PODCAST

The Grit and Grace Project

Darlene Brock & Julie Bender from GritandGraceLife.org

Smart Living for strong women and those who want to be.

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

Banana Muffins Can’t Be Brownies and Other Life Truths

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/11/15

When my daughter was young she could sniff out a baking mix from a mile away. Once I purchased a box of banana nut muffin mix at the store and my then four-year-old had it out of the bag and was waiting for me before I could even set my keys down. I sliced up a few bananas while she put paper liners in the muffin pan. She insisted on adding sprinkles, and I said, “Why not?” We whisked and poured and put them in the oven. Banana Muffins Can’t Be Brownies As soon as I closed the oven

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Want to Love Others In a Big Way? Start Small

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/11/13

My flight from Bend, Oregon, to Tucson included three legs and two layovers that would total 12 hours from drop-off to pick-up. But I was prepared. I brought reading materials and an intention to look for opportunity to love others through a random act of kindness. Or two. And so I stood back to let others go in line ahead of me. And I chatted with seat mates (but not overly much), and gave my packet of tissue to someone with allergies. At two different terminals, I stood across the way and listened

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Ask Dr. Zoe – Do I Stay With My Man When I’m Pregnant...

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/11/10

‘Pregnant in Purgatory’ Asked: My boyfriend had been subtly talking about proposing for several weeks, he hinted that he had a ring and would talk about when he felt it was the “right” time, which seemed to align with our anniversary. But you can guess what happened… anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and a trip to the coast all came and went and no proposal. Then something unexpected happened, I got pregnant. So while I thought we were onto something good, now I am

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God Met Me at the Doctor’s Office

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/11/02

I was so overwhelmed last week. And then God met me. But if I hadn’t been paying attention, I don’t think I would have noticed. I took a day off work because I had four doctor’s appointments in one day. The week had been a busy one. My personal children had a lot on their plate. The academic quarter was ending, so they were overwhelmed with homework. We had many sports commitments on the calendar and places to be. My teaching life was filled with papers to grade, students I was concerned about, and

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Finding Purpose When Another Door Closes

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/24

It was a Friday afternoon, long after the rest of the staff had left. The celebration was over and the building was still and quiet. I walked to my office and leaned against the doorway, cardboard box in hand. I thought about the years spent within these four walls, the conversations, the accomplishments, and the many challenges. A career ended far too soon. I spent the next few minutes packing years’ worth of memories into the box, glanced fondly out the window, walked out the office, down the

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When Is It Time to Let Your Kids Quit?

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/22

It wasn’t a missed play that made my son want to quit; it was the sinking feeling he got before every practice. Somewhere along the way, the game he used to love turned into a weight that he carried. At first, he played because he loved it. He loved the perfectly cut grass, the sharp lines, the thrill of playing the game with his friends, and the way his coach yelled at him when he messed up but followed it up with insight, instruction, and encouragement. But over time, that excitement

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How to Make Your Daughter a Lifelong Friend

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/20

My mom was an amazing woman who attended college at a time when not many women did—back in the early 40s. I am so grateful to have been raised by this strong-minded woman. She was determined that her three kids would learn a good work ethic, attend church, memorize scripture, and learn to love books. Our reward for helping her clean house every Saturday was a trip to the library. She was into health foods long before it became trendy. No potato chips, sugared cereals, or soft drinks in our home

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If Your Life Hasn’t Gone as Planned, Read This!

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/17

October is my birthday month, and when the year I turned 39, I discovered it was OK to start over in my professional career. For the previous five years, I had been a stay-at-home mom. I decided to leave the corporate world when my fourth child was born, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I became comfortable in the new routine I had established, and I loved being able to have that quality time with my two little ones before they went off to school. My two oldest were already in

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Are You Controlling Your Screen Time or Is It...

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/15

A friend recently threw out a challenge to take a 24-hour rest from all screens—phones, computers, TVs. It was enlightening to discover my most challenging aspect of screen dependency. But first, a look at my day. Upon awakening, I ran into immediate hurdles. My Bible reading app is online, and I have favorite music for getting ready in the mornings. But, of course, my music player is my phone. One of us got a parking ticket two days ago. (I don’t want to mention any names, but his initials are the

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5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/14

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is an annual campaign designed to increase breast cancer awareness worldwide, promoting research, risk assessment, screening and early detection, and treatment options. According to Breastcancer.org, more than 287,000 women in the United States alone are estimated to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2022. Nearly 43,000 of them may die from the disease. If you are concerned about breast cancer, there are steps you can take to lower your risk

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Surrendering to God in Hardship Doesn’t Mean Giving Up

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/12

A storm was raging above us as I held my daughter, hunkered down in our crawlspace. WA tornado warning had been issued a few minutes before, and to my ears, it sounded like it was passing right over us. The wind and the rain were terrifying. I had no control over the preservation of our home, nor the safety of our lives. I had done the one small thing I could—get to safety—and the rest was up to God. I knew surrendering to God was the right decision, even as I was shaking with fear. And so I did. I

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My Friend’s Death Taught Me a New Way to Live

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/11

Not too long ago, I had wondered what losing someone close to you would feel like. Someone my age—still in college with hopes, dreams, and aspirations—suddenly losing their life. How would I handle this? Until now, I had never known anyone personally who had died an untimely and sudden death. My good friend who I had met through college was a young Christian man. He was well-known for his positive attitude and funny interactions. He was someone you could have any kind of conversation with, from

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Self-Care Is an Act of Radical Love for Mommas

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/10

When I was six months pregnant with twins, I talked my husband into getting an L-shaped sectional as an act of self-care. My cute, little micro-suede sofa from my single life no longer cut it. I needed something heftier, sturdier—something to hold all of me up. After he said “yes” to my new couch, I was ecstatic because I knew my life was going to dramatically change. No longer did I have to twist and turn like a manatee on a rock. All of me (well, almost) could fit when lying down and I could even

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Ask Dr. Zoe – Coping With Anxiety Biblically

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/10/01

‘Coping With Anxiety’ Asked: I recently realized the extent to which I have struggled with anxiety all my life. What are some healthy, biblical coping mechanisms I can use when anxiety and panic set in? Dr. Zoe Answered: Dear Coping With Anxiety, What I love about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is that it is completely Biblical. The Bible says, and modern CBT research has proven, that getting control over your thoughts is the best and most efficacious treatment for anxiety (and

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Overcome Insecurity and Gain Confidence With This One...

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/30

I stood in front of the mirror last week, staring at my hair with that familiar mix of frustration and disappointment. It wouldn’t cooperate, no matter what I tried. So I spiraled. I found myself obsessively searching Pinterest boards, product reviews, and new color ideas. Not because I really needed a change, but because I didn’t like what I saw. I didn’t like me. That kind of self-talk used to be my default. I spent years caught in a cycle of self-hate and self-sabotage, trying to fix what I

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Become Who God Created You to Be

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/24

You can be a Christian and struggle with homelessness, illness, finances, addictions, family/friend issues, mental health, and more. There will even be spiritual struggles for those who are saved by His grace. How do we overcome these issues, so we can live a full life of worship and service to God? Become Who God Created You to Be Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow published his research on the hierarchy of needs. His research is still regarded today as

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When Dating Again Feels Scary

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/23

Divorce. Breakup. Loss. Now you’re swiping right, sitting across from strangers, hoping to find “the one.” But the anxiety of putting yourself out there, being rejected, letting your walls down… It all feels terrifying. Author Marlys Johnson Lawry knows exactly how you feel—she’s been in your shoes. In her book, When Dating Again Feels Scary, you’ll: Overcome the overwhelming fear of rejection and open your heart to love Journal your own dating worries and struggles, and create actionable steps

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Change Happens When God Is in Your Addiction Recovery

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/21

My breathing is shallow before I step into the stale, dimly lit room. I take a seat, nodding a hello to the docile man to my left and smiling at the woman who sits across from me facing their own addiction recovery. Her candid vulnerability and blatant remarks resonate, often causing me to think about her words long after our time together ends. I was just six months into my recovery journey and the youngest person in attendance. I’m not sure if we’d peg each other as friends outside of this room,

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Are You Living Your One Life Well?

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/19

I didn’t plan to climb a mountain that day. My birthday plans included breakfast at a favorite spot, a casual walk at Smith Rock, afternoon tea with a good book, and dinner with friends. “It’s all about you today,” my husband teased. The weather was perfect, a gift in itself. As we walked the valley floor hand in hand, wildlife skittered here and there. Geese honked loudly overhead, drawing our eyes to the majestic rocky spires Smith Rock is known for, its variegated colors lit up by the

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3 Things to Consider When You Feel Overwhelmed by Loss

The Grit and Grace Project ·

2025/09/15

It’s that time of year—our high school graduates are starting college or taking the next giant step in their young lives. And although there is excitement about those next steps, some mamas are struggling. Their worlds are about to shift in monumental ways: Their babies are untethering the apron strings, and these women are wondering how they will fill the gap that remains. An impending sense of loss is creeping into their very uncertain hearts. Loss Leads to Change Loss can visit us through so many

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The Grit and Grace Project

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