The Julie Bender Show
By Julie Bender
Find me at thejuliebender.com
The Julie Bender ShowMay 31, 2023
Summer Recs: Books, Podcasts, Bible Plans and TV I'm Loving Now! - 071
Relax and Reset With These Faves
With the kickoff to summer happening N O W I wanted to drop some recommendations in your feed for books, podcasts, bible reading plans, and TV shows I love. Perfect for those travel or lazy days we all hope to get in this much-anticipated season.
For this episode, you need to click to get the full show notes with ALL the links, books, and resources here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It’s not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
In Sickness and in Health With Karen Wilkinson - 070
What If You Had to Advocate For Your Spouse's Life?
I know what it's like to stand at your husband's bedside, preparing for him to leave this earth. Karen Wilkinson has experienced the stress and pressure of fighting for her husband through a medical crisis, advocating for what he wanted, and they have both lived to tell the story. Her desire is to encourage us to be prepared to face a trial of this kind, while also maintaining a deep faith. She also shares how this near-death experience has affected their marriage and how they invest in it now on the other side of it. This story is heart-warming, gut-wrenching and causes you to be deeply introspective. Get ready.
Last #prayingforyourhusbanddaily episode (his wife), last PFYHD video (resentment).
Get the full show notes with ALL the links, books, and resources here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It’s not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Shop my Amazon Store (bookmark it too!)
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
How to Truly Enjoy Sex (With Dr. Jennifer Degler) - 069
Sex Isn't Just For Him. You Deserve Pleasure, Too.
In my first marriage (straight out of purity culture!) I didn't enjoy sex. I thought it was my duty, but I wasn't very good at it and didn't desire it. But then I found excitement and passion in my new marriage, so I know (from experience!) that a woman's sex drive can be transformed. We just need education and encouragement to learn and try new things. I interview Dr. Jennifer Degler, a Psychologist, life coach, author, speaker, wife, and mom who gives us practical advice for women who want more out of their sex life. And for women who might not think that is possible.
We discuss questions and topics from my listeners including:
-How to know your body
-Developing a pleasure mindset for mutual enjoyment in the bedroom.
-How to talk about what you want/need/like and don't like with your man.
-Are there any acts that are “off limits”?
-How often is “normal” for sexual intimacy?
And more. Dr. Jennifer gives us practical ideas to try right away to spice it up.
Last sex episode
Last #prayingforyourhusbanddaily episode (his wife), last PFYHD video (resentment).
Get the full show notes with ALL the links, books, videos, previous episodes, and other resources here. It's loaded this week!
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It’s not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Praying For Your Husband's Wife - 068 #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
You Can’t Pray For Him ‘Til You Pray For Yourself
We’re going back to the basics of #prayingforyourhusbanddaily. As much as I strongly encourage you to fervently and faithfully pray for your husband, none of it will be effective unless you pray this prayer for yourself, first. Get ready, this one hits deep, but oh, how freeing it will be. Well, at least it was for me. In this episode, you will hear a truly vulnerable prayer I need to pray more often and the (many) reasons why.
Don’t miss the previous episodes I mentioned:
Click to hear the first episode about #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Click to hear the KISS method for #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Grab your copy of The Power of a Praying Wife now!
Watch the most recent PFYHD video (if you work with your man or own a business) on IG or Youtube.
Get the full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Repeat After Me: "I'm Already Enough - 067
It's Time To Lower the Bar
Hear me out. Your expectations are far too high, so it's time to lower the bar. You deserve the chance to step back, review all the roles you play and the hats you wear, and reassess how you're showing up. It's likely time to give yourself some grace, lowering your standards to an achievable level and simultaneously acknowledging your incredible wins and contributions in countless places. In short, you need to be reminded that you are most certainly enough. Already.
Don't miss the previous episodes I mentioned:
If You’re in a Funk, Or Even Depressed, You Will Relate to This (Me)! – 066
Watch #prayingforyourhusbanddaily on your differences on YouTube here.
Get the full show notes with all the links and videos mentioned, here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
If You’re in a Funk, (Or Depressed) You Will Relate to This (Me)! – 066
Maybe it's just a funk, maybe it's more.
In this vulnerable episode, I reveal how I've been feeling "off", taking my personal reflections to the mic to process. Am I dealing with depression? Just a hard season? More importantly, what am I doing to take care of myself during it, and what can you try, too? I share practical ways I'm facing my funk, and what I'm vowing to avoid from here on out as well. I hope you find encouragement and realize you're not alone or weak if (and when) you struggle.
Get the full show notes here (including links to articles and videos mentioned).
Don't miss the previous episodes I mentioned:
Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish With Dr. Zoe Shaw
12 Affirmations That Will Change Your Life
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Praying For Your Husband – His Work – 065 #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
His Work-Life Needs Prayer
Now #prayingforyourhusbanddaily comes to your earbuds! First, we will talk about the many reasons you should pray for your husband's work, and then we will actually spend time praying for him. This is the first of forthcoming episodes for the wifey (or wanna-be-wifey) who wants to intentionally invest in her husband and marriage but needs a little guidance and encouragement for how.
Don't miss the previous episodes I mentioned:
Hear the first episode about #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Hear the KISS method for #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Hear "My Story" in Part 1 and Part 2.
Looking to invest in your marriage? Read more about my passion for #prayingforyourhusbanddaily and watch the most recent video on Instagram here or watch on YouTube here.
Get the full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
This Is Why Stories Move Us With Bob Wheatley - 064
You've heard me encourage you to "go all in on your story." In this episode, I talk to author Bob Wheatley about how all stories are pointing back to one grand narrative, and why that is a good thing. We also discuss how our individual stories relate to the best one ever told.
More about Bob
Bob is an author, podcaster, and former professional athlete. He serves as a co-host of That Singles’ Show, a singles ministry sponsored by KCBI Christian Radio in Dallas. Through his work with That Singles’ Show, Bob has worked with bestselling authors, keynote speakers, and world-class musicians, including people like Rory Vaden, Rachel Cruze, Jason Gray, and Christian Huff. As an author and content creator, Bob has a passion for helping young Christians grow closer to God and experience the love and connection they are missing. Find more from Bob on his website and get his book Our Hearts' Desire: How Our Stories Reveal the Thing We Want Most.
Get the full show notes here, including all the related links mentioned!
Episode Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month.
Follow me!
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Facebook
Amazon
YouTube
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Our Birth Story and Fourth Trimester With Donny Bender - 063
I rope D into "testing my mic" and then going back in time to tell our birth story and what it's been like adjusting to life with a new baby in the family. We talk labor, delivery, early challenges, and more in this candid convo. We also tease what might be coming in future episodes with my favorite person!
Don't miss the previous episodes I mentioned:
Hear me and D share our love story here.
Hear D and I talk about preparing for Reverie in this episode.
Listen to This Grit and Grace Life podcast, here.
Looking to invest in your marriage? Don't miss the most recent #prayingforyourhusbanddaily on Instagram here.
Get the full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Hire me for voicework: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
The Julie Bender Show Season 2 Begins - 062
We're BACK!
I'm so excited to be in your feed after taking a break to welcome and adjust to life with my new baby girl, Reverie. In this short episode, we catch up and look ahead to what you can expect on Season 2 of #thejuliebendershow.
Find the #prayingforyourhusbandaily video I mentioned here.
Grab the book I mentioned on codependency here.
Find the full show archive on my website here or in apple podcasts, here.
I mentioned this episode with Dan Purcell of Get Your Marriage On.
Listen to This Grit and Grace Life podcast, here.
Get the full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
FaithfulCounseling...the Christian arm of BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. FaithfulCounselking is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, FaithfulCounseling who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://faithfulcounseling.com/prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
The Benders Share Their Feelings Before Bringing Home Baby Reverie With Lincoln + Donny Bender - 061
Before I take an undetermined amount of time off with our new babe, I sat down with my two fav dudes to record our thoughts and feelings as we wait. Lincoln tells us what he’s looking forward to about being a brother, and D and I talk candidly about some of the struggles and challenges we’ve experienced in our marriage during pregnancy. This one is sentimental and real. I hope you enjoy it!
Get the full show notes here including links to everything we mentioned.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
Follow me!
Insta
YouTube
Amazon
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Affirmation: My Past Does Not Define Me - 060
The affirmation "My Past Does Not Define Me" is one I'm begging you to embrace, while fully acknowledging I am needing to heed this advice! When you live life as though you are a victim of your past, you're running from it or doing everything in your power to hide or cover it, you are not truly living. Certainly, you're not embracing my hope for you, #beboldandjustbeyou. In this episode, we discover what the bible says about our past, and how we can walk in freedom from it.
Get the full show notes here for previous episodes in the series, the downloadable image with all the affirmations, and the bible verses shared.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
Follow me!
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Facebook
YouTube
Amazon
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Yes, This Life Coach Was Divorced Twice By 30...Sun Happens! With Marissa Baker - 059
Have you ever been affected by toxic positivity?
Do you have past trauma that you cover with "I'm fine", "it made me stronger" or other cliché phrases that aren't actually true of you, because healing hasn't yet been found? My guest Marissa Baker can relate. If you're on TikTok, you may have heard of the Life Coach who was being discredited for being divorced twice by the age of 30. Well, she's here to share the full story and how forgiving herself and focusing on her own healing was what was actually needed for her to move on, and she's sharing how sharing your story can help you, too.
Learn more about MarissaMarissa Ann Baker is a happy-go-lucky ray of freaking sunshine and also the CEO/Founder of the Sun Happens Brand.
She was born and raised in SW Florida and has been through some hard things like - a history of sexual abuse; alcohol and addiction running rampant in her family; getting married, and divorced, all twice before thirty. Thriving. All of that to say – those things shaped her. While there are a lot of fabulous things about her (naturally), there were toxic beliefs/behaviors that were controlling her… sabotaging her even. So if she was going to become the best version of herself, she needed to heal. Turns out healing wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
She's now made it her mission to heal and help others heal through vulnerability and sharing your story.
She helps others heal using three major vehicles:
1. Sun Happens Podcast - on Spotify/iTunes
2. Sun Happens - 1:1 Life Coaching
3. Social Media Influencer - TikTok - @TheMarissaBaker
Get the full show notes here, including all the related links and articles about Marissa mentioned!
Episode Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month.
Follow me!
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
YouTube
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Embracing Joy and Celebration, Even When It Feels Scary With Nicole Zasowski – 058
What if it's wonderful?
Do you struggle to rejoice with those who rejoice, especially when you're mourning or dealing with loss?
Does it seem hard or scary to celebrate at times? Many of us have felt that—myself included. That's why I wanted to chat with therapist and author Nicole Zasowski about her newest book and how she learned to ask this question which changed the way she interacted within community and in her own relationship with God.
Nicole is no stranger to loss (including miscarriage) and she's faced unexpected changes that felt heavy. These experiences led her to learn and then share how celebration is different than escapism, and how happiness isn't an ungodly pursuit.
Nicole Zasowski is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of From Lost to Found. As an old soul who wears her heart proudly on her sleeve, she enjoys writing and speaking on topics that merge her professional knowledge, faith, and personal experience. Nicole lives in Connecticut with her husband and three young children.
Follow Nicole on Instagram or on her site. You can get her book What If It's Wonderful? now.
Get the full show notes here with all links.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or email me.
Follow me!
Affirmation: I Am Enough So I Don’t Have To Perform - 057
The affirmation "I am enough, so I don't have to perform" is one I am still practicing believing. And that's okay. Many women struggle to trust that their value isn't derived from their performance but instead, it’s bestowed on them by their creator and doesn’t have to be “earned.” So much of our stress, insecurity, and relational conflict comes from this struggle so I invite you to consider applying this affirmation to your life, now.
Get the full show notes here for previous episodes in the series, the downloadable image with all the affirmations, and the bible verses shared.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
Follow me!
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Facebook
YouTube
Amazon
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Heart of Dating Podcast Host Shares Her Dating to Engagement Journey With Kait Warman - 056
Popular dating coach and podcast host, Kait Warman, is back! She shares her journey from meeting JJ while seeing three other guys, to their incredibly personal engagement. She describes how she challenged herself to date outside of her "type", how they made a long-distance relationship work, and ways they chose to date intentionally, including when they first said "I love you." Whether you're single, in a relationship, or married, you'll love hearing Kait give practical advice that relates to your life!
Learn more about KaitKait Warman is a best-selling author, speaker, popular relationship coach, and the founder of Heart of Dating. She helps thousands of men and women on their journeys through the conversations on the Heart of Dating Podcast. Through her ministry, Kait’s mission is to empower both men and women to have the courage to own their story, walk in victory, thrive with purpose, and discover clarity and vision in their life and relationships.
In her new book, Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, Kait vulnerably shares how she grew through her deepest, darkest rejections and offers readers the tools to heal from the past, take back their power, and walk in strength, victory, and love into their future.
Kait currently lives in the LA area and loves sunshine, walks, Jesus, and lip-syncing to Celine Dion. Follow Kait on Instagram and JJ here.
Don't miss Kait's first episode: Drop the Hanky (and Survive Rejection) With Kait Warman – 004
Get the full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
Professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Want to hire me as a voice actor?
Find me online or email me.
Follow me!
Affirmation: My Voice Matters - 055
This affirmation "my voice matters" is especially important to me, and I hope after listening to this episode, it will be to you, too. Your voice, expressed in your opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and boundaries carries significance and weight, even if you’ve been led to believe otherwise. I’ll share what might prevent you from speaking up, and why you should start boldly using this form of expression that’s entirely unique to you.
Get the full show notes here for previous episodes in the series, the downloadable image with all the affirmations, and the bible verses shared.
Want to hire me as your voice actor?
Find me online: https://www.voices.com/profile/juliebender or https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julie24
or email me julie@thejuliebender.com
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
We Do Not Accept Clayton’s Rose—Bachelor Recap With Donny & Miranda - 054
I have been watching The Bachelor (and all related franchise shows) since college. And I can honestly say, Clayton's season was the most. dramatic. ending. ever. But what's noteworthy is how he treated the final three women on the season. Red flags everywhere! To discuss the dumpster fire that was this finale, I invited D and Miranda, both previous guests on the show, to candidly share our thoughts and opinions with you. I hope you enjoy this lively chat about a pop culture icon we can't help but love to watch—even though it makes us crazy most of the time.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Don't miss the previous episodes we mentioned:
Are You Dealing With a Narcissist? With Courtney Morlock – 012
A Battle With the Mirror; One Woman’s Raw Look Inside the Lasting Effects of Domestic Violence With Miranda Hartlieb – 036
Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Maturity with Dr. Zoe Shaw – 045
Hear D and I talk about our marriage in this episode!
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Follow me!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality With My Sister, Kadie Chronister - 053
I have never been into yoga, but I know many women, including one of my favorites, who are. Because I know it can be a healing, spiritual practice, I wanted to learn more about it and knew my sister would be a great resource. Kadie Chronister joins me to discuss the purpose and practices of yoga and mediation and how they can be spiritual, mental, and physical.
Learn more about KadieKadie is a dreamer and a doer. She puts thoughts into action. Her vision for her podcast, Coffee and Crystals, is to create a way for like-minded people to gather together to speak about spirituality.
Kadie wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of yoga. Yoga has given her the tools to meet the inevitable difficulties of life with a measure of acceptance, openness, trust, and LOVE. She believes that with this practice you will attract a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life.
Follow Kadie on Instagram and listen to her podcast! Learn more about her here.
New to yoga? Check out Yoga Journal as she suggested.
We also referred to this episode of her podcast, where Lincoln talks about his spiritual life with his Aunt Kadie.
If you haven't heard my About Me series, start here!
Get the full show notes here, including all the related books, links, and episodes mentioned!
Episode Sponsor:
Liquid collagen!
Learn more about how liquid collagen can benefit you in your health + wellness, here!
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K.I.S.S #prayingforyourhusbanddaily Method & One Year TJB Show Party – 052
One year ago today I launched the first episodes of The Julie Bender Show (if you didn't start with About Me, go back!) and six years ago I began my labor of love, my video series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
To celebrate these milestones I give you this bonus episode with my favorite praying for your husband hack, the K.I.S.S. metaphor. You get the backstory of the series, why you need it in your marriage too, and a sample prayer for you to model yours after!
Thanks for listening over the last year, and I hope you'll share this one (and the show) with another woman you think it could serve.
Get the full show notes here, including all the related videos, books, and episodes I mentioned!
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Affirmation: I Am Loved and I Love Well - 051
You are loved, lovable and loving.
This is the third affirmation I am focusing on this year, and I invite you to consider how the truth that you are loved and love well is a centering foundation from which to live (and love).
I share how I know you are loved by God, and why knowing this affects how you can and should love yourself and how that affects the way you love others.
I hope you find this as deeply encouraging as I did, love.
Don't miss the first episode in the series "what is for me will not pass by me" 12 Affirmations That Will Change Your Life - 043
and the second affirmation episode: Affirmations I Am Seen - 047
Get the full show notes here, including the downloadable graphic with all 12 affirmations and the verses I suggest for your coffee and bible time!
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A Look at Real Women's Issues (Personally and Globally) With Researcher Kate Kuzminski - 050
I met Kate while in college but as our lives moved on, I watched her become active in global research on women's issues, even speaking at the White House, Pentagon, and in other influential spaces. I also observed her personal life; including a decade of marriage, subsequent divorce, a time of singleness and healing, and now remarriage. I had to pick her brain to learn why she pursued such an interesting career, how her faith weathered her first marriage and divorce, and what she hopes to see for the future of all women (and is actively working to see change in Washington to help make sure it happens). This was a very interesting conversation blending both personal and professional experiences that also had generated some poignant “aha” moments for my own journey as well. I trust you’ll have lots to ponder, too.
Learn more about KateKate Kuzminski is a self-proclaimed nerd, a bicoastal native, an Army wife, and frequently finds herself as the only woman at the table. She splits her time between Washington, D.C.—where she runs a research program at a think tank and briefs White House staffers, members of Congress, and senior military leaders in the Pentagon—and the Seattle area, where her husband is currently stationed. Her labor of love is offering space to the weary and creating space to see God’s movement in her life. Follow her on Twitter @klkuzminski.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
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Hot Takes On Dating & Marriage With My MVP Friend, Michelle Gagnon - 049
I have a friend that I have called in a variety of crisis situations and she always gives me balanced, calm, rational feedback, without just telling me I'm right (or wrong!) or judge me for my struggles...and that's why I call her the MVP. So in this episode (with Valentine's Day in the rear-view) I asked her questions I had while dating and now in marriage to share her wise advise with you, too. We chat things like—how to know if you're ready to date, what are red flags in dating, when/how to end a relationship, once married how to keep it strong, dealing with trust and communication issues and keeping your marriage a priority even after kids. So much good, honest, relatable stuff here. You're welcome.
Learn more about MichelleMichelle Gagnon is a working mom of 3 boys. Originally from New Hampshire she moved to Southwest Florida 5 years ago to escape from the cold winter season of the north. Michelle spends her time managing hockey teams and hockey development programs for her sons, and working as a project manager for a branding and website design. In her free time...and to help to maintain her sanity...she enjoys a good workout here and there.
In her past pre-mom life, she was a 3 year NFL cheerleader where she was a member of an exclusive performance showgroup (and earned a Super Bowl ring!), she was a dance teacher for 15 years, and she worked for an NHL team running their community and public relations as well as their charitable foundation. She also holds a 3 degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do....no big deal.
She has been married to her husband for 22 years and enjoys being in the sun.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Life Lessons on Faith, Marriage, and Motherhood With Billie Jauss – 048
Older women are meant to teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5). There’s vitality and energy when I spend time with women who are younger than me and I glean wisdom from those who have lived longer. This is why I enjoyed my conversation with Billie Jauss so much. She candidly shared life lessons from her 30+ year journey of faith, marriage, and motherhood and I was so encouraged, I am confident you will be too. She also told me about her new book, Distraction Detox, coming later this month.
I pray this episode meets you where you are today and reminds you that you don’t have to have it all figured out, no one truly does.
Billie Jauss is the author of Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More and her new release Distraction Detox. She is also a speaker and the host of the start small BELIEVE BIG Podcast. Billie encourages women to live with purpose while navigating life’s obstacles. Billie and Dave, a Major League Baseball coach, spend the summers chasing baseball and the off-season in southwest Florida.
Find Billie online at www.billiejauss.com or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Get full show notes with all the links we mentioned here.
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Affirmation: I Am Seen - 047
This is the second affirmation I am focusing on this year, and I invite you to consider how the truth that you are seen affects every area of your life.
I share how I know you are seen by God, and why knowing this affects how you can and should see yourself and how you can proudly show your true self to others you deem trustworthy.
I offer several verses that prove this truth and vulnerably share why this affirmation needs to sink deeply into my heart so I can authentically live out #beboldandjustbeyou.
Don't miss this previous episode I mentioned with the full list of affirmations
Get the full snow notes here (including the downloadable graphic will all 12 affirmations in the series).
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Visit my home thejuliebender.com
Parenting FAQ’s About Separation/Divorce, Fear, ADHD and More With Dr. Jason Sabo - 046
But they don’t. And raising healthy children is a challenge! In my eight-year journey to date, I’ve had questions I floated to friends, obsessed over in my mind, seriously doubted my abilities, and now, I’m seeking professional help. I took your questions about helping your child through a separation/divorce, parenting them without a father, navigating their fears, picking a “parenting style” that works, and worrying if my child was “normal” or suffering from anxiety or ADHD. If you’ve ever questioned any of those things, you’ll want to hear Dr. Sabo’s take.
Learn more about Dr. SaboJason M. Sabo, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist with Lee Health Pediatric Behavioral Health Program. Dr. Sabo earned his Master of Psychology and Doctor of Psychology at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He completed his internship at the Miami-Dade Department of Human Resources and his fellowship at the Ohio Department of Youth Services. He and his family moved to Florida in 2011, where he joined a private practice. In 2017 he joined Lee Health to help develop their behavioral health program. Dr. Sabo has a clinical specialty in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioral problems, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and violent and aggressive behaviors.
You may be interested in this episode about parenting: 6 Simple Ways To Connect With Your Kid (And Up Your Mom Game) – 033
Full Show notes (including all the book links Dr. Sabo recommended) *HERE*.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
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Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Maturity with Dr. Zoe Shaw - 045
As a 30-something woman, I seem to have been on a journey of self-discovery, healing and growth. And I don't want to stop!
I invited Dr. Zoe Shaw to return to the show to tell us what emotional intelligence is, how it differs from our emotional maturity, and how to develop as needed (and hopefully, desired)! She drops some truth and practical steps in this important episode! Tune in and share it with someone you love!
Learn more about Dr. ZoeDr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, podcast host, life coach, and fitness fanatic. She is passionate about helping women who struggle in difficult relationships- especially that sometimes difficult relationship with themselves.
After 15 years in traditional psychotherapy practice, Dr. Zoe jumped off the couch and now helps women using a different modality with a mix of virtual therapy, coaching services, and programs designed specifically for women who struggle in difficult relationships.
She's a graduate of UCLA and Pepperdine University. She is a frequent blogger and loves answering women’s burning questions at her advice column at the Grit and Grace Project. You can find her in the media on Instagram: @drzoeshaw and visit her site, www.drzoeshaw.com.
Dr. Zoe was also in episode 003.
I highly recommend you tune into episode 006
She's also a frequent guest on the podcast I co-host This Grit and Grace Life.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Find more from me at thejuliebender.com
An Escape Story—the Message Behind the Mohawk With Liz Valdez - 044
I was drawn to Liz because of her spunk and humor. Then she went and chopped her hair into a bold mohawk and I had to know why. I couldn't have known how much her story would remind me of the power of pursuing truth when you know something is "off", embracing your life journey (even the hard parts) trusting that nothing is wasted by God.
My guest, Liz Valdez, shares about being raised in a cult, escaping to the Navy, and finding and growing her faith as a young woman who's no longer hiding (in all the ways). She tells me why her mohawk matters more than you might think—even though it's obviously v cool.
Learn more about LizElizabeth is a Jesus follower, Navy veteran, world traveler and entrepreneur, a wife for almost 18 years and mom of two. Her wisecrack style complete with skillful self-deprecating humor is a survival tactic she developed in her childhood growing up in a religious cult.
Her current labor of love is her new business "Driven Foodie Tours", chauffeuring foodies throughout Southwest Florida on guided flavor-seeking experiences.
Follow her on Instagram @drivenfoodietours or you can just "call for a good time" at 1-866-EAT-SWFL.
Episode Sponsor:
FaithfulCounseling
This episode is sponsored by FaithfulCounseling, from BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. Faithful Counseling is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, FaithfulCounseling who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners!
Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Get all the other links and resources from the episode here!
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12 Affirmations That Will Change Your Life - 043
This year I plan to renew my thinking by adopting affirmations for every area of my life. Affirmations are statements of belief that can impact your behavior and change your life. I chose affirmations that will help me grow as a woman, believer, wife, mom, friend and neighbor.
Click the full show notes to get the downloadable image with all 12 affirmations, now!
Don't miss this previous episode to the woman in between.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year With Lincoln - 042
I bring my son Lincoln to share our favorite things about Christmas, including the real reason we celebrate.
May you have the merriest Christmas and I'll be praying for a blessed New Year for you and yours!
Catch Lincoln with his dad on this previous episode of the Julie Bender Show.
You can also hear him on Coffee & Crystals, with my sister (his aunt) here.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!
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If You’re Tired or Worn Down, This Is for You – 041
Everyone gets tired. But if you're feeling depleted, worn out and/or overwhelmed, you might need to take some of these steps to find the rest you crave. I share what usually makes me feel worn out, and what I do when I know I need to recharge!
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
And try their Christian arm, FaithfulCounseling with 10% off your first month, here.
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!
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Babies, Boobs & Bottles–TMI About Pregnancy and the 4th Trimester With Jordan Paul - 040
I may be pregnant with my second child, but since it's been eight years since I carried my son, it feels a lot like a first! To help me prepare (and laugh about) all the pregnancy stages and answer my hilariously honest questions, I invited my friend Jordan Paul back to set me straight.
We talk pregnancy advice (good and bad!), cravings, breastfeeding, her home birth, body image and so. much. more. This will be entertaining whether you're pregnant, ever plan to be or are long past your child rearing days...we keep it real and bring you into our slightly TMI talk.
Learn more about Jordan
Passionately passionate about all of the passions and a tagline of, “I can totally make that,” Jordan Paul, a Chicagoland native, steps onto her #crunchylife soapbox to come at you hungrily with spunk and honesty as she’s trying to balance life as a tandem-breastfeeding mom and non-cleaning housewife, while she walks around Earth, mindlessly humming tunes from the devil’s show, aka… Cocomelon. What she lacks in many areas, she compensates for with incredible homemade baked goods, Italian hospitality, and good, tight hugs. Jordan loves a good belly laugh, a well-written romance novel, and…not-so-silently correcting your grammar. Above all, she loves Jesus and seeks to be light to everyone she comes across.
Don't miss the previous episodes we mentioned:
Decoding Cringey Clichés With Jordan Paul – 008
All Your Questions About Baby Bender (So Far) With Donny Bender – 038
Behind the Bikini—My Experience Training for a Fitness Competition – 034
Get full show notes here.
Episode Sponsor: The Julie Bender Store on Amazon Shop my curated lists for inspo, or, just use my direct link for whatever you came to purchase and a small percentage helps me bring you this show!
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The Beauty in Redemption (and Remarriage) With Jenn Jett Barrett - 039
The bible highly esteems marriage, but we make a critical mistake when we over-simply that staying married “no matter what” is the biblical standard. I was honored to interview Jenn Jett Barrett to hear her story of redemption after divorce. As a Christian and leader she experienced a lot of shame when her marriage failed after 15 years. I originally heard her story (on this podcast) when my first marriage was in a dark place and I was so encouraged by her dependence on the gospel for her healing, that I began following her. I celebrated from afar when she remarried a man who loves God and her very well.
Jenn and I discuss shame around having difficulty in your marriage, dating after healing from a failed or broken marriage, the beautiful and sometimes complicated layers of remarriage and our refined views of biblical submission. This was a rich and gracious discussion that I was thankful to be a part of that I trust will serve you whether you have a healthy marriage or not, because likely you will walk with someone at some point who needs this perspective and truth when facing divorce.
Jenn Jett is a dream defender and risk taker. She spends her life ripping off roofs so that people can be lowered down into the healing hands of Jesus. She longs to see people not just be free but stay free. She is the founder and visionary of The Well Summit, a community that creates experiences for women who sit in the tension of feeling too much and not enough. Camp Well is one of those experiences that is hosted in Colorado twice a year. SCOUT is her new dream coming up specifically for 18-24 year olds knowing that if she had ;these tools when she was 20, things would have been different. She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her blind date where together they love holding space for stories around their dining table.
Find Jenn on her site, here and on Instagram here.
Here is the previous episode about divorce I mentioned:
What the Church Gets Wrong About Divorce With Rylee Mowery – 025
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!<
All Your Questions About Baby Bender (So Far) With Donny Bender - 038
We're adding to our family next year! Were we trying? When are we due? How did I tell D he was going to be a daddy (again)? What did Lincoln say? All these (and many listener submitted questions) are answered in this sweet chat with my man and proud dad-to-be, D.
Here are the episodes we mentioned:
His Side of Our Story With Donny Bender - 002
Decoding Cringey Clichés With Jordan Paul – 008
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!
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5 Important Reminders Every Wife Needs - 037
Now that the word is out that we're having a baby, I started panicking a little about how the new addition would affect our marriage.
I decided to focus on five things I could do to build into my marriage and connect with my husband, purposefully making our relationship a priority regardless of the changes we face now (that will be important to remember in a decade, too).
Keep these five important reminders in mind this week (month/year/decade) and see how they change the vibe in your relationship, too!
Get full show notes here.
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Follow along with my video series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Episode Sponsor:
The Julie Bender Store on Amazon. Shop my lists, or simply click my link first and I'll get a small commission no matter what you buy!
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A Battle With the Mirror; One Woman’s Raw Look Inside the Lasting Effects of Domestic Violence With Miranda Hartlieb – 036
1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime with ‘IPV-related impact’ such as being concerned for their safety, PTSD symptoms, injury, or needing victim services. While this issue may be "known" it is still widely misunderstood. Recent headlines featuring Gabby Petito's story left us wanting to know why they stay and/or what the warning signs of domestic abuse are.
It also emboldened one of my dearest friends, Miranda Hartlieb, to share her story so that others might find freedom and healing, too. Miranda details countless incidences of violence she experienced during a former relationship and how it affected her then and even triggers her now, 17+ years later. She sheds light on the signs that someone might be in an abusive situation and practical steps for how to help them (or yourself).
This conversation may be hard to hear, but I believe it is crucial for everyone of us to be informed and on guard to prevent abuse and protect those we love, because it can happen to anyone.
Miranda Hartlieb is a go-getter, full of passion for life, her family and friends! She is a wife and mama of two boys, Hunter and Jax. Her passion for the sport of hockey as well as her love for working out led her to owning her own Training Facility inside of Hertz Arena. She loves the beach, thrifting and volunteering her time with special needs organizations.
Find her on Insta here.
If you're looking for help to get out of a dangerous relationship contact
The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224
You can also visit https://www.thehotline.org/
If you're in Florida you can search for local services here.
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list!
My IG
thejuliebender.com
Finding God Faithful Even When You're Suffering With Glenna Marshall - 035
No one wants to suffer, and yet, no one is immune to it.
It can feel impossible to cling to hope during difficult circumstances. We ask "why?" and "how long?" and struggle to remain confident in God's faithfulness.
My guest Glenna Marshall can relate (even today, in the midst of hard trials) but has found encouragement that she willingly and vulnerably shares with us. She's learned to look to God's Word, not for answers, but to truly see who He is, which allows her to view suffering correctly and persevere with true joy. We discuss what to say and do when a friend is suffering (and what to avoid!) and give you permission to honest about your feelings, instead of just covering them with Christian platitudes.
I trust you'll be encouraged and know someone who will be encouraged by this episode, so pass it along!
Learn more about Glenna
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence and Everyday Faithfulness. She is the social media manager for Practical Shepherding Women.
Get all the links and resources from the episode in the show notes here.
Episode Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by FaithfulCounseling (the Christian arm of BetterHelp). They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional therapy done securely online. FaithfulCounseling is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change therapists if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline therapy and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, FaithfulCounseling who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://faithfulcounseling.com/prayingforyourhusbanddaily
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show!
And share it so more friends can join us!
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Behind the Bikini—My Experience Training for a Fitness Competition - 034
I definitely wasn't properly prepped for "prep".
I'm going behind the scenes of my experience training for my first (and only) bikini competition. I share what made me commit to the show, what my diet was like, how my workouts were structured, what the costs were (financially, mentally, physically and relationally)—giving you my honest pros and cons. As I recount the journey two years later, I still greatly value the experience, but I vulnerably explain in this episode why I won't be repeating it again.
**Get all the links including my before and after pictures and posing videos here!**
Episode Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. BetterHelp committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show!
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6 Simple Ways To Connect With Your Kid (And Up Your Mom Game) - 033
As moms, we face many challenges—including fear of messing it up, confusion over how to do it "best", constantly changing stages in their development and the ever-present comparison trap.
What's a mom to do besides succumb to overwhelming mom-guilt? Your resident "average mom" is here to offer (just) six things you can focus on that will help you connect with your child and feel more confident in your mothering. Because at the end of the day, your heart often matters more than your actions and no one is better equipped to love your kiddo than you. Promise.
Be encouraged by this one, Mama...and send it to a mom who needs a boost, too!
I mentioned D's most recent episode on the show, listen to "Lessons From the First Year of Marriage With Donny Bender – 031" now.
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Why Your Brokenness Doesn't Discount You With Toni Collier - 032
Do you feel disqualified because of your past?
My guest Toni Collier has learned from personal experience that when you allow God to redeem your brokenness and surrender your life and story to Him, hope truly is possible.
Toni and I discuss how shame from past mistakes and/or abuse can be crippling, (and she has incredible stories of both)—but when God comes in, you're given an assignment to boldly and bravely point to His strength, no longer left feeling discounted because of your weakness.
I know you'll laugh, nod along and be inspired to be bold about your brokenness and move toward holy healing after hearing this episode!
Learn more about Toni
Toni Collier is the founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She serves alongside her husband Sam who is the Lead Pastor of Hillsong Atlanta. Toni is a speaker, host, and consultant that has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry, and strategic planning. She’s had the opportunity to proudly stand on stages like North Point Community Church, Chick-Fil-A, IF Gathering, Orange Conference, and MomCon. Toni kills illusions. She confronts the hard things. She takes her challenges head-on, then she takes on your challenges. And, in this digital age of anxiety, Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and worthy and unqualified and still called to do great things. She doesn’t want you to just face your demons, she wants you to quash the illusion of your brokenness so you can live the most colorful life possible, on and off stage.
Find Toni online here and on Instagram here.
Get your copy of the new Overcomer Devo!
**Get all the links and resources from the episode here!**
Episode Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. BetterHelp committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
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Lessons From the First Year of Marriage With Donny Bender - 031
I invited my husband back to reflect on our first year of marriage. We share what we've learned about God, each other and ourselves admitting where we feel strong as a couple and some areas we know we should work on. We discuss our "redeemed family", challenges of co-parenting, practical ways we try to keep faith central in our family and what's in each other's 30%. If you heard D in episode 002, you know what that means. If not, go back and listen to that, first! 😏
You're getting an inside peek into our imperfect marriage, with hopes you can glean some fresh ideas and encouragement for yours, too.
I mentioned a couple previous episodes:
His Side of Our Story With Donny Bender – 002
Bold in the Bedroom—Tips for Great Married Sex With Dan Purcell – 030
Episode Sponsor:
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. BetterHelp committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Get all the links and resources from the episode here!
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Bold in the Bedroom—Tips for Great Married Sex With Dan Purcell – 030
But what is a healthy intimate connection made of?
I invited Dan Purcell, host of the Get Your Marriage On! podcast to help answer this question and many more.
If you’re struggling in your marriage with unequal sexual desire, shame around sex, disconnection or miscommunication, inability to experience orgasm, making sex a priority (especially with young kiddos) or treating it like a duty—this episode is for you.
I’m learning so much about sex and how this is a place of connection and pleasure God wants couples to enjoy. I hope you find some practical tools and truths in this honest conversation.
Note: this is explicit content in a tasteful tone.
Learn more about DanDan and Emily Purcell are the founders of Get Your Marriage On! They've been friends since middle school and have been married over 17 years. They are the parents of 6 children. They create apps, put on events, host a podcast, and coach other couples, all designed to strengthen marriages... intimately! Besides the arduous yet rewarding lifestyle of running a large-ish entrepreneur family, Emily is an accomplished pianist and Dan is training for his 4th and maybe final marathon.
You can visit their website here, and follow along on Instagram, here! And download the free Intimately Us app, now!
Get full show notes with all the mentioned links here.
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How to Break Free From Body Shame With Jess Connolly - 029
But there is hope to break free; to dare to see your body as God declared it—good.
My guest Jess Connolly, author of the new book Breaking Free from Body Shame, shares life-changing truths for women who struggle under the weight of fear, comparison, unhappiness and poor self-worth when considering how her body looks or performs.
We discuss what body shame is, how it affects your mental health, what healthy concern and care for your body looks like, how the Church has failed to engage this conversation, how we can teach our children to love their bodies and so much more.
After reading Jess's book I am finding more freedom in this key area of my life and I trust this conversation will be pivotal for you as well. Tune in and share it with a friend, now. Because your body is already good.
Jess Connolly is a woman who wants to leave her generation more in awe of God than she found it. She is passionate about family, God’s Word, and seeing women take their place in the kingdom. She’s an author, a church leader, and a coach.
She’s written nine books – including Wild and Free with Hayley Morgan, You Are The Girl for the Job, and Breaking Free from Body Shame.
Jess and her husband Nick live in Charleston, SC where they’ve planted Bright City Church. They have four wild and hilarious kids and one unruly dog. You can visit her website here, and follow her on Instagram, here!
Get full show notes and all the mentioned links here.
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To the Woman in Between - 028
Are you in between seasons?
You may be struggling with your love life, career, motherhood, clothing size, friendships and/or unanswered prayers, feeling an angst like I am.
This is common, even normal, for women as they navigate life. In this episode I share how I'm feeling (and handling those feelings) in all of these areas of my life, offering a word of encouragement and hope for women in the same shifting season (although your circumstances are likely different).
Episode Sponsor:
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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. BetterHelp committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, BetterHelp who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/thejuliebender
Get all the other links and resources from the episode here!
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Hell in the Hallway With Kate Owens Heins - 027
When I hear another woman's story of getting back up numerous times or moving forward despite unfathomable challenges, I am inspired to face my own challenges more boldly, too. That's why I knew you needed to meet Kate. Before we recorded this conversation, I knew only a sliver of her circumstances; but as she shared her journey of her teen pregnancy, addiction and subsequent recovery, multiple marriages (yes, she's engaged to her third), raising countless sons (literally, her words), becoming an advocate for her son's special needs and most recently, grieving back-to-back losses I found myself speechless. You know that's hard. This one is long, but I promise you'll be encouraged by Kate's story of resilience as she's held on to her faith, even as she faced hell in the hallway.
Learn more about Kate:
Kate Owens is an entrepreneur in SW Florida that does not take no for an answer. She is a mom that has raised 5/6 boys. As a stylist of 22 years she has cultivated many business women in the cosmetology field. Opening her salon in 2011 she has grown a small salon to a team of 34. Her passion for hair shifted when her youngest son, Waylon, was diagnosed with moderate/high Autism Spectrum Disorder. She now had to become a warrior mom advocating for everything that comes with a special needs diagnosis and helping other moms navigate through this tough journey. #wherethereisawillthereisaWAYLON
You can find her on Instagram here!
Get full show notes with all the links we mentioned, here.
If you haven't heard episode 015 on recovery, find it here!
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A Better Way To Treat Pain With Melanie Connell - 026
An automatic response to pain is fear—but what if not all pain was bad, or to be avoided? What if you were better off working through the pain to find recovery from injury or illness? Physical Therapist Melanie Connell joins me to discuss the link between physical and emotional pain that might easily be overlooked in traditional physical therapy. In this insightful conversation, we discuss fear avoidance, working through pain to get back to what you love, adopting a holistic approach to recovery, overcoming persistent pain, and lifestyle factors that you can control to help with pain of various kinds. She helped me look at minor, serious and even chronic issues so differently and I trust you’ll learn a lot too, whether there’s a current presence of pain in your life, or you’re better prepared when/if it arises in the future.
Learn more about Melanie
Melanie Connell has been a Physical Therapist for over 20 years with certifications in Manual Therapy and Nutritional Health Coaching. She currently serves as the preferred provider for the Pacifica Christian High School Athletic Department. Her clinic, Remedy Physical therapy opened in Costa Mesa, CA in May 2018. Melanie’s mission is to provide a remedy for athletes of all ages who are sidelined by persistent pain and injury.
The 3 main ideas she desires for every patient to understand:
Your story matters You are strong, capable, adaptable, & resilient You are seen and heardYou can find her on Instagram here!
Episode Sponsor:
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Listeners of The Julie Bender Show can get 10% off an online session with Melanie Connell by visiting her site and putting Julie Bender in the comment section. Melanie can help you return to what you love and perform better than you thought possible.
Get all the other links and resources from the episode here!
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What the Church Gets Wrong About Divorce With Rylee Mowery – 025
God doesn’t rate sin, so why do we?
The Bible says God hates sin but loves the sinner. So why does the Church seem to put special emphasis on the sin of divorce—often going so far as to say that remarriage is biblically wrong? This is a question I have wrestled with and know many others have as well.
My guest, Rylee Mowery (@scriptandscriptures on Instagram) has personal experience with this, and a passion for the truth of what God says about it. We have a heartfelt discussion where the goal is encouraging Christ-centered marriages, focusing on how this applies to remarriage. Rylee shares what led to her divorce but more importantly, what she learned about God through it all.
After walking through a painful divorce and healing from her codependency issues, Rylee turned her life over to God and now loves to share her passion for marriage as God intended it. She is also passionate about sharing God’s word through Bible journaling on her instagram. She lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, Nick, as well as their three fur babies. When she’s not responding to trolls on social media she enjoys hitting the gym with her husband or watching him race his dirt bike at the track! Find her on Instagram here!
Episode Sponsor:
FaithfulCounseling
This episode is sponsored by FaithfulCounseling, from BetterHelp. They assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. It's not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it is professional counseling done securely online. Faithful Counseling is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches so they make it easy and free to change counselors if needed. It’s more affordable than traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.
Thanks again to my sponsor, FaithfulCounseling who has a special offer for The Julie Bender Show listeners! Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Get all the other links and resources from the episode here!
Word of the show:
expiation [ ex·pi·a·tion | \ ˌek-spē-ˈā-shən ] noun
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How To Help Your Man Grow in His Faith – 024
I have been asked this question in countless ways, countless times. And it comes from a sincere loving heart—but it's the wrong question. In this episode I share 4 things (and a bonus) you can do when this is your ultimate desire. I hope to encourage you by giving you practical advice learned from trying to solve this problem in my first marriage coupled with honest examples of how I'm doing things differently now.
If you haven't heard my About Me series, go back and listen, now!
You can also hear the episode about my video series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily, here.
Listen to the episode on arguscussions™ here.
You can get my top marriage book recommendation here:
**Get the rest of the links + resources mentioned in the episode in the full show notes here!**
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Fighting Imposter Syndrome With Shari Armstrong - 023
Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Do you fear you are not qualified for or valued in the role(s) you have? I’ve been there too, girl. And so has my friend, reporter, Shari Armstrong. She joins me to explain what this is and why we face it. We share boldly how it affects us, where our faith comes in, and real tips we have found help us to combat it.
I love that Shari has been someone who has spoken truth to me when I’m feeling unqualified, and in this honest banter we go all the way there, acknowledging all the deep places we’ve had in common and how confidently pursuing our individual purpose matters—even when it’s hard. You’ll find inspiration and validation in this episode for sure!
Shari is the Southwest-Florida girl who wanted to leave this area as soon as she could! She graduated from Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, and then the University of South Florida in 2011 with a degree in Mass Communications – Broadcast Journalism. She fled to New York, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles to pursue her changing dreams and looking for fulfillment that you actually don’t find in a place – you find it in your heart.
Four years ago, God led her right back home as the Lifestyle Journalist position at Hello SWFL. In the craziest way, that led her to become the station’s Weekend Anchor – and now anchor on FOX 4 News at 5PM.
She loves TJMaxx, Netflix, volunteering, dancing, eating pizza, squeezing in a two-day flight somewhere, or spending time with her incredibly supportive and loving family…that hails from Barbados. You can find her on Instagram here or on Fox4!
Get full show notes here.
Here is the Instagram post Shari mentioned “SKIP”
We mentioned #prayingforyourhusbanddaily a few times. Want to start the habit? Begin here.
Here is the song Shari loves!
Jireh | Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Here is the book Shari recommended:
90 Days to C.E.O: A Guide To Avoid Business Pitfalls And Unlock The Secrets Of Entrepreneurship
If you haven't heard episode 006 on feelings, find it here!
Word of the show:
tocsin [ tok-sin ] noun
a signal, especially of alarm, sounded on a bell or bells.
Episode Sponsor:
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What if Smaller Isn’t Better? With Sam Gwaz – 022
Your size and/or shape does not determine the quality of your character, yet many of us confuse these two measures all the time.
Coach and nutritionist Sam Gwaz (@thesamplan on Instagram) joins me to discuss how diet culture has affected how we see ourselves, food and fitness and ultimately our value. Starting with her experience having distorted body image, she shares practical ways we can begin to reframe the messages we've received and believed and how to feed our body and minds life-changing truth.
In this episode, Sam and I talk about how tracking your food intake can be both healthy and harmful, what kinds of goals you should have for your health, all the other "losses" that come from constantly chasing weight loss and resources to help you make needed shifts to find freedom.
Learn more about Sam
Sam is a Certified sport nutritionist, strength and conditioning coach living in LA and working on normalizing healthy bodies no matter what shape they're in. You can find her on Instagram here or send her an email!
Here is the Instagram post I shared for my bold thing.
Here is the book I mentioned I had just found, Jess Connolly's Breaking Free from Body Shame. Jess joined me on this episode: How to Break Free From Body Shame With Jess Connolly – 029
Here are the books Sam recommended in the episode:
The Matrix, Atomic Habits and Braving the Wilderness
Get full show notes here.
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Widowhood Uncensored With Alison Burns - 021
No two widows are alike.
I struggled to "find myself" in the stories of other widows. It wasn't until I embraced the truth that no two people's lives are the same (even when they experience incredibly similar circumstances) that I gave my widowed self some grace.
In this episode you'll meet my friend Alison Burns. We bonded quickly when our boys found each other, and she bravely recounts her journey of loving, losing and living without her husband and Duncan's dad, Michael.
My hope is that you never face widowhood, or know someone who will, but that is unlikely. In this conversation Alison and I candidly share what hard things were said to us along the way, how we told our sons they lost their father in a tragic way and what finding our new normal was like for each of us.
I was shocked by her willingness to boldly share about her miscarriages, and I surprised myself when I told her why remarriage was a dream of mine right away and why my husband is not a "stepdad".
As you hear us learn more about each other's individual journey, we hope you'll learn to give grace to all those grieving in your life. We invite you into the space of our pain, and encourage you to hold space for those you love.
If you haven't heard the About Me series, start here!
Learn more about Alison
Alison is a teacher, referee, widow, mom and spiritual warrior who ministers God's word through her devotion while infusing her life with irreverent humor. She and her son share their faith by moving forward, honoring daddy's memory by living and laughing daily. Alison, her son and poodle are always playing out in the sunshine, celebrating their blessed life in SWFL.
Here is the book Alison recommended in the episode:
The Power of a Praying® Parent
I mentioned intimacy a lot in the second half. If you perked it, you might enjoy this #prayingforyourhusbanddaily video on Intimacy in marriage!
Get full show notes here.
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Word of the show:
velleity vel·le·i·ty /vəˈlēədē,veˈlēədē/ noun
1. a wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
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How To Look At the Flags in Your Life - 020
Are you considering waving the white flag of surrender? Is there a red flag you're overlooking? Do you need to proceed with caution in some area of your life? Or should you put the pedal to the metal like someone was waving the checkered flag?
In this episode I invite you to analyze your personal well-being as it relates to a variety of areas including your self-confidence, relationships (all kinds), boundaries (do you even have any) and even your faith (if it's nonexistent or stagnant).
Let's choose to see the flags and make some informed action steps together!
Here's the article by Dr. Zoe Shaw that I recommended: When a Strong Woman Is Quitting, But Not Failing
You can hear more from Dr. Zoe in Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish With Dr. Zoe Shaw – 003
You can also get Dr. Zoe's book: A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself
I also mentioned this episode a few times: Are You Dealing With a Narcissist? With Courtney Morlock – 012
And I talked about beginning your faith journey. You might want to read this post: This Is What You Need for Your Own Coffee + Bible Time.
and begin following along with you own #prayingforyourhusbanddaily journey.
Get full show notes here.
Word of the show:
fantast [ fan-tast ] noun
1. a visionary or dreamer.
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Stop Starting Over With Devan Kline - 019
Are you holding yourself back?
Maybe we're not experiencing health, happiness or fulfilling our purpose because we believe the lie that we're flawed or that everyone else matters more. It happens to me more often than I'd really like to admit.
My guest, Devan Kline, Founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp (which just opened its 300th franchise location) joins me to talk boldly about how we can overcome it. Of course we talk about physical fitness; but we also discuss mental, emotional, relationship and spiritual fitness.
I pick his brain about what it will take to reach our goals and he shares how he overcame a dysfunctional childhood to build a booming business while still happily married to his middle-school sweetheart, Morgan, and how they're growing and prioritizing their family all along.
DK recounts memorable client moments, what's changed in Burn philosophy and operations over time and what he would tell his younger self. Whether you're part of #BurnNation or not, you'll find inspiration in this episode!
Other episodes noted with Morgan Kline Coffee & Kettlebells:
16: How to Overcome Grief, Comparison and Life's Obstacles with Grit & Grace and The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating with Julie Graham
This Grit and Grace Life Podcast On Business, Happiness & Health with Burn Boot Camp’s Morgan Kline – 065
Get Devan's book Stop Starting Over
Learn more about Devan and get the full show notes here (including the IG post I mention as my bold thing).
Follow DK on Instagram, visit his site + checkout Burn Boot Camp.
Devan's book recs:
Blockchain Revolution
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts
Word of the show:
del·i·quesce /ˌdeləˈkwes/ verb 1. to dissolve or melt away
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Arguscussions™—Healthy Conflict in Marriage - 018
Every marriage has disagreements. Conflict is normal and even healthy. 💯
The game changes when you start looking at conflict as an opportunity to grow, instead of letting it tear you apart. I share what an "arguscussion" is, and give you four practical ways they can bring you closer as a couple, even strengthening your relationship. Healthy marriages are built in the everyday interactions and it's never too late to implement tools to move toward the thriving marriage you desire.
Listen now, and share this episode with a wifey or wanna-be wifey you know it could help.
If you haven't heard the About Me series (including more on my first marriage), start here!
Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here!
Get full show notes here.
Don't miss this blog post about #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Here is a book I highly recommended for all wives:
The Power of a Praying Wife
You might also like The 5 Love Languages
Check out the full video series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily!
Here is the first one I mentioned in this episode, on arguscussions.
Then check out this one about differences!
Word of the show:
dissilient [ dih-sil-ee-uhnt ] adjective : bursting apart; bursting open.
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Beauty in the Hard Things With Chelsea Woodward - 017
Are You Scared of the Hard Stuff?
No two people's lives are the same. We all bring our personality, life experience, strengths and insecurities to every storm we weather. But the beauty is that we can learn from the hard things others face without actually having been in their shoes. I have gleaned so much from watching Chelsea Woodward find beauty and joy in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances and as she retells them here, I am confident you will, too. She shares how her life was turned upside down after her son's autism diagnosis, and inside out when her husband narrowly escaped death just a few short years later. Chelsea is raw, unfiltered and refreshingly honest about how faith, therapy and vulnerability have helped her cope. I hope you're ready to cry, gasp (and consider therapy) after hearing her story (so far).
Chelsea is a proud wife, fierce mama bear and a storyteller by trade, whether it’s capturing stories via photograph, ghost writing, podcasting, or blogging. Her life’s work is to tell a story, and does she have one for you. Find out how prosthetics and autism became part of her everyday lingo.
Follow Chelsea on Instagram and listen to her podcast, here.
Find her husband Josh's story through the #woodwardstrong.
And listen to him on Spotify!
Get clickable links here: https://thejuliebender.com/beauty-in-the-hard-things-with-chelsea-woodward-017/
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How To Improve Your Body Image With Becky Patterson – 016
Are you unhappy with your body?
Too many women struggle with poor body image. We nitpick our bodies, obsess over "flaws" and speak unkindly to ourselves (and/or others) propagating a quest for perfection that is unattainable. These habits have the ability to cause body dysmorphic disorder if left unchecked. Trainer and body positivity advocate Rebecca Patterson has first-hand experience with both an unhealthy view of her body and reversing the thought patterns that keep you stuck. She joins me to discuss signs that you have poor body image, how to tell if you're leaning toward body dysmorphia and three steps you can take to improve how you see (and feel about) yourself.
We also discuss the role of social media and faith in this struggle. I know there's something in this episode you or someone you love needs to hear.
Learn more about Becky:
Becky is an advocate for radical self-love and body positivity, both in her career as franchise partner at Burn Boot Camp Tallahassee and in her passion project, Body Image Bootcamp. Her aim is to help teens in her area grow up with a healthier self-image and more immunity to the toxic messaging prevalent in social media. She loves her dog, is always listening to a book on Audible, and will work for tacos.
Follow Becky on Instagram and follow her Burn Boot Camp location, here.
I mentioned this post from her Instagram.
Get the full show clickable notes here.
Don't miss these related episodes: How to Break Free From Body Shame With Jess Connolly – 029
and What if Smaller Isn’t Better? With Sam Gwaz – 022
Becky's book recommendations:
The Code of Trust: An American Counterintelligence Expert's Five Rules to Lead and Succeed by Robin Dreeke and
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Don't miss my video series "Hot Takes With Friends" - watch this one with D, now!
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Do You Need Recovery? With Rochelle Joslin - 015
Do You Need Help, Healing or Hope?
Are you struggling with a hurt, habit or hangup (yours or someone you love)? I truly believe everyone has at least one of those "h things" in their life, which is where Recovery can be a blessing. My friend Rochelle Joslin agrees and is wiling to share her journey with us. We've each spent countless hours in the rooms of 12-step Anon groups and we're sharing what we've learned (so far) about our husband's addictions and our own issues in the process.
If you're doing life with someone in a dark place, OR, you have unhealed pain from any area of your life, I hope this episode encourages you and inspires you to get help. You deserve it.
Learn more about Rochelle
Rochelle is a wife and a mama raising a southern gentleman and a Florida fire cracker Who prides her self and being able to talk to pretty much anyone while simultaneously trying to explain to people that she’s actually an introvert. She loves Jesus and America too and accidentally started a successful business during the pandemic.
Find her business, Simplify.home on Instagram, here.
Learn more about the Recovery program at Summit Church (including online resources!) here.
Rochelle and I both highly recommend this book:
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
She also recommended:
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Don't miss my series "Hot Takes with Friends" and our video together, here!
Get full show notes here.
"If you don't have Jesus in the center of your recovery, it's not going to work." - Rochelle Joslin
Check out my series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily!
Word of the show:
Pleonasm [ plee-uh-naz-uhm ] noun
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When Faithfulness Feels Too Hard - 014
Can anyone be faithful all the time in all the ways?
What does faithfulness look like in the important areas of of your life?
How do you know if you're hitting the mark in:
Your relationship with God
Your marriage
Your parenting
Your health
Your purpose
Your relationships?
I chose "faithfulness" as my word for the year in 2021. So now almost half way through, I'm taking an honest inventory of how I've cared for each of these key categories of my life. Whether you do goals, verses for the year or resolutions, I hope you'll find a few benefits from hearing me talk through how I'm doing so far—and where I still need so much grace for continually moving two steps forward, and one step back.
"The answer is never to “do more” but to be faithful in doing the things God has called you to." - Julie Bender
I mentioned this blog post where I shared more about my word of the year.
You can read my birthday letter to Lincoln, here.
If you're struggling with self-care, I recommend this book:
A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself by Dr. Zoe Shaw
Check out my series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily!
Get full show notes here.
Word of the show:
bovarism [boh-vuh-riz-uhm] noun
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Success at Home & Work With Brett Diamond - 013
Men and Women Still Have a Lot To Learn From Each Other
Despite what culture might say, I strongly value the perspective and input of men whose lives I respect. One such man is Brett Diamond—husband, father, entrepreneur and follower of Jesus.
In this chat I ask Brett to tell us about:
-his faith journey
-his decision to marry young (even though his parents divorced)
-his opinion on what a wife should focus on if she commits to #prayingforyourhusbandaily and
-to go behind the curtain of working his way up the ladder in a successful family-owned business.
He shares how his home and work life have been affected by cultural shifts in the last few years, especially when it come to co-parenting his two girls and newborn son.
I thoroughly enjoyed the rapid fire round where we discuss (among other topics) TikTok and fajitas.
Tune in to get a man's bold perspective on some of the same things you're facing in your own life.
Learn More About Brett
Brett has been involved with DeAngelis Diamond since inception in 1996. His first memory of the company is eating pizza on the office floor with both the DeAngelis and Diamond families when the lease was signed for the first office space in Naples, Florida. He started working for the company as an “office slave” while in middle school, continuing into high school when he worked on his first jobsite shadowing Reggie Morgan, the current COO. Throughout college and his early 20’s, Brett spent much of his time building various businesses, while traveling across the country to learn from top tech leaders. After university, Brett launched Venture X, a premium & sustainable office space, offering memberships, with the focus to disrupt the standard commercial lease.
In 2016, Venture X began to franchise their brand, opening locations across the globe. Brett launched his professional career with DeAngelis Diamond in 2014 overseeing technology. In the time since, he has begun overseeing the Data & Analytics, HR, & Talent departments, before becoming a Partner in October 2020.
Throughout his time at DeAngelis Diamond, Brett has served on the customer advisory boards for Box, Procore and DocuSign, collaborating with industry leaders across the globe.
We talked about my series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Here's one where we talk about your man's work life!
Watch Brett + Becca's TikTok video in the full show notes here!
Brett's Book Recommendation:
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger
Word of the show:
Moonshot [ moon-shot ]
A very challenging and innovative project or undertaking.
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Are You Dealing With a Narcissist? With Courtney Morlock - 012
Do you wonder if you're crazy?
Is there someone in your life that makes you question your sanity? Do you know someone who isn't treated well, but you can't put your finger on the issue?
Maybe the problem is narcissism.
I invite my friend Courtney Morlock to teach us how to spot a narcissist, how to deal with (or leave) one and how to love a friend who is entangled with one.
No relationship is always perfect but if you find yourself confused, controlled or in constant chaos, listen in. You may also know someone whose relationship seems "off" and you don't know how to talk to them about it (or if you even should). You'll hear all this and more in this candid, vulnerable and practical chat with a life coach who has personal experience dealing with this type of complicated toxic relationship.
Read more from Courtney:
Throughout my life I’ve been drowning in narcissistic relationships; from boyfriends to bosses, it felt like I carried a big sign saying “narcissist come here!” After years of therapy and insanely intense life coaching, I now feel equipped to help you see what I now see.
I’m not crazy.
Sounds silly, but it’s the core principle of everything I teach.
If you can’t see that with absolute confidence, you’ll never be rid of these toxic relationships. You need a path to believe again (or for the first time) that you are already equipped with everything you need to change your life. I know, I haven’t walked in your shoes, and I know that this relationship has made you believe you deserve this misery. But what if I told you I could help you see other shoes that don’t cause so many blisters?
You aren’t crazy.
You deserve a life of peace.
You have options.
Xx Courtney
Find her on Instagram or Facebook.
Lashes here, coaching here.
Courtney is not a therapist, but you should see one if you are concerned you're dealing with a narcissist.
As she said, avoid the rabbit hole of googling but do read these articles she recommends here.
MORE resources in the full show notes.
Courtney's book recommendations:
Daring Greatly and I Thought It Was Just Me by Brene Brown
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Here's a related #prayingforyourhusbanddaily video: When You Don't Even Like Him
Word of the show:
Narcissist /ˈnärsəsəst/ noun
1. a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves."narcissists who think the world revolves around them."
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Faith, Fear and Family: Recovering From Tragedy With Kelly Harrington - 011 Pt. 2
Sometimes friends become more: they become framily.
In Part 1, college student Kelly Harrington (who I see so much of myself in) shares her story of tragedy wrecking her family. In this episode, she continues her account of how God faithfully provided healthy people to help her heal, specifically a young family who showed her the love and support she lacked after her dad died and her mom became abusive. You'll be inspired to look for ways to serve someone who may have a similar need, even if you can't take them into your home. Connection and community is vital to our health and spirituality!
Make sure you listen to part 1 of Kelly's story first!
Learn More About Kelly
Kelly is a Junior at Florida Gulf Coast University studying to become a Middle/High School Math Teacher and Basketball Coach or whatever else God has for her. She’s a daughter, sister, friend, roommate to many, burn babe, and Panera regular. Kelly is passionate about the gospel, community, basketball, problem-solving and loving people like Jesus has loved her.
Kelly's Book Recommendations:
The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living by Chip Dodd
Stop Calling Me Beautiful Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheimer
Kelly invited me to talk to her college group about my series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Get started on your journey praying for your husband (or future hubs, like she is) here!
Word of the show:
No cap / from the Urban Dictionary /
No cap usually means “no lie,” so it often follows an unbelievable statement or serious question. And according to Dictionary.com, to “cap” can also mean to brag about something, so if you say “no cap,” it means you aren’t talking yourself up. Some people also use it to mean “totally.”
Example: That episode was really good, no cap.
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If you haven’t heard my “About Me” series, go listen, now!
Get full show notes here.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show!
And share it so more friends can join us!
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Faith, Fear and Family: Recovering From Tragedy With Kelly Harrington - 011 Pt. 1
Wounds from family hurt or trauma can be some of the hardest to recover from. When tragedy strikes, families either grow closer or fall apart. In this episode, I’m joined by 21 year old Kelly Harrington as she shares her story. I see so much of myself in her; when her life changed dramatically, God faithfully met her in the midst of it. She recounts how her faith transformed as she learned to trust God and others despite valid fears and pain.
Make sure you listen to part 2 of Kelly’s story next!
Learn More About Kelly
Kelly is a Junior at Florida Gulf Coast University studying to become a Middle/High School Math Teacher and Basketball Coach or whatever else God has for her. She’s a daughter, sister, friend, roommate to many, burn babe, and Panera regular. Kelly is passionate about the gospel, community, basketball, problem-solving and loving people like Jesus has loved her.
Kelly's Book Recommendations:
The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living by Chip Dodd
Stop Calling Me Beautiful Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheimer
Here are the Instagram posts we mentioned: click here for the balloons caption, and click here for the unfiltered caption!
Kelly invited me to talk to her college group about my series #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Get started on your journey praying for your husband (or future hubs, like she is) here!
Word of the show:
No cap / from the Urban Dictionary /
No cap usually means “no lie,” so it often follows an unbelievable statement or serious question. And according to Dictionary.com, to “cap” can also mean to brag about something, so if you say “no cap,” it means you aren’t talking yourself up. Some people also use it to mean “totally.”
Example: That episode was really good, no cap.
Episode Sponsor:
The Julie Bender Store on Amazon
Shop my curated lists for inspo, or, just use my direct link for whatever you need (today).
If you haven’t heard my “About Me” series, go listen, now!
Get full show notes here.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show!
And share it so more friends can join us!
Let's connect on social media!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Mother’s Day From Every Angle…Even If It’s Messy – 010
Everybody has a little Mama-Drama, right?
Whether you are a Mom or not, you have one, and your relationship with her plays an important role in your life. You may have a close and/or healthy relationship with your mother, while for others it's nonexistent. For most of us, our mothering today is a direct result of how we were raised (both the good and the bad). Regardless of your family dynamics, Mother's Day can bring up a whole host of feelings for a variety of reasons (and in a number of relationships). That's certainly the case for me.
In this episode, I speak from every angle—to those who have had a hard mother-child relationship, to the mama who feels like she's not enough and is failing and to the person who's healing from past mama-drama. (Spoiler alert, I'm all of those).
I also included a segment where my six-year-old son is interviewed by his new daddy and an excerpt from a conversation with my Mom featuring her hindsight-advice for mothers. Beloved cameos!
Whether Mother's Day is a joyous holiday or a difficult one for you, there's something you can relate to in this episode. Listen now, and share it with your Mom or your mom-friends today.
Get full show notes here.
If you haven't heard my "About Me" series, go listen, now!
Word of the show:
Mother / from the Urban Dictionary/
The only woman in the world who will still cradle you in her arms even if you've stabbed her loving heart each time you've hung up her calls, thrown away her delicious food just because your friends thought Subway was cool; got a red-ink stained progress report; told her to go away in the presence of your apparently 'cool' friends, ignored her for telling you to do your school work before play; taking juvenile revenge on her for only protecting you from the seemingly harmless evils in the world around you.
And still say she loves you and you will always be her child, no matter what.
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How #prayingforyourhusbanddaily Can Change Your Marriage – 009
Is your marriage everything you expected it to be?
If you’re struggling with your marriage, you desire more for your relationship with your husband, or you want to invest in building a deeper, stronger bond with your man, I encourage you to try #prayingforyourhusbanddaily. Years of pain in my first marriage resulted in a habit that I still cling to today, even though I'm now remarried to a man who connects with me in all the ways.
On this episode I share the resource that led me to start my video series, how I use it in my own marriage, and what you can and should pray for your husband.
And if you’re not yet married, I promise this habit will bring you closer to your future husband, so start now!
Listen now, and share this episode with a wifey or wanna-be wifey you know it could help.
If you haven't heard the About Me series, start here!
I mentioned this blog post about #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Here is the book I recommend in the episode: The Power of a Praying Wife
I mention my most recent PFYHD video, about moving beyond the honeymoon phase.
I also suggest this one, about who is first in your marriage.
Get full show notes here.
Word of the show:
es·cu·lent /ˈeskyələnt/
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How #prayingforyourhusbanddaily Can Change Your Marriage - 009
Is your marriage everything you expected it to be?
If you’re struggling with your marriage, you desire more for your relationship with your husband, or you want to invest in building a deeper, stronger bond with your man, I encourage you to try #prayingforyourhusbanddaily. Years of pain in my first marriage resulted in a habit that I still cling to today, even though I'm now remarried to a man who connects with me in all the ways.
On this episode I share the resource that led me to start my video series, how I use it in my own marriage, and what you can and should pray for your husband.
And if you’re not yet married, I promise this habit will bring you closer to your future husband, so start now!
Listen now, and share this episode with a wifey or wanna-be wifey you know it could help.
If you haven't heard the About Me series, start here!
I mentioned this blog post about #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Here is the book I recommend in the episode: The Power of a Praying Wife
I mention my most recent PFYHD video, about moving beyond the honeymoon phase.
I also suggest this one, about who is first in your marriage.
Get full show notes here.
Word of the show:
es·cu·lent /ˈeskyələnt/
Episode Sponsor:
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Shop my curated lists for inspo, or, just use my direct link for whatever you came to purchase and a small percentage helps me bring you this show!
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Let's connect on social media!
Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Decoding Cringey Clichés With Jordan Paul - 008
Christians say the darndest things. There's a litany of lingo that Christians use that often needs some decoding. #blessyourheart
What do we even mean when we refer to our "quiet time" or "doing life in community?"
Why do we want you to be "born again" or "lean in" to the message at our church?
When we say "we're praying about it" are we just avoiding a "no" or are we "laying out a fleece" to determine God's will about it?
Are you "equally yoked" with the guy you just swiped right on Christian Mingle for?
My funny friend Jordan Paul joins me to bring you the layman's terms for these cringey clichés. Consider us your Christian thesaurus as we break down what we say, explaining what we mean. These days it's popular to decide what's "true for you" but, whether you're a follower of Jesus or you think we're kind of weird (understandable...promise) this episode is a must-listen. At the very least you'll get to laugh (even if it's at us), but you might also get long-held questions answered that literally matter for all of eternity. "God works in mysterious ways."
Plus, rapid fire question rounds give me life, and she doesn't disappoint!
Learn more about Jordan
Passionately passionate about all of the passions and a tag line of, “I can totally make that,” Jordan, a Chicagoland native, comes at you hungrily with spunk and honesty as she’s trying to balance the life of a toddler mom, pop tart craving fetus grower, and non-cleaning housewife. What she lacks in many areas, she compensates for with incredible homemade baked goods, Italian hospitality, and good, tight hugs. Jordan loves a good belly laugh, a well-written romance novel, and…not-so-silently correcting your grammar. Above all, she loves Jesus and seeks to be light to everyone she comes across. Follow Jordan on FB or, order your own custom duds from her shop, here!
I mentioned this blog post about reading the bible.
Here are the books Jordan recommended:
The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith by John W. James
I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know by W. Lee Warren M.D.
Word of the show: Jesus juke
Jon Acuff coined the term and describes a Jesus juke as happening when someone turns a light conversation into something serious and “holy.” This show is full of them!
Get the full show notes here!
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Was there a cliche we didn't talk about you want to discuss? Or a question about faith? DM me!
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Speaking of friends, let's connect on social media!
Instagram
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com
Baggage and Brain Tumors With Jen Piper - 007
Everyone's got a little baggage. Is there a better way to make light of your junk than by making (or sharing) a meme about it? I think not. And so does my witty and winsome friend, Jen Piper. We met in college when she surfed on my couch and we had inverse-matching hair (see the full show notes to enjoy). She watched as I and several other friends got married before her and then when it was finally "her turn" her fiance called it off just days before the ceremony.
Years later after getting over that "dodged bullet" (her words!) she met and married her fire-fighter husband only to be diagnosed with a brain tumor just shy of her 30th birthday (with two young girls in tow). She took her recovery time to start an accidental business that thrived on graphic tees and funny memes. Lemonade, I'd say.
My friend has had her share of heartbreak, but in this chat we admit just how much of yourself you find after pain, mistakes and age, anyway. We recount some entertaining memories and confess how hard it can be to live your life under the lens of the social media microscope. Mostly, we talk candidly about baggage and moving beyond it. To #beboldandjustbeyou.
Learn more about Jen
Jen is a south Florida native who currently resides in Columbus, Ohio. She’s a fire fighter wife and Mommy to two daughters (ages 7 and 8). She’s a brain tumor survivor who started an impulsive clothing brand as a way to keep busy during recovery. She currently works as a graphic designer and social media manager. She enjoys writing, oversized sweatshirt season and is currently binge watching every season of Survivor in preparation to be on the show. You can follow her on Instagram here!
Here are the books Jen recommended on the episode:
Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality (both by Donald Miller)
This is the blog post I mentioned about why I fell in love with Disney.
Word of the show: effulgent [ ih-fuhl-juhnt, ih-fool-] adjective 1. shining forth brilliantly; radiant.
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com and get this episode show notes here.
This Is Why Your Feelings Matter - 006
What if you just felt all the feels?
Feelings can get a bad rap. Sometimes we try to hide or ignore them, other times we obsess over, dramatize or even use them to manipulate others. No wonder they’re such a hot topic.
But the truth is, feelings have value and meaning. They aren’t inherently bad—but how we respond to them can be.
In this episode I go first, recounting some of my deep (even shameful) personal thoughts about my own feelings and how I perceive they affect others (negatively). I confess lies I still fight to stop believing that may be on a replay loop in your mind, too.
I challenge us to think more holistically about the purpose of our emotions in order to gain a healthy understanding of how they communicate our inner needs, desires and longings. I share some of the tools that have helped me to shift my view of feelings over the last five years, moving from a survivor’s mindset to one that is continually growing and deepening. To be clear—I’m still healing in this area. You’ll hear how my remarriage continues to challenge my coping mechanisms for the better and that it’s not “easy” or “perfect,” which is more than okay. Because honesty is better than “fake it till you make it”, when it comes to feelings.
Didn't See That Coming by Rachel Hollis
The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living by Chip Dodd
Here is the Brené Brown video I mentioned!
Word of the show:
Redivivus [red-ə-VI-vus] adjective
1. Come back to life; reborn.
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Get full show notes here.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show!
And share it so more friends can join us!
Speaking of friends, make sure to connect with me on social media!
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The Woman Behind the Crime (Shows) With Delia D'Ambra Wheeler - 005
Popular podcast host Delia D'Ambra-Wheeler has been in your earbuds on addicting shows like CounterClock, Park Predators, Dark Arenas and Crime Junkies. Finally, you meet and learn more about her, not just the gripping stories she tells! Delia shares how she got into investigative journalism, how her Christian faith plays a role in her work, where she met and fell in love with her husband and answers a fun rapid-fire round of questions.
I appreciated her vulnerability when we talked about her experience being her husband's second wife (as I talk about what it's like being married a second time). She also kept it real about some of the struggles she brings home from her unique, challenging (and sometimes), dangerous work!
My foray into listening to podcasts came through binge-worthy true crime stories and then I added lifestyle and interview shows about women I admire to my queue, and this episode combines both! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Delia is the Co-Creative Director and on-air host for Audiochuck Podcast Network. She is an investigative journalist whose work is behind some of the world's top true-crime podcasts (CounterClock, Park Predators, Dark Arenas, Crime Junkie). Above all, Delia is a Christian who strives to use her personal testimony and influence to further the Gospel. You can follow her on Instagram here!
Get Delia's Book Recs:
Prodigal God by Tim Keller
Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot by Valerie Shepard
We talked about being newlyweds. Want to keep that glow in your marriage? Watch this #prayingforyourhusbanddaily video!
Word of the show:
Holus-Bolus [hol-əs-BOL-əs]
Part of speech: adverb
1. All at once.
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Drop the Hanky (and Survive Rejection) With Kait Warman - 004
Rejection is never fun for any of us, yet we all face it. Whether we've been rejected by friends, employers, family members, or in romantic relationships—we've all been there.
My guest Kait Warman literally wrote the book on it.
It's time to learn how to turn it into a growth opportunity, one we can say "thank you" for.
Kait and I talk about dating in a real, candid, and relatable way. Dating for the Christian single is hard, but it should be FUN, too! To this end, she gives practical advice for those "ready to mingle" right now. Are you suffering from VBS? Do you know how to "drop the hanky"? When do you "become exclusive"? We're answering all of this and more! Kait also suggests you segment the relationship cycle further beyond just single, dating, and married by adding in two more phases. And bonus: we both share a dating diary mishap that will make you LOL.
Whether you're in the dating scene right now or not, this is a must-listen. You'll be able to encourage a friend who's dating, or, you'll be ready for the next learning opportunity in your own life by applying these beliefs about rejection to your next experience.
Grab your copy (and one to gift!) of her book Thank You For Rejecting Me here!
Kait Warman is an inspirational speaker, a relationship coach, and the host of The Heart of Dating podcast. She helps thousands of men and women on their journeys through the conversations on her podcast, social media platforms, one-on-one relationship coaching, and online courses. She lives in the LA area and loves sunshine, walks, Jesus, and listening to Celine Dion. Follow her on Instagram!
Here are the other books Kait mentioned on the episode:
How To Get A Date Worth Keeping: Be Dating In Six Months Or Your Money Back by Dr. Cloud
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
Word of the show:
Chindwag [CHIN-wag]
1. A chat.
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Get full show notes here!
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show! And share it so more friends can join us!
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Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish With Dr. Zoe Shaw - 003
What IS Self-Care?
Have you heard the buzzword "self-care" and wondered what it means? Curious if you should or shouldn't be practicing it? And if yes, how? If you're a Christian, maybe you doubt self-care is even biblical. If you've had any of these thoughts, you'll learn so much from my guest, Dr. Zoe Shaw. She's recently written a book A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself which will answer these questions and so much more. In this episode, we discuss why women have been culturized to overlook this real need (you've never shamed your man for taking time to rest + recharge, have you?) and more importantly, how implementing this habit will benefit all of your relationships. This includes your relationship with God, yourself, and others.
My favorite part is when Dr. Zoe and I talk about how she went through a long, hard season of marriage because she was neglecting herself and how adopting these methods ultimately saved her marriage.
You'll be so glad you tuned in and shared this one with a friend!
Grab your copy (and one to gift!) of her new book here!
Learn more about Dr. ZoeDr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, podcast host, life coach, and fitness fanatic. She is passionate about helping women who struggle in difficult relationships- especially that sometimes difficult relationship with themselves.
After 15 years in traditional psychotherapy practice, Dr. Zoe jumped off the couch and now helps women using a different modality with a mix of virtual therapy, coaching services, and programs designed specifically for women trying to have it all, who sometimes struggle in the superwoman game.
Dr. Zoe is a graduate of UCLA and Pepperdine University. She is a frequent blogger (writing about helping women redefine their Superwoman) and loves answering women’s burning questions at her advice column at the Grit and Grace Project (online women’s magazine). You can find her in the media on Instagram and in most social places at the handle DrZoeShaw and visit her site.
Fun fact: Zoe and I originally "met" because she found my #prayingforyourhusbanddaily series on Facebook! New to praying fr your man (or future hubs)? Watch this intro video now!
Listen to our conversation on The Dr. Zoe Show: Redefining Your Superwoman, here!
Word of the show:
Lagom [LAH-gawm] law-gom noun
1.The principle of living a balanced, moderately paced, low-fuss life.
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His Side of Our Story With Donny Bender - 002
My husband embraces #beboldandjustbeyou as my (far) better half by agreeing to be my first interview. I ask him to share his side of our story—from that fateful armpit dial, to becoming Lincoln's second daddy to hard parts of his past.
You'll hear why we work, how God brought us together and what we hope He will do in our marriage, our family and even in this podcast.
Will he get my Starbucks order right? What did he call me to his friend after meeting me? What makes our relationship strong and what's "hard for us" as a couple? What does he think of my leopard print and incessant Insta stories? It's all on this episode.
We're not perfect. But we're God's best for each other.
This is the #prayingforyourhusbanddaily about "we culture" that I mentioned:
D’s book recommendation: How to Win Friends & Influence People. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3qw3PgO
Word of the show:
Billet-doux [bill-ay-DOO] Part of speech: noun
1. A love letter.
Get the full show notes here: https://thejuliebender.com/his-side-of-our-story-with-donny-bender-002/
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What Do I Mean When I Say #beboldandjustbeyou? - 001
I adopted this signature phrase over five years ago and in that time have been asked more than a few times what it means. More interestingly, I've been questioned by fellow Christians about its potential contradiction from the teachings of Jesus.
In this episode, I share what it means to me, how I see it supported in scripture, and most importantly, how you can apply it to your life whether or not you are a Christian.
The dictionary defines bold as “showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.” But I like the thesaurus description much better: daring, intrepid, brave, valiant, valorous, fearless, dauntless, audacious, adventurous, heroic, plucky, spirited, confident, assured, swashbuckling…
I mentioned a few verses that define it for me, but here's the main one:
Philippians 1:12 MSG I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.
I hope after hearing this episode you'll embrace #beboldandjustbeyou too.
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https://thejuliebender.com/what-do-i-mean-beboldandjustbeyou-001/(opens in a new tab)
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About Me Part 2
I know I left you on a cliffhanger...
In my two-part About Me mini-series I take you back.
In the first part, you met Julie Chronister and Julie Graham.
(If you haven't heard that, STOP and go listen there, first!)
In this episode, I tell of my late husband's last days, what life was like as a widowed single mom, and the journey to becoming the wife to my now-husband, 'D'.
I mention telling Lincoln about his daddy in Heaven, using #LeavingPRGaLegacy. You can see some of that here.
You can read more of this story in a feature I wrote for Love What Matters here.
I also talk about knowing Donny was for me by reading the bible. Want to start reading the bible for yourself? Learn more in this post.
Lastly: see our beautiful engagement, here.
Get the full show notes here!
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com
About Me Part 1
In my two-part About Me mini-series I take you back.
On this first episode, you meet Julie Chronister and Julie Graham.
I bring you into my dysfunctional childhood home, recounting what it was like not being raised by my mom or dad, growing up feeling very unsure of my place in the world.
We discover where my abandonment issues, constantly striving for approval and looking for love in all the wrong places began.
You hear about my first marriage to Paul and how I began #prayingforyourhusbanddaily.
Then you'll have to keep listening on to part 2 to learn how I became Julie Bender.
Get the full show notes at:
https://thejuliebender.com/about-me-part-1/
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Visit me at thejuliebender.com
The Julie Bender - Trailer
Listen to The Julie Bender Show podcast trailer. Encouragement for women on faith, relationships, purpose and lifestyle. Tune in and learn to #beboldandjustbeyou.