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 foun

Meet the Extraordinary Mom Behind the New Movie “Unsung Hero” – 238

17 days ago 34m 37s

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

Is Easter the Ultimate Call to Action? – 237

Mar 26th, 2024 29m 4s

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, wh

Making the Most of Life – 236

Mar 12th, 2024 32m 28s

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 t

Living with Anxiety? Bring It Into the Light and Find Hope with Caroline Beidler – 235

Feb 27th, 2024 38m 59s

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

Never Settle Again—Advice for Any Relationship – 234

Feb 13th, 2024 27m 2s

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 thi

Need a Laugh? You’ll Relate to These Funny Phrases – 233

Jan 30th, 2024 27m 6s

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 s

Is My Teen Out of Control or Is This Normal? with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 232

Jan 16th, 2024

"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 psychothera

Need to Reset, Redo or Restart This Year? Here’s How – 231

Jan 2nd, 2024 25m

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 outl

17 Quotes to Create the Happy Moments Mindset Every Day – 130

Dec 19th, 2023 18m 48s

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

Faith, Hope and Love: They’re All We Need – 229

Dec 5th, 2023 27m 38s

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 wo

Strong Women Are Stronger Together—Here’s How You Can Help – 228

Nov 28th, 2023 7m 30s

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

My Alopecia Diagnosis Changed My View on Real Beauty with Ashley Johnson – 227

Nov 21st, 2023 35m 8s

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 satur

Julie and Dar’s Christmas Gift Guide – 226

Nov 7th, 2023 30m 8s

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 t

9 Principles to Build a Strong Marriage (Even Through the Storms) – 225

Oct 24th, 2023 35m 41s

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 Grac

Are You Afraid to Speak Up When Others Disagree? – 224

Oct 10th, 2023 33m 17s

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 disc

Life Behind the Mic with Julie and Dar – 223

Sep 26th, 2023 32m 38s

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

Become a Strong Woman While Making These 8 Pit Stops – 222

Sep 12th, 2023 33m 4s

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 way

If You Feel Alone as a Single Mom, Listen to This with Kim Breuninger – 221

Aug 29th, 2023 44m 46s

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 youn

Get Ready to Break Free of Self-Doubt and Shame – 220

Aug 15th, 2023 32m 32s

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

Your Back to School Strategy: Life Lessons and Daily Hacks – 219

Aug 1st, 2023

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

From Living on the Streets to Finding Redemption with Laila Schell – 218

Jul 18th, 2023 49m 34s

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

It’s Independence Day—Are You an Independent Woman? – 217

Jul 4th, 2023 31m 55s

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

You Can Get to Where You Want to Be with Mignon Francois – 216

Jun 20th, 2023 43m 59s

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 he

How Do We Embrace Truth in a Radically Shifting Culture? – 215

Jun 6th, 2023 33m 23s

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 b