Smart Living with Grit and Grace

Before you gear up for a fresh start in the new year, a strong woman sets aside a few moments to pause and reflect on the year that she’s leaving behind. It’s an opportunity to be reminded of growth, to acknowledge our mistakes honestly,

Do the words “hormone health” make you cringe? Our hormones get blamed for mood swings, tiredness, complexion nightmares, and even weight gain! But, could there be a little truth in that blame game? There is something to be said about understanding the...

Society has a lot of misconceptions about women. Are we emotional, unable to handle a budget, or into shopping? The answer is maybe yes and maybe no. Stereotypes can often be harmful, and a few are downright ugly! While we admit our shortcomings,

Your man has a lot of other women in his life who require attention and often demand his interaction. It could be his mom, coworkers, a daughter, an ex, friends, or a baby mama to name a few. If this relationship requires his attention,

It’s Thanksgiving week....be honest, are you not feeling all that thankful right now? Maybe “thankful” has lost its effect on you? Too much to do, too much drama, or you may be struggling to find a reason to celebrate. We get it—we’ve all been there.

Are you looking for unique Christmas gifts this year? Something a little different and more personal than what you will find in the avalanche of sale guides that hit this time of year? Since this is an excellent time to start your Christmas shopping yo...

Can you start a business, build a strong marriage, be a present mom, and take care of your health too? If you do attempt that balancing act, can you expect to be perfect, accomplishing all without the occasional failure?

The holiday season is upon us, and with it: the stress. We find ourselves with an overloaded schedule, and often in the midst of the fun is family drama. Maybe this is the year you'll get ahead of the hustle of the season and find a way to slow down.

It doesn’t take a perfect mom to raise great kids. It takes intentionality, grit, and grace! Author and Co-Host, Darlene Brock, shares her hindsight and offers practical tips from her new book, Raising Great Girls: Help for Moms to Raise Confident, Capable Daughters (perfection not required), that will apply to moms of both genders. As a single boy mom, Julie asks honest questions and explores how...

Attitudes toward marriage have changed. Fewer couples are choosing to marry and, instead, are living together and starting families without the additional commitment that marriage brings. Often, their reasoning is that marriage doesn’t last,

Is it possible for a Miss USA winner to struggle with insecurity? Many of us don’t feel like we stand out. We often fail to believe we are lovely or unique. Or, maybe you’ve never thought much about these things. This episode’s guest,

Can you learn something from those who are younger than you? Should you listen to those “older and wiser?” Yes and yes! We began this show because co-hosts, Darlene and Julie, come from two generations and we believed their different life seasons could...

We believe marriage is a vow made with honor—cherished, worthy of fighting to keep, and should not be easily or quickly broken. As much as we wish it weren’t true, we realize that sometimes marriages fail. So,

Regret: such a short word that can carry massive weight! Do you know the feeling? Is there something you wish you had done or not done that still lingers on your mind—days, weeks, months, or even years later?

Have you ever been unfairly judged? Were some things said or believed about you that wasn’t true? Or perhaps you’re hesitant to admit that you could be the one doing the judging. The struggle is real, and every one of us has experienced both sides of t...

Single again and confused about what’s next? Are you ready for another relationship or is it too soon? Since our co-host Julie Graham is in this place we invited fellow widow and one of our most popular writers at The Grit and Grace Project online maga...

This Grit and Grace Life podcast turns ONE today! We’re like a wobbly toddler who’s just starting to get her stride. Since it is our birthday, we are throwing a party! Your co-hosts, Darlene and Julie, laugh, cry, and reminisce on what they’ve learned from a year of recording their conversations for you. This reflecting led Julie to provide an answer to an inevitable question, “People are asking h...

Are you trying to raise confident, capable daughters but feeling unsure about how you’re doing? Every mother feels that way! Darlene Brock, in her new book, Raising Great Girls, takes a look back at the years she raised her two daughters. By breaking down the roles, this mom took on doable jobs, and she shares what she learned. Since today is the official book release date, we wanted to celebrate...

We’re having a party! On August 21 at the Evereve store, a contemporary fashion and styling company for women in Franklin, Tennessee, we are celebrating the release of Darlene’s new book Raising Great Girls! Combining Evereve, which provides a unique shopping experience for moms who want to feel good about themselves, with a book about moms raising confident and capable daughters felt like the per...

Did you know that the majority of women in America today are in the workplace? Of course, you did; you’re probably one of them. Something you may not know is, there’s a difference between how the genders approach challenges at work. How can we thrive as women in the workplace? What does it look like when we apply both grit and grace? With these thoughts in mind, Darlene and Julie discuss the commo...

Suddenly summer ends. Faced with the start of the new school year, relief and anxiety collide as the transition begins. Your to-do list multiplies with shopping, meetings, reprioritizing your schedule, and dealing with the stress of your student(s) entering a new classroom. How can you handle it all without losing your mind? Darlene and Julie talk about saving money on back-to-school necessities,...

Since nearly 50% of new marriages are remarriages, it should come as no surprise that many women are blending families. It doesn’t take long after making those marriage vows to discover combining families can be complicated. It can also be beautiful. How? We brought in our most reliable expert, psychotherapist, and relationship counselor, Dr. Zoe, to share a balanced and a realistic view of how to...

Cameron James’ moving story of hardship and hope continues in this second installment. She first joined us on episode 048 when she shared her heartbreaking and inspiring journey of learning about her daughter’s ultra-rare disease. In part 2, she discusses the next season. As life became manageable and her daughter made progress (which seemed so unlikely when first diagnosed), she once again found...

Have you ever experienced hardships that felt insurmountable? Have you been tested on every side, not even sure you would survive? Our guest has been there. A few times. Singer/songwriter and mom of two, Cameron James, shares her moving story that began the day she discovered her daughter had an extremely rare disease. In this episode, she recounts her journey from devastation to hope and belief t...

What does it mean to be an independent woman? Is this description only for the single, carefree women with no man or children in tow? Or does every woman need to master self-sufficiency in all our relationships? Whether we are a girlfriend, wife, or mother, it’s essential to be able to stand on our own as well as mastering healthy dependence. In this episode, Darlene and Julie reflect on culture’s...