The Grit & Grace Podcast
Real Women. Real Conversations. Full Lives.
Because no one's just wearing one hat, and these women are here to talk about all of it.
Hosted by Dana Lyons, The Grit & Grace Podcast brings you real, unfiltered conversations with women who are leading, building, navigating change, and living busy, multi-faceted lives. These aren't just interviews. They're honest, life-giving conversations about what it means to show up with faith, courage, and purpose, through every season and assignment.
From building businesses without losing yourself, to balancing marriage, motherhood, and ambition, to walking through menopause and midlife shifts with boldness and grace, this podcast is for women who are done living small.
What you'll hear:
–Bold steps outside comfort zones
–Stories of reinvention, risk, and renewal
–Career pivots, personal growth, and purpose-driven leadership
–Faith-forward wisdom for navigating business and life
–The messy, meaningful behind-the-scenes that don't make it to Instagram–but
matter the most.
If you're looking for insight, encouragement, and the kind of truth that doesn't need a filter, you're in the right place.
Hit play. We're just getting started.
Episodes
19 episodes
Asking for a Friend… Real Talk, Big Laughs and Zero Filter | Grit & Grace | #18
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, ...
The Silent Trauma: When You Don’t Realize It Was Sexual Assault | Valerie Geer | Grit & Grace #17
This is a conversation many women have lived, but few have ever said out loud.In Episode 17 of the Grit & Grace Podcast, we talk openly about sexual assault, the confusion around it, and why so many women don’t recognize their exper...
Rebuilding Trust: Law Enforcement & Community Connection | Lori Haraldsen | Grit & Grace #16
What if rebuilding trust in your community starts with one simple conversation?In this episode of the Grit & Grace Podcast, Dana sits down with Lori Haraldsen, founder of Valor Connect, for a powerful and honest discussion about law enf...
Stop Chasing Grants: Build a Sustainable Nonprofit Instead | Joy Dickinson | Grit & Grace #15
What if strong communities aren’t built by one system alone—but through nonprofits, leadership, and people working together?In Episode 115 of the Grit & Grace Podcast, we sit down with Joy Dickinson, nonprofit consultant and Owner of Di...
Networking Tips for Introverts + Leadership Presence | Samantha Irwin | Grit & Grace #14
In this episode of Grit and Grace, host Dana Lyons sits down with hospitality expert and former boutique hotel owner Samantha Irwin to explore networking, leadership, and the power of authentic human connection.Samantha shares h...
Heart Health for Women: Fiber, Cholesterol, Gut Health & Metabolism | Ali Virtue | Grit & Grace #13
Welcome to Episode 13 of the Grit & Grace Podcast, hosted by Dana Lyons, featuring nutrition professional Ali Virtue from Parkside Nutrition.In this episode of the Grit & Grace women’s health podcast, ...
Honesty Wins: Brooke Herbert on Building Real Relationships in Business | Grit & Grace | #12
Customer service isn’t about being “nice.” It’s about building trust.In this episode of the Great Grace Podcast, I sit down with Brooke Hubert to talk about what really creates loyalty in business: relationship, honesty, and g...
Severe Mental Illness & Family Support | NAMI Help With Valerie Geer | Grit & Grace | #11
Mental health touches every family.In this episode, Valerie Geer shares an honest conversation about severe and persistent mental illness, caregiver burnout, stigma, crisis response, and what real community mental health support looks li...
Serve Smart: Knowing Your Craft, Trusting Your Gut, and Leading with Love With Amy Donaldson | Grit & Grace | #10
How do you build a profitable business while leading with heart?In this episode of the Grit & Grace Podcast, Dana interviews Amy Donaldson — author, business coach, speaker, and real estate leader — about servant leader...
Healing Beyond Survival: Cancer, Mindset, and the Truth About Joy | Dr. Cindy Howard | Grit & Grace | #9
A cancer survivor physician on illness, women finding their voice, and why real healing isn’t toxic positivityWhat happens when life breaks you open—and you choose not to look away?In this powerful episode of the Grit & Gra...
Ali Virtue on the Healthy Reset Women Actually Need | Midlife Health & Hormones | Grit & Grace #8
Functional nutritionist Ali Virtue joins the Great Grace Podcast to unpack what a healthy reset for women really looks like—without diets or shame. This episode covers hunger cues, hormones, midlife metabolism, sleep, emotional ...
Community Isn’t Automatic: How to Build Real Connection | Lori Haraldsen #7 | Grit & Grace
Community doesn’t just happen—and meaningful connection takes intention.If you’ve ever felt disconnected, disappointed by relationships, or unsure how to truly belong again, this episode is for you.In this episode of The Gr...
Anxiety, Burnout & Trauma Explained: Your Nervous System Isn’t Broken | with Sarah Haugland-Hagge | Grit & Grace #6
Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck in survival mode—even when your life looks “fine” on the outside?In this episode of The Grit & Grace Podcast, host Dana Lyons talks with nurse practitioner Sarah ...
How to Lead Without Losing Yourself | Emotional Intelligence, Faith & Purpose with Lucy Escobar | Grit & Grace #5
What does it really look like to lead without losing yourself?In this episode of The Grit & Grace Podcast, Dana talks with executive coach Lucy Escobar about emotionally intelligent leadership, faith, family, and buildin...
Holiday Health Without the Guilt | Ali Virtue | Grit & Grace #4
Can you actually enjoy the holidays without feeling sluggish, bloated, or guilty afterward? In this festive Christmas episode of Grit & Grace, we welcome back Allie Virtue of Parkside Nutrition to break down how to stay healthy, energized, ...
You Have All the Time in the World: Lessons in Presence and Purpose | Amy Donaldson | Grit & Grace #3
Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? In this episode, Dana sits down with coach, author, and speaker Amy Donaldson for a powerful and honest conversation about time—how we use it, how we lose it, and how to reclaim it.T...
Meet the Woman Connecting an Entire Community: Jackie Ellerbrock | Grit & Grace #2
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Grit and Grace Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Jackie Ellerbrock, the Director of Operations at the Salem Chamber of Commerce in Salem, Oregon. Jackie is a connector, a storytel...
Redefining Health with Functional Nutritionist Ali Virtue | Grit & Grace #1
In our first episode, we sit down with functional nutritionist and business owner Ali Virtue for a real, refreshingly honest conversation about food, health, and what it truly means to feel good in your body. Ali breaks down her approach...
Welcome to the Grit & Grace Podcast Real Stories. Real Women. Real Lives.
Hi there! I’m Dana, and I believe every woman has a powerful story to share. As your host for the Grit & Grace Podcast, I’m a wife, mom, grandmother, author, and speaker who knows firsthand what it means to lead, serve, grow, and sometimes ...