Living the Grace Life

Ep. 52 Chasing Grace | Carol McLeod

Have you ever tucked something precious away for safekeeping—a piece of jewelry, a meaningful letter, or a memory too fragile to touch? In a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control, it’s tempting to do the same with our hearts. But what if grace isn’t meant to be stored away? What if chasing grace is your invitation to live wide open—to risk joy, to embrace today, and to let go of fear?
In this powerful season two opener of Living the Grace Life, bestselling author and speaker Carol McLeod invites us into a different way of living—one filled with purpose, honesty, and grace in motion. Drawing from her newest book, Today is a Verb, Carol shares how to walk through grief, face loss, and still chase joy.
💡 In this episode of Chasing Grace, we explore:
Carol’s journey through grief and five heartbreaking miscarriages
How choosing the right verbs shapes your daily life
What it means to embrace “Todaying” with intention and hope
Five healing insights about forgiveness—and three ways it transforms you
Practical ways to embody grace in your routines and relationships
✨ One of Carol’s guiding mantras is:"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion."And she lives that out with faith and fire.
Whether you're walking through sorrow or just trying to show up for your everyday life, this conversation is a gentle but bold call to stop saving grace—and start chasing it.
🎙️ Join us for an unforgettable start to Season Two—where we stop waiting for perfect moments and start living fully alive.
 
💬 Grace Quotes from Carol McLeod:
“Grace is like a boomerang. It always comes back to bless you too.”
“We can't be captivated by the offense or the offender. We have to be captivated by Jesus.”
“Be honest about where you are in your circumstances. Because if we need more grace, all we have to do is ask for it—and He will give it to us, lavishly and abundantly.”
Key Scripture:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." Colossians 3:23, ESV
Resources Mentioned:
🌿 Carol's Books, including Today is a Verb🌿 FREE: YouVersion Plans + free downloads🌿 The Significant Women podcast
Connect with Carol McLeod:
Website: carol@carolmcleodministries.comInstagram: @CarolMcLeodMinistriesFacebook: @CarolMcLeodMinistries
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 39 God's Steadfast Love in Daily LifeEp. 11 What Are You Wearing?Ep. 8 Live SLowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale | Jodi H. Grubbs
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
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Ep. 51 The Grace Thread in Everyday Life | Eric Nevins

It’s hard to believe, but Living the Grace Life is officially one year old! To celebrate, I invited my podcasting mentor, Eric Nevins—host of Halfway There and CEO of the Christian Podcasters Association—back to the mic. Eric was instrumental in helping me launch this show, and in this conversation, we look back on the journey, laugh at a few behind-the-scenes moments, and reflect on what uniquely shapes this podcast—the grace thread in everyday life.
Eric shares his observations, plenty of encouragement, and even a vulnerable story of when grace was hard to come by for him: the day his sons’ school went through a shooting. His honest reflection and way forward point us toward Season Two’s theme: When Grace Is Hard to Come By.
This milestone episode is equal parts fun, affirming, and grace-filled. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to live rooted in God’s love even in hard places, this conversation is for you.
💬 Grace Quotes from Eric Nevins:
“One of the reasons we don't rely on grace is because we don't trust God.”
“The moment you add deserve to love, you've got something completely different.”
“Sin is not the truest thing about you. You're made in God's image and you're loved by Him, and therefore you must be loved by me.”
 
Resources Mentioned:
🌿 Halfway There podcast🌿 Exodus 90 App
Connect with Eric Nevins:
Website: ericnevins.comWebsite: Christian Podcasters AssociationInstagram: @Eric NevinsFacebook: @Eric Nevins
Related Episodes:
Ep. 50 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Season One RecapEp. 49 What G.R.A.C.E. Taught Us: Season One Reflections on Real Faith and Healing
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
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Ep. 50: 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Season One Recap

What if the lessons of grace weren’t just meant for Sunday mornings, but for every single messy, ordinary day? In this special Season One reflection of Living the Grace Life, Jennifer Sakata shares 5 grace takeaways that still stick—truths that have carried us through grief, prayer, perfectionism, and healing.
You’ll hear how:✨ Grace honors the try—it’s not about perfection, but about showing up.✨ Your wounds aren’t too big for God—what feels too broken is never beyond His love.✨ Prayer doesn’t need polish—even the quietest cries reach His heart.✨ You don’t have to earn what’s already yours—grace is always a gift.✨ Your story is someone else’s permission—when you speak honestly, others find freedom.
Whether you’re new here or have journeyed through all 48 episodes, this recap will ground you in the heart of grace and invite you to live real grace in your own real-life story.
👉 Subscribe for more grace-filled encouragement and new conversations in Season Two!
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
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Ep. 49 What G.R.A.C.E. Taught Us: Season One Reflections on Real Faith and Healing

What has grace taught us this season? 💙Season One of Living the Grace Life has been a journey of healing, hope, and real faith. In this Season One recap, Jennifer Sakata reflects on the heartbeat of the podcast so far using the G.R.A.C.E. framework—a simple way to remember the core themes that shaped these first 48 episodes:
🔹 G — Grief and Healing | How grace meets us in pain, trauma, and loss🔹 R — Real Prayer, Real Life | Honest prayer in messy, silent, and sacred moments🔹 A — Acceptance over Achievement | Why grace is received, not earned🔹 C — Connection & Community | How relationships, mentoring, and support reveal grace🔹 E — Everyday Grace | Where God’s grace meets us in ordinary life
You’ll hear highlights and takeaways from past episodes—including stories of healing, breaking free from performance-driven faith, and the beauty of finding grace in unexpected places. 
✨ Whether you’re new to the podcast or have been listening since Episode 1, this recap will help you remember grace over performance, honesty over hiding, and hope that holds when life falls apart. Live out the grace that’s already yours.
👉 Subscribe for more grace-filled encouragement and new conversations in Season Two!
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
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Ep. 48 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 16

It's the final week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 16, first from the New Living Translation, then from The Message Paraphrase, and lastly, from the English Standard Version.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 16
Psalm 16 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 16 (The Message)
Psalm 16 (English Standard Version)
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 47 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 46Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 47 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 46

It's the fourth week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 46, first from the Revised Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English Version, and lastly, from The Message.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 46
Psalm 46 (Revised Standard Version)
Psalm 46 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 46 (The Message Paraphrase)
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27

It's the third week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 27, first from the English Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English Version, and lastly, from the New Living Translation.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 27
Psalm 27 (English Standard Version)
Psalm 27 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 27 (New Living Translation)
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91

It's the second week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 91, first from The Message Paraphrase, then from the English Standard Version, and lastly, from Psalms Now.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 91
Psalm 91 (Message Paraphrase)
Psalm 91 (English Standard Version)
Related Episodes:
Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131

It's the first week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 131, first from the English Standard Version, then from The Message Paraphrase, followed by the New Living Translation, and finally, from the Contemporary English Version.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 131
Psalm 131 (English Standard Version)
Psalm 131 (Message Paraphrase)
Psalm 131 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 131 (Contemporary English Version)
Related Episodes:
Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms

Welcome to a brand-new summer series on Living the Grace Life! In this kickoff episode, we explore how the Psalms invite us to bring our whole selves—messy emotions and all—into God’s presence. Whether you're feeling weary, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this series will help you discover how grace speaks into every season of the soul. Join me in embracing grace as we journey through selected Psalms and lean into God’s faithfulness, one summer week at a time.
Each week includes a Psalm, read in several translations—without commentary or added reflections. This practice creates space to approach Scripture open-handed, letting the Holy Spirit speak without the filter of someone else’s interpretation. A less familiar translation might surprise you, allowing the words to land differently and inviting you to encounter God in a fresh, deeply personal way.
My prayer is that through this series, God’s grace will inhabit your body, mind, and soul—becoming more tangible and real for your very real life.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time companion guide to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook