Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This
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.
Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This
Empty Seat - Teacher's Grief After Losing Students to Gun Violence
In this powerful episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Shaleka Smith sits down with Alea Allen, an educator who previously taught in Chicago and who has faced the unimaginable—losing multiple students to gun violence. Inspired by the heartfelt chapter Empty Seat by Alea Allen, this conversation sheds light on the grief teachers carry while continuing to show up for their students daily.
Shaleka and Alea discuss the emotional toll of seeing a student’s name on the roster after they’re gone, the pressure to be strong in the face of tragedy, and the lack of support for educators grieving these losses. With raw honesty, moments of humor, and faith-filled encouragement, this episode reminds us that even in grief, God is near.
