Episodes

You know you've done it—piled every last grocery bag on your arms with the goal of getting it all into the house in one trip. It's inconvenient and cuts off our circulation, but hey, it shaves off another minute running back out to the car, right? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender poke fun at the silly, unrealistic things women do and say. You'll relate to many of them—and likely have your own to add to the list. Tune in for a lighthearted conversation ...

How are you changing the world? Does the love of Jesus come through in everything you do? Or do you find it difficult to walk boldly in your faith amid a world that's turning away from God? If you resonate with the latter, you're not alone. In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the challenge of living out our faith when our culture is quick to dismiss anything to do with God. The prevailing message of our world is to "follow your truth"—a su...

What does it mean to be a woman? In recent years, the definition and depth of womanhood have become muddied as cultural expectations around gender have shifted. But in this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender take a closer look at what it means to be a woman, according to the Bible. The duo discuss the nature of womanhood, the complementary roles of men and women, and the inherent qualities we should celebrate. They also explore the strengths th...

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!" Aretha Franklin may have been singing about how others should treat you, but what about respecting yourself? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the importance of building self-respect by recognizing your values and living in a way that reflects them. They also share some challenges that can damage our view of ourselves—like making mistakes or dealing with criticism from others—and ho...

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!" Aretha Franklin may have been singing about how others should treat you, but what about respecting yourself? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the importance of building self-respect by recognizing your values and living in a way that reflects them. They also share some challenges that can damage our view of ourselves—like making mistakes or dealing with criticism from others—and ho...

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!" Aretha Franklin may have been singing about how others should treat you, but what about respecting yourself? In this episode of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the importance of building self-respect by recognizing your values and living in a way that reflects them. They also share some challenges that can damage our view of ourselves—like making mistakes or dealing with criticism from others—and ho...

Whether you're new to This Grit and Grace Life podcast or a long-time listener, we're inviting you to take a look back at the last nearly 10 years of the show and all that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender have experienced since its debut. Darlene and Julie have been in each other’s lives through many seasons—great ones, hard ones, and simple ones—and they will tell you they are blessed to have the relationship they have. But there's a lot you may not know about this duo. So this week, th...

Whether you're new to This Grit and Grace Life podcast or a long-time listener, we're inviting you to take a look back at the last nearly 10 years of the show and all that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender have experienced since its debut. Darlene and Julie have been in each other’s lives through many seasons—great ones, hard ones, and simple ones—and they will tell you they are blessed to have the relationship they have. But there's a lot you may not know about this duo. So this week, th...

Whether you're new to This Grit and Grace Life podcast or a long-time listener, we're inviting you to take a look back at the last nearly 10 years of the show and all that co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender have experienced since its debut. Darlene and Julie have been in each other’s lives through many seasons—great ones, hard ones, and simple ones—and they will tell you they are blessed to have the relationship they have. But there's a lot you may not know about this duo. So this week, th...

A glimpse into what's ahead! We're back! (Sorry for the longer-than-planned break.) And this time, we're bringing you along in a whole new way — the cameras are officially on! Darlene and Julie are back in the studio, tackling the conversations every woman deals with. Grab a seat, laugh with us, cry with us, and share in the life experience we've gained along the way — every week, right here. While you're waiting for the each week's new episode, check out all things for your Grit and Grace Li...

A glimpse into what's ahead! We're back! (Sorry for the longer-than-planned break.) And this time, we're bringing you along in a whole new way — the cameras are officially on! Darlene and Julie are back in the studio, tackling the conversations every woman deals with. Grab a seat, laugh with us, cry with us, and share in the life experience we've gained along the way — every week, right here. While you're waiting for the each week's new episode, check out all things for your Grit and Grace Li...

A glimpse into what's ahead! We're back! (Sorry for the longer-than-planned break.) And this time, we're bringing you along in a whole new way — the cameras are officially on! Darlene and Julie are back in the studio, tackling the conversations every woman deals with. Grab a seat, laugh with us, cry with us, and share in the life experience we've gained along the way — every week, right here. While you're waiting for the each week's new episode, check out all things for your Grit and Grace Li...

Hi, friends! Things are going to be a little quiet around here for the next few weeks… We’re going on a brief hiatus as we strategize and plan all new content for the fall, with a fun twist (hint, hint: You’ll be seeing a lot more of us!). Make sure your podcast notifications are turned on, and sign up for our newsletter here to stay in the know on our return. In the meantime, kick back and catch up on any episodes you missed, and rest assured that there’s more grit and grace goodness in the w...

Are you sharing your story? Countless studies have shown that there’s substantial value in sharing our stories and listening to others tell theirs. Among the biggest benefits? The release of oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that fosters trust and bonding. Vulnerably discussing our joys and woes, our challenges and triumphs, our embarrassments and achievements, has the power to elicit empathy in recognizing how our stories overlap. We glean wisdom, or at the very least, the comfort of kn...

Are you sharing your story? Countless studies have shown that there’s substantial value in sharing our stories and listening to others tell theirs. Among the biggest benefits? The release of oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that fosters trust and bonding. Vulnerably discussing our joys and woes, our challenges and triumphs, our embarrassments and achievements, has the power to elicit empathy in recognizing how our stories overlap. We glean wisdom, or at the very least, the comfort of kn...

If your knowledge of how Independence Day came to be is a little fuzzy, settle in for a brief history lesson! In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender recount America’s origin story, starting with Great Britain’s imposition of taxes and military presence in the colonies. You’ll discover how the Declaration of Independence came to be and why it’s significant (see the related resources section below for more), as well as our duty as women of faith (and Americans) to not on...

If your knowledge of how Independence Day came to be is a little fuzzy, settle in for a brief history lesson! In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender recount America’s origin story, starting with Great Britain’s imposition of taxes and military presence in the colonies. You’ll discover how the Declaration of Independence came to be and why it’s significant (see the related resources section below for more), as well as our duty as women of faith (and Americans) to not on...

Feeling discontent with life? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Less-than? There are typically three culprits to blame: clutter, comparison, and conflict. Their impact, individually or collectively, can bog you down. Luckily, you’re in control. In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack the burden that the three Cs—clutter, comparison, and conflict—can drain our contentment with each area of our lives: our jobs, families, home, appearance, spirituality, and more. If we don’t keep them...

Feeling discontent with life? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Less-than? There are typically three culprits to blame: clutter, comparison, and conflict. Their impact, individually or collectively, can bog you down. Luckily, you’re in control. In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack the burden that the three Cs—clutter, comparison, and conflict—can drain our contentment with each area of our lives: our jobs, families, home, appearance, spirituality, and more. If we don’t keep them...

Bad days and hard seasons are to be expected, and yet we can never fully prepare for the way they might shake us to the core and disrupt our lives. So how are we supposed to respond when life seems to dish out one hit after another? In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack five practical ways to work through the sting of a rough season, especially when it tests your faith. If you’re in the middle of one of those chapters—you know, the kind you’d rather forget about entire...

Bad days and hard seasons are to be expected, and yet we can never fully prepare for the way they might shake us to the core and disrupt our lives. So how are we supposed to respond when life seems to dish out one hit after another? In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender unpack five practical ways to work through the sting of a rough season, especially when it tests your faith. If you’re in the middle of one of those chapters—you know, the kind you’d rather forget about entire...

Cheesy puns, recliner naps, and mischievous risks… these are just some of the hallmarks of a great dad—maybe even yours! As Father’s Day approaches, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender remind you of what makes a great father. Why we need to take time to celebrate the unique qualities that set dads apart. They share how their husbands handle fatherhood, explore the innate differences between men and women that make a father’s approach to raising kids to complementary, and why it’s important to give d...

Cheesy puns, recliner naps, and mischievous risks… these are just some of the hallmarks of a great dad—maybe even yours! As Father’s Day approaches, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender remind you of what makes a great father. Why we need to take time to celebrate the unique qualities that set dads apart. They share how their husbands handle fatherhood, explore the innate differences between men and women that make a father’s approach to raising kids to complementary, and why it’s important to give d...

The process of forgiveness and reconciliation is a two-way street, and both parties are equally responsible for putting in the work to restore the relationship. Yes, even if you were the one wronged! In part two in this miniseries on forgiveness to reconciliation, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss the four steps of making amends and emphasize the importance of approaching each one with humility. Whether you’ve been wronged or have wronged someone else, you must set aside your pride and com...