Grit 'n' Grace: The Podcast for Highly Sensitive Christian Women

In this interview with Ginny Yttrup, Christian fiction writer and author of Home, she shares how she uses story to address the issues we all face-- grief, control, shame and the desire to escape. Listen as Ginny and Cheri dish on the pros and cons of being a Highly Sensitive Person. (And as Amy fan-girls over Ginny, her favorite Christian fiction author of the year!)

Our lives are shaped by our thoughts. That's a little scary, right? If we let our thoughts float through our heads unexamined or if we let others plant thoughts unchallenged, we can move into a negative space in a split second. Cheri and Amy reflect on ways to take responsibility for our thoughts, and it turns out that we should aim to disappoint some people. Cheri shares a counter-intuitive flash...

Even the strongest faith can become battered and start to sink when painful circumstances blindside us. How can we respond in a way that keeps us afloat? We have a shocking number of thoughts in a day (make sure to listen to the episode find out how many-- you won't believe it!), and only we can choose if they are positive or negative. Tracie Miles, author of Unsinkable Faith, gives practical step...

As Cheri and Amy processed last week's interview with Tricia Goyer, one of her quotes kept floating to the top, "Our greatest moments of wholeness are actually when we're sharing our weaknesses." What does it mean to live out our imperfect stories in a way that impacts the world? How can we help others see Jesus through our brokenness? If we want to be world-changers, we have to learn to live our...

Tricia Goyer, our guest this week, reached a crossroads years ago. Would she just study God's Word or would she push past the fear and obstacles to live the life described there? For she and her husband, living the truths they were finding in their Bibles meant some huge leaps of faith! Listen to find out the steps Tricia took and the treasures she's found in obedience. You'll be inspired to walk...

It's painful to think about, but the minute we're born, we also have a death sentence. How can we use this knowledge counter-intuitively to live a better, more joy-filled life? Cheri and Amy discuss the power of living each moment and leveraging Heather Dixon's idea of a "bucket list life."

Are you looking into the future and facing an unknown? Because Heather Dixon lives with a life-altering diagnosis, she has gained authority to teach us about thriving through our hard stories. She discusses with Cheri & Amy how we can be ready for whatever life throws us through daily choices and perspective-shifting actions. Gather your note-taking tools and Kleenex for this one!

How do you define "rebellion"? Cheri and Amy were surprised by Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach's definition from the previous show, and they process how a correct definition shifts our parenting (and our own behavior). They also break down the simplest but most profound activity that we need to embrace to grow intimacy with our sons and daughters. Make sure to listen in to grab this powerful parenting...

There's nothing more "aha!" inspiring than a fresh perspective straight from the horses mouth! Cheri and Amy's interview with Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, a twenty-something daughter, lets moms listen in on their kids' heartbeat. It's possible to raise a teenager who doesn't rebel. Listen to this episode to find out how!

In the end-cap episode of the Retrospect series, Amy & Cheri talk about a topic that most of us avoid-- conflict. Both of them included points in their manifestos that address conflict because this has been an area of struggle. It's been a pain point that kept them from having strong, intimate relationships. Find out how we can employ both grit and grace to walk through conflict well.

In a flash, our people can seem like obstacles instead of priorities. How can we make sure that the most important people top the most important list? Amy & Cheri process how tasks can get in the way, but how the ones God gives us to love are what matter most. This episode holds the key to joy in the New Year.

Creating change is tough, and maintaining change is even harder. Amy & Cheri discuss the changes they want to make in 2018 and two crucial steps to keep up the momentum. If you have goals for change in the New Year, you won't want to miss this one!

What happens when we shift our focus to God in ALL we do, including our work? Amy and Cheri discuss a new paradigm that changes everything to which we put our hands. If you need a fresh perspective on your work — no matter if you're a care-giver, a career woman or a mom — this one's for you!

Which of your dreams have been left in the dust? Cheri & Amy plan how to recapture lost dreams in 2018 by paying attention, taking care of our own needs and creating white space. Let's make next year the year to dive back into the dreams of our hearts!

It's good news to know that we have a place to turn for ultimate solutions! Scripture holds the answers for our big questions and our everyday life. It's the source for both comfort and challenge. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss how their understanding of scripture has grown over the years and how Truth has become increasingly valued in their lives over their own opinions.

It's a tough goal, but Cheri and Amy long to BE the kind of friend that they want to have. Keeping confidences and taking care of their own needs are just a couple of ways they're working to be better friends. Join us to think through how you can be a safe harbor for your friends too!

How's the strength of your personal community? Cheri and Amy discuss their goal to continue to build a strong friend network, pursue tight-knit relationships and turn away from isolation. Let's make 2018 the year that we draw close!

There is power in a Personal Manifesto! Cheri and Amy discuss how they created their own and share an invaluable, free resource for you to write yours. This week they share the point in their manifestos that determine identity, the foundation of a richer life, and the steps they'll take in 2018 to live on those firm footings.

Want to learn from 2017 & get the most out of 2018? Examine your life with our new Retrospect series! Join Amy and Cheri in celebrating imperfect progress and committing to continued growth.

Cheri and Amy are both in the stage of parenting adults, and it's a sticky blessing. They process the right questions to ask, some scripts to perfect and healthy ways to examine the past when all the wheels have fallen off. If you're a new mom, this will help you plan ahead while moms in the adult-parenting phase will feel the comeraderie of dwelling together in the trenches!

What's a mom to do when her adult son or daughter runs off the rails? Lori Wildenburg, author of Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home, gives us a key question and tools that lead to helpful solutions. Arm yourself with the wise strategies Lori offers as you walk into difficult situations with your kids.

n our funks, in the midst of criticism, and in the battle with sin, we have choices. Sometimes the best choice is the hardest choice, and we need strength to make it. Where can we find that strength? Cheri and Amy talk about seeking the strength and support we need that lead to the changes that make our lives better.

Lisa Whittle, author of Put On Your Warrior Boots, talks about how to tell ourselves the truth and be truth-tellers in ways that changes lives-- both our own and others'. She helps us activate our faith to walk through life Jesus strong, facing our battles with strength. Listen to this one and charge out to face your world!

Even when we have a true desire to serve others, it can be complicated. Everything from mixed motives to schedules to lack of information can be obstacles to generous service. Cheri and Amy talk through how to serve others well with great joy and provide practical tools for responding to the "heartdrops" of others.

In our very divided world, people are craving love. Karen Ehman, author of Listen. Love. Repeat., shares inventive ways to create meaningful acts of love in our everyday world, sharing the heart of Jesus everywhere we are. Karen helps us to develop the gift of paying attention and acting.