Episodes

  • George Ackerman on Sitting with Mother Loss and Parkinson's Disease

    George Ackerman on Sitting with Mother Loss and Parkinson's Disease
    Nov 12 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with George Ackerman, PhD, Sharon’s son, works in the fields of law, police, and education. George lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson’s Disease.


    He wanted to honor his mother and continue to help in the Parkinson’s awareness cause and did not know how to bring change. TogetherForSharon® was started as a family for the purpose of keeping his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman’s, memory alive and to share the message of Parkinson’s Awareness and hope for a cure.

    Come and sit with us and join this important conversation.
    Please let us know what resonates with you.

    Main points:

    • George's Personal Story and advocacy work
    • Importance of unity in the fight against Parkinson's disease
    • Importance of raising awareness
    • The broader impact of Parkinson's


    Helpful Links:
    • Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
    • Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me?
    • Connect with Together For Sharon organization
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    George Ackerman (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
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    30 mins
  • Dawn Sanders on Sitting with Rebuilding When Your World Ends (Part 2)

    Dawn Sanders on Sitting with Rebuilding When Your World Ends (Part 2)
    Nov 7 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with Dawn Sanders, an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), where she serves as the director of the sermon-based life groups ministry. Dawn has written and taught extensively on overcoming adversity and creating a new life and she includes a roadmap of just how to do this in her new book When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life.

    So come and sit with us and join the conversation. This is part 2 of 2 of our conversation. Be sure to listen to part 1 to get the full conversation. Please let us know what resonates with you.

    Main points:

    • Embracing the creative process of rebuilding
    • Importance of witnessing grief
    • Importance of support
    • God's presence during difficult times
    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 When Your World Ends
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Dawn Sanders (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Dawn Sanders on Sitting with Rebuilding When Your World Ends (Part 1)

    Dawn Sanders on Sitting with Rebuilding When Your World Ends (Part 1)
    Nov 6 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with Dawn Sanders, an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), where she serves as the director of the sermon-based life groups ministry. Dawn has written and taught extensively on overcoming adversity and creating a new life and she includes a roadmap of just how to do this in her new book When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life.

    So come and sit with us and join the conversation. This is part 1 of our conversation. Be sure to listen to part 2 to get the full conversation. Please let us know what resonates with you.

    Main points:

    • Embracing the creative process of rebuilding
    • Importance of witnessing grief
    • Importance of support
    • God's presence during difficult times
    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 When Your World Ends
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Dawn Sanders (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Sara Schneider on Sitting with Meaning Making Amid Devastating Loss

    Sara Schneider on Sitting with Meaning Making Amid Devastating Loss
    Oct 30 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with Sara Schneider, a 3x NICU mom to three boys, two on earth and one in Heaven. She is the founder of Bowen Walker Foundation, a national nonprofit serving grieving and bereaved children after trauma and loss, and author of the new book One Mother of a Miracle.

    As always, you will find this conversation both helpful as well as hopeful, so come and sit with us and join the conversation. Please let us know what resonates with you.

    Main points:

    • Challenges of Sustained Support in Grief
    • Parenting While Grieving
    • The Importance of Honest Communication
    • Faith as a Foundation of Strength
    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 One Mother of a Miracle
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Sara Schneider (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Kelsey Scism on Sitting with Grief and One Year with Jesus

    Kelsey Scism on Sitting with Grief and One Year with Jesus
    Oct 22 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with Kelsey Scism, a wife, mother, former language arts teacher, and author of her new book One Year With Jesus. Kelsey shares her personal story of loss and grief and how her new book will help young readers in their faith.

    Come and sit with us and join the conversation and let us know what resonates with you.

    Main points:

    • The power of presence
    • Transforming tragedy into purpose
    • Developing spiritual muscles early on
    • Building community and conversation
    Helpful Links:
    • Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
    • Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me?
    • Connect with One Year With Jesus
    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Kelsey Scism (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Alisha Reginal on Sitting with Pregnancy and Infant Loss

    Alisha Reginal on Sitting with Pregnancy and Infant Loss
    Oct 15 2024
    In this episode, Natasha sits with Alisha Reginal. She is a faith-filled Christian, wife, and mother of two boys. After the stillbirth of their first son, Travis Jr., she and her husband founded Remembering My Child, an organization that helps bereaved parents grieve and cherish their children's memories.

    Come and sit with us and join the conversation and let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:

    • The emotional and mental challenges
    • The role of faith and the support systems
    • Practical advice and personal anecdotes to offer hope and guidance
    • Helpful organizations for remembering your child after loss

    Helpful Links:
    • Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.
    • Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me?
    • Connect with Rememering My Child

    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Alisha Reginal (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • Lea Turner on Sitting with God in the Midst of Grief and Trauma

    Lea Turner on Sitting with God in the Midst of Grief and Trauma
    Oct 8 2024
    In this epiosde, Lea Turner, author of The Freedom To Feel, joins Natasha for a conversation on how to find God in the midst of grief and trauma. Leah graciously shares her experiences navigating multiple losses including her father's cancer, her mother's cancer diagnosis, a tragic house fire, and her son's struggle with addiction. This episode is chalked with so many truths about the harsh realities of grief as well as the hope we can find in the midst of it.

    Come and sit with us and join the conversation and let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:

    • Navigating Multiple Losses
    • Confronting Grief
    • Importance of Community
    • Finding Strength Through Faith


    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 Freedom to Feel

    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Lea Turner (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Lisa Appelo on Sitting with Life After Loss

    Lisa Appelo on Sitting with Life After Loss
    Oct 1 2024
    In this epiosde, Lisa Appelo, author of Life Can Be Good Again, joins Natasha for a conversation on how to sit with life after loss. Lisa, no stranger to grief after the sudden death of her husband, offers a hopeful, yet realistic and gentle perspective on what life can look like when we invite God into our brokenness. She shares how faith can guide us through the pain and help us rediscover hope in the midst of loss.

    Come and sit with us and join the conversation.
    Let us know what resonates with you.


    Main points:
    • Emotional struggle of grief
    • God's faithfulness amid hard times
    • The power of gratititude
    • God as our Helper

    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 Life Can Be Good Again

    Connect on Socials:

    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

    Host & Guest:
    Natasha Smith (Host)
    Lisa Appelo (Guest)

    Support the Podcast:
    Become a monthly Partner
    Show more Show less
    40 mins