We tackle many difficult subjects here at Grit and Grace Life, and often, they’re ones that have impacted us directly. In this episode, co-host Darlene Brock shares one of her own—losing her father to suicide. As with any tragedy, Darlene found herself navigating unexpected emotions, working to reconcile the choice of suicide with the father she loved, asking questions that could be answered and accepting those that could not. In sharing her story now, she hopes to impart an important...

Later this month, the film "Unsung Hero" premieres in theaters across the nation. The movie chronicles one Australian mom's radical decision to move her family across the world in faith that they can find reprieve from their struggles. We don't want to spoil it for you, but this mother's decision pays off. If you've ever jammed out to FOR KING & COUNTRY or Rebecca St. James, you can thank Helen Smallbone—the determined mum from Down Under. Her unorthodox decision to pack up her...

Easter 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...

Life feeling mundane? It doesn't have to! In fact, it's easier to see the adventure and joys in the everyday than you might think. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender emphasize the importance of making the most of life. They talk through ways to shift your mindset when it comes to your purpose, your relationships, your motherhood and your work so you can more clearly see the value each facet brings. When viewed through this new perspective, the...

If you're living with anxiety, you know it can be debilitating. A sudden panic or anxiety attack can quickly ruin your day, and over time, it can keep you from pursuing your dreams. Caroline Beidler knows what that's like. The author, speaker and recovery advocate recalls bouts of anxiety as a child, which were exacerbated by her parents' divorce and sexual trauma. She began self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, and though she eventually became sober, she found herself still dealing with...

Love is in the air! Maybe you're in a loving relationship and feel giddy at the mere mention of love, or maybe you're on the hunt for that special someone. No matter your relationship status, one thing is certain: Don't settle for less! In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss how our expectations for love compare to our current relationships or what we want in a man. They explain why you should trust the process (and your gut!) and not rush anything, and how to...

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...

"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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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....