Heart Radio presenter Jonny Meah is embarking on a significant new professional journey with the launch of a deeply personal podcast project focused on grief and loss. The show, titled Keep It Grief, represents a major career development for the popular broadcaster, coming in the wake of his mother's tragic death from breast cancer in 2023.
A Personal Passion Project Born from Loss
The podcast marks a substantial departure from Meah's regular radio presenting duties, positioning him as a thoughtful commentator on one of life's most challenging experiences. Keep It Grief promises to approach the difficult subject of bereavement with what Meah describes as "warmth, honesty and humour," aiming to create a more open national conversation about loss.
"Grief is something every single one of us experiences at some point, yet we're still so uncomfortable talking about it," Meah explained. "Keep It Grief is about changing that – being honest, being human, and recognising that even in the heaviest moments, connection, openness, discussion and expressing your emotions really matter and can help you through those worst moments in life."
Dual Perspectives on Bereavement
Meah will co-host the podcast with close friend Neil Collins, who brings his own profound experience of loss to the project. Collins' fiancée Lottie died suddenly in her sleep in 2023, the same year Meah lost his mother Betty. This pairing creates a unique dynamic where two different grief journeys – one following a prolonged illness and one after sudden loss – converge to explore the multifaceted nature of bereavement.
"First and foremost, the reason I said yes to Jonny about joining him weekly on the podcast is I love talking about Lottie," Collins revealed. "She is still the most important person in my life, and I will talk about her to anyone that will listen."
Creating a National Conversation
The podcast, scheduled to launch on February 18, will feature a blend of personal storytelling, listener contributions, and conversations with carefully selected celebrity guests. Meah and Collins intend to persuade public figures and ordinary listeners alike to speak more openly about loss without what Collins describes as "toxic positivity" that often surrounds grief discussions.
"Grief is hard, there is no easy way through it and I feel there is a lot of toxic positivity around grief which I don't feel is most people's genuine experience," Collins noted. "I want people to know it's ok to not be ok when you lose someone you love."
Balancing Honesty with Humanity
Despite tackling such weighty subject matter, Meah emphasises that the podcast won't be "drenched in sadness." Instead, the hosts aim to maintain a human, relatable tone while occasionally incorporating humour – an approach they believe reflects the complex reality of grieving.
"We intend to persuade well-known public figures and listeners to talk more openly about loss without sugar-coating it, while remaining human, relatable and, believe it or not, with a touch of humour too!" Meah stated.
The ultimate ambition for Keep It Grief extends beyond creating compelling audio content. Meah hopes the podcast will foster a broader community across the United Kingdom where people feel empowered to discuss grief more freely and support one another through difficult times.
