Do you ever feel like "It's just too late" — to get un-stuck or to start something new? Cheri and Amy are here to remind you that fresh starts and new adventures are always possible—no matter where you are in life. In this episode, they explore the joys of letting go, lifelong learning, and making room for what truly brings you joy. You'll hear stories of stepping out of comfort zones, setting bold boundaries, and embracing the idea that it’s never too late to begin again. Join them for a heartwarming chat about discovering new possibilities, pursuing passions, and living with intention at every age. Get full notes and a transcript at: gritngracegirls.com/episode275

Christian women are often told that being "too emotional" is a weakness, but what if our emotions are actually a source of strength? In this episode, Cheri and Amy debunk that myth, diving into an honest conversation about buoying life’s heaviest moments with the promises of God. Reflecting on their interview with Michele Cushatt, they explore how naming and sitting with our hard emotions Debunking the ‘Too Emotional’ Myth actually builds resilience and deepens faith. If you’ve ever felt like your emotions are “too much,” this episode offers real talk, validation, and practical steps for approaching your feelings as tools for healing and growth.   Get full notes and a transcript at: gritngracegirls.com/episode273

Feeling overwhelmed by grief or big emotions? In this second half of our interview, Michele Cushatt — author of A Faith that Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart — discusses why it's so important to actually feel your feelings, especially during hard seasons. With humor and raw honesty, Michele offers practical, down-to-earth tips for dealing with those big emotions while trusting God’s heart for healing and restoration. Get full notes and a transcript at: gritngracegirls.com/episode272

Feeling like your faith is hanging by a thread? Michele Cushatt returns to share the heart behind her book, A Faith That Will Not Fail. Michele dives deep into the power of lament, vulnerability, and how we can truly support each other without slipping into toxic positivity. If you’re facing tough times, this episode is A Faith that Does Not Fail (Part 1) is packed with encouragement and hope to help you hold on. Get full notes and a transcript at: gritngracegirls.com/episode271

Grit ‘n’ Grace is baaaaaaaack! After a year-long hiatus, Cheri and Amy return for a much-needed catch-up convo.  In this episode, they dive into what they’ve missed most, how life has changed, and the big lessons God has been teaching them. Amy opens up about navigating major transitions, while Cheri reflects on finding breathing room after seasons of chaos.  With laughter, vulnerability, and wisdom, they share how God is at work in the mess. Tune in for a heartfelt and encouraging reunion! Get full notes and a transcript at: gritngracegirls.com/episode270

The saying is true. All good things do come to an end. In this last planned episode of Grit 'n' Grace, Cheri and Amy talk about lessons they've learned about ending well and the biggest personal changes they've experienced through the Grit 'n' Grace years. There are some big lightbulb moments in this episode! Listen to the very end to learn how to keep in touch with Cheri and Amy. Grit 'n' Grace is wrapping up, but your connection with them doesn't have to end!

When we're going through uncertain times, just keeping ourselves afloat can feel like a challenge. It's counterintuitive to believe that uncertainty can be a pathway to our greatest influence. Yet, that's exactly what we see in the book of Esther. With co-authors of the Esther study, Amy Carroll and Lynn Cowell, Cheri discusses four biblical steps that can lead us to influence in our most difficult days.

Let's be honest: It's difficult to love, know, and serve an invisible God. It's especially hard in uncertain times when He's nowhere in sight ... when He seems to have vanished. In today's episode, Cheri is the sole interviewer, digging for solutions to this dilemma with Amy Carroll and Lynn Cowell, co-authors of the new study, Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World. We're not the only women who have faced this challenge, so listen in for some ancient and reliable truths!

It's uncomfortable to be in a strange season, one in which your reality looks very different than your peers'. It can happen early in life when everyone else is moving into dorms while you go to work. Or later, when you're raising grandchildren while your friends are having their passports stamped. No matter the stage of life, you can have hope and purpose in your strange season. Cheri and Amy discuss the difficulties and unexpected gifts we find when our lives take a turn we never expected.

When grandparents take on the job of parenting grandchildren, a mix of blessing and challenge ensues. From the rich resource of personal experience, Rick Johnson, author of When Grandparents Become Parents, shares a dose of hope for all involved in this tricky parenting model. If you're a grandparent that's parenting your grandchild or love someone who is, tune in today for words of encouragement that you can absorb and share.

Feeling alone in the chaos and stress of your life? We understand! Yet, everyone has seasons that it's hard to harness the happy that we're promised. In today's episode, Cheri and Amy dig deep into the obstacles to "heart happy" and ways to overcome them. You'll hear both practical tips and deep spiritual practices that will help you draw closer to God for the happy He has to give.

When you're at the end of your rope, is happiness possible? Tricia Goyer, author of Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God's Love Through Chaotic Circumstances, found a secret to happiness at one of her lowest points. In today's episode, she shares that her life, just like ours, has had some painful challenges, but happiness has intersected those seasons in beautifully unexpected ways. Tune in to tap into a truth that we can all benefit from!

It's coming. There will be a day when others misunderstand you. What then? Cheri and Amy discuss strategies to handle being misunderstood so that we aren't devastated when it happens. We can learn from being misunderstood and come out stronger on the other side!

Being misunderstood is the worst. The Worst. If you've been in that circumstance, you're in good company, and your story isn't over. Mary DeMuth, author of The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible, unpacks the lessons she learned as she studied the scriptural stories of ten real-life women. This episode is full of mic-drop moments when Cheri and Amy were left with tears in their eyes and jaws on the floor.

Shadia Hrichi, author of Worthy of Love, knows what it's like to feel unworthy. An abortion early in her life left her believing that she was unqualified to serve God, but He didn't leave her in that untruth. Hear how Shadia, now a powerful Bible teacher, ended her silent suffering and experienced healing. Her saving grace can be yours too!

There's bad news and good news about your messy story. The bad news is that messy stories are straight-up painful. The good news is that you aren't alone. Shadia Hrichi, author of Tamar: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, shares hope-filled truths about how God Himself cares for and transforms our painful places.

It's important to end well, but it's tricky. As women, we don't like to feel like we're quitters, so we often hold onto things too long. But what about jobs, roles, and circumstances that are just for a season? How do we end those well? In this touching episode, Cheri and Amy discuss markers of an ending season, hard decisions, and learning how to end with excellence and grace.

So many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food. The disfunction can range from hypervigilance to constant dieting to eating disorders. Kassandra Baker, Certified Health, Life, and Mental Health Coach, explains how perfectionism and people-pleasing can be part of our problem with food. Then, she leads us to a new understanding about the way we eat. Speaking from her own personal experience and recovery from two eating disorders, Kassandra leads us to freedom from diet culture.

Ugh. It seems like this thought rolls through on the regular, "Well, it's time to diet again." What if it was possible to end our love/hate relationship with food and live in peace? Kassandra Baker, Certified Health, Life, and Mental Health Coach, says that peace can be our new reality! Speaking from her own personal experience and recovery from two eating disorders, Kassandra leads us to freedom from diet culture.

It's the member of the Trinity that makes us most squirmy. Because of a lack of knowledge, many of us avoid talking about the Holy Spirit at all, and most of us have missed out on the gift of friendship with Him. Sarah Bowling, author of Your Friendship with Holy Spirit, shares a warm, down-to-earth approach to deepening our relationship with God through a greater understanding of Holy Spirit (she explains dropping the article "the" for us!). This episode will take you into the more intimate relationship with God that you've longed for.

When your husband's retired or continuing to work from home, things can get a little hairy. It can feel like you're losing control of "your domain." Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby, co-authors of Spouse in the House, give practical advice for rearranging our attitudes to make room for all we love at home.

When your husband's retired or continuing to work from home, things can get a little hairy. It can feel like you're losing control of "your domain." Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby, co-authors of Spouse in the House, give practical advice for rearranging our attitudes to make room for all we love at home.

Are you bogged down in the pain of some of your most important relationships, feeling like a failure in what matters most to you? Today's episode has four key concepts that can truly change everything. You'll not only see things differently, but you'll have new hope for better things to come. Processing last week's interview with Lily Taylor, author of Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free, Cheri and Amy are on a relational-realizations roll. You don't want to miss this one!

Sometimes life takes a turn far worse than you could have imagined. That was true for Lily Taylor, author of Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free, during the eight years her son was imprisoned on drug charges. But even in that dark season, rays of God's love and care shone through. Join us today to hear Lily's dramatic, true story and to get a dose of hope that heals the most broken heart.

We all have them. You know... the passages about Jesus that we'd rather skip. They're confusing, and confusion makes us scared. What if Jesus isn't who we hope He is? Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, rides to our rescue in this episode, teaching us how to think through these difficult verses instead of blowing past them. (Spoiler Alert: Jesus IS who we hope He is ... and more.) Come sit at the table and learn alongside Amy & Cheri!

Cheri and Amy share take-your-breath-away insights about how to live a no-regrets life. Far from being intimidating (I mean really, who has no regrets? No one.), this episode is personal, raw and applicable. Amy has already declared this one "GnG's most impactful episode ever." It's one you'll want to listen to twice and share with all your friends!

We can easily become paralyzed by our regrets, giving up the life God has for us and surrendering His joy. Although we all have sins, disappointments, and heartaches, it's possible to surrender those points of regret to God in ways that release us. Rhonda Stoppe, the "No Regrets Woman," shares biblical strategies that help us to move forward in freedom and joy.

Many of us feel caged by our circumstances. Maybe it's being enclosed in a hard marriage, a job you hate, or a painful friendship that's making you feel trapped. Or perhaps it's just ... well ... a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory talk today about five ways to move toward An Abundant Place, even when you feel like you can't get away. This is an interview that will breathe fresh, new-year freedom into your heart!

Once more, Amy and Cheri welcome back Grit ‘n’ Grace’s most frequent and beloved guest, Kathi Lipp — co-author (with Cheri) of the new devo: An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can’t Get Away.  Kathi and Cheri share the challenges they faced while writing a book about "abundance" during a time of unprecedented scarcity. And Kathi shares three practical tips for rediscovering (or perhaps reviving) your own creativity in the new year. She reminds us that whether you're writing or cooking or painting or keeping humans alive, "You're putting a creative force in the world. And that's to be celebrated."

In this special year-end bonus-sode, Amy and Cheri welcome back Grit ‘n’ Grace’s most frequent and beloved guest, Kathi Lipp — co-author (with Cheri) of the new devo: An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can't Get Away. In this candid conversation about connecting with God in the everyday ordinaries of our often-overwhelmed lives, Kathi reminds us that "Our minds and souls don't have to be bound by our location." Join in for a time of laughter, reflection, and planning for abundance, right where you are, right now.

Comparison. It's so easy to slip into it. Before we're even aware, we want her story, her talents, or her body. The lines between healthy growth and the obsessive pursuit of better get blurred, and we're back in the comparison trap, stripped of joy and feeling less than. Heather Creekmore, author of The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest, gives us one sure step out of the destructive habit of comparison. Listen in today to receive the gift we all want!

When life as you know it — as you dreamed it — ends, it can lead to a deep sense of hopelessness. That's what our guest, Tracie Miles, author of Living Unbroken: Reclaiming Your Life and Heart after Divorce, felt in the early days of her marriage ending. But she didn't stay there. God helped her to move forward, and she's sharing her story so that we can experience the healing that she has received. We can live unbroken, even when the last thing we ever expected becomes part of our story.

Can it be? Thanksgiving is almost here, and Christmas is on the way! This is the year for joy to abound more than ever. Jill Baughan, host of the "Find Joy ... No Matter What" podcast, gives us small, daily exercises that can change everything about how we relate to all the bumps and twists coming our way in the next month. Make sure to listen in to this delightful episode. You'll find your heart readjusted and rested.

Some folks seem wired for joy, carrying sunshine in their pockets everywhere they go. But what if your natural wiring leans more toward "cloudy" or if your circumstances have blown in some storms? Speaker and author Jill Baughan reassures us that we can find joy ... no matter what! If you're struggling to dredge up joy right now, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and quirky, laugh-out-loud moments. (Portrait with a monkey, anyone?!)

It's been a tough couple of years for everyone, but the fresh start that January offers is on its way. This is the year to step into the trifecta that God has for us. Yes, we can (1) glorify God, (2) love our people well, and (3) have a joyful life all at the same time! Tune in today for a conversation with women who have stepped into the life that they were created for. Their aha moments and practical steps will leave you inspired to see 2022 as the year for you!

The year is winding down (can I hear a Hallelujah?!) which means that it's time to evaluation and celebrate. Amy and Cheri do a year in review, discussing what they've done well and not so well in losing who they're NOT, loving who they ARE, and living their ONE life well. Listen in for lots of giggles and some high impact moments too!

So many of us struggle to know what to say and do when someone we know is hurting. That feeling of helplessness can multiply when it involves the loss of a child. In this second episode with Rachel Lewis — author of Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss — she helps us all to become more grief literate. Rachel not only explains practically how we can help others in their grief but also how to manage our own better. This is an episode that we all need in a pain-stricken, broken world.

It's a loss that's so common that it's often tragically overlooked. Whether you've personally miscarried or love someone who has, you know the unspoken pain of losing a child. Rachel Lewis, author of Unexpecting, tenderly leads us to a deeper understanding of healthy ways to deal with grief triggers, physical changes, and the dismissiveness of others. Rachel also gently instructs us to bring healing, not more hurt, into others' pregnancy loss. This important episode is not to be missed.

Calling can seem like something that's mystical. Something that's given only to the special people. But calling is for all of us... if we can overcome feeling disqualified. Cheri and Amy discuss being used by God despite their failings and give practical practices that set us up to follow God into our assignments. (Also, find out what set Amy on an oppositional defiant path this week!)

So often, we can feel disqualified by our flaws. Jodie Niznik, author of Crossroads: a Study of Esther and Jonah for Boldly Responding to Your Call, assures us again that God uses very ordinary, very flawed people. Using Esther and Jonah as biblical examples, Jodie encourages each of us that we have a significant place — warts and all! — in God's story.

What if peace comes with practice? That was the question that set Kay Wyma, author of The Peace Project: a 30-Day Experiment Practicing Thankfulness, Kindness, and Mercy, on a path to find the key elements that lead to peace. Kay shares the way she stumbled into the some counterintuitive truths for battling anxiety, and then she dives into the brain science (squeeee!). This fun episode will leave you with powerful, practical tips to practice yourself into peace.

In our contentious culture, there are dozens of triggers every day. One of our buzz words is uttered (or typed), and we go from sipping coffee to armoring up for war. How can we find peace when we feel so embattled? In today's interview with Amberly Neese, author of Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences, we learn lessons for loving others well ... even when we disagree with them.

It's easy to get so caught up in the roller coaster ride of pursuing amazing that we miss the blessings of slow growth and intentional focus. Cheri and Amy discuss the lessons they've learned (some the hard way!) about trying to make up for lost time and chasing dreams of being spectacular. It turns out that "average" is a life of many gifts! Listen in and celebrate with us.

Choosing farm life was a difficult shift for Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of Growing Slow. But over time, as she watched the seasons of planting, growing, harvest and fallow, she began to see the benefits of internal seasons too. Sharing wisdom from creation and personal experience, Jennifer lays out the compelling reasons that we need to reconsider our go-faster-lives.

What would it be like to have an easy companionship with God? One like you have with your best friend? It's possible! Instead of fearing Him as a taskmaster, we can know God as our tutor. Instead of fleeing Him in a panic, we can walk in God's presence. We can take off our masks and enjoy our Maker. Tune in as Amy and Cheri discuss their growth in God, unveiling the joy of living closer to Him.

We believe in Jesus, becoming a part of His family, and then what? A less-than life is what this week's guest, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson — author of Finding Deep & Wide — lived for years. She knew there was more, but she wasn't sure how to tap into it. Through hilarious stories, Shellie shares what she's learned about the life she first heard about in Sunday School as a little girl, the deep and wide life.

It can be scary to come out from behind our carefully crafted facades. Living in freedom makes it so, so worth it, though. Today, as Cheri and Amy reflect on their interview with Barb Roose — author of Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ — they share facade-crushing truths they've learned in pursuit of true freedom in Christ. You may find that there's something better than being a super-Christian!

It's a common human failing to add extra layers on our faith in order to feel good about our relationship with God. Unfortunately, that destructive habit leads to bondage rather than the freedom for which we long. From the book of Galatians, Barb Roose — author of Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ — shares six freedom principles in this episode that will take your breath away and breathe freedom into your walk with God. Freedom may be elusive, but it's not impossible!

Building a habit can have a bad rap unless the end-goal is a pleasure. Knowing God, our highest pleasure, is a goal that can keep us motivated! Today, Cheri and Amy knock obstacles to spiritual growth out of the way and reveal the winsome ways that God keeps them growing.

Developing new and better habits sometimes feels like too much work. But often the work of change is worth it. Jen Pollock Michel, author of A Habit Called Faith, calls us into habits that will deepen our relationship with God. This life of faith is better than any other we've imagined, so tune in today to hear more!

Limited. That's the way most of us would describe our understanding of the spiritual growth curve. Today, Cheri and Amy discuss what they've been learning about the stages of spiritual growth from Kristie Gaultiere, co-author of Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth. God wants us to know Him in ways deeper than ever before! Listen in today to get a hope-filled view of our struggles and a glimpse of the spiritual riches beyond the walls we all hit.  

When we watch a baby grow, we understand that there are developmental stages, but we often expect our souls (and others') to arrive full-grown! Kristi Gaultiere, co-author of Journey of the Soul: a Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth, introduces us to the spiritual formation of our souls. It's a joy-filled concept that will allow you to enjoy your soul's steps as well as extend grace to those behind you.

We're told that we're a new creation in Christ, but do we believe it? Do we live like we are? Too often Christian women feel that we need to work to make it true. Today, you can lay down all the effort of trying harder and pick up the peace that you've been given. Cheri and Amy process the revolutionary freedom found in living the truth about our new life.

Angst-y describes the way most of us live our Christian life. Angst over our sins and mistakes. Distress over the ways we fall short. Despair that our trying harder never seems to get us where we want to go spiritually. What if we don't have to live that way? Today, Andrew Farley, author of The Perfect You gives us the secret to overcoming angst with peace. This interview is revolutionary and not to be missed!   "I know we use Bible words like righteousness and holiness. But a lot of Christians feel dirty and distant."  ~Andrew Farley

After slumping into a COVID wardrobe rut, Cheri and Amy needed some help from Shari Braendel of Fashion Meets Faith to get their groove back. Today they discuss their transformation from a 24/7 yoga pants trend to a dive into spring. This fun fashion episode will lift your spirits, give you some laughs, and it just might inspire you to start a transformation of your own. You can look your most beautiful with a plan on a budget!

It may seem counterintuitive to include fashion in a series about spiritual disciplines. It's not a stretch, though, as today's guest, Shari Braendel of Fashion Meets Faith explains. Tune in today for loads of fun, tips about picking the colors that make you shine, and spring trends that will delight every girly soul.

What do you do when you're drowning in the bitterness stoked by hard circumstances? Most of us don't want to stay there but aren't sure how to swim to higher ground. Heather Dixon, author of Renewed: Finding Hope When You Don’t Like Your Story, gives practical help from both her own difficult story and the biblical story of Naomi. Just when you're about to give up and go under, there's hope to hang on to!

It's hard to come up with strategies for keeping your head above water when it's already up to your neck! In this episode, Cheri and Amy process the amazing insights they gained from author Sheri Rose Shepherd — author of Beyond the White Picket Fence: What to Do When Your Life is Dismantled — through their unique lens. You can lose some things that lighten you, love some things that buoy you, and live your one life well... even in the midst of crisis.

We've all experienced heart break. But what do you do when devastating circumstances crash over you, one after the other, like waves on the shore? Sheri Rose Shepherd, author of No More Picket Fences, has lived through a simultaneous diagnosis, divorce, and season of sickness with her mother. She has the authority to encourage women whose lives have been dismantled, and she pulls out all the stops in this riveting episode.

What is it about receiving permission? Permission often gives us the confidence and courage to step into what we've always longed to be. Bethany Howard, author of Permission Granted, shares thoughtful and creative ways to be your fullest God-created self. Don't miss listening today because you're going to get a unique dose of poetry reading that will set your soul soaring!

Since the beginning, names have had significance. The meaning of our name is often a blessing spoken over our birth. As Melissa Spoelstra, author of The Names of God, shares, God's names have more transforming power than any other. Listen in today as she explains how knowing His names grows our grit and helps us through hard times. This episode will be balm to your soul!

Barb Roose, author of Surrendered: 40 Devotions to Help You Let Go and Live Like Jesus and one of Grit 'n' Grace's favorites, shares how to let go of all the residual angst from 2020,. Otherwise known as "the year of extra," there's a lot to release! In an interview infused with practical help, Barb leads listeners to let go of control and surrender to God's hope and peace.

Menopause: you had questions. we got you answers! In this riveting conversation with Amy's gynecologist, Nurse Practitioner Julie Keeler, you'll hear the medical/physical side of menopause. Julie helps us better understand our body's changes, navigate a heightened set of emotions, address sleep disturbances, and more. Women of all ages will appreciate the real talk on an often-ignored topic!

Joy is a gift that we all aspire to own, but circumstances sometimes make it feel elusive. Through two years filled with trials, Suzie Eller, author of Joy-Keeper: 6 Truths that Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy, revamped her personal definition of joy and honed ways to maintain it. Make sure to join us as Suzie outlines the joy-stealers in our lives and gives us ways to vanquish them with a deeper, grounded joy.

How do you respond to the word evangelism? Does it evoke excitement and joy? Or does it spark guilt and dread? Cheri & Amy discuss their past experiences-- the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. Based on the model in B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World, by Dave and Jon Ferguson, they also process the paradigm shift that they experienced in seeing evangelism in a new way. No more converter guilt for them ... or you!

Do you suffer from "converter guilt"? It's the feeling of failure when you desperately want people to know Jesus, but you've failed to share the Gospel ... again. It's a terrible feeling that most of us have experienced, but today you can be released! Dave and Jon Ferguson, brothers and co-authors of B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World share solutions in this episode that will empower you to help people around you back to God.

If you're looking for that last-minute, perfect Christmas gift, we've got it for you! Our favorite creative, Kristie Christie, joins us today to help us with creative gift-giving that has the impact of a lifetime.

Our dear friend Mary Snyder joins Grit 'n' Grace today. With humor (lots of funny in this one!) and southern charm, Mary shares stories that will move you and spur you to action.

Animals, especially our pets, are so much more than just something to cuddle. Pets enrich our lives and create growth in delightful ways. Listen in as Amy and Cheri reminisce about their fur-babies and the lessons they've learned from them. There's lots of laughter (drunk dog, anyone?) and some tears shed too, but you won't be able to walk away without memories of your own furry friends flooding to the surface!

Jen Bleakley, author of Pawverbs: 100 Inspirations to Delight an Animal Lover's Heart, believes that God uses animals to both teach and heal us. In this interview, Jen discusses how animals can be tangible tie-ins to the wisdom in the book of Proverbs, and she gives us a glimpse into how pets can be one of God's greatest gifts. Listen in for delightful insights about the furry friends that we don't want to live without!

"Over the hill." "No spring chicken." "Has been." These are some of the derogatory terms for people who are aging, but those negative stereotypes are being dismantled. 50 is the new 30, baby! In this conversation, Cheri and Amy discuss the abundant gifts that are emerging as they age. With real talk about menopause and after, they process the second half of life as a time of thriving, not wilting.

The word "menopause" is often associated with its negative symptoms — hot flashes, sleeplessness, and weight struggles. But what if we've missed the gifts associated with menopause? Through personal experience and research, Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns has identified 7 benefits of this oft-maligned season in a woman's life. Listen in today to hear the good gifts God has in store for His maturing daughters!

Suffering is painful; we'd all like to avoid it. Suffering also has a redemptive quality that is often more powerful than we imagine. Amy and Cheri discuss their own times of suffering and the lessons they've learned. They've found that the redemption's not only personal—it's a gift to pass on to others! Listen in for a changed perspective on the gift that none of us would choose.

It's a hard truth: our greatest times of growth most often happen during seasons of suffering. How do we leverage the hard places instead of crumbling under them? Meg Apperson, author of Sky Full of Stars: Learning to Surrender to God’s Perfect Plans, tells her story of suffering through the diagnosis and birth of her daughter who has a cranial facial syndrome. Listen in to hear how Meg has embraced their family's continuing suffering as a gift of God's Presence that brings growth.

Since comparison is a trap that keeps us from fully being ourselves, we have to take intentional steps to see it as an enemy and kick it to the curb. From the heart conditions that spark comparison to practical steps to walk into a comparison-free space, our Grit 'n' Grace friends, Cheri and Amy, cover it all with transparency.

"Do I measure up?" Often, when we're trying to answer that question, we look around at everyone else to find our answer. In a word: we compare. In this episode, Shannon Popkin, author of Comparison Girl, shares a new and better way to find our true measure. She leads us to Jesus' example, which — instead of making us feel less than or greater than — will set us free! 

Concerning our American race problems, do you feel overwhelmed with conflicting emotions and a lack of understanding? You're in good company. The amount that many of us need to learn is enormous, but there's good news. You don't have to learn it all today. You can take one do-able step at a time. Tune in today to hear what Cheri and Amy have been learning that's making a difference.

In the wake of so many race-related tragedies in America, many of us are suddenly aware of all the things we didn't know. Race educator and two-time Grit 'n' Grace guest, Dr. Lucretia Berry, explains the importance of knowing the history of race so that we can face today's problems and build a better future. Listen in today to hear how to talk to your family and community in ways that create solutions.

Many of us have adopted a skewed view of love. The belief that we're loved for our performance or productivity starts burrowing into hearts when we're young, and those deep-seeded convictions are hard to overcome. But these beliefs aren't innocuous. Over time, they kill our souls by drips. Listen in as Amy and Cheri process two truths about who we are that will dismantle the lies that keep us from living loved.

At the core of every girl is the need to be loved and cherished, yet many of us missed out on those gifts. Either they weren't given by those who nurtured us or they didn't make it over the obstacles in our own hearts. Lynn Cowell, co-author of Loved and Cherished: 100 Devotions for Girls, discusses how to lead girls to God's perfect love even when they feel less than perfect. If you need to know how to build love's strong foundation for a girl in your life, or if you feel called to strengthen your own underpinnings, tune in to hear God's heart for all His daughters.

Even if "control freak" has felt like part of your DNA, you can lose that label today. In fact, you can lose it in a minute. Listen to this episode where Amy and Cheri lose who they're not — control freaks — and unpack the joy of moving into the new identity of "surrendered." It's as simple as one choice, and what you need is just on the other side!

Often, when we think of surrender, we think of weakness and giving up. But what if it's the opposite? What if surrender is where true power is found? Barb Roose, author of Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, explains the downsides of control and the beautiful benefits of letting God lead. She gives 6 surrender principles that are tools taking hold of peace, joy, and power. For all of us that struggle with the "C-word" (control), this episode is freedom!

Do you ever feel like happiness is for other people, not you? In this episode, Cheri and Amy discuss the difficulties of embracing the happiness that's ours in Christ. As we learned in the last episode, all who are His have happiness as their birthright. It's time to cancel our "happiness exemption" and embrace what's woven into our spiritual DNA! Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

When it comes to the conversation about race, are you… Afraid to ask questions or speak up for fear of “saying it wrong?” Tired of divisive messages from the noisy extremes? Overwhelmed by the amount of information and unsure where to find reliable sources? If you feel that way, I completely understand. I’ve been in your shoes. About three years ago, God started to gently but firmly teach me (Amy Carroll) through race education experts and loving friends. I’m not an expert, in fact I still feel like a beginner, but I have some valuable resources and experiences to share from my journey. If you’d like to be part of a private Facebook group, a safe, shame-free environment to learn and grow, for 30 days of committed community around racial reconciliation, please search 30 Days Toward Unity and Love and ask to join. Starting the week of Jun 14, we’ll process one small, daily piece of information together. Each week, there will be: A chance to process questions with no fear of attack Scriptural encouragement Links to trusted resources Interviews with women of color who generously share their perspective Note: This group will close to new members on Friday, June 19th. If you'd like to join, you must answer at least one question and agree to the group rules. Hope to see you there!

What if the pursuit of happiness has gotten a bad rap? What if it's not wrong or selfish but rather part of who we're meant to be? Katie Orr, the author of Secrets of the Happy Soul, explains the true meaning and source of happiness, giving us the green light to chase it with all our hearts. You'll leave this episode feeling freed and, well, ... happy!

In a frank discussion, Amy an Cheri process the steps (and mis-steps) required to move into a victorious life. They unpack how to leave your old stories in favor of the new one, how to leverage your past as a tool, and how to vanquish your habit of trying to fix it all. It takes God's power to remake our old stories into victory stories, but it's possible!

People almost always become a victim by circumstances beyond their control, but even when your circumstances change, it's hard to lose the label. With great compassion and tenderness, Cynthia Garrett, a victim of childhood sexual abuse, rape, abuse, and cancer, shares the tools she's learned to move from victim to victory. Although it's a painful journey, Cynthia shows us with her own life that it's possible. Don't miss this unique and powerful episode.

One of the greatest lies that keeps us isolated in suffering is the demonic hiss, "You're the only one." In this episode, Cheri and Amy dispel that lie by transparently sharing their own struggles with anxiety and depression. If you feel stuck and/or alone in dealing with your own mental health issues or someone else's, this episode will leave you with both comfort and practical tools for a healthier, happier life.

Would you be surprised to know that a Superior Court Justice in California has suffered from anxiety and depression? Tim Fall, author of Running for Judge, has built a thriving family and career while wrestling with mental health issues. Sharing his story without shame, Tim is working to break down the stigmas so many still carry about mental illness. If you live with anxiety or depression, or love someone who does, Tim's perspective will fill you with hope and encouragement!

Being prepared for any crisis or emergency can feel overwhelming, but we don't have to live in fear and paralysis. Using practical advice from Kathi Lipp, Cheri and Amy process their readiness and come up with three small steps forward that we can all take today. We can be ready for anything!

Recently, we've all been tested in the area of crisis preparedness. What grade would you give yourself? Were you ahead of the curve or scrambling to catch up? Kathi Lipp, author of Ready for Anything, gives us practical steps to be prepared when an emergency, natural disaster, or other crisis hits. Listen in today so that you, too, are ready for anything!

In an unexpected plot twist, God didn't shut down Grit 'n' Grace. He simply gave the gifts of redirection and fresh focus. Cheri and Amy talk about what's going away in the podcast, what's staying, and what's new. They're over-the-moon excited about a new beginning, and you're a big part of it! Listen in to see how you can be involved in the interviews.

All good things must come to an end. Or do they? In this episode, Cheri and Amy describe a near-miss and how God put them back on track. But it's a new track and a fresh vision for Grit 'n' Grace, so tune in for a funeral of sorts ... but mostly, an exciting rebirth.

"Sometimes it's just easier to be alone." Have you ever thought this after wrestling with a complication of community? You're not alone! Cheri and Amy have a candid conversation about the challenges of being in community. Ultimately, though, community has pay-offs that make the difficulties worth navigating. Listen in for encouragement that will leave you ready to dive back into deeper relationships again.

We're all a mix of good and bad, virtue and vice. This truth can leave us striving to fix ourselves and feeling like a failure when we inevitably fall short. Amy and Cheri discuss how we can tell the difference between the way God has made us and the unhealthy ways we've developed. Listen in to find freedom from the angst that picking yourself apart can bring!

What books made your favorites list in 2019? In this episode, Cheri and Amy share their list and the top lessons they learned from them. If you're looking for a great read, listen in for books that will challenge you and shift your ways of thinking and doing.

Self-care is such a fraught topic for reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers, isn't it? In this episode, Amy and Cheri discuss their Enneagram types and answer listener questions about self care. They share how the Enneagram can serve as a valuable tool for knowing what kind of self care you need and tackle the question, "When is it okay to put myself first?" Most importantly, they explore what self care is — and is not — from a Biblical perspective.

In this New Year episode, Tim Riddle and Fil Anderson—authors of Blind Spots—unpack the dangers of what we don't see or know about ourselves. Growth and change is on all of our minds as we head into 2020, and unearthing blind spots is a great place to start! Amy and Cheri end with an important Grit 'n' Grace announcement that includes YOU.

Feeling a little off-balance is the norm this busy time of year! Most of us try to correct quickly, but what if there's actually a gift embedded in that uncomfortable feeling? Amy and Cheri talk about how "wobbly" has been a catalyst for growth and forward movement in their lives at just the right moments. Listen in today to unwrap one of the best gifts in store for you this season!

None of us get exclusive rights to design a perfect life, but how can we find joy in the life that we have? Tracy Steele, author of A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God's Purpose When Life Doesn't Go as Planned, shares the principles of our Divine Designer that help us find meaning in His work. When life doesn't go according to our plans (and when does it?!), there's hope in knowing that God has a purpose for every circumstance, even the difficult ones.

Friendships are healthy when both parties seek God as the primary source. But when we start seeking a friend to fill our needs, watch out! Putting too much emphasis on any friendship makes it "overweight." Cheri and Amy discuss strategies for shifting our focus back to God, which takes the excess pressure off our friends.

Have you ever had a friendship that was just a little off? You really liked the person, but they were too clingy or demanding or jealous of your other friendships. Or maybe you've been that person? Ouch! That's hard to contemplate, but Kelly Needham, author of Friendish, helps us to strengthen our friendships by putting them into their correct perspective. Tune in for tips to turn your friend-ish relationships into true friendships!

It's that time of year again, when we're getting ready to celebrate all that God has done for us. But what if your faith is faltering? What if the disappointments and questions have piled up so high that you can't even see Him? With her trademark blend of compassion and candor, Michele Cushatt, author of Relentless, tackles these hard questions head-on, sharing Biblical truths discovered during her own years of searching for God's presence in the midst of suffering. Whether you're struggling this holiday season, or love someone who is, you'll be reassured, challenged, and greatly encouraged!

Amy and Cheri dive deep into the hidden strengths of Highly Sensitive Persons. Amy opens up about her experience as a mom raising an HSP son. Cheri discloses a sneaky misconception about HSP's and reveals the strengths locked inside. You'll also receive practical insight into how your strengths can be used in the world in a powerful way. God made you on purpose for a purpose. Find out what it is!

For too long, the word "sensitive" has evoked negative associations. But research shows that 20% of the population have Sensory Processing Sensitivity. In this context, "sensitive" does not automatically mean emotional ... fragile .... or drama queen.  Denise J. Hughes and Cheri Gregory, co-authors of Sensitive and Strong, are debunking myths around being a Highly Sensitive Person and celebrating the unique contributions HSPs have to offer the world. If you're a Highly Sensitive Person, you'll hear how you can leverage your beautiful sensitive heart and celebrate who you ARE. If you're not an HSP, you'll learn how you can better understand the Highly Sensitive Persons in your life.

In today's episode, Cheri and Amy grouse about grumbling. Sounds like fun, right?! Although they start with a little hilarity, your co-hosts finally switch from talking about what's grumble-worthy to what's praise worthy. Tune in for a few giggles at the beginning and some sore toes by the end. Becoming grumble-free is a daunting but worthwhile process!

The complaining of the people around us seems relentless. Sometimes even our own grousing seems overwhelming. If you committed to a grumble-free life, how long would you make it? A day? A week? Longer? (Or maybe not through the next hour!) Author Tricia Goyer, along with her family, committed to a grumble free year. Listen in for the lessons they learned and the strategies they adopted for less complaining and more praise. This episode is a life-changer!

Disappointment at Christmas seems like the worst, especially if someone else is disappointed in YOU. But what if we embrace the reality of disappointment rather than running from it? That paradigm shift could change the everything! Instead of lowering your Christmas joy to the level of the unhappiest person in the room, Amy and Cheri discuss gearing expectations for the greatest happiness and how to move past others' disappointment by getting comfortable with it. "You can't choose joy for other people." ~Amy Carroll “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5

Let's leverage the pre-Christmas months this year to launch a holiday season that won't disappoint . With powerful punches of insight and truth, Kathi Lipp delivers secrets that all of us need to de-clutter Christmas. There's essential advice in this episode that you can't live without (no joke!), and it's not too early to start planning for a dose of Christmas joy!

Amy and Cheri give last words on how Exhale is changing and shaping them as well as a few life and family updates. This is no ho-hum, re-hash episode, though. Listen carefully for a question that could change your family life in the same positive way it's changed Cheri's! And giggle along at an unexpected example of boundary-setting.

We all have plans—plans about where we're going and what we're doing. But often those pre-determined destinations become subject to a detour, and the final stop isn't where we planned to be at all. How we respond to the unexpected road is everything. This week's seed-sender, Shantell Brightman, has found delight in a new destination, one that maximizes her gifts in talents in ways she never imagined. And she shares how you can find joy in the place you never saw coming.

Often, we see focusing on ourselves and our gifts as selfishness, but what if it's really stewardship? This episode's guest, Cindy Finley, is a woman who has overcome the paralysis of not being able do everything with the joy of doing something. She's done it by watching God's work as He pulls the bits and pieces of her life—gifts, talents, experiences—together into a calling, and she's grown in the process. Listen in to this great interview to learn steps to grow your gifts!

God uses every part of us, even our personalities, for His beautiful purposes. He made that personality of yours, after all! Karen McNary, today's guest, tells how God has used her wiring over and over again to connect people and bring His message of reconciliation into the world. Let this wonderful interview give you a glimpse into how your God-given personality might impact your  world.

Just when you think a story is unredeemable, God walks in and uses it in a beautiful way. That's what happened for Kim Tshirret, founder of Hope Reins. God used her childhood love for horses to spark an inspiration for helping children who have suffered abuse, just like she did as a child. The rest of the story is a true miracle! The combination of horses and transformation is irresistible, so don't miss this episode... and have your Kleenex ready.

Cary Heise, this week's "seed-sender" guest, has always been a people-gatherer. Now she uses this gift to draw people around a table for great good. Instead of down-playing your gifting, what if you identify and start to leverage it? If you've been unsure of how to step up into your calling, this episode will spur you on and inspire you!

Do you have a passion to make a difference, but you feel alone? Amanda Davison, founder of A Wife Like Me, used what she once considered a weakness to build a dynamic team. Using social media and engaging online content, she and her team have created a community where they're lowering the divorce rate by strengthening existing marriages through the hearts of wives. You'll learn how to view your weaknesses in a whole new way in this episode of the Seed Sender Series.

Today's guest, Jenn Hand, moves into disaster instead of away from it. On purpose. With the seeds of trauma counseling and personal joy in her hands, Jenn has ministered to hundreds in crisis situations including the earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. How can she possibly bring joy into the midst of death and devastation? Listen in as Jenn explains the source of strength in her seed sender life.

When you think of producing spiritual fruit for God, how does it make you feel? Amy and Cheri confess that guilt was their long-time reaction. "Surely we're never doing enough!" they thought. But fruit production doesn't happen the way we've thought. Learn in this episode how to step into the fruitfulness for which you're created!

Why are we constantly shocked by our humanity? Our limits? Our needs? Amy and Cheri discuss the difficult beauty of our neediness and the exquisite solution that ends our struggle against weakness. If you're constantly fighting to be more, listen to this episode about the power of being less. This isn't a place to wrestle. It's a spot to rest.

"What is my calling?" When our heart's desire is to follow God, that's the question in our Top 10 during every phase of life. While it often feels hard to know what to do next, it's actually simpler than we ever thought. Amy and Cheri boil down our best life—led by the calling of God—to two basic steps that we can all take. If you're struggling to find your current calling, make sure to listen to this one. You're doing better than you think!

When did we decide that it was our job to re-work ourselves, the woman God created? Cheri and Amy discuss the difficulties of releasing transformation to our Creator while embracing every facet of the person He made us to be. Sometimes the the very quirk that we've hidden that He wants most to use in this world. If you're not convinced, we get it—but listen in for more!

Turn about's fair play, so this is Amy's week to get into Cheri's business! As usual, a little drama and a lot of giggles ensue. In this episode, Cheri and Amy discuss the unexpected power of dis-appointing people and the beauty of embracing the story you never wanted. Their final conclusion about over-authorizing people and demanding a happy ending will surprise you.

Amy's not usually confrontational, but in this episode she asks Cheri, "Why do you have to be all up in my business?!" In return, Amy gives an "anonymous caller" the answer she least wants. Listen in for all the drama and the tool Cheri created that's proving to be both a curse and blessing in Amy's life. We guarantee that you need it too... even if it gets all up in your business!

How can you shed an old label? When you're facing conflict, is there a way to handle it besides faking fine or ghosting? If you're tired of the worn out habits that hold you back, today's episode hold fresh ways out that will propel you forward. And don't miss out on hearing Cheri and Amy's super-hero names. It might inspire you to make a cape of your own!

Okay... maybe failure isn't the best thing, but it's definitely not the worst! Amy and Cheri discuss the upsides of failure (their second-most-dreaded word) as well as a counter-intuitive perspective on expectations. Want to have a paradigm shift on two of the pitfalls of perfectionism and people-pleasing? Tune in today!

Most of us live in the tension between suffocating pressures and the fear of change. We want to live differently, but we're running-on-empty, unsure of whether we're able to move into a new way of life. In this "short for summer" episode, the Grit 'n' Grace intern team shares great insights as Amy and Cheri unpack the struggles and solutions they've found while creating change in their own lives. Ready to live above life's inevitable pressures? This one's for you!

Cue the drumroll, please... this is the both the third anniversary of Grit 'n' Grace and the launch episode for Cheri & Amy's new book, Exhale! (Party sounds, wooohooos & all the rest in the background). In this episode, guest hosted by Grit 'n' Grace's first and favorite guest, Kathi Lipp, we dish on losing old labels, loving the person God created us to be (weirdness and all), and living our one life well. Join the party and enjoy the celebration!

In this second part of the Friday night message from the first ever Grit 'n' Grace Girls Getaway, Amy and Cheri discuss their baddest bad rules and biggest "ah-ha!" moments from three years of processing life together. Join in, as Cheri shares the results of a recent listener survey (download it and see for yourself!) and Amy reveals the impact of seeing 3 years' worth of bad rules in one long list. You'll hear about the evening's powerful closing exercise and laugh along as perfectionism sneaks up on Cheri right at the very end.

In their first ever Grit 'n' Grace Girls Getaway, Amy and Cheri unpacked All The Things for good girls. In this episode, you'll get a virtual front seat to hear the replay as they talk about the roots of Grit 'n' Grace and the two different kinds of perfectionists. Amy also explains why there's no set formula for a "bad rule," but she quotes a fellow blogger with a word picture that you'll never forget. Don't miss this fun!

What's your reaction to being given the immeasurably more life? Maybe you feel a mix of emotions similar to Cheri and Amy's: excited, scared, anticipating, and out-of-control. In this episode, they process these conflicting emotions as well as what each says about our beliefs about God. Amy and Cheri also end with a discussion of the ways they've seen God's immeasurably more promise come to pass in their own lives. Not as scary as it may seem! Tune in to embrace this amazing life that you've been promised.

We all live in the tension between expectancy and disappointment, so what do we do when we're overcome by the "uns" of life? How do we handle unanswered prayers, unfulfilled dreams and unmet expectations? Wendy Pope, author of Yes, No & Maybe, gives us practical advice to help us rise above living in lack and step into immeasurably more with God. This interview is packed with power and hope, so don't miss it!

We all know where the road of good intentions leads, right? We all have good intentions, but we know that they're never quite enough. "My heart was in the right place," is an excuse that Amy has made for far too long, but Cheri points out a better way in this episode. In this follow-up conversation about Deidra Rigg's book, One, there's a truly transforming epiphany. Tune in to hear the trade we all need to make!

Ponder this question: "Am I going to be a loving person or not?" Life could change dramatically if we all asked ourselves that question before every interaction and reaction. Deidra Riggs, author of One: Unity in a Divided Word, brings challenging insights into how to build oneness in our everyday lives, speaking into a culture that seems to have more divides than bridges. Don't miss this riveting interview that could change us all for the better.

The house must be spotless. The food must be gourmet. Your outfit must color coordinate (and your apron must match). These are bad hospitality rules that have held Cheri and Amy hostage. But what if none of these are true? What if we can embrace connection over perfection? When we can, hospitality looks much more like the heart that God always intended. Today's conversation by two awkward hostesses will give you hope that you can be hospitable too!

Sometimes the celebration just doesn't seem worth it. The cleaning, the cooking, and the planning can be overwhelming, so we just avoid it altogether. But what if we've over-complicated hospitality, letting our perfectionism get in the way of something really good? Christen Price, author of Invited, shares how to choose connection over perfection when we hostess. This episode will leave you with a new perspective on hospitality and out-of-the-box (so worth it!) ways to connect with the ones you love.

In our driven, multi-tasking culture it's so, so hard to rest. But what if rest is the key? What if rest, not work, is just what you've been looking for to find your way back to your truest, God-created self? It's not just possible to bring God great glory in rest, it's actually a requirement. Amy and Cheri process their struggles with rest and share what they're learning through a few simple practices. Rest just might be what we reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers need most!

It's easy to get lost. Not the kind of lost that you can fix with a GPS, but the kind of lost when you don't quite remember who you are anymore. Michele DeRusha, author of True You, helps us to find our way back to the person God created us to be. Pushing back the false facade of busyness and achievement, we can find wholeness and healing. This touching interview is fuel for the real you who's waiting for you to find your way back!

In a hilariously pathetic conversation, Amy and Cheri chronicle their objections, obstacles, and abject failures with rest. Thankfully, in a turn of the tide, they also give some powerful but simple solutions to their rest issues. If you want to laugh at two women with struggles instead of crying over your own, you'll want to tune in. Misery loves company after all!

How many times recently have you awakened in the morning with the thought, "I'm still so tired"? Dr. Saundra Dalton, author of Sacred Rest, says that many of us have made chronic rest deficit our norm. The good news is that in this interview, she offers solutions beyond the quick fixes that have left us disappointed. Tune in for a truly transforming conversation that will help you to create deeply restorative rest.

It often seems safer and less painful to hide our hurts. Could there possibly be an advantage to revealing them? Cheri and Amy talk through painful times that were actually improved by bringing the hard things into the light. Grounded in the truth that the Lord is close to the broken-hearted, they unpack the gifts of transparency and authenticity that far surpass the "safety" of keeping hurts hidden.

On a day that should have been one of the happiest of her life, Melinda Means, author of Invisible Wounds, experienced a terrible longterm setback. In this interview, she shares what she hid for years, revealing the hope-filled lessons she learned along the way. If you suffer from chronic physical, spiritual or emotional pain, this episode will leave you with encouragement and tools for a better future.

Following the Holy Spirit can be intimidating. Questions arise like, "What if He asks me to give up control?" or "What if He takes me someplace I don't want to go?" Cheri and Amy have grappled with the same questions. They're learning to surrender to the Holy Spirit, though, because they're starting the see the unexpected joy of seeing Him as a present from God. This episode is filled with their real-life stories of learning to receive, unwrap and enjoy the Holy Spirit as a gift!

Some of us get squirmy when the subject of the Holy Spirit comes up. We're not too sure what to do with this sometimes-controversial person of the Trinity, but Suzie Eller, author of the Spirit-Led Heart leads us to engage with Him. In this conversation, Suzie unpacks the roles and impact of the Holy Spirit and tells us why relationship with Him is transformational in your everyday life. You can be empowered by the Holy Spirit; it's a promise!

It's such a human habit to keep on doing what you've always done, hoping for different results. (It's also been informally dubbed the definition of insanity...) In this episode, Amy and Cheri process what they learned while following through on their intentional pre-decisions to do things differently — during the holidays and during their spontaneous January sabbatical. The good news is that we aren't trapped in our ruts; we have an open invitation from Jesus to follow Him from our old into His new!

The New Year is full of possibilities ... and uncertainties. Join Amy and Cheri for a frank discussion of where we look for validation when we're feeling insecure and the difference it makes when Jesus fills our empty places. They also share their words for 2019, along with an announcement about how they're already living those words out.

While the holidays give us a chance to reconnect with family and friends, they can also be a time when old sore spots get re-bruised. Amy 'n' Cheri tackle the timely topic of forgiving holiday hurts. Oh, the freedom we receive when we embrace—and extend—God's grace!

Amy and Cheri talk candidly about how to recognize when we might be the ones driving others crazy and discuss practical ways to recalibrate on the fly. Amy shares an all-new attitude she's practicing this year ... plus some exciting news. Here's to a joy-full Christmas!

Even as we sing about "heavenly peace," we recovering people-pleasers, perfectionists — and those of us who are Highly Sensitive People — can struggle not to over-react to circumstances we can't control. (You knew "The C Word" had to make an appearance!) Amy and Cheri discuss practical ways to avoid "Contact Crazy" at Christmas and unpack the "HSP Pivot" Cheri's been practicing. Even when external circumstances are less-than-ideal, internal peace isn't just possible—it's a promise ... a gift God offers each one of us.

With so many expectations swirling around us during the holidays, even the most reformed perfectionist can revert back to old ways. In this candid convo, Amy 'n' Cheri contrast their "ideal" holiday selves with their "real" holiday selves and discuss what hinders us from being our most authentic selves at Christmastime. They also share and reflect upon two scriptures that will help you stay secure in your identity in Christ, all the way into the New Year ... and beyond!

If you've ever promised yourself, "This year, I'm going to focus on the reason for the season!" only find yourself in full-blown perfectionism come December 25th, this episode is for you. Amy and Cheri share why and how they've handed over too much authority during the holidays. Plus, they discuss a Biblical litmus test for discerning the difference between healthy accommodation and unhealthy people-pleasing — this time of year, and all year long.

Jesus is our "Prince of Peace" — so why do we place so many expectations on ourselves this time of year? Amy 'n' Cheri discuss times they've had to scale back on their usual holiday decorations and celebrations, and how to keep accidental "Christmas creep" from taking over our lives. Be sure to listen for the one word Amy is eliminating from her vocabulary ... plus the new theory she's testing! And rest in the assurance that Jesus replaces all our try-hard efforts with the peace of knowing Him.

The holidays pose a real challenge for reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers, and those of us who are Highly Sensitive People! In this episode, Amy and Cheri discuss how to know when you've done "enough" ... and what's really of greatest importance (hint: it has nothing to do with Pinterest!)

Most perfectionists and people-pleasers try to avoid failure at any cost. But as Amy and Cheri have learned, sometimes what initially appears to be a failure turns out to be the seed for a bountiful crop of unexpected blessings from God.

Do you know your personal brand? Do you communicate it everywhere you go? Personal brand is a powerful idea that can change our work like and our personal life for the better. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss the development of their own personal brand and give you tips for finding your own. You'll also hear why it may be more important to hone your strengths than to focus on your weaknesses. Sounds like freedom, right? Listen for your own strengths in the list Cheri and Amy give. (And make sure to tune in to find out Cheri's signature color that's become part of her personal brand. Do you think you know it?)

Over half of churched women work outside their homes, but many say they feel that this part of their lives is ignored in the faith realm. With sixty-five years of combined corporate experience, Paula Brown Stafford and Lisa Grimes, co-authors of Remember Who You Are, share hard-earned wisdom about work and family that's steeped in their strong faith. In this episode, Paula and Lisa give lessons of grit with rich measures of grace to their sisters in the working world.

We all want to create a life that counts, but that seems so complicated. So hard. So very uncomfortable. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss the lessons they learned from their conversation with Susy Flory, author of So Long Status Quo, and they identify some simple steps that we can take to move out of our comfort zones into a more impactful life. (And listen in to find out the surprising activity that Amy calls "her jam.")

For decades, Susy Flory, author of So Long Status Quo, has written the inspiring stories of others. But she has something that she wants everyone to know... YOUR story can make a difference! By sharing simple steps toward a bigger story and how to find the courage to share it, Susy sets us in motion to change our world like many of the women she has studied for her books.

Do you spend all year eagerly awaiting "the most wonderful time of the year"? Or do you get too wrapped up in holiday stress to enjoy the reason for the season? In this mini-sode, Amy 'n' Cheri tackle the topic of the holidays and what we can do NOW to enjoy more peace, joy, and love THEN.

What do you do when your "amazing" has fallen and can't get up? In this crazy-busy, demanding world, a girl needs to know how to refill when she's running on empty. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss some practical steps to turn to the Source when your own spring of positivity has run dry.

Are you amazed by the sparkle of others while you feel dull, flat and well... far less than amazing? Stacey Thacker, author of Fresh Out of Amazing, unpacks five routes to the same dead end of exhaustion and frustration, and then she leads us out of that dead-end by helping us focus on our source of amazing, God Himself. This episode will pick up the girl who thought she was down for the count!

We all want to be known as women who can be counted on, but there are some hidden traps involved. Over-helping. Savior complexes.Personal exhaustion. How can we become reliable friends, co-worker, wives and neighbors without slipping on the downsides? In this episode, Cheri and Amy candidly share failures and successes lived on their way to growth. Tune in for one tip that's a game-changer!

Wonderful women who love deeply often also struggle with control. (Cheri and Amy might be in this club!) Let's just admit it. It's easy to think that we're "helping God" when we're really controlling our people and our circumstances.In this transforming interview, Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of It's All Under Control, gently leads we who default to control toward redirecting our gifts until we shine!

In this busy world, can we maintain both relationships and hustle? We can if it's holy hustle. Holla! Cheri and Amy process their conversation with Crystal Stine, author of Holy Hustle, and share the lessons they've learned over the years about when to say yes and how to say no. This episode is essential if you're feeling a little hassled but trying to keep your sanity!

Paid jobs. Volunteer jobs. Serving and helping. How do we do it all, love what we're doing AND keep our sanity? Crystal Stine, author of Holy Hustle, shares the secrets of working with our whole hearts while preserving a whole life. Listen in today while Crystal helps us with work, rest, comparison and connection!

"Is it Perfectionism ... or is it focus?"  In this bonus episode, Amy and Cheri dissect the difference between the all-or-nothing thinking of Perfectionism and the intense focus some projects require. They share tips for recognizing when the "just chip away at it 15 minutes a day until it's done" approach will NOT work and for setting yourself up for success when it's time to put on blinders and focus. Then, Tonya Kubo — facilitator of both the Grit 'n' Grace Girls Facebook Group and the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group — and Cheri discuss the upcoming online book club for You Don't Have to Try So Hard, co-authored by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory. Join us for 6 weeks of banishing the "P-bullies" of  Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, Performanicsm, and Procrastination from our heads, our hearts, and and our homes — together!

We're not made for the exhaustion of try-harder living. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory, co-authors of You Don't Have to Try So Hard, share how to overcome the four "P Bullies"--perfectionism, people pleasing, performancism, procrastination. If you need insight on how to overcome these and strength to rest from them, listen in to this episode!

How do we get beyond our fear of dealing with the sticky topic of race to help create positive change? Cheri and Amy process their big take-aways from the interviews with Lucrecia Berry and share the steps they're committing to take. If you want to be part of a movement toward a more unified world, listen in and take action steps to build a more compassionate community.

Cheri and Amy couldn't fit all the questions they had to ask Lucrecia Berry, author of What Lies Between Us, into one episode. In this follow-up, Lucrecia shares practical advice for how to handle conversations about race when you just don't know what to say. It's possible to create safe places to build unity, and Lucrecia Berry gives us the tools!

Bringing change into the charged issues of race in America is an area in which many of us feel unsure. Lucretia Berry, the fierce-hearted author of What Lies Between Us, shares how to build our vocabulary and muscles for having difficult but transforming conversations about race. In this riveting episode, Lucretia shares her personal journey of discussions in her family and equips us for these conversations in our own lives. This is for every person who has watched the problems of race on the news and thought, I wish I knew what to do to help.

Fear can wash over us suddenly and then wash us away. Away from peace. Away from our purpose. Away from relationships with the people we love. Cheri and Amy discuss practical ways to deal with fear so that we stayed anchored to God in the storms of worry. (You don't want to miss hearing how Cheri called her own intervention!)

Do your worst fears consume you? Maria Fulough, author of Breaking The Fear Cycle: How To Find Peace For Your Anxious Heart, shares her riveting story of God's Presence on the day she believed would be the worst of her life. That day was transformed by God, and it started a transformation of the rest of Maria's life that will change the way you think about fear. Bring your Kleenex and a journal for notes to this episode!

Are you a doer? Amy and Cheri are your sisters from a different mister! The world needs get 'er done gals, but there are some down-sides too. Amy and Cheri discuss how to separate the good worker-bee traits from the harmful ones so that we can leverage the upside of work while avoiding our negative tendencies.

Are you a woman who has despaired that you're wired like Martha instead of like Mary? Fret no more! Katie Reid, author of Made Like Martha, exposes the lies our Christian culture has believed about get-'er-done girls. She leads us to embrace our do-er natures while living in our truest identity as daughters. Don't miss this encouraging episode!

We're prone to focusing on self, but it's a terrible weight to carry. What freedom might we find if we re-focused on God and let thoughts of ourselves go? Cheri and Amy discuss (ahem... confess) areas where they've been too focused on self and share steps they're taking to put God back in the center, right where He belongs.

This is a special mini-sode for the listener who is a Highly Sensitive Person OR who loves someone who is an HSP.  We're releasing this a right before Independence Day, because the 4th of July can be totally overwhelming for HSPs, who often experience extra sensitivity to light and sound.  Our goal is to give you some practical strategies so you can take intentional care of yourself (or your loved one) and truly enjoy the holiday!

What do you feel when somebody says, "It's not about you?" Cheri and Amy felt defensive, but author Sharon Hodde Miller, author of Free of Me, show us that this truth is freedom. We can have more life as we focus less on ourselves, free from seeing everything as caused or reflecting on us. In this interview, Sharon helps us to remove the mirror of self so that we can really see the truth and beauty around us.

As women we're often reluctant to name our gifts and stand in the strength we have. But what if we shifted our thoughts to a place of confidence in the woman God created? Then we can say, "God gave me this gift to serve" or "God's strength allowed me to accomplish something great!" Cheri and Amy discuss practical tools that have helped them increase their confidence and steps to take when our confidence falters. All of it leads to a "so that" that can change our world!

Are you craving confidence to climb the mountains in your life? What if you could MOVE the mountain?Lynn Cowell, author of Make Your Move, shares that God wants to give us confidence to inspire change in our world. Instead of feeling like we're always falling short, God can empower us to be a difference maker! Learn from Lynn about some fun about some amazing women from the Bible that you may have never heard of and find the confidence they reveal at the same time!

Do you have a situation in your life that has you feeling stuck? We've all been there! Cheri and Amy discuss the difficulties of being fixated on a problem and practical ways to shift our focus so that we can move forward. Changing our gaze may be simple but it's sure not easy, so join in on this girlfriends' guide to becoming solution-minded.

We're all on a search for examples we can follow, and Debbie Wilson, author of Little Women Big God, points us to women in scripture who have lived through hard times just like our own. Cheri and Amy dig deep with Debbie into the flawed but fabulous women of Jesus' lineage. Like us, these trail-blazers floundered at times, but we get to learn from their lessons. Join us for this enlightening discussion of how God works powerfully in the lives of imperfect women, giving us a little more light for our own path!

 It seems counterintuitive, but sometimes we have to go backward to go forward. Cheri and Amy talk about how God is reteaching them the basics in order to do a deeper work. The good news for perfectionists and people-pleasers is that we can let go of our try-harder attitude so that God can do His perfecting work in us through the Power of Simple. Take a deep breath... and dive into grace!

Where are you in your walk with Jesus? Just getting to know Him? Needing to fall in love with Him all over again? Donna Jones, author of Seek, uses God's Word and stories to explain God's big truths simple ways that makes our little hearts swell. Every word Donna shares oozes His love! Whether you're a brand new Christian or a woman who has journeyed with God for years, this interview will make you fall head over heels for Jesus all over again.

Disappointment is... well, so disappointing. Amy and Cheri talk about how to re-frame our expectations to deal with our disappointment while still allowing ourselves to grieve in the hard places. It's also possible to walk with others in love through their disappointments. When we apply our grit and God's grace in disappointments, there's hope even there!

Diane Kim, author of Unbroken Faith, was blind-sided by her son's diagnosis of autism. In her conversation with Cheri and Amy, she addresses the struggle to build faith when disappointment tries to rob us of it. Diane's honest, practical style will leave every listener with the tools she needs to deal with life's next let down. (And she shares the five questions to avoid with our suffering friends. So valuable!)

In this hilarious but convicting conversation, Cheri and Amy confess the automobile mishaps they've created with cell phones in their hands, and they grade themselves (brutally) on their device usage. There are lots of gasps and giggles in this one, but some great solutions emerge to help curb our use of screens.

Your cell phone... friend or foe? We've probably all seen it as both at one time or another! Arlene Pellicane, author of Calm, Cool and Connected shares guilt-free strategies for using your devices as a tool without feeling worked-over. When it comes to our online-life, this episode is a needed dose of more peace and less angst.

What makes you feel loved and connected to someone else? We all can probably answer that question quickly, but could we answer if we were asked to tell what makes our friend feel loved? Or our co-worker, child or husband? Listen in as Cheri and Amy discuss how to discover the delights of our peeps so that we can forge stronger relationships with them. Peek into their heart and build a bond!

t's hard to build strong connections in a crazy-busy world. Kathi Lipp reassures us that we already have all we need to create the relationships we want. By becoming students of our kids and those we love, we can come up with practical ways to reach out with individualized care. Don't miss this episode with Kathi's creative and fun examples of how she's connected with her people!

It's easy to slip into creating a death-grip on the wheel of our lives. Sadly, our control manages God's job very poorly. To help us all stop the madness, Cheri discusses the powerful revelations God is giving her within her 2018 word of the year, and Amy explains the counter-intuitive power of Himperfection. If you struggle with control (tell the truth! Cheri and Amy sure do!), then this episode will help you move toward letting Jesus take the wheel. More joy and life are guaranteed when we do!

 It's hard for reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers to give up control! Shannon Popkin, author of Control Girl, shares her struggle with control and how surrendering to God brought her peace and rest. Casting a new light on women of the Bible that we know well, Shannon brings fresh insight to the lessons we can learn from others' control failures. After listening, you'll walk away in the lightness of giving up what we were never meant to carry!

In processing their interview with Ginny Yttrup, Cheri and Amy dive into the central theme of her book Home, escaping from pain. It's our human tendency to want to run from grief and hurt, but sadly, that leads us far from the help we need in Jesus. Make sure to listen for one key question that can keep us close to Jesus in our painful seasons. By surrendering pain, it's possible to grow through it!

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 of insight that can change your life!

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 steps for choosing thoughts that will sustain us in harrowing times.

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 own authentic but flawed story. We can do this!

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 out your faith in brave new ways!

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 tool!

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.

In Tricia Lott Williford's interview (episode 65), she talked about who she'd invite to her dinner party. In this follow-up episode, Cheri and Amy create the dream team that would surround their dining room tables. Listen and create your own list of people who would be invited to your soiree! It's a revealing list of shared respect.

With the power and vulnerability of personal stories, Tricia Lott Williford shares the secrets of finding confidence, trashing "trolls", and living with joy. Listen in to find out her dinner-party tool for finding the confidence-builders you let into your life!

In this sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious (the word naked might be mentioned... just sayin') episode, Cheri & Amy discuss what it takes to create real change in our lives. They also reveal the little girl inside that they'd like to recapture, and Cheri tells a story that will leave you doubled-over. Don't miss this one!

Who is the girl you wanted to be and where did she go? Chrystal Evans Hurst leads us on a rescue mission to find and recapture the best part of ourselves. She encourages us to move toward change but also shares the mechanics of forward movement.

What could be better than a well-behaved child? A child who has learned to love Jesus! Cheri and Amy process their successes and failures in parenting and think about how they'd do it differently with a do-over. If you need to leverage both grit and grace in your parenting, this one's for you!

Erin MacPherson, author of Put the Disciple Into Discipline: Parenting with Love & Limits, clarifies the purpose of discipline in a child's life. As parents, we want to create Jesus-followers, not just good citizens. Creating an atmosphere of  grace and mercy along with consequences is just one key that Erin shares in this highly practical interview as she teaches us to shape our child's heart not just influence their behavior.

It's so much easier to be "normal", but Cheri & Amy process the adventure inserted into life when we make the unexpected choice... the Jesus choice. With their usual humor and transparency, they unpack the uncommon ways we can enhance our relationships and decisions every day. You can find out Amy's super hero status in this episode too. Be assured that it's NOT Wonder Woman!

We live in a world that wants us to be ordinary-- be like everyone else, look like everyone else, act like everyone else. Carey Scott, author of Uncommon, calls us higher to live an extraordinary, God-honoring life. In this inspiring interview, It's a challenge that will stir your heart and move you forward!

Cheri & Amy discuss the painful truth that perfection and performance actually strip the life from our relationships rather than nurturing them. That's hard for reforming perfectionists, who try to do it all right in an attempt to connect with others, to grasp! Tune in today to hear their freeing conclusions and some funny thoughts about hairy legs.

Mary DeMuth, author of Worth Living: How God's Wild Love for You Makes You Worthy, talks about re-writing your story to live beyond perfection. Instead of shooting for the perfect performance, she encourages us to live in the freedom of being loved and the joy of our current success. Mary also shares the secret to security. Don't miss this one!

For perfectionists and people-pleasers, reaching out to "those other people" can feel awkward and even wrong. How do we get past our self-made obstacles to reach out to our neighbors with true love? Cheri and Amy share the lessons they're learning as they let go of perfectionism and follow the ways of Jesus as He loved others.    

Amy Lively, author of How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird, shares winsome ways to reach out to those next door and in our natural paths. She helps us live the important command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" through intentional but natural means. It doesn't have to be scary, either. Amy Lively makes it fun!

Motherhood is truly a tangle of emotions, motives, and outcomes. How do we live above the muddle and clear the obstacles of pride, protection, and judgment? Cheri & Amy vulnerably share some of their mothering failures and the ways they're learning to become free to give grace to themselves and other moms.

In their conversation with Lynn Cowell, author of Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants, Cheri & Amy discover the beauty of living beyond the social networking highlight reels and the pressure of parenting perfectly. Instead, Lynn shares about how to engage our children's hearts with our own struggles and build up our friends with understanding.

Cheri & Amy celebrate the one year anniversary of Grit 'n' Grace by reflecting on all they've learned. There's a bad rule that's been overcome (of course!) and a new perspective that's been embraced with gusto. Listen in to hear their favorite moments, the grit it's taken do a new thing, and the moments of grace that have permeated the year.

Join us for a walk down memory lane! This pre-birthday episode features highlights from our interviews with Kathi Lipp, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Suzie Eller, Michele Cushatt, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Lucille Zimmerman, Glynnis Whitwer, Wendy Pope, Shaunti Feldhahn, Emily Freeman, Cindy Bultema, Jill Savage, Mary Snyder, Denise Hughes, and Holley Gerth. We hope you'll enjoy this hope-filled year in review.

In Cheri & Amy's interview with Holley Gerth, she challenged us to be vulnerable and "go first" in friendship. There's both grit and grace involved in those kinds of friendships and mentoring relationships. As we embrace the grit of putting ourselves out there and the grace of not thinking it all depends on us, supportive friendships form.

Holley Gerth, author of You're Already Amazing, discusses how we can become wiser mentors, more generous friends, and influencers with greater impact just by embracing the beauty of how we're made. To get us started, Holley gives a quick and practical 4-step approach to put your amazing-ness to work in the world. She also shares how realizing she's an HSP has added richness to her life.

How do we build the deeper relationship with God for which our souls long? Lingering and soaking in His Word. Cheri & Amy shrug off formulas and share a wide variety of practices that lead us closer to God and develop a passion for scripture in our hearts.

Denise Hughes, author of the Word Writers series of inductive Bible studies, delves into how to study God's Word with reflection and joy. She tells about her own practices and how they've led her into a closer relationship with God as well as explaining how we can lead others to love scripture more.

Cheri and Amy talk about practical tools for building a supportive network of friends: spending intentional time, taking trips, and treasuring differences as well as commonalities. They also discuss the difference between being friendly and being friends. If you've been longing for the joy of female friendships, this one's for you!

Mary Snyder, author of Authentic Girlfriends: Real Women Finding Real Faith, shares with us about how to develop a wide range of friends that enrich our lives. Rather than pouring all our neediness on one person, Mary gives down-to-earth advice and practical tips for healthy, happy friendships between women. You're going to love her wisdom on this fraught topic!

Our husbands often get our left-overs. Our friends, our parents, our children and our co-workers get our premium efforts while our husbands have to survive on the compassion, love, and listening that remain after we're drained. Cheri and Amy process how to bring our best to our marriages, prioritizing our husband and valuing him as our friend.

From her book No More Perfect Marriages, Jill Savage shares painful lessons learned as her marriage healed from infidelity. She gives practical advice on avoiding the "slow fades" of marriage and letting God use our spouse's differences to stretch and mature us. Jill's solutions are grace-filled and wisdom-soaked.

Kathi Lipp shares how she puts the strategies from Overwhelmed into practice in her everyday life. She gives us a road map for steady but imperfect progress in overcoming overwhelmed in our messy lives.

As Cheri and Amy process their interview with Cindy Bultema, they come to some lightning bolt "aha" moments. The realization that the Gospel must be a winsome combination of tenderness and truth leads to some practical steps toward sharing Jesus with the people around us... and developing accountability in our own lives.

Through the study of the Corinthian church, Cindy Bultema, author of Live Full Walk Free, reveals a timely word for the church. We can share the light of Jesus with our dark world with both love and truth. They aren't mutually exclusive, and both are essential. Join Cheri and Amy for many "a-ha moments" with Cindy.

What if we just stopped competing and comparing? Would the world stop or would it actually be better? Cheri & Amy discuss Emily Freeman's challenge to be smaller and process the beautiful possibility of deeper friendships that could result.

In Part 2 of the interview with Emily Freeman, Emily calls each of us into our full glory, and she challenges us to use the power of our authenticity to draw our friends out too. Emily ended with thoughts that made both Cheri & Amy cry. You won't want to miss it!

Sharing from her book Simply Tuesday, Emily Freeman encourages us to be like Jesus, embracing the power embedded small and humble. Instead of running and climbing and competing, we can seek relief in the presence of Jesus.

Cheri & Amy discuss the difficulties of being truly kind and the foundation of kindness. Not only does kindness change our relationships for us, it changes us for our relationships. Choosing to be kind is transforming and makes us more like The Kindest One, Jesus!

In this bonus "mini-side", Shaunti Feldhan, author of The Kindness Challenge, discusses one specific obstacle* to kindness that many women wrestle with and offers specific strategies for intentionally overcoming it. (*HInt:  Amy 'n' Cheri used to call it "helping"...!)

In a riveting conversation with Shaunti Feldhahn, author of The Kindness Challenge, Cheri & Amy learn the most effective tool for improving relationships that aren't what they could be--kindness. Shaunti reveals the shocking truth that most of us aren't truly kind and gives three practical steps to increase our kindness quotient.

"My wait is harder than her wait." Have you ever had that thought? Cheri & Amy confess they have too! Instead of comparing our waits, leading to more isolation, Cheri & Amy discuss ways to wait together.

Wendy Pope, author of Wait and See, shares a new perspective on waiting. What most of us see as distressing or discouraging, Wendy has learned to see positively. God wants to use our waits to do something wonderful.

Feeling self-conscious and unsure about how the world will receive your most authentic self? Cheri & Amy process the profound wisdom shared by Glynnis Whitwer in Episode 31, realizing that we can only crush competition with a celebration of courageous uniqueness.

Although perfectionism often manifests in production and performance, sometimes it can lead to procrastination. What do you do when can't get started because you're afraid you can't do it well? Or you're scared to finish because the product might not be perfect? Glynnis Whitwer, author of Taming the To-Do List, shares a new perspective that helps us to do our best, most authentic work.

Although life is inevitably overwhelming at times, we don't have to stay stuck there permanently. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory, co-authors of Overwhelmed, share practical steps to moving from anxiety-filled to peace-filled when everything seems like too much.

In this episode, Cheri and Amy wrap up the Holiday Break series by sharing the flaws and fabulous of their Christmas with their usual humor and candor. The lessons learned are ones that all reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers will embrace.

With wisdom, wit, and great tenderness, Michele Cushatt talks about the pain Jesus suffered to alleviate our pain. The wounds He received to heal our wounds. This is the very grace we need for dealing with other hurting people. Join us as Michele shares the remedy for our smarting souls with Cheri and Amy.

We all need grace for our failures, and Jesus' disciples needed it too. Suzie Eller points to both Judas and Peter as stunning failures who had Jesus' forgiveness extended to them. One chose to accept grace and one rejected it. Will we live a life of thank you for the grace we've been extended? This is the perfect season receive grace with thankfulness.

How can we truly focus on others in healthy ways this holiday season? When holiday emotions are high, God calls us to follow Jesus' example in cherishing others and handling them gently. Cheri and Amy discuss how to shift our thinking in ways that lovingly prioritize our people.

The holidays inevitably boil up some difficult emotions. Childhood hurts fly reemerge, too many people around fray our nerves, or loneliness leaves us feeling hollow. Cheri and Amy process helpful ways to deal with our emotions instead of just pushing them down only to have them pop up later.

Every holiday image we see is centered around family, friends, and rooms full of smiling people. Facing a holiday spent alone — or feeling alone — is hard. Cheri and Amy talk about shifting our perspective so that a "silent night" isn't a painful night but one filled with peace instead.

What to wear? What to wear? With humor and practical tips, Cheri and Amy, along with special guest Kim Nowlin, attack the bad rules of holiday fashion and body image. Dress yourself to match your inner sparkle this holiday season!

Although it's pretty funny to have a host and co-host who are challenged in the kitchen talking about the ultimate holiday meals, Cheri and Amy get to the heart. Food isn't just fuel for our bodies; it's juice for relationships too.

We've all tried to achieve decorations that live up to the pages of a magazine only to fall short and fall-out with exhaustion. Cheri and Amy offer solutions that will delight your heart and express your truest self. Don't forget to visit the website for even more amazing resources! gritngrace.info

There's nothing better than seeing someone light up when they open your gift... until you open the new year bills. Cheri and Amy talk about giving out of our abundance as a solution for the post-Christmas blues, and they give practical suggestions for great gifts you can give this year!

Is there an alternative to filling our calendars and emptying our wallets with endless activities and trips this Thanksgiving and Christmas? This holiday season we can make proactive decisions that leave more margin for joy in our interactions with others. Cheri and Amy give two word mash-ups that will help us identify what's worth it and what's not.

In the first of the Holiday Break episodes, Cheri and Amy tease out the difficult issues of holiday expectations and traditions. How do we decide what's worth keeping and what needs to go? They come up with key questions to ask and a permission slip to enable you to move away from holiday dread and move toward more delight.

Cheri and Amy process lessons learned from Lucille Zimmerman about play and grief.  There are choices to be made in both: Will we choose the bonding play provides? Will we let time soften and redeem?

We've pinned negative labels on some very human processes like play and grieving. Play is often consider slacking and grief is sometimes seen as a pity party. Lucille Zimmerman, author of Renewed, explains why both are essential to the full life and how they serve as powerful tools to creativity and healing.

Cheri and Amy process last week's interview with Sheila Gregoire through the lens of conflict and no-black-and-white circumstances. It turns out that messy doesn't mean ugly. There is redemption and positive personal change that happens when we face the natural complications of life instead of ducking them.

For most reforming perfectionists, peace seems like the ultimate goal no matter how it's attained. Sheila Wray Gregoire shares that true peace is often attained through painful conflict. She helps us to understand the difference between conflict and fighting.

Cheri and Amy discuss the hard but important work of developing new ways to develop greater happiness. As they examine their own happiness habits (and their opposites!), gratitude, hope, and choosing the positive emerge as ways to break out of the rut of our default to unhappy.

Jennifer Dukes Lee talks about ideas from her newest book, The Happiness Dare, that challenge our church girl preconceptions about happiness. She helps Cheri and Amy answer questions we all have like: Does God want me to be happy? Do I have to act happy when I'm sad? Why do I find happiness in things that other people don't? It's really ok—listen and increase your happiness quotient today!

What do you do when someone's perfectionism is driving you around the bend? When the relationship is about to end? Valuing perfection over people shatters relationships, so Cheri and Amy tease out solutions for being on both the giving and receiving end of relationship-eroding perfection.

Failure can seem like a total loss. An unredeemable mess. A sum total of zero. But what if we redefine failure? What if we start to recognize the growth opportunities in our failures? Amy and Cheri talk with Michele Cushatt about her encounters with failure and how it’s changed her view of perfectionism. Don’t miss her rich wisdom!

God works His good plan in the midst of very imperfect circumstances and in the lives of flawed people. Cheri and Amy discuss the struggle of embracing failure in the reality of our messiness.  Join with them and grab onto the hope of a Perfect God who redeems our failures!

At best, failure is uncomfortable for us, and more often it’s excruciating.  Kathi Lipp shares how she’s learned to leverage failure and view it as a friend.  In our relationships, work, and ministry, we can start to use failure as a tool instead of as a weapon against ourselves.

In this impromptu episode, Amy and Cheri process a week of FOMO, failure, and flashes of insight. We want you to weigh in, too: What is your definition of grit?

Part of creating a perfect facade is covering bad motives with an approval-winning actions. Cheri & Amy dig deep and get real about the ways they've looked good while masking skewed motivations and discuss the do-able solution. Join them as they process how to use our gifts for God's glory and bask in God's love-- from the inside out.

For women who struggle with perfectionism and people-pleasing, the finish line always seems maddeningly elusive. How does it change things to walk with Jesus? Suzie Eller talks with Cheri & Amy about a shift toward rest that our lives can take when we accept Jesus' call to "Come with Me."

One simple word can change the hard places of relationships. It's a word  that can set us free and strengthens our relationship muscles. Cheri and  Amy process Jennifer Dukes Lee's concept of living preapproved--safe in  the knowledge of God's premeditated love for us. It's a game-changer for  mistrust, conflict, and misunderstanding!

The song titles say it all. “Love Hurts”, “What’s Love God to Do with It?”, & “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” all express the struggles we have when love becomes an idol instead of a gift. Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of Love Idol, gives one power-packed word that will transform love in every relationship in your life.

Unrealistic expectations are the stealthy, silent love-killers in our marriages. To let love triumph over outcomes, we have to start reigning in our expectations and allowing love to thrive. Cheri and Amy discuss the root of expectations and steps to shift our focus to create a more positive dynamic in our marriages.

Do you long for a better marriage but just can't seem to figure out how to change directions and erase the disappointment you feel? Kathi Lipp, author of The Husband Project, gives practical advice and one key secret for disappointment-proofing our marriages. Also, hear why Cheri Gregory and Amy Carroll started this podcast and why it's for you!