Blog
What Life Looks Like After Losing My Husband to Brain Cancer – Maria Quiban Whitesell
“When my husband was diagnosed, I felt completely lost. I wasn’t prepared for the caregiving, the fear, or the grief that came after. I wrote You Can’t Do It Alone because I learned the hardest way possible—none of us should have to walk through this kind of loss alone.”
Gabby Petito’s Moms on “Surviving” Mother’s Day
“The world knows Gabby’s name, but they don’t know what it’s like to wake up every day without her. Birthdays, holidays, Mother’s Day—nothing feels the same. We miss her laugh. Her light. Everything. And there are things we wish we’d said, things we’ll always carry.”
How I Cope with My Son’s Birthday Now That He’s Gone
“His birthday is coming, and my whole body feels it. People think grief fades with time, but these days—birthdays, anniversaries—they hit just as hard. I should be planning a party. Instead, I’m learning how to survive another year without him.”
Self-Care Sounds Nice, But Who’s Watching My Kid?
“Self-care sounds great until you realize there’s no one else to watch your kid. When you’re a full-time caregiver, even basic things—like rest, a walk, or five minutes alone—feel impossible. But if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t show up for my family. That’s not selfish. That’s survival.”
What I Did After My Daughter Died: Grief, Purpose & Carrying Her Legacy
After Kelsey died, I blamed myself. I replayed every decision, every appointment, every moment. I thought I was prepared to fight for her—I wasn’t prepared to lose her. Grief didn’t just touch my life, it unraveled it. And for a long time, I didn’t know how I’d ever come back from that. This is the part of motherhood no one talks about.
I Couldn’t Save Her: Losing My Daughter Changed Everything
After Kelsey died, I blamed myself. I replayed every decision, every appointment, every moment. I thought I was prepared to fight for her—I wasn’t prepared to lose her. Grief didn’t just touch my life, it unraveled it. And for a long time, I didn’t know how I’d ever come back from that. This is the part of motherhood no one talks about.
What No One Tells You About Parenting a Child with Rare Disease – Emergency Surgeries & Advocacy
When Jude needed emergency surgery, there wasn’t time to process—just to act. That’s the reality of parenting a medically complex child. It’s not just the big surgeries or diagnoses—it’s the constant decisions, the fear of missing something, the exhaustion of always being on alert. But somehow, through it all, there’s still joy. There’s still love. And there’s a strength I never knew I had until I became Jude’s mom.
Losing My Sister at 15 – One Year Later
When my sister died, I felt like the world kept moving—and I didn’t. I was only 15, and suddenly everything changed. No one talks about how isolating it is to lose a sibling, especially that young. People asked how my parents were doing, but no one ever really asked me. I had to figure out how to grow up with a kind of grief that didn’t have a place. This is what it’s really like to lose your sister when you’re still just a kid.
I Traveled to Guatemala to Honor My Late Daughter | Losing Her to a Rare Disease
After losing her daughter Dalia to a rare disease, Jessica Fein embarked on a deeply personal journey to Guatemala—Dalia’s birthplace—to honor her memory and reconnect with her spirit. In this episode, she opens up about the rituals her family performed, the signs she received, and the profound ways grief and love intertwine.
How One Tragic Loss Changed a Family Forever: Grieving a Husband & Father
Losing someone suddenly leaves you with more questions than answers. One moment, life feels normal, and the next, everything has changed. When Robert Bolton Best passed away in 2018, his family was forced to navigate grief in ways they never expected. Lisa lost her husband, Aly and Tyler lost their father, but each of them experienced that loss in a different way. In this episode, they open up about the shock, the trauma, and the long road of healing after sudden loss—because grief doesn’t look the same for everyone, even when you’re mourning the same person.
The Doctors Were WRONG: A Mother’s Fight for Her Son with 15 Diagnoses
When we were told halfway through my pregnancy that our baby wouldn’t survive, our world shattered. But Jude had other plans. Now, at 13 years old, he’s living proof that the doctors were wrong. With 15 medical diagnoses, including the rare PHGDH deficiency, our journey has been anything but easy—countless surgeries, hospital stays, and moments of uncertainty. But through it all, there’s been love, resilience, and a strength I never knew we had. This is our story.
A Year Without Olivia Allen: Her Mom, Sister & Best Friend Share Their Story
Nearly a year after Olivia Allen lost her battle with leukemia, her mother, Mellissa, her sister, Sophia, and her best friend, Aubrey, share what life has really been like without her. From the milestones she’ll never reach to the moments that still feel impossibly heavy, they open up about the ways grief changes with time—and how Olivia’s presence is still deeply felt, even in her absence.
How a 3,288-Mile Run Sparked a NATIONWIDE Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis
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 continue the fight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.