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 discuss how to show up for yourself and others amid grief. Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• The Role of Grief Literacy
• Faith as a Companion in Grief
• The Importance of Vulnerability and Authenticity
• Supporting Those in Grief

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Relaxing Into the Pain
• Get your ticket to Grief Grows Here Summit 2026 

Connect on Socials:
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Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Dr. Mekel Harris (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
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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, spiritual abuse, and mental health challenges to remind others they’re not alone, and that healing is possible. I’m so excited for you to hear from Tabitha. Come and sit with us and join the conversation.

Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we discuss the intersection of faith, grief, and mental health. Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Navigating the Intersection of Faith and Therapy
• Breaking Down Stigmas Within Church Communities
• The Power of Sharing Stories
• A Call for Integration

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Jesus and Therapy

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Tabitha Yates (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
Become a monthly Partner

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, guilt, relationships, and spirituality. 

Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we discuss how to navigate pet loss. Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Nelly’s grief story & the depth of pet loss
• Pet loss as real grief, not secondary grief
• The need for presence and companioning in grief
• Honoring pets through naming, stories & shared memories

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Connect with Nelly on grieftails.com and https://petcloud.pet/about/nelly.php 

Connect on Socials:

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Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Nelly Larue (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
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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 is the author of four books, plus her latest work, a children’s book, Hope Comes to Stay. 

Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we discuss the grief children carry and how to come alongside them in their grief. Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• How kids understand and process grief at different ages
• Why grief revisits throughout childhood and adolescence
• What adults can do to nurture resilience in grieving children
• Practical ways to support kids while honoring both joy and sorrow

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Hope Comes to Stay

Connect on Socials:

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Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Clariissa Moll (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
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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 in Tanzania with her husband and two daughters, she speaks around the world on courage, obedience, and the joy of God’s healing, even when it looks like loss. 

Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we discuss how to navigate grief that comes along with identity loss and more. Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Integration of Grief
• Identity and Loss
• Faith and New Beginnings

• Hope and Unshackling

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Dream Brave

Connect on Socials:

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Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Dr. Wai Jia Tam (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
Become a monthly Partner

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 Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. 

Come and sit with us. Join the conversation as we discuss how to navigate grief and gratitude.
Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• The "Both/And" Approach to Grief and Gratitude
• Isolation and Identity Shift Through Loss
• The Role of Faith and Grace in Navigating Chaos
• Hope Through Solidarity and Resurrection

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Overwhelmed & Grateful

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Jillian Benfield (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
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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 the conversation.
Please let us know what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Grief and shame show up in many forms, not just tears.
• Complex shame is deeply rooted and hard to heal without self-awareness.
• Healing starts with vulnerability, self-forgiveness, and setting boundaries.
• Restoring your relationship with yourself leads to true freedom and connection.

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me and Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Stronger in the Difficult Places

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Dr. Zoe Shaw (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
Become a monthly Partner

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 grief filled life in which we live.

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 what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Understanding Black Woman Grief
• The Power of Spiritual Disciplines
• Prayer and Its Vital Role
• Creating Space for Soul Care

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Soul Care in African American Practice

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Dr. Barbara Peacock (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
Become a monthly Partner

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 leads The Louder Song Community, an online gathering for grievers and those walking with the hurting. I am so very honored to know her.

In this conversation, Aubrey shares what it means to be an ally, how the church can better support and come alongside Black Women and how to encourage our hearts when we experience grief from her latest work What We Find In the Dark. 

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 what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Understanding Grief and Allyship
• The Role of the Church in Addressing Grief
• Naming Grief as a Path to Healing
• A Companion in Darkness

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of What We Find in the Dark

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

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

Support the Podcast:
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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, The Huffington Post Black Voices, and Hallmark Mahogany, and more. As one who is passionate about theology, Ekemini has a fierce commitment to the gospel and its implications for issues pertaining to reparations, racial injustice, anti-black racism, and white supremacy.

In this conversation, Ekemini shares the grief that many Black women experienced during the last presidential election—and continue to carry in its aftermath. It’s a collective grief, often held in silence, yet deeply felt. A grief that deserves space, care, and 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 what resonates with you. 

Main points:

• Understanding Black Woman Grief
• Embracing Activism and Advocacy
• Intersectionality in Grief and Healing
• Practical Ways to Support Black Women

Helpful Links:

• Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
• Get your copy of Black Woman Grief
• Get your copy of Truth's Table

Connect on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Host & Guest: 
Natasha Smith (Host)
Ekemini Uwan (Guest)

Support the Podcast:
Become a monthly Partner