her life? Do you feel like you make an impact? Is leadership only for the workplace? We know that all women have influence in every area of their life, so we brought in Author, Leadership Expert, and CEO Jenni Catron. From the day she got her first job (her boss was none other than your co-host Darlene Brock), Jenni has proven that she has the formula for leadership… Darlene and Julie interview her about the six characteristics you may not even know you have that make you strong. A must-listen epis...2018-03-0633 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceSimple Hacks for You to Get More Done and Feel Less Stressed – 022A woman’s life is stressful. There are never enough hours each day to accomplish all of the items on our list. Juggling family, home, schedules and even being so daring as to add something for just us, the list never gets done. But have we ever stopped to consider that maybe we write down too much to begin with? Hear us out! On this episode Darlene and Julie talk about simple life hacks to save you time, money and sanity as you work to simplify this year. They will even encourage you that these hacks will help you snea...2018-01-0928 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceDon’t Start the New Year Stuck in a Rut – 021Yes, it’s 2018! You may have ended the year behind us really excited for this fresh start or perhaps you find yourself struggling, feeling stuck in an impossible rut. Every woman’s life is filled with so many transitions and challenges, that oftentimes we believe that rut has no end, there is no hope of getting out any time soon (ice cream in the closet, anyone?). In this episode Darlene and Julie talk about common things that can cause our setbacks: like job loss, toddler development, divorce or poor self-worth. Better yet, they offer fresh ways to approach these chal...2018-01-0224 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceClosing the Year With Grit and Grace – 020As we find ourselves at the close of 2017, we realize that for some this has been a great year, for others, it was filled with challenges. In this heartfelt episode, show hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham reminisce on the highs and lows of their personal lives this year, including the unexpected death of Julie’s husband. As they discuss their favorite content from dozens of The Grit and Grace Project writers from all over the world, they hope you too, will find encouragement. That you along with them will be able to close the year with grit and gr...2017-12-2628 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceWhat Makes a Woman Strong (Might Surprise You) – 016
Women are strong, empowered, independent, self-sufficient; at least that’s what we hear from social media to the news media – we are bombarded with these terms. But are we really? If so, what does a strong woman look like, how does she act, how does she live? This Grit and Grace Life Podcast is “redefining a woman’s strength.” In this episode Darlene and Julie talk about what makes us strong, encouraging each of us to discover the strength within us, living it out with grit and grace.
Viewing in an app? Full show notes here
2017-11-2829 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceSurviving the Holidays with Grit and Grace – 015
The holidays are here and often with them comes stress, drama and financial strain. It’s our goal to apply both grit and grace to “the most wonderful time of the year” choosing to slow down, connect with loved ones and enjoy every part. Darlene and Julie admit where they struggle, then share practical ways to put the holly and jolly back into this important season. Taking a just a few minutes to be thankful for our blessings, the biggest one being the birth of our Savior. Grab a peppermint mocha, take a seat to savor the lights of your tree...2017-11-2133 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceMama Drama Every Woman Has and How to Overcome – 008
Two words we’re pretty sure you can relate to: Mama.Drama. Can we just be honest? (a nod to last week’s episode here)…every woman has a little drama with her mama, (or her stepmom or her mother-in-law). Whether you’re always on each others nerves, best friends or land somewhere in between, there will be conflict with these special women in our lives! Darlene and Julie get real about how this incredibly unique relationship has shaped them into the grit and grace women they’ve become. Revealing some of their own mama drama, they offer insights they’ve gain...2017-10-0333 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceHow You Can Stop the Struggle with Comparison? Ep 2
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.
Viewing in an app? Full show notes here!
Research and studies we mentioned:
The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report
Darlene shared about Anxiety UK’s study about social media behavior.
The same study is discussed by Huff Post h...2017-08-2828 minSmart Living with Grit and GraceAbout Us – 000We 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 a...2017-08-2300 min