A PLACE OF YES podcast

“We are living every day with the fact that our son died, that our son who was supposed to be alive is not.” –Heather Straughter

Heather Straughter was 36 when her four-year-old son Jake suddenly died. Now, 13 years later Heather is sharing how the only way she could move forward was by channeling her grief for good and finding “A Place of Yes.”

“All I can say is, you can dig deep, figure out where you are, and figure out where you want to be, and for me, I found the answer was in this place of yes,” Heather said.

Losing a Son to Rare Disease: Parental Isolation & Grief

“When you’re a rare parent, it’s not just the disease—it’s the loneliness, the constant feeling that no one really gets it. And when your child is gone, that grief is even more complicated. Jack taught me so much. I want other parents to know they’re not alone.”

What It’s Like to Lose Your Best Friend at 18

“She was supposed to be here for the birthdays, the firsts, the little moments that feel big. But she’s not—and that’s the part that never stops hurting.”

Why I Quit My Job to Grieve My Parents’ Deaths

“I realized I’d never actually stopped to grieve. Not after losing my mom, my dad, or my marriage. So I quit my job and took a year to do it. That time changed everything—and now I’m helping others do the same.”