Podcast
Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This
Hosted by Shaleka · EN
Grief is tough—but so are we. "Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This," is a space for real, raw, and sometimes even humorous conversations about navigating loss, healing, and faith. Hosted by Shaleka Smith, this podcast explores the many faces of grief—not just losing loved ones but also the loss of relationships, identity, dreams, and expectations.
We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll keep it real as we unpack the messy emotions that come with grief. Through personal stories, faith-based encouragement, and maybe even a few awkward moments (because grief can be weird), "Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This" reminds you that you're not alone. With scripture, expert insights, and a little lightheartedness, we’ll walk this journey together—one step, one story, and one deep breath at a time.
Subscribe now for honest conversations, hope-filled encouragement, and the occasional grief-related chuckle. Because even in the hardest moments, joy still finds a way in.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Christmas Meditation for the Heavy-Hearted
Dec 2500:09:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailChristmas can be beautiful—and heavy.For many, this season carries joy and grief side by side.This Christmas meditation is a quiet, sacred pause for anyone navigating loss, loneliness, or complicated emotions during the holidays. Whether you’re missing someone you love, feeling disconnected from the cheer around you, or simply needing a moment to breathe, this meditation offers space without pressure.Through gentle breathing, reflection on the true story of Christmas, and permission to feel what you feel, this meditation reminds you that you don’t have to perform joy to belong in this season. Grief is not a failure—and peace can exist alongside pain.Light a candle, find a comfortable place, and allow yourself to be present.You are held, even here.Support the show
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What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?
Dec 2400:14:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailChristmas is supposed to be joyful—but what happens when the lights feel too bright, the rooms feel too quiet, and the ache of absence is louder than the music? In this episode, What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?, we sit with the reality many people don’t talk about: the loneliness that often shows up during the holidays. Whether you’re grieving a loved one, navigating separation, feeling disconnected from family, or simply trying to survive a season that doesn’t feel merry, this conversation creates space for you. Through reflection, encouragement, and gentle truth, we explore how to honor your feelings, release the pressure to perform happiness, and find moments of comfort and meaning—even when loneliness lingers. You’re not broken, you’re not ungrateful, and you’re definitely not aloneSupport the show
Transcribe →Ending the Year Strong
Dec 1600:26:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAs the year comes to a close, the pressure to “finish strong” can feel overwhelming—especially if this year included loss, grief, or unexpected challenges. In this episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, Shaleka Smith reframes what it truly means to end the year strong.This conversation invites you to slow down, reflect honestly, and release what no longer serves you. Together, we explore how strength doesn’t always look like productivity or achievement, but often shows up as resilience, self-compassion, and alignment with God’s grace. Through reflection, scripture, and gentle encouragement, this episode creates space to honor your journey, acknowledge your growth, and step into the new year without carrying unnecessary weight.Whether you’re grieving, healing, or simply exhausted from the year, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to rush into what’s next—God meets you right where you are.Take a deep breath, press play, and let this be your permission to close the year with peace.Support the show
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A Soft Place to Land: A 7-Minute Grief Meditation
Dec 200:09:24Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this special bonus episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, Shaleka offers a gentle, grounding, 7-minute guided meditation created for anyone carrying the quiet weight of grief. Whether you’re navigating a fresh loss, an old wound that still aches, or the heaviness that shows up during the holidays and hard seasons, this meditation invites you into stillness, breath, and emotional safety.Through calming imagery, compassionate reflection, and faith-centered grounding, this short practice helps listeners:slow down their thoughtsrelease pent-up tensionsit honestly with their emotionsfeel God’s nearness in the midst of painreconnect with their breath and their bodyexperience a few moments of peace right where they areThis episode is your soft place to land — a moment to pause, exhale, and care for your heart. Perfect for mornings when you wake up heavy, nights when grief won’t let you rest, or anytime you need a sacred breather in the middle of a difficult day.Press play, breathe deeply, and let this meditation meet you with gentleness.Support the show
Transcribe →When Grief Shows Up for the Holidays
Nov 2500:17:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe holidays can intensify grief in ways we don’t always expect. In this episode, “When Grief Shows Up for the Holidays,” host Shaleka Smith explores why sorrow feels heavier this season and how cultural traditions, faith practices, and intentional rituals can offer comfort and connection.We discuss the emotional complexity of holiday grief, the triggers that surface, and practical ways to honor loved ones while caring for ourselves. Whether you’re navigating memories, loneliness, or the pressure to “be merry,” this episode offers compassion and gentle guidance for the journey.Perfect for anyone grieving a loved one during the holidays — or supporting someone who is.Support the show
Transcribe →Is This Depression or Just Grief?
Nov 1100:23:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Shaleka Smith takes an honest, compassionate look at one of the most common—and confusing—questions after loss: Is this depression, or just grief?Grief and depression often look and feel alike. Both can bring tears, exhaustion, and a deep sense of emptiness. But while grief is a natural response to loss, depression can linger, intensify, and quietly pull us into isolation and hopelessness.Shaleka breaks down the emotional, physical, and spiritual differences between the two, shares insight on where they overlap, and offers practical tools for recognizing when grief may have crossed into depression. Listeners will also learn:How to tell if your sadness is part of healthy mourning or something deeperWhat symptoms signal the need for professional helpWhy moments of joy in grief are not signs of “getting over it” but signs of healingFaith-based and therapeutic ways to nurture your mental and emotional healthWhether you’re navigating your own pain or walking alongside someone who is, this episode will help you find language, compassion, and clarity for the journey.Support the show
Transcribe →What is grief? A Journey Beyong Loss
Feb 15, 202500:10:28Tap to summarizeGrief is a universal experience, yet it is often misunderstood. In this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, we embark on a heartfelt journey to explore the many facets of grief—its complexities, unexpected forms, and the ways we can navigate it with faith, compassion, and resilience. Hosted by Shaleka Smith, this podcast provides a safe space for reflection, healing, and encouragement for anyone who has faced loss in any form.
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