What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you imagined?

In this inspiring episode of the Grit and Grace Podcast, Dana sits down with pastor, Bible teacher, and author Mary Ann Noack for a powerful conversation about faith, motherhood, caregiving, grief, resilience, and finding hope in life's unexpected seasons.

After her young son was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Mary Ann's life changed forever. Through decades of caregiving, ministry, marriage, and trusting God through unimaginable challenges, she has discovered that even the hardest seasons can become places of deep purpose, unexpected joy, and lasting faith.

In this episode, you'll discover:

-How to trust God when life doesn't go as planned
-Parenting through uncertainty and chronic illness
-Living with grief while choosing hope and joy
-Strengthening your marriage during long-term caregiving
-Why authentic Christian community matters
-Finding your identity in Christ instead of your circumstances
-Encouragement for caregivers, parents, and anyone facing disappointment
-How God's grace meets us in life's most difficult moments

Whether you're navigating caregiving, chronic illness, parenting struggles, grief, or simply asking why life hasn't unfolded the way you hoped, this conversation will encourage you to keep trusting God and embrace the purpose He is writing in your story.

👍 If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share for more authentic conversations about Christian faith, leadership, motherhood, family, resilience, spiritual growth, and living with courage.

Follow Grit & Grace:
🌐 Website: [https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com](https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com)
📸 Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/](https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/)
🎵 TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises](https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises)
📘 Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises](https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises)

Learn more about Mary Ann's ministry and the work of River West Church:
🌐 Website: River West Church
📧 Email: maryann@riverwest.org
📘 Facebook: Mary Ann Noack on Facebook
📸 Instagram: @manoack on Instagram

#ChristianPodcast #Faith #Caregiving #Motherhood #Hope #Grace #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #Parenting #Grief #shorts #SpiritualGrowth #Leadership #Resilience #GritAndGracePodcast

What happens when you're successful, but something still feels off?

In this conversation, Dana sits down with pastor and leader Dani Daly to talk about integrity, burnout, leadership, motherhood, purpose, and learning to listen to the quiet voice inside that so many of us ignore.

From chemistry labs to church leadership, and from raising toddlers to navigating difficult conversations, Dani shares how slowing down, paying attention, and living with integrity can completely change the way we lead our lives.

If you've ever felt exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or wondered if there's more to life than simply getting through each day, this conversation will encourage you to pause, breathe, and listen.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe for more real conversations about business, life, faith, leadership, and everything in between.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
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📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

What happens when two people stop trying to fix each other and start doing the hard work of looking in the mirror?

In this honest conversation, Dana sits down with Kristin Carlson to discuss marriage, addiction, recovery, motherhood, faith, and what it really takes to rebuild a relationship that once felt like it was falling apart.

Kristin shares her journey through alcoholism, choosing sobriety, and discovering that lasting change didn't begin with changing her husband—it began with changing herself. Together, Dana and Kristin explore how therapy, recovery, faith, and personal responsibility can transform not only a marriage but an entire family legacy.

They discuss:
• Why healing starts with the person in the mirror
• The impact of addiction and recovery on marriage
• Breaking unhealthy patterns for the next generation
• The difference between surviving and truly thriving
• Finding friendship, joy, and purpose again in marriage

Whether you're navigating a difficult season in your relationship, walking through recovery, or simply pursuing personal growth, this conversation offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and hope.

Because sometimes the strongest relationships aren't the ones that never broke—they're the ones that chose to rebuild, one day at a time.

What starts with hilarious stories quickly becomes a meaningful conversation about growth, relationships, purpose, and living intentionally.

In this episode of Grit & Grace, we share unforgettable moments—from falling out of trucks and family camping mishaps to favorite books, bucket list dreams, and the experiences that have shaped our lives. Along the way, we explore how reading, dreaming big, letting go, and investing in relationships can change the way we live.

In this episode, you'll discover:
- Funny real-life stories and unexpected adventures
- Lessons learned through life's challenges
- Books that have made a lasting impact
- The importance of dreaming beyond your comfort zone
- Practical insights for healthier relationships
- Why intentional living leads to lasting growth

If you enjoy authentic conversations, personal growth, and stories that make you laugh while making you think, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more episodes of Grit & Grace featuring honest conversations about faith, leadership, relationships, and living with purpose.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #SelfImprovement #Podcast #Relationships #Motivation #IntentionalLiving #GritAndGrace

What happens when a child grows up surrounded by instability, trauma, addiction, and uncertainty, but someone finally says, “I see you. You matter. I’m here”?

In this powerful episode of Grit & Grace, host Dana Lyons sits down with Angie Newton, Executive Director of Salem Angels, to discuss childhood trauma, foster care, trauma informed care, addiction, resilience, healing, mentorship, motherhood, and the transformative power of consistent relationships.

Angie shares her deeply personal story of growing up in chaos, navigating difficult childhood experiences, loving a mother who struggled with addiction, and ultimately rebuilding their relationship before losing her to cancer. Through heartbreak, healing, and perseverance, Angie discovered that one safe, supportive relationship can change the course of a person's life.

Together, Dana and Angie explore how childhood adversity impacts development, why foster care support matters, how trauma affects families, and what it takes to break generational cycles. They also discuss the importance of mentoring youth, showing up consistently, and creating environments where children feel seen, valued, and safe.

Whether you are a parent, foster parent, mentor, educator, caregiver, or someone on your own healing journey, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and practical insight into overcoming adversity and building resilience.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How childhood trauma shapes emotional and relational development

• Why trauma informed care is essential for children and families

• The lasting impact of addiction on families and relationships

• How foster care support and mentorship can change lives

• The role resilience plays in healing from difficult experiences

• Why one caring, consistent adult can alter a child's future

• How compassion, connection, and community help people heal

If you are passionate about personal growth, mental health, healing from trauma, foster care advocacy, parenting, mentorship, or inspiring stories of resilience, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to Grit & Grace on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that healing is possible and that showing up for others truly matters.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

Connect with Angie Newton & Salem Angels

Salem Angels Website
https://www.salemangels.org/

Follow Salem Angels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salemangelsnonprofit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salem_angels/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Salem-Angels

Connect with Angie Newton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angie.newton.9

Book Link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH0E84

What happens when a man finally stops blaming everyone else and starts doing the hard work of facing himself?

In Episode 20 of the Grit & Grace Podcast, Dana sits down with author and speaker Paul Carlson for a powerful conversation about marriage, addiction, healing, identity, accountability, therapy, codependency, and the long journey of personal transformation.

Paul shares his deeply personal story of reaching a breaking point, watching his marriage struggle, and realizing that true change wouldn't happen until he took ownership of his own healing. Through honesty, hard work, counseling, and self-reflection, he began rebuilding his life from the inside out.

Together, Dana and Paul discuss:
• Marriage restoration and rebuilding trust
• Addiction recovery and emotional healing
• Codependency and unhealthy relationship patterns
• Personal accountability and growth
• Therapy, counseling, and self-awareness
• Communication in marriage and relationships
• Faith, grace, and second chances
• Finding hope during difficult seasons

This episode is especially meaningful for wives praying for restoration, couples working through challenges, individuals navigating recovery, and anyone seeking healthier relationships emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Paul Carlson's story is not about perfection, it's about progress.
It's a reminder that healing is possible, relationships can be rebuilt, and lasting change begins when we stop pointing fingers and start doing the work ourselves.

If you're struggling in your marriage, supporting someone through addiction recovery, working through codependency, or pursuing personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

🎙 Subscribe to the Grit & Grace Podcast for honest conversations about faith, relationships, emotional wellness, healing, and living with purpose.

Connect with Paul Carlson
Website:
https://www.carlsontx.com/
Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4400676890248075
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paulcarlsontx/
Featured Book:
Where Are My Feet? Searching for My Path Through Addiction, Recovery, and Life
Available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Are-My-Feet-Searching/dp/B0GH8Y2Q18

Be sure to connect with Paul online and check out his book to learn more about his journey and the lessons he's gained through recovery, accountability, and personal growth.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#PaulCarlson #MarriageRestoration #AddictionRecovery #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #RelationshipAdvice #CodependencyRecovery #MarriageHelp #Therapy #MentalHealth #FaithAndHealing #Accountability #ChristianMarriage #GritAndGracePodcast

Grit & Grace is packed with powerhouse women, hilarious stories, and the kind of real talk every woman needs to hear.
Host Dana Lyons sits down with Jackie Ellerbrock and Lori Haraldsen for a conversation that somehow includes community leadership, career pivots, penguins, honey badgers, accidental self-tasering, and a homeless woman chase scene straight out of a sitcom.
Jackie shares how she traded retail life at Office Depot and Babies R Us for purpose-driven leadership with Chamber Business Women (CBW), proving it’s never too late to build a legacy instead of just collecting paychecks. Lori opens up about her passion for supporting law enforcement through nonprofit foundations and why “Do It Anyway” has become her life motto.
Together, these women dive into:
✨ Midlife career reinvention
✨ Empowering women without the awkward spotlight
✨ Taking scary leaps toward fulfillment
✨ Community, leadership, and leaving a legacy
✨ Why women need friends who answer the phone immediately
✨ And exactly how many volts are too many volts
Between laugh-out-loud moments and deeply honest reflections, this episode is a reminder that purpose doesn’t expire with age — and neither does your ability to completely change your life.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for more meaning, or just need a good laugh from three women who keep it painfully real, this episode will leave you inspired, empowered, and maybe slightly afraid of tasers.

👉 Hit subscribe for more real conversations, encouragement, and a whole lot of laughter!

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#podcastforwomen #funny #womenempowerment #friends #story #shortsfeed #women

Episode 18 of the Grit & Grace Podcast is all about laughter, real talk, and those “asking for a friend…” moments we all have 😄
Join us as we sit down with special guests Lori Haraldsen and Jackie Ellerbrock for a completely unfiltered, joy-filled conversation that proves the best episodes are the ones you don’t overprepare for.
From the moment we hit record (maybe a little early 👀), this episode turns into a hilarious and honest girls’ chat, covering everything from awkward social phrases like “let’s circle back,” to hugging boundaries, forgotten birthdays, and the kind of random stories that only come out when you’re truly comfortable.
And yes… somehow we also end up talking about tarantulas, snakes, and the everyday chaos of life 🤣
✨ In Episode 18, we chat about:
“Asking for a friend” questions (the funny, the sarcastic, and the real)
The truth behind common phrases we all use
Friendship dynamics and laugh-out-loud moments
Hugging etiquette—are you a hugger or not?
Midlife moments, mishaps, and everything in between
Why the best conversations happen when you just show up as yourself
This episode feels like sitting down with your girlfriends—messy, funny, honest, and full of joy 💛

👉 Hit subscribe for more real conversations, encouragement, and a whole lot of laughter!

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#podcastforwomen #funny #womenempowerment #friends #story #shortsfeed #women