Episoder

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Jodi Grubbs, a slow living advocate, author, and podcast host. They discuss Jodi's latest book, Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale, which encourages readers to integrate slow living practices into their busy lives. Jodi shares personal stories of loss and the importance of taking time to reflect, be present, and accept life’s uncontrollable moments.

    Tune in and join the conversation. Let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:

    The need to slow downThe S.L.O.W. acronymWhen slow is chosen for usWays to shift to a slower pace
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of Live Slowly

    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Jodi Grubbs (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Liv Dooley, Bible Teacher, Podcast Host of The Best Kept Secret Podcast with Liv Dooley and author of the new books Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 Samuel and Expectant: 31 Prayers to Help You Prepare for Your Baby Girl. We chat about unanswered prayer, unmet expectation, and navigating disappointments with God. Liv brings such a fresh perspective from her lived experiences and biblical wisdom.

    Tune in and join the conversation. Let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:
    Navigating DisappointmentsWorship as an anchor for life's stormsEmbracing worship and communityTrusting God in times of disappointment
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 SamuelGet your copy of Expectant: 31 Prayers to Help You Prepare for Your Baby Girl
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Liv Dooley (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

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  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Emily Lawson, a Communications Director and author of the new book Cracks In My Cup: Reflections on Motherhood and Loss. We chat about the loss of a parent, fostercare and adoption and associated grief in motherhood. This is such a needed conversation.

    Listen in and join the conversation. Let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:
    Writing as a Path to HealingThe Duality of Motherhood and LossNavigating Complex EmotionsGod's Presence in Our Grief
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of Cracks In My Cup
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Emily Lawson (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Leanne Friesen, an ordained minister and author of the new book Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things after Death and Loss. We chat about the concept of giving oneself and others the space to mourn, and discuss personal stories of loss and healing. I love her perspective and this conversation around sibling loss as well.

    Listen in and join the conversation. Let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:

    Navigating Sibling LossFinding Grieving RoomThe Challenges Within Church SettingsWords of Hope for Grievers
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of Grieving Room
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Leanne Friesen (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Aubrey Sampson, an author of several books including The Louder Song, Known, and her latest best selling kids book Big Feelings Days. This is probably going to be the most joyous episode you will hear about grief. I loved it so much and so will you. So listen in and join the conversation.


    Main points:

    Children and Grief: A World OverlookedLearning the Language of LamentPractical Tools for Navigating Big FeelingsHope on the Horizon

    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of The Louder Song, Known, and Big Feelings Days by Aubrey Sampson. Join The Louder Song community on Substack here.
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Aubrey Sampson (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Dr. Quantrilla Ard, a passionate behavioral scientist, a lived experiences expert, and loss and grief coach. She holds a doctoral degree in Health Psychology and is an advocate and champion for social and reproductive justice with a focus on Black maternal and infant health and mortality. This episode is so rich and hits deep. Listen in and join the conversation.


    Main points:
    You Are Not Alone: The Power of CommunityEmbracing Hope: Knowing Grief Has an Expiration DateFinding Strength in Vulnerability: Sharing Stories of Loss and ResilienceRecognizing and Acknowledging the Possibility of Joy Amid Grief
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Join the It's All Grief To Me Community here.
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Dr. Quantrilla Ard (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Claire Bidwell Smith, a licensed therapist and author of her 5th book Conscious Grieving: A Transformative Approach to Healing from Loss. Claire is a well of knowledge, sharing from her lived experience and years working in hospice and private practice. Listen in and join the conversation.


    Main points:
    Conscious grieving as a new framework for the stages of grief.The value of companionship and supportive relationships.Grief as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery.Acknowledging the beauty and interconnectedness present in grief.

    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get Conscious Grieving by Claire Bidwell Smith
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Claire Bidwell Smith (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this epiosde, Natasha sits with Whitney K. Pipkin, a journalist and author of her new book We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us. Whitney writes from a place of lived grief after facing the death of her mom to cancer. You will fnid this conversation engaging, informing, as well as comforting. Listen in and join the conversation.


    Main points:


    Embracing Grief as a Path to HealingThe Theology of DeathFinding Strength in VulnerabilityLiving in Light of the End

    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get We Shall All Me Changed by Whitney K. Piplin
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Whitney K. Pipkin (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • Natasha sits with Sarah Bell, Grief Educator and creator of Life, Loss and Hope. Sarah brings a wealth of wisdom and knowledge from her years of service as a Hospice Chaplain and lived grief experience. Come and sit with us and join the conversation.


    Main points:



    Honoring our individual paths of healingFacing the storm head-onFinding hope in the person of Jesus ChristHealing through shared stories

    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Subscribe to Life, Loss, and Hope on YouTube
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest(s)
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Sarah Bell (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • Natasha sits with Chuck & Ashley Elliott, authors of I Used To Be___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward. Chuck and Ashley uniquely combines their professional backgrounds in pastoral care and licensed counseling, respectively, to guide others through grief. Their insights offer not only practical advice but also a compassionate understanding of grief's impact on intimate relationships and personal growth.


    Main points:
    Navigating Identity and LossDiscussion of The Three A's of ChangeNavigating Intimate RelationshipsProviding a message of Hope and Legacy
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get Chuck & Ashley Elliott's book I Used To Be___
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest(s)
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Chuck and Ashley Elliott (Guests)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • Natasha sits with Rachel Marie Kang, author of her latest work The Matter of Little Losses. Rachel guides us into focusing attention to life's small details and losses. She highlights the therapeutic role of personal storytelling, art in mirroring grief, and practical spiritual coping mechanisms. The conversation explores acknowledging all kinds of losses and why it all matters.

    Main points:
    The importance of vulnerability and connection.The role of storytelling, both personal and artistic.Practical spiritual practices as tangible ways to cope with loss.Small (and big) things shape our lives.
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get Rachel Marie Kang's book The Matter of Little Losses
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest(s)
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Rachel Marie Kang (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • Natasha kicks off Season 5 in conversation with Theo Boyd, author of Your Grief Is Not Like Mine. Her story has been described as one where "you just can't make this stuff up". You don't want to miss this one!

    Main points:
    We are not alone in the depth of our grief.Learn about the therapeutic effects of writing out grief.Presence is powerful for those who are grieving.Hope is possible amid grief.
    Helpful Links:
    Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha hereGet your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get Theo Boyd's book Your Grief Is Not Like Mine
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest(s)
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Theo Boyd (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner

  • In this episode, I sit with Beth Allen Slevcove, Author of Broken Hallelujahs: Learning to Grieve the Big and Small Losses of Life.

    Beth says, “We have this pressure to not give our grief the amount of time, attention, and space and help...that leads to moving through/metabolizing [grief]. That [the grief] will turn into something useful and helpful. More compassionate, more understanding. Give us a deeper ability to love and see the beauty in life. This is what can naturally happen if we give it space and help that it needs.”

    Episode resources (affiliate):
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith
    Broken Hallelujahs: Learning to Grieve the Big and Small Losses of Life by Beth Allen Slevcove

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • In this episode, I sit with Mel Lawrenz, Author of A Chronicle of Grief: Finding Life After Traumatic Loss


    Mel says, “Survival means to live through…Surviving is a positive thing. It’s God-honoring to say life goes on and I’m gonna go on. If someone thinks, well you can certainly do better than surviving…Well yeah, eventually. You can thrive. There comes a day when you can have a smile on your face when you remember your loved one, when you can get back to some things that have been more normal in life. But if where you’re at right now, is just making through, just surviving, there’s nothing shameful about that. That is God-honoring."

    Mel Lawrenz trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He has a Ph.D. in the history of Christian thought (Marquette University) and has been on the adjunct faculty of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Trinity International University. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s minister at large, teaching in North America, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He has authored 18 books with Zondervan, Baker, Jossey-Bass, Leadership Network, Regal, and others.

    Episode resources (affiliate):
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith
    A Chronicle of Grief: Finding Life After Traumatic Loss by Mel Lawrenz

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • In this episode, I sit with my new friend Rachel Lohman, Author of Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss.

    Rachel says, “One thing we lose sight of so often is we know what comes after Good Friday, we know what comes after Saturday and we love to skip past that…thank goodness for the hope we find in resurrection Sunday. But when I stepped back and looked at all of these emotions that they [the disciples] walked through in a fairly short period of time. I thought, this is so similar to the emotional experience of a Loss Mom.”

    Rachel Lohman holds a Master's Degree in Theology and Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a mom, pastor, speaker, and founder of Hope Again Collective, a handmade jewelry line that shares the stories of loss moms. She and her husband Mark currently lead a bilingual church in Southern California. For speaking inquiries or to connect with Rachel, visit rachellohman.com.

    Episode resources (affiliate):
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith
    Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • Terra McDaniel talks about lament as an antidote to despair and hopelessness. She says, “Lament doesn’t mean getting stuck in grief…[instead] it is the freedom to express all kinds of pain related to all kinds of losses and to invite the presence of God into them.”

    In this episode, I sit with Terra McDaniel, Author of Hopeful Lament: Tending Our Grief Through Spiritual Practices to chat about Sitting with Hopeful Lament in Grief.

    Terra is a spiritual director and teacher who loves making space for people of all ages to tune into the holy and their own souls. She believes that being created in God’s image is the truest thing about each of us. She received an MDiv with a concentration in spiritual formation from Portland Seminary. Terra lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two rescue dogs. She’s very thankful her daughter, son-in-law, and twin grandchildren live close by.

    Episode resources (affiliate):
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith
    Hopeful Lament: Tending Our Grief Through Spiritual Practices by Terra McDaniel

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • “Yes, I fully believe God is good and is with us at every step, but also, that doesn’t guarantee outcomes…so yeah. That is not an easy tidbit to accept”, writes Katie Schnack.

    In this episode, I sit with Katie Schnack, Author of Everything Is (NOT) Fine to chat about Sitting with Hard Feelings When Everything is Not Fine.

    Katie Schnack is a writer who has been featured in outlets like Romper, HelloGiggles, ScaryMommy, XOJane, TODAY Parents - NBC, Relevant Magazine and more. Her next book -- which has nothing to do with waitressing, Palm Beach, or socialites, but should also give you a few laughs. For more information please visit katieschnack.com or connect with her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/katieschnack/ and Facebook at www.facebook.com/katieschnackwriter.

    Episode resources (affiliate):
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith


    Everything is (Not) Fine: Finding Strength When Life Gets Annoyingly Difficult by Katie Schnack

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    **
    Podcast co-producer: Emma Fillinger

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • “I think the question I really wanted answered at the beginning was the why questions…then prayer partners, friends, and ministers helped me to see that the more important questions are the who and the how…who is God to me and who am I going to become as a result of this thing that I’m going through”, says Liuan Huska.

    Liuan Huska is a freelance writer and speaker focusing on topics of embodiment and spirituality. Her writing, on everything from chronic pain to evangelical fertility trends, appears in Christianity Today, The Christian Century, In Touch Magazine, Hyphen, Sojourners, and Church Health Reader. She lives with her husband and their three little boys in the Chicago area.

    Episode resources:
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith

    Hurting Yet Whole: Reconciling Body and Spirit in Chronic Pain and Illness by Liuan Huska

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com
    Also, be sure to share, rate and review the podcast on apple podcast or wherever you stream.
    Thanks so much for sitting with me.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • “Grief is not a strength-building exercise.” Clarissa writes.

    Clarissa Moll is an author, a podcaster, and the young widow of author Rob Moll. Clarissa’s writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, RELEVANT, Modern Loss, Grief Digest, and more. Her husband’s first book, The Art of Dying, was released in April 2021 with Clarissa’s new afterword. Clarissa is the author of Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss.

    Episode resources:
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith

    Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss by Clarissa Moll

    The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come by Rob Moll

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.

  • When we are suffering it helps to know we are not the only one.

    Wendy Alsup is an author who encourages women to engage theology for themselves. She is the author of several books including Practical Theology for Women, The Gospel-Centered Woman, and By His Wounds You Are Healed. She also teaches math at a local community college and is editor at theologyforwomen.org. She lives in Saint Matthews, South Carolina, with her two sons.

    Episode resources:
    Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life by Natasha Smith

    Companions in Suffering: Comfort for Times of Loss and Loneliness by Wendy Alsup

    Find more resources for navigating loss and grief at Natasha’s website: imnatashasmith.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/can-you-just-sit-with-me-with-natasha-smith--4123861/support.