Smart Living with Grit and Grace

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 sto...

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 ...

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, fam...

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 ...

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&#...

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 wrong...

Forgiveness is a radical act—it’s not about holding someone’s offense over their head like a debt, and it’s also not about forgetting what they’ve done. So what is forgiveness in and of itself?

In part one of two in this miniseries on forgiveness to reconciliation, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender debunk several misconceptions around what real forgiveness entails, revealing a much simpler approach that removes...

We tend to gloss over the intention behind Memorial Day each year as we prep for a long weekend full of good food, games, and time at the beach. But to be clear: We wouldn’t be able to enjoy any of those things without others’ sacrifices.

To keep this truth top of mind as we approach the holiday weekend, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender walk through the history of the national holiday and share the startling numbers of th...

“Wives, submit to your husbands…” Ladies, how do you feel about this command? If you’re like us, it may throw you off, or even make you feel a little defiant.

We approach life differently than men, but we’re still equal—which is probably why we tend to bristle when we read or hear this verse in Ephesians 5. The problem is this that “submitting to your husband” is often misinterpreted as ...

Doubt 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, ...

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 tal...

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 ...

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 relations...

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. Cha...

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 t...

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. ...

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 del...

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 excavat...

How 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...