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

Ep. #304: Why Fruitful Habits Work Better Than Perfect Eating Plans

So many of us have tried to white-knuckle our way through one food plan after another. But what if health isn’t about eating perfectly—but rather about building habits that actually bear good fruit in our lives? In this episode, guest co-host Brandice Lardner and I unpack why “perfect eating plans” so often fail, especially for Highly Sensitive Christian women. Brandice introduces the idea of fruitful habits: flexible, grace-filled practices you can evaluate by their outcomes, not whether you followed every rigid rule. We explore how reflection (not rumination) helps you learn from your choices why giving yourself permission actually reduces food obsessions what it looks like to “marry wants with wisdom” without shame or fear If you’re longing for a calmer, more sustainable approach to food—one rooted in grace, discernment, and real-life rhythms—this conversation offers a hopeful way forward.Links mentioned: Order Brandice's new book Fully Nourished: A Grace-Filled Approach to Ditch Diets and Find Peace with Food and Your Body https://amzn.to/3Z3q5SL You can get her free 7-lesson "Faith > Food" email course right here https://gracefilledplate.com/faith-food-email-course/ Check out Brandice's Website: Grace Filled Plate https://GraceFilledPlate.com Take the “Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?” Self-Quiz https://CheriGregory.com/hspquiz/ Learn about the "Write Beside You" Unlimited Coaching Program and the "Clarity in Your Calling" Mastermind https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/wby-unlimited-coaching-program/ https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/clarity-in-your-calling-mastermind

Ep. #303: Why It’s Hard to Trust Your Body—Especially Around Food

Have you found that diets promise you control, clarity, and confidence—but all-too-often they deliver the exact opposite? For many Highly Sensitive Christian women, diets come with hidden costs: disconnection from our bodies exhaustion from trying to “do it right” confusion about who we can actually trust.  In today’s episode, guest co-host Brandice Lardner and I have an honest, grace-filled conversation about how food became a primary coping tool for so many of us at such a young age, why dieting typically backfires, and what it looks like to pursue health without pressure, fear, or shame. If you’re ready to reframe your relationship with food through the lens of grace instead of rules, this conversation is a great place to start! Links Mentioned: Pre-Order Brandice's new book Fully Nourished: A Grace-Filled Approach to Ditch Diets and Find Peace with Food and Your Body https://www.amazon.com/Fully-Nourished-Grace-Filled-Approach-Ditch/dp/0800747038/ You can get her free 7-lesson "Faith > Food" email course right here https://gracefilledplate.com/faith-food-email-course/ Check out Brandice's Website: Grace Filled Plate https://GraceFilledPlate.com Take the “Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?” Self-Quiz https://CheriGregory.com/hspquiz/ Learn about the "Write Beside You" Unlimited Coaching Program and the "Clarity in Your Calling" Mastermind https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/wby-unlimited-coaching-program/ https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/clarity-in-your-calling-mastermind

Ep. #302: The Gift of a Gentle Start—How to Ease Into the New Year

January can feel like everyone else hit the “GO” button while I'm still standing in my living room wondering if a bomb went off over the holidays. If you’re still putting decorations away, finding glitter in places glitter shouldn't be, and feeling like you’re already behind on a year you just started, I want to invite you to take a breath — you’re not doing anything wrong. Today I want to talk about the gift of a gentle start—especially for Highly Sensitive People. No rushing into the new year.  No reinventing yourself with "New Year, New You!" No pressure to hit the ground running. (In fact, you don't need to hit anything... ) I want to invite us to take a calmer, kinder approach to the new year.Links: Learn about The Sensitive & Strong Community Cafe https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/sensitive-strong-community-cafe/ Take the “Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?” Self-Quiz https://cherigregory.com/hspquiz/ Chapters (00:00:00) - A Quiet Start to the New Year(00:00:58) - Grit and Grace(00:01:43) - February 1st Is No Longer A New Year's Day(00:04:25) - A Less Punishing New Year for Highly Sensitive People(00:10:10) - The Siren Song of New Planner:

Ep. #301: Give Your "Widow's Mite" & Trust God to Supply His Might

Some adventures do more than stretch us — they transform us. And today, Pam Watts is back in the guest co-host seat to share with us what God revealed during and after the experience she was still preparing for the last time we talked. What began as doing something fun for something good became something sacred — reshaping her understanding of excellence, identity, rest, and God’s power at work through human weakness.In our conversation, we explore: A different definition of excellence The gift of doing hard things in community How offering our “widow’s mite” opens the door to experiencing God’s might If you’re in a season of saying your own faith-based YOUR — or in the reflective time that comes after—this conversation is rich with clarity, insight, and wisdom. Links & Resources mentioned: Check out Pam's website: Faith-First Family Activity Coaching https://pamwatts.com/ Take the "Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?" Self-Quiz https://CheriGregory.com/hspquiz/ Learn about the "Write Beside You" Unlimited Coaching Program and “Clarity with Your Calling” Mastermind with Cheri https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/wby-unlimited-coaching-program/ http://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/clarity-in-your-calling-mastermind

Ep. #300: How to Break the Silence: Moving Past "I Don't Know What to Say"

When someone we love is grieving, most of us fear saying the wrong thing. So we stay quiet, hoping our silence is better than a misstep. But for the bereaved, silence can feel like abandonment. In this episode, guest co-host, Cheri Fletcher and I discuss why connection matters so much more than perfect words. You'll hear how simple acts like prayers, texts, and thoughtful questions can bring lasting comfort. And you'll discover the power of initiating conversation with empathy and intentionality. Links Referenced: Grit 'n' Grace Episode #279: Surviving the Holidays — Help for When Your Heart Feels Heavy with Cheri Fletcher https://cherigregory.com/episode279/ Order Cheri Fletcher's "Beyond 'I Don't Know What to Say' Grief Communication Cards" https://cherifletcher.com/product/grief-cards/ Sign-Up for Cheri Fletcher's "Comfort in the Silence — A 5-Day Reflection on Walking With Grief" https://cherifletcher.com/joincheri/ Learn more about The Write Beside You Unlimited Coaching Program https://sensitiveandstrongbook.com/wby-unlimited-coaching-program/