The Julie Bender Show

Your Marriage Will Improve When Confidence Does Could you imagine someone praying for your insecurities, fears, doubts, and struggles? Wouldn't just knowing they were lifting you up make a difference? With that in mind, we will pray for our own confidence and insecurities and then for those of our husbands. I needed these important reminders and you probably do, too. Listen to the recent episode of This Grit and Grace Life I mentioned, Get Ready to Break Free of Self-Doubt and Shame – 220, now! 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

It's Time To Get (More) Consistent (Without Being Too Hardcore) I found myself craving more consistency because I know it makes me feel more confident and at peace in life, but I also didn't feel the need to launch an intense program (read, 75Hard, or the like). Was there a way to set some goals without becoming too overwhelmed? I created one. I share a simple tracker tool I created to help me be more consistent in the key areas of my life. I hope it helps us all. And bonus-it's definitely flexible (hint, doable)! Get the full show notes with the tracker, 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

Is your friend newly widowed? There are some things to do and say, and several to avoid. I have been asked countless times how to help a friend who was suddenly widowed. My heart aches remembering the pain I experienced and know there are some practical things that truly do help and many that cause more pain than good. I include wisdom from four of my friends who were also widowed (young), hoping to offer insight into this hard life experience, both for the friend of the widow and some for the widow herself. 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

Welcome to my birthday party episode! In celebration of my 39th birthday, I took a personal inventory of lessons I've learned that have served and continue to serve me, and I hope to not forget as I close out my thirties this year! They cover all areas of my life and hopefully will serve to encourage, entertain and maybe even challenge you, too! Get the full show notes with the full list, 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

Every Relationship Has Conflict—But Is it Healthy? If you're going to be married, you're going to have conflict. It's a nice way of saying, you will fight. But can you learn to do it fairly? With respect? Can your conflicts actually build into instead of breaking down your marriage? With prayer and intention, yes. I give several steps that this requires and then we pray for God to show us the way (end empower us to walk in it!). 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

Relax and Reset With These FavesWith 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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 sex episode⁠ ⁠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! Insta Facebook YouTube Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bender/support

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! Insta --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Don't You Love a Good Story? 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! Instagram Facebook Amazon YouTube Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

People like birth stories, right? 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

We're counting down to our baby joining the Bender fam! 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 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Your Past Is Not Your Prison, It's Your University 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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 Marissa Marissa 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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. Learn more about Nicole 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! IG Julie Bender Babes VIP FB group. YT Amazon Web --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Being > Doing 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

There's no such thing as a perfect love story. 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 Kait Kait 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Join the VIP Group, TJB Babes. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes. 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

I do not have feelings of love for how Clayton's Bachelor season ended. 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! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Who and what is yoga for? Is it spiritual? 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 Kadie Kadie 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! Follow me! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

We're celebrating TWO anniversaries here at TJBS! 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! Episode Sponsor: The Julie Bender Show new Listener Support! Now you can click this link to show your appreciation of the content here with a monetary donation! Thanks for tuning in! Follow me! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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! Episode Sponsor: The Julie Bender Show new Listener Support! Now you can click this link to show your appreciation of the content here with a monetary donation! Thanks for tuning in! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Real-life and research combine to give practical insight into women's issues. 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 Kate Kate 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. Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Follow me! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Where would you be without friends you can talk to about anything? 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 Michelle Michelle 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! Follow me! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

It's okay that you don't have all the answers. Life is a process. 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. Learn more about Billie 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. 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! Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Follow me! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

You are seen, so you should see yourself honestly and then let others see you, too. 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. Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Every parent has wished children came with a manual. 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. Sabo Jason 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 Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Everyone is born with the first, and the latter is something you can develop. 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. Zoe Dr. 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

She went from a caught in a cult to finding her courage. 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 Liz Elizabeth 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! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Start speaking these truths into your heart and mind, now! 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 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Enjoy this sweet episode with your little(s) and meet mine! 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit my home thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

If you're tired you need rest. But is it more? 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Girl talk turns baby talk on this unfiltered episode! 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! Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Follow me! Insta Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Although marriage is a picture of the gospel, it is not equal to it. 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. Learn more about Jenn 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!< --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Baby daddy joins me to dish about our little one on the way! 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Every wife needs a pep talk and/or some fresh ideas every now and then. 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. Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Have you experienced domestic violence or know someone who has? 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. Learn more about Miranda 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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. Find Glenna online here and on Instagram here. 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! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Speaking of friends, let's connect! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Get more at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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! And share it so more friends can join us! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Speaking of friends, let's connect! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

If you're a parent, you know that mommin' ain't easy! 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. Episode Sponsor: LeTote fashion rental subscription. Get a free tote with this link! Rent, return, repeat! Get all the links and resources from the episode here! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show! And share it so more friends can join us! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list or join The Julie Bender Babes Facebook group! Speaking of friends, let's connect on social media! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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 Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show! And share it so more friends can join us! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Speaking of friends, let's connect! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

One year of marriage has taught us much, but we have much more to learn. 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!

A healthy marriage includes a great sex life. 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 Dan Dan 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. Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! 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! Follow me! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

97% of women say they struggle with body image related issues. 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. Learn more about Jess 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. Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! 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! Follow me! IG FB YT Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

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: 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 other links and resources from the episode here! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show! And share it so more friends can join us! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Speaking of friends, let's connect on social media! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

I'm drawn to bold, brave women. 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! 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! Follow me! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Join the Julie Bender Babes VIP Facebook group here! Visit me at thejuliebender.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support

Do you notice the blend between physical and emotional pain? 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 heard You can find her on Instagram here! Episode Sponsor: RemedyOC 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! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show! And share it so more friends can join us! Never miss an episode! Sign up for my email list! Speaking of friends, let's connect on social media! Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/julie-bender/support