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PODCAST

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

Jake"s Help From Heaven

Grief is messy, complicated, and deeply personal — but you don’t have to go through it alone. On A Place of Yes, host Heather Straughter creates a safe, unfiltered space to talk about the realities of loss. Each episode dives into the tears, the laughter, the WTF moments, and the hope — all of it. Through candid personal stories and expert insights, Heather explores the pain, resilience, and unexpected moments of light that come with grieving.

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All Episodes

30:52

I Couldn’t Save Her: Losing My Daughter Changed...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/04/10

Debbie Waffle built a life filled with joy, purpose, and hope—but nothing could prepare her for what came next. Her daughter Kelsey’s medical challenges grew more complex over time, leaving Debbie desperate for answers and overwhelmed with fear. And when Kelsey died, the grief nearly consumed her.On what would have been Kelsey’s birthday, Debbie speaks with Heather about the deep unraveling that comes with losing a child—the guilt, the heartbreak, and the silence that follows. Through raw

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26:45

What No One Tells You About Parenting a Child with...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/04/03

Being a rare disease parent means living in a world of unpredictability—and in this powerful follow-up episode, Jessica Troiano shares what that really looks like. From a terrifying recent emergency surgery to the countless difficult decisions she’s had to make over the years, Jess opens up about the emotional and mental toll of parenting a medically complex child.She talks about the weight of advocacy, the fear of the unknown, and how every choice—big or small—can feel overwhelming when your

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40:23

Losing My Sister at 15 - One Year Later

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/03/27

Losing a sister at 15 changes everything. Sophia Allen opens up about the heartbreak of losing Olivia—her sister, her best friend, her constant. She shares what people don’t understand about sibling grief, the loneliness of navigating loss at such a young age, and the trauma that shaped her teenage years. This raw and honest conversation gives voice to the kind of grief that often goes unseen but never goes unfelt. DONATE TO THE LIVE LIKE LIV FOUNDATION: https://livelikelivfoundation.org Find

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33:29

I Traveled to Guatemala to Honor My Late Daughter |...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/03/20

Three years after losing her daughter Dalia to a rare disease, Jessica Fein embarked on a powerful journey to Guatemala—Dalia’s birthplace—to reconnect with her spirit. In this episode, she shares the emotional experience of returning to the country, the rituals her family performed to feel Dalia’s presence, and the deep, unexpected ways grief and love intertwine. This is a story of remembrance, connection, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. Find Jessica Fein:

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31:29

How One Tragic Loss Changed a Family Forever

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/03/13

Grief is never one-size-fits-all. Heather sits down with the Best family—Lisa, along with her adult children, Aly and Tyler—to talk about life after the sudden loss of their husband and father, Bob Best, who passed away on May 7, 2018.They share how the same loss can affect each person in unique ways—a wife mourning her partner, children grieving a father, and the lasting impact of sudden loss years later. This conversation explores the many faces of grief, the trauma of unexpected death, and how

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32:39

The Doctors Were Wrong: A Mother’s Fight for Her Son...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/03/06

What do you do when doctors tell you your baby won’t survive? For Jessica Troiano, the answer was simple: fight. In this episode, Jessica shares her journey of raising Jude, her 13-year-old son with a rare genetic condition, PHGDH deficiency, and 15 medical diagnoses. From navigating life-or-death moments to countless surgeries and trips to Boston Children’s Hospital, Jessica opens up about the challenges, heartbreak, and strength it takes to be a parent to a medically complex child.But beyond the

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43:14

A Year Without Olivia Allen: Her Mom, Sister & Best...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/02/27

In 2024, 18-year-old Olivia Allen lost her battle with leukemia, leaving behind a heartbroken family, friends, and a community forever changed. Nearly a year later, her mother, Mellissa, her sister, Sophia, and her best friend, Aubrey, sit down with Heather to share what life has been like without her. They open up about the reality of grieving a young life lost too soon, the unexpected ways grief has shown up, and how they continue to honor Olivia’s memory. This raw and deeply personal

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33:27

How a 3,288-Mile Run Sparked a NATIONWIDE Fight...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/02/20

Ashley Schneider grew up watching her mother, Jill, battle multiple sclerosis with quiet strength. Determined to take action, she founded MS Run the US from her childhood bedroom in Wisconsin, turning her love of running into a mission to raise awareness and funds for those affected by MS. In 2010, she took it to the next level—running 3,288 miles across America to bring national attention to the cause. But her journey didn’t end there. She built a nonprofit that now unites runners nationwide to

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52:23

Schizophrenia & Suicide Loss: The Grief No One Talks...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/02/13

What happens when you lose someone you love to suicide? How do you even begin to process a loss that feels impossible to carry? In this episode, Heather sits down with Madison Reuter, who opens up about losing her ex-partner, Regis, to suicide after his battle with schizophrenia.Madison shares the raw reality of navigating this kind of grief—what it’s like to lose someone so young, the struggles of suicide loss, and the complicated emotions that come with it. She also offers insight for adults

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45:42

Watching My Mom Fight Lymphoma: Losing My Mom to Cancer

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/02/06

MacKenzie Zarzycki’s mother checked herself into the hospital for what she thought was COVID-19 shortly after she was on life support. In this episode of A Place of Yes, MacKenzie, host of the tourism podcast Destination Saratoga All Access, shares her personal journey of losing her mother to Lymphoma, the challenges of navigating grief while welcoming a new child, and the importance of honoring memories. The conversation delves into the complexities of family dynamics during times of loss and the

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17:24

Remembering Jake: Honoring our Son and Coming...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/01/30

Picture this—a packed restaurant, margaritas flowing, and a room full of people who love Jake. That’s Cantina Day.It’s more than just a tradition—it’s a celebration of his life, a space to share memories, and a reminder that grief doesn’t have to be lonely. We sat down with a few attendees to talk about the podcast, their own grief journeys, and, of course, some unforgettable Jake stories. Heads up—this was recorded live, so you’ll hear music, chatter, and all the chaos of a good time. But the

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29:50

The Importance of Adaptive Equipment for Medically...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/01/23

What if the right piece of equipment could restore someone's independence? Heather sits down with Joe Keiderling, the heart and mind behind Rifton Equipment, to discuss how their adaptive designs are more than just tools—they’re lifelines. From helping kids take their first steps to empowering families to navigate the impossible, Joe shares the passion, innovation, and personal stories that fuel Rifton’s mission. This episode will inspire, motivate, and prepare you to rethink how small changes

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44:56

What No One Tells You About Special Needs Parenting

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/01/16

Behind every rare disease diagnosis lies a story of heartbreak, resilience, and unshakable love. Heather sits down with Effie Parks, award-winning host of Once Upon a Gene and mother to Ford, who lives with CTNNB1 syndrome. Together, they uncover the raw truths of parenting a child with special needs—from the moments of joy to the isolation no one talks about. Effie’s journey is a testament to the power of advocacy, community, and finding light in the darkest days. This episode will leave you

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49:51

My Son Outlived His Life Expectancy:...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/01/09

What happens when a 2-5-year life expectancy stretches into a decade of miracles, fear, and unconditional love? In this profoundly emotional episode of A Place of Yes, Heather talks with David Robinson, father to 10-year-old Miles, who has Microlissencephaly. Against all odds, Miles continues to rewrite the narrative of his condition, bringing joy and gratitude to his family while challenging them to face the ever-present grief and fear of the unknown. David opens up about what it means to live

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41:36

Glioblastoma: Losing a Parent to One of the Deadliest...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2025/01/02

Kate Snedeker was still in college when she faced the unimaginable: losing her father to glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers. In this episode, she opens up about navigating profound grief, the life-changing moments that shaped her, and how she turned her pain into purpose by founding Gray for Glioblastoma. This isn’t just a story of loss—it’s a story of finding hope, even in the darkest times. Find Kate Snedeker: 🌟 Gray for Glioblastoma:

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48:17

Her Mother’s Death Was a Family Secret — Until She...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2024/12/26

Susan Lieu’s story is anything but ordinary. She’s the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, a truth-seeker, and the author of The Manicurist’s Daughter, a memoir about family, loss, and the impossible beauty standards. In this episode, Susan opens up about losing her mother to a botched surgery at age 11, uncovering the secrets no one wanted to talk about, and how she found strength in the messiness of grief and resilience. It’s raw, authentic, and a conversation you don’t want to miss. Find Susan

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19:47

Dating as a Special Needs Mom: Divorce and...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2024/12/19

In part two of my conversation with Hillary Savoie, we dive into her incredible journey of self-discovery following divorce. Hillary opens up about dating for the first time in her 40s, navigating relationships as the mother of a child with complex medical needs, and finding empowerment through sexual liberation. It’s a candid, inspiring look at embracing new chapters, rediscovering your identity, and living authentically—no matter your age or circumstances. This is a conversation about growth,

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37:54

The Untold Truth About Life as a Special Needs Mom

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2024/12/12

Motherhood can often feel like it defines us completely—especially when navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs. In part 1 of this raw and honest episode, Hillary shares her journey of grappling with her identity beyond being "Mom" and finding a sense of self outside of her primary caregiving role. Together, we explore the challenges of identity crises in motherhood, the emotional weight of balancing love and hardship, and the importance of rediscovering joy as a person

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41:20

What Losing My Mom, Dad, and Sister Taught Me About...

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2024/12/11

What happens when a grief therapist becomes the griever? In this deeply moving episode, the Grief Girlie shares her story of losing her mom, dad, and sister in rapid succession. With unimaginable loss piling up, she found herself not just processing her own grief but also reevaluating everything she thought she knew about it. Through raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom, she reveals the lessons no textbook could teach, offering insight into how we cope, heal, and rebuild when life feels shattered

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3:08

A Place of YES: Hard Conversations That Make You Laugh

A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast ·

2024/12/05

In Season 1, we opened the door to conversations about grief, rare diseases, and the incredible resilience of those facing grief. Now, in Season 2, we’re diving even deeper.Get ready for untold stories of hope, love, and perseverance, with heartfelt moments and powerful connections. Join Heather Straughter as she continues her mission to build a space for growth, healing, and saying yes to life’s journey—no matter how hard it might be. Streaming December 11th, and available wherever you listen

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81 results

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