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.

How Adaptive Equipment Changed My Son’s Life

“It wasn’t just a bike—it was the first time Leo could ride alongside his siblings. That moment changed everything. With the Chill-Out Chair, he’s comfortable at home, at school, everywhere. These tools gave him more than mobility. They gave him a way to be part of the world.”

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.”