Motherhood can often feel like it defines us entirely—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 her primary caregiving role. Together, we explore the challenges of identity crises in motherhood, the emotional weight of balancing love and hardship, and the importance of rediscovering joy as a person first and a parent second.
Keep up with Hillary & Esme 🤍
Website: https://www.thecutesyndrome.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hillarysavoie/?hl=en
Substack: https://hillarysavoie.com
Find Heather and Jake’s Help from Heaven:
❤️ APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast/
❤️ Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter/
❤️ Jake’s Help from Heaven: https://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/
❤️ Jake’s Help from Heaven IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven
❤️ Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@APlaceofYesPodcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio
FIND HEATHER & JAKE’S HELP FROM HEAVEN ⬇️
❤️ Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter/
❤️ Jake’s Help from Heaven: https://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/
❤️ Jake’s Help from Heaven IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven
❤️ Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@APlaceofYesPodcast
Connect with us on social media:
• Heather’s Instagram
• Jake’s Help from Heaven
• Jake’s Help from Heaven IG
• Facebook
• Our YouTube Channel
Keep scrolling for the episode transcript.
Checkout our other episodes
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.



