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.
Episodes
19 episodes
A Soft Place to Land: A 7-Minute Grief Meditation
In 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 wou...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
9:24
When Grief Shows Up for the Holidays
The 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 intenti...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
17:00
Is This Depression or Just Grief?
In 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 depre...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
23:52
Funeral Etiquette: Then vs. Now - A Concersation Between Mother and Daughter
In this special mother–daughter episode, host Shaleka Smith sits down with her 19-year-old daughter for an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about funeral etiquette across generations.From traditional black attire...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
57:26
I Thought I Was Over It
Have you ever thought you were finally past your grief—only for it to hit you out of nowhere years later? In this deeply personal episode, host Shaleka Smith explores the surprising ways grief can resurface during milestones, quiet momen...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
28:07
The Little Hearts: Childhood Grief
In this episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Shaleka Smith explores how children experience grief and how adults can guide them through it with compassion and honesty. Grief doesn’t just affect adults—children process loss...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
21:07
Trauma Bonding vs. Grief Community: What's the Difference?
Not every connection in grief is healthy.In this powerful episode, Shaleka Smith unpacks the difference between trauma bonding and building a grief community. Though both can begin with shared pain, only one leads to lasting heali...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
13:34
What NOT to Say When Someone Is Grieving
In this powerful and honest episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Shaleka Smith breaks down the well-meaning but often hurtful things people say to those who are grieving—and what you should say instead. From “Everything ha...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
30:14
Release Yourself from Guilt
In this episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, we dive into one of the most complex emotions that grief brings—guilt. Inspired by Milton Butler’s story from Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, we explore the overwhelming feeling of wishing ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
14:30
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. Inspire...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
33:27
Write Your Own Obituary
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, Shaleka Smith invites listeners to explore the idea of writing their own obituary—both literally and metaphorically. Inspired by the New York Times<...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
13:27
The Masks We Wear in Grief
In this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, we discuss the emotional masks we wear while grieving. So many of us say "I'm fine" when we're anything but. We feel the pressure to be strong, keep busy, and hold it all together—often at th...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
18:39
Grieving the Death of an Abuser – A Complex Journey
What happens when the person who caused you deep pain dies, and the world expects you to grieve them? In this powerful episode, host Shaleka Smith sits down with a sexual assault survivor and advocacy worker, Saunté Harden-Tate, to explo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
47:39
The Process of Rising
In this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, we reflect on the journey to Resurrection Sunday and the deep emotions that come with life's challenges. Just as Jesus experienced grief and anguish before His Resurrection, we, too, go throu...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
6:48
Losing a Friend
In this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, we dive into one of the most unexpected and painful experiences—losing a friend who is in your age range. Inspired by DeAnna Gibson's heartfelt story in Grief, I Didn't ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
13:50
Slow Down and Process
On this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This, we explore the importance of slowing down and allowing ourselves the time and space to process grief. In a world that often pressures us to "move on" quickly, we discuss why true healing requ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 4
•
28:45
Can Grief and Joy Coexist?
In this episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, we explore the delicate balance between sorrow and joy. Can you experience moments of happiness while still carrying deep grief? Is it possible to honor your loss while allowing yourself to e...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
16:40
Aging Through Grief
Turning 40 is a significant milestone filled with celebration, reflection, and maybe a bit of panic! In this episode of Grief, I Didn't Sign Up for This Podcast, I’m sharing my thoughts on reaching this new decade and the grief that comes with ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
15:22
What is grief? A Journey Beyond Loss
Grief 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 na...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 1
•
10:28