Can You Just Sit With Me? with Natasha Smith

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Dr. Mekel Harris, a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a TEDx speaker, magazine and podcast contributor, and author of a memoir, ‘Relaxing Into the Pain: My Journey Into Grief & Beyond.’ She brings a wealth of experience in mental health, trauma, and grief-informed leadership.  Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we d...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Tabitha Yates , a bestselling author, speaker, and mental health advocate who’s passionate about helping people heal. Her debut book Jesus and Therapy: Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Mental Health dives into the messy, beautiful space where faith meets emotional wellness. Known online as The Redeemed Mama, Tabitha shares her journey of surviving trauma, sp...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Nelly Larue , whose personal journey through childhood loss, the passing of her mother, and the deep grief of losing her heart dog, Toncy, shaped her passion for supporting others. She is certified in grief and pet loss support and, having traveled to over 70 countries studying how people grieve, Nelly now helps others navigate the intersections of grief, guil...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Clarissa Moll , an award-winning writer and podcaster who helps bereaved people flourish after loss. Clarissa’s writing appears in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, RELEVANT, Modern Loss, Grief Digest, and more.  She co-hosted Christianity Today’s “Surprised by Grief” podcast and produces Christianity Today's flagship news podcast, "The Bulletin." She...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Dr. Wai Jia Tam , an award-winning humanitarian doctor, keynote speaker, author, and comedian whose journey through chronic pain, trauma, and faith has inspired thousands to find God in their darkest seasons. A Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 honoree and Fulbright Scholar, she has served with the World Health Organization and UNICEF across Asia and Africa. Now based i...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Jillian Benfield , a former journalist and news anchor, a disability advocate, Speaker, and Author of The Gift of the Unexpected and her latest book Overwhelmed & Grateful . Jillian regularly advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in her writings and community, and as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress’s National Down Syndr...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Dr. Zoe Shaw , a licensed psychotherapist, author, and expert on complex shame, to discuss the many faces of grief, the impact of shame, and practical steps for healing. Dr. Zoe shares her personal story, insights from her new book "Stronger in the Difficult Places," and actionable advice for listeners navigating shame and loss. Come and sit with us and join t...

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Dr. Barbara Peacock , a Spiritual Director and author of the award-winning book Soul Care in African American Practice and several other books. She is the Founder of Barbara L. Peacock Ministries and the Peacock Soul Care Institute. In this conversation, Dr. Peacock helps us as Black women get back to spiritual disciplines to help us navigate grief and this gr...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Aubrey Sampson , author of several books on grief, lament, and hope including  The Louder Song ,  Known , her best-selling kids book Big Feelings Days and her newest book What We Find in the Dark. Aubrey is a church planter and teaching pastor at Renewal Church, a multiethnic congregation in the Chicagoland area, the co-host of the Nothing is Wasted Podcast, and...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Ekemini Uwan , a public theologian, international human rights activist, and co-author of the 2023 NAACP Image Award Nominated book Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation.  She co-hosts the award-winning podcast Truth's Table and Get In The Word With Truth’s Table . Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, The Washington Post,...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Liv Dooley , a Bible teacher and the podcast host of The Best Kept Secret with Liv Dooley, which has featured some of the leading teachers and burgeoning ministry leaders of our day. Liv is passionate about helping people enjoy greater intimacy and authority in Christ Jesus through prayer. She shares her heart about the church, grief and sisterhood. Come and sit...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Dawn Mann Sanders, an associate minister and has written and taught extensively on overcoming adversity and creating a new life, and she is the author of When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding. Come and sit with us and join the conversation, Sitting with Black Woman Grief, an exclusive podcast series on the Can You Just Sit With Me? Podcast....

In this episode, Natasha sits with Christina Patterson,  Founder of Beloved Women, author, speaker. and bible teacher. Christina walks alongside women everyday encouraging them in the Word of God and in this episode she shares Biblical Encouragement for Black Women navigating grief.    Come and sit with us and join the conversation, Sitting with Black Woman Grief, an exclusive podcast series on th...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Jodi Grubbs, Slow Living Advocate and author of Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale. In this conversation, we talk about the power of living slowly and what it means to come alongside Black Women.    Come and sit with us and join the conversation, Sitting with Black Woman Grief, an exclusive podcast series on the Can You Just Sit With Me? Podcast. Please l...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson,  a writer, speaker, leadership consultant, and mentoring coach. A former Marine Corps officer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Natasha has nearly 2 decades of experience in leadership and discipleship across military, government, church, and nonprofit spaces. She’s the founder of Leadership LINKS, Inc., author of Mentor for Life and...

In this episode, Natasha kicks off Season 7 with this ten-episode series with  Dr. Quantrilla Ard . The episode serves as a rallying cry for Black women to embrace their full emotional spectrum and to create a balanced life filled with rest, resilience, and joy. Dr. Ard's vulnerability and insights remind us all that the journey through grief and strength is personal, and there is power in sharing...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Sheila Wise Rowe, MEd, author of award winning "Healing Racial Trauma" and "Young Gifted and Black," to explore the complexities of identity formation, trauma, and the journey towards healing.   Come and sit with us and join the conversation, Sitting with Black Woman Grief, an exclusive podcast series on the Can You Just Sit With Me? Podcast. Please let us know w...

Every loss is worthy of the space and grace to grieve. Sitting With Black Woman Grief is an exclusive podcast series dedicated to giving space and voice to the specific loss and grief experienced by Black Women. Black woman grief is real and it is valid.  In this ten-episode series, host Natasha Smith, author of Black Woman Grief (and Can You Just Sit With Me) sits with guests and invite them to s...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Chelsea Ohlemiller . She is the author of the new book Now That She's Gone , a book about her own journey of grief at the loss of her mother. Known for her blog, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities, Chelsea's work can be found featured in the national bestseller “So God Made a Mother” and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, also published online by platforms s...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Corine E. Phillips , a wife and mom, originally from Cameroon, she now calls the US home. She is the author of When I Lost My Son to Him , where she shares her heartfelt story of losing her 2-year-old son Caleb, a story of loss and love that she hopes will bring comfort to parents who have experienced similar heartbreak.  Come and sit with us and join the convers...

In this episode, Natasha sits with George Ackerman, PhD , Sharon’s son, works in the fields of law, police, and education. George lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson’s Disease. He wanted to honor his mother and continue to help in the Parkinson’s awareness cause and did not know how to bring change. TogetherForSharon® was started as a family for the purpose of keepin...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Dawn Sanders , an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), where she serves as the director of the sermon-based life groups ministry. Dawn has written and taught extensively on overcoming adversity and creating a new life and she includes a roadmap of just how to do this in her new book When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebui...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Dawn Sanders , an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), where she serves as the director of the sermon-based life groups ministry. Dawn has written and taught extensively on overcoming adversity and creating a new life and she includes a roadmap of just how to do this in her new book When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebui...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Sara Schneider ,   a 3x NICU mom to three boys, two on earth and one in Heaven. She is the founder of Bowen Walker Foundation, a national nonprofit serving grieving and bereaved children after trauma and loss, and author of the new book One Mother of a Miracle . As always, you will find this conversation both helpful as well as hopeful, so come and sit with us an...

In this episode, Natasha sits with Kelsey Scism ,   a wife, mother, former language arts teacher, and author of her new book One Year With Jesus . Kelsey shares her personal story of loss and grief and how her new book will help young readers in their faith. Come and sit with us and join the conversation and let us know what resonates with you.  Main points: The power of presence Transforming trag...