News

Schizophrenia & Suicide Loss: The Grief No One Talks About

What happens when you lose someone you love to suicide?

How do you 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 grief—losing someone so young, the struggles of suicide loss, and the complex emotions that follow. She also offers insight on supporting young people through grief, sharing what helped (and didn’t) in her experience.

This is a conversation about love, loss, and the grief we don’t talk about enough.

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Watching My Mom Fight Lymphoma: Losing My Mom to Cancer

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 significance of open discussions about grief.

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Remembering Jake: Honoring our Son and Coming Together for Families With Disabilities

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.

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 can have a massive impact. Don’t miss it!

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 inspired and deeply moved by the resilience of families navigating the rare disease world.

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The Importance of Adaptive Equipment for Medically Complex Individuals | Rifton Equipment

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 can have a massive impact. Don’t miss it!

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 inspired and deeply moved by the resilience of families navigating the rare disease world.

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What No One Tells You About Special Needs Parenting

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 inspired and deeply moved by the resilience of families navigating the rare disease world.

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My Son Outlived His Life Expectancy: Microlissencephaly & Our Fear of Losing Miles

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 in the tension of hope and heartbreak, sharing powerful lessons on resilience, love, and celebrating every moment. This is a story you won’t forget.

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Glioblastoma: Losing a Parent to One of the Deadliest Cancers

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.

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Her Mother’s Death Was a Family Secret — Until She Broke the Silence

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.

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