A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

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...

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 ad...

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...

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, c...

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 ye...

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 ch...

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...

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...

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...

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 m...

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...

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 R...

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...

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...

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 i...

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 o...

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,...

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...

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 t...

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...

There are SO many families in need of support for their medically fragile loved ones. In this heartfelt episode, Heather shares touching letters and cards from families who’ve been supported by Jake’s Help from Heaven. These messages of gratitude reveal the profound difference Heather and her team have made in the lives of those navigating the challenges of rare disease. It’s a sweet and endearing...

Today, Heather shares her eye-opening experience visiting Rifton Equipment, a company dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities.  From adaptive tricycles to life-changing gait trainers, Rifton creates tools that restore dignity, independence, and joy for those who need it most. Heather reflects on the stories behind their products, the passion driving their mission, and what she learne...

Ready to hear how A Place of Yes is changing lives? In this special episode, Heather dives into unfiltered listener feedback that reveals the true impact of the show—from sparking courage to helping others find hope in their hardest moments. Tune in to hear Heather’s reactions and reflections on the powerful ways this community is making a difference. Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven: ❤️ H...

Have you ever felt a connection with someone you've lost—a sign, a dream, or a moment that made you feel they were right there with you? In this episode of A Place of Yes, Heather shares a deeply personal experience of reconnecting with her son Jake through a vivid, comforting dream. For the first time, she hears his voice—a voice he never had in life but one that now brings her peace and reassura...

What would you ask if you could ask Heather anything? In this special episode of A Place of Yes, we’ve compiled the most thought-provoking, heartfelt, and iconic questions from our Ask Heather Anything segment. From navigating life’s toughest challenges to sharing personal wisdom, Heather answers it ALL. Tune in for a collection of juicy questions you won’t want to miss! Find Heather and Jake's He...