Smart Living with Grit and Grace

Darlene Brock & Julie Bender from GritandGraceLife.org
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You've got questions we've got answers. Welcome to the Smart Living with Grit and Grace Podcast, with co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender. They will tell you they don't know everything but they've learned a lot, bringing real answers to the questions women are asking—the simple ones and the more challenging. And laugh along the way. We’re here to offer wisdom and encouragement for every step of this grit and grace life, perfection not required. Produced by This Grit and Grace Project®.

  1. 6D AGO

    Overcome the Sting of Rejection with Dr. Gary Lawrence – 279

    If you've ever been turned down by a crush, passed up for a promotion, or dismissed by a parent, you've felt the sting of rejection. And if left unchecked, that pain can surface and cause harm to our other relationships. In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender are joined by Dr. Gary Lawrence, the founder and director of New Life Dynamics Christian Counseling Ministries, to talk about the impact of rejection and how to overcome its stronghold. Through the retelling of his own personal stories, Dr. Gary reveals how early rejection can form a root of bitterness that negatively impacts our interactions as we age. But we're not without hope. He also shares practical steps for recognizing the source of our pain and breaking the cycle so we don't break our relationships. Dr. Gary Lawrence is the founder and director of New Life Dynamics Christian Counseling Ministries, and author of his bestselling book, Rejection Junkies. After 20 years as the host of his own radio show, Life Mastery Counseling with Dr. G, Dr. G has personally met with and coached more than 6,000 clients and has inspired thousands more on radio, television, and stage. Dr. G specializes on breaking down the damaging effects of rejection and the way in which this trauma manifests throughout all phases of life. In Rejection Junkies, Dr. G helps readers to recognize the circumstances that hold them hostage, keeping them stuck, and making them bitter. Quote of the episode: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”—Romans 8:31 Resources Related "The Beauty of Rejection—Creating a Stronger You" "Forgiveness Is the Key to Living a Bitter-Free Life" Mentioned Check out the Smart Living book series here! Buy your copy of Dr. Gary's book, Rejection Junkies, here Take Dr. Gary's free rejection assessment here Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    31 min

  2. APR 22

    Discover How Grit, Grace, and Smart Living Can Change Your Life – 278

    Do 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 stories. They also break down what we mean by the phrases "smart living" and "grit and grace," defining and unpacking the intention behind each word. Whether you're new to our wonderful, welcoming side of the internet or you've been around with us for the last 10 years, we hope this episode re-centers your understanding not only of why Grit and Grace Life exists, but how the literal values of "grit" and "grace" can shift the way you experience the world as a woman of faith. Quote of the episode: “It’s in us; that innate grit is in women, and we want to break that out, encourage it, mold it, and allow it to shine.”—Julie Bender Resources Related "Beginning Faith: Walking This Life with Grit, Grace, and God" "Bible Verses from the Grit and Grace Team on Grace" "A Woman's Grit Is Her Best Asset for Success" Mentioned Check out the Smart Living book series here! Check our some of our most popular articles below: "How Do I Know What Defines Me?" "5 Ways I Learned to Love My Middle-Aged Body" "Annoyed by Interruptions? My Trick for Welcoming Them" "How to Practice Peace When the World Feels Chaotic" "Do You Feel Abandoned by God?" Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    20 min

  3. APR 15

    Need a Relationship Expert? Look to Jesus – 277

    We'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 much to gain by reflecting on the many interactions he had with others. In this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss: the beauty in Jesus gathering 12 disciples, who were each so different in their work and their temperaments how he met people's needs with care and compassion in even the briefest encounters the way he returned to his friends after the resurrection to offer forgiveness to Peter, faith to Thomas, and a promise to see them all again We hope this glimpse into Jesus' conversations and interactions offers a glowing example of how we can show up in our relationships—both this Easter and in the years to come. Quote of the episode: “As personal as Jesus was with his followers, he is that personal with us, individually, today." —Julie Bender Resources Related "Would Jesus Unfriend You?" "Is Easter the Ultimate Call to Action? - 237" "This Is What Jesus Said About Equality for Women" Mentioned "Beginning Faith: Walking This Life with Grit, Grace, and God" "Building Faith: Growing In Your Relationship with God" "How to Read Your Bible: For Beginners" "Easter, the Best Love Story Ever Told" Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    18 min

  4. APR 8

    Why Change Might Be Just What You Need – 276

    One of the few certainties in life is also one of the things we fear most: change. Change—whether expected or not—can instill fear in us due to the mere fact that what lies beyond it is unknown; we might see it as a threat to our purpose, safety, and comfort. But instead of fearing change, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender reason that it's only frightening because we default to what can go wrong instead of what can go right. Change might be just what you need. In this podcast episode, they challenge you to shift your perspective to embrace change and all the opportunities it can present. They'll walk through some scenarios (think a new job or the end of a relationship) where change can offer more clarity and new areas for growth. And if you're still on the fence about change, let us leave you with food for thought: If you've encountered life changes before and you're reading this today, that means you overcame them, and you're capable of doing it again. Quote of the episode: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." —Winston Churchill Resources Related "I Changed My Mind; Change Can Be the Right Thing to Do" "Challenges to Conquer? All You Need Is a Growth Mindset" Mentioned "If You Want Your Goals to Reflect Your Priorities - 266" Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    16 min

  5. APR 1

    Don’t Be a Fool: 5 Mistakes to Avoid – 275

    We 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 episode, offering 5 common life mistakes to avoid altogether. Some of these you may not have experienced yet; others you may repeatedly encounter. All the more reason to prepare for them now—you'll know exactly what to do when the moment arrives! Quote of the episode: “We're all going to make mistakes, but we do not have to be fools about it.” —Darlene Brock Resources Related "You'll Find More Freedom When You Learn to Say No" "6 Tips to Keep Your Dreams Alive When Life Gets Busy" "Am I Worth More than a Penny?" Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    17 min

  6. MAR 25

    If Your Kids Are Online, How Do You Protect Them from Porn?- 274

    Pornography is one of the most prevalent forms of addiction—something that can sneak into your home, under your nose, unnoticed. And those who are most susceptible to the dangers? Your kids. Think about it—if there's a TV or internet in your home, porn is there too. And as your child uses either of these (think research for a school projects), it's inevitable they will stumble across pornographic content as some point. With children's and teens' natural curiosity at work, how do we protect them? In this podcast episode, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share advice for approaching the subject of pornography with your child in a way that reflects their maturity and current stage of life. It helps to have a plan in place for navigating these admittedly awkward and uncomfortable discussions, so they offer helpful conversation starters and segues, book recommendations, and more to give you the edge in protecting your children from porn. Quote of the episode: “Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your word.” —Psalm 119:37 Resources Related "The Good Christian Girl Who Struggled with Porn" Mentioned Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    15 min

  7. MAR 18

    If You Want to Pray More – 273

    Want to pray more but not sure where to start? Prayer is a wonderful, powerful privilege that gives us instant connection to the God of the universe. But, if we're honest, it can also feel a bit daunting. Historical images of prayer, both literal and figurative, give off the impression that our communication with God should be deeply rooted in religious formality. You know the kind: kneeling with our heads bowed and hands delicately clasped together. Not only is that kind of prayer often difficult to achieve with modern time constraints, but it doesn't fully capture the kind of 'open-24-hours' communication that God desires with us. In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender discuss what prayer is: "life in constant communion and conversation with God." They debunk common stereotypes around prayer and share easy-to-follow prayer structures for the times when you're unsure of where to start or what to say. There's power in any kind of prayer, anywhere—and God delights in hearing from us every single time. Quote of the episode: “God cares about what we care about and wants us to talk to him about it.” —Darlene Brock Resources Related "Remember When God Showed Up for You? Write That Down" "How to Be a Praying Parent Throughout Your Child's Life" "How to Pray (When You Feel Like You Don't Know How)" Mentioned Check out these 4 prayer apps! Pray! (FREE in the iTunes App Store). Sets reminders, notifies you to pray at scheduled times. Prayer Prompter (FREE in the iTunes App Store). Gives Bible verses and prayer prompts if you’re not sure how to get started. Instapray (FREE in the iTunes App Store). For a more interactive/social option: You can see global requests and let people know when you’re praying for them. Ora (FREE in the iTunes App Store). This app is similar to Instapray minus the global component. Good for organizing prayer requests for groups you’re a part of in real life. Try one of these prayer structures: The Lord's Prayer ACTS Prayer Model The PRAY Method Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    22 min

  8. MAR 11

    If You Have Trouble Speaking Up for Yourself – 272

    The 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'll come across as foolish (hello, imposter syndrome!). No matter the reason, one thing is for certain: there will be a void left by what you're not saying. Darlene and Julie discuss the myriad benefits of speaking up for yourself: setting critical boundaries; encouraging others; making life-changing connections; and more. When we choose to say what's on our hearts and minds, even when it's hard or we doubt ourselves, we're affording those around us not only with new information to chew on, but a reminder of our presence and impact. ¹https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/what-we-fear-more-than-death  Quote of the episode: “Someone not hearing you might say more about them as a listener than you as a speaker.” —Julie Bender Resources Related "Establishing Healthy Boundaries in the Grit and Grace Life" "Are You Afraid to Speak Up When Others Disagree? - 224" Mentioned Check out the Smart Living book series here! Be sure to follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest #gritandgracelife

    19 min
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    4.9
    out of 5
    156 Ratings

    About

    You've got questions we've got answers. Welcome to the Smart Living with Grit and Grace Podcast, with co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender. They will tell you they don't know everything but they've learned a lot, bringing real answers to the questions women are asking—the simple ones and the more challenging. And laugh along the way. We’re here to offer wisdom and encouragement for every step of this grit and grace life, perfection not required. Produced by This Grit and Grace Project®.

    Information

    • Creator
      Darlene Brock & Julie Bender from GritandGraceLife.org
    • Years Active
      2017 - 2025
    • Episodes
      281
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2025 The Grit and Grace Project, Inc
    • Show Website
      Smart Living with Grit and Grace

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