A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

Chelsea Ohlemiller lost her mother in 2017, but the legacy of love, resilience, and truth she left behind continues to shape Chelsea’s life today. In this honest and heart-opening conversation, Chelsea reflects on the complicated emotions of grieving a parent while raising children of your own, the unexpected ways grief shows up years later, and the power of embracing imperfection — especially during the holidays. She shares how her blog, Happiness, Hope, and Harsh Realities, grew into a community of over 150,000 hearts, and why her new book, Now That She’s Gone, is meant to be a companion for grief — a gift to hold onto long after the flowers fade.Heather and Chelsea talk about the loneliness of grief, what it means to carry a mother’s wisdom into motherhood, and why sometimes a simple family recipe like monkey bread can hold generations of meaning. They discuss the harshness of early grief, how we evolve into people we never expected to become, and the surprising moments when signs from loved ones appear — even if only for a moment. This conversation is full of tenderness, laughter, and deeply earned wisdom, and is a beautiful reminder that grief and love always live side by side.Resources & Ways to ConnectHappiness, Hope & Harsh Realities Website: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/Chelsea Ohlemiller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandharshrealitiesAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

After losing both her mother and her son within two years, Marie Crews found herself shattered—and searching for meaning in the wreckage. What began as journaling to survive became the foundation for a new purpose: helping others navigate the darkness of grief through writing, connection, and community.In this episode, Marie shares how her own experience with sudden, traumatic loss reshaped her understanding of healing. She opens up about the complexity of compound grief, the doubts that haunt many bereaved parents, and how her spiritual connection with her son continues to guide her. Marie also reflects on building her journaling-based grief retreats, the importance of giving yourself permission to feel joy again, and why sharing stories helps us move forward without leaving our loved ones behind.Resources & Ways to ConnectMarie’s Website: https://www.mariecrews.comAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Carrie Pill is a Vermont-based oil painter, mountain athlete, and writer who experienced profound loss in a short span of time—losing both her mother and her stepmother within about a year. In this episode, Carrie reflects on what it means to grieve when relationships are layered and complicated, and how loss reshapes not just who we miss, but how we move through the world.Carrie shares how trail running, skiing, and time in the mountains became essential outlets during her grief, offering moments of relief, grounding, and connection. She also talks about how writing has helped her process emotions she couldn’t always name, and how creativity—rather than fixing grief—creates space to live alongside it. Together, Heather and Carrie explore anticipatory grief, self‑compassion, and the quiet ways grief continues to influence identity, relationships, and joy.Resources & Ways to ConnectCarrie’s Website: https://carriepill.comCarrie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriepillartAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheavenOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief doesn’t disappear—it changes, evolves, and becomes part of how we move through the world. In this episode, grief counselor and thanatologist Kelly Daugherty shares what she’s learned from two decades of walking alongside people in mourning. Drawing on both professional expertise and her own personal losses, Kelly offers a compassionate, practical look at how grief lives in us over time—and how we can begin to support ourselves and each other through it.Kelly and Heather explore the impact of early grief, the importance of community, and why schools and workplaces need to become more grief-informed. They also discuss trauma, brain-based therapies like brainspotting, and how Kelly helps clients reconnect to the lives and love behind the loss. Whether you're in the depths of it or walking beside someone who is, this conversation is honest, insightful, and deeply human.Resources & Ways to ConnectKelly’s Website: https://www.glgrief.comAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Dr. Anja Wurm is a veterinarian who specializes in at-home euthanasia—helping families say goodbye to their beloved pets in the comfort of their own space. This conversation explores how grief, dignity, and compassion come together in those final moments, and why this work has become the most meaningful part of her career.Topics include how to prepare for a pet’s death, how to support children through the process, and the importance of truly listening to animals when they can no longer speak for themselves. Dr. Wurm also shares her own relationship with grief, how boundaries help protect emotional presence, and why a “good death” is possible when we create the right conditions for it.Resources & Ways to ConnectAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

When Jim Labate lost his daughter Maria just 30 days after she entered the hospital on Christmas Day, his world changed forever. A longtime teacher and writer, Jim turned to storytelling to process the unimaginable—first privately, and then publicly through his memoir Our Sweet Maria. What started as a way to document her final month became a deeply personal tribute to her entire life.In this special live episode recorded at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs, Jim reflects on the moments that shaped Maria’s life and legacy, the quiet strength of parenting through loss, and the complicated emotions that resurface around holidays and anniversaries. He also shares how writing became a way to stay close to his daughter—and why the simple act of someone asking “Tell me about Maria” remains one of the greatest gifts of all.Resources & Ways to ConnectOur Sweet Maria: A Father’s Story of Love, Loss, and Hope is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Sweet-Maria-Story-Loss/dp/1667878390A Place of Yes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheavenOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Kim “Rooster” Rossiter knows what it means to live through unimaginable loss. After the death of his daughter Ainsley, the retired Marine turned his pain into purpose—founding Ainsley’s Angels, an organization that promotes inclusion by empowering people with disabilities to experience endurance events like races and triathlons. What started as a tribute to Ainsley’s life has become a national movement, helping families across the country feel seen, included, and celebrated.In this episode, Rooster shares how running with Ainsley transformed both of their lives, what he’s learned about advocacy, and how love and grief continue to propel him forward. He speaks candidly about parenting through illness, the moments of connection that carried them through, and how Ainsley’s spirit continues to guide his work. It’s a powerful reminder that grief doesn’t just break us—it can move us.Resources & Ways to Connect Ainsley’s Angels Website: https://www.ainsleysangels.org Ainsley’s Angels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainsleysangels Ainsley’s Angels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AinsleysAngels APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelp Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief doesn’t end — it changes. In this episode, Heather sits down with her husband, Brian, to talk about what life looks like fifteen years after losing their son, Jake. Instead of a structured interview, they let a jar of questions guide the conversation — questions written to spark honesty, memory, and the kind of storytelling that only happens when two people have lived the same loss.They talk about the night everything changed, the routines and rituals that still keep Jake woven into their everyday lives, and how grief has shaped their marriage, their parenting, and the family they’ve built around Ethan. From laughter to anger to the moments that knock the air out of them even now, this episode is both tender and brutally real — a rare look at what long‑term grief actually feels like inside a family.Resources & Ways to Connect APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and instead of a regular episode, Heather is taking a moment to pause, reflect, and share what’s on her mind. In this short solo message, she talks about the complicated feelings that come up around the holidays — the mix of gratitude and grief, the presence and the absence — and reminds us that it’s okay to feel all of it.She also shares a preview of next week’s special episode with her husband Brian, recorded just before the 15th anniversary of their son Jake’s passing. It’s one of the most personal conversations they’ve shared — a tender, unscripted reflection on love, loss, and the questions we don’t always ask each other out loud.Thank you for being part of this show, this space, and this community. We’re so grateful you’re here.Resources & Ways to Connect Email Heather: aplaceofyespodcast@gmail.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Jake’s Help from Heaven: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Watch More Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline—and for Rebecca Feinglos, it took stepping away from her career to finally step into it. After losing both of her parents and navigating a divorce, Rebecca committed to what she calls a grieve leave—a year dedicated to processing her pain and exploring what it really means to mourn. That time turned into a movement.In this episode, Rebecca shares how Grieve Leave was born, why she believes grief deserves intentional space, and how hosting “Sad Hours” gatherings has become a powerful way for people to show up for their emotions—and for each other. Whether you’re grieving a recent loss or still carrying something from years ago, this conversation offers both permission and possibility.Resources & Ways to Connect Grieve Leave Website: https://www.grieveleave.com Grieve Leave Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grieveleave APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

When Molly Pearson asked her father to fill out 75 birthday cards before he died, she didn’t know it would become a project that would touch so many lives. In this conversation, Molly shares the story behind Birthdays from Beyond—a service born from anticipatory grief and a deep desire to keep meaningful connection alive. What began as a personal ritual between a daughter and her dad has grown into something much bigger: a way for people to reflect, remember, and stay present through love, storytelling, and intention.We talk about how different people have used these cards to process miscarriage, preserve family history, and reconnect with memories once thought lost. Molly also opens up about her evolving relationship with mortality, what it means to track your own path through life, and why we all deserve rituals that help grief feel a little less lonely.Resources & Ways to Connect Visit Birthdays from Beyond: https://www.birthdaysfrombeyond.com APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief doesn’t always look the same—especially for fathers. In this powerful episode, Heather sits down with Chuck Allen, father of Olivia Allen, for a heartfelt conversation about what it means to grieve as a dad. Chuck opens up about the small rituals that still connect him to Liv, how he copes with the weight of loss, and why he's more comfortable with his own mortality since her passing. They talk about father-daughter bonds, the moments that still bring Liv’s presence into his everyday life, and the founding of the Live Like Liv Foundation—an organization devoted to supporting the entire family through pediatric illness, especially siblings who are often left out of the conversation. Resources & Ways to Connect Live Like Liv Foundation: https://www.livelikeliv.org Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief changes, but it never disappears. For illustrator and author Jordan Sondler, losing her dad at 14 shaped both her art and her understanding of what it means to carry loss through life. In this conversation, she shares how creativity became a language for grief, how memory shifts over time, and why she co-founded Dead Parent Club, an audio-only community where people can show up just as they are. Jordan’s story is honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of connection that reminds us we don’t have to grieve in isolation.Resources & Ways to ConnectDead Parent Club (via Clubhouse): https://www.clubhouse.com (search “Dead Parent Club”)Jordan Sondler (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/jordansondlerAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheavenOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Austin Wolfe lost his younger brother, Devin, in a car accident — a moment that changed everything. In this conversation, he reflects on that day, the strange quiet that followed, and how saying yes to volunteering at Experience Camps helped him begin to live with his grief instead of around it. Austin shares what it’s like to hold space for kids navigating the same kind of loss, the mix of heartbreak and joy that unfolds in a week of camp, and how that experience is shaping the way he wants to move through the world. His story is open, vulnerable, and filled with the kind of hope that comes only from living it.Resources & Ways to ConnectExperience Camps: https://experiencecamps.org Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Grief is never simple, and for musician Jeff Brisbin, the loss of his son Josh continues to shape his life, his art, and his purpose. In this powerful conversation, Jeff shares what it means to carry his son’s memory forward—the hard days, the unexpected signs, and the music that keeps him connected. From navigating family milestones to finding healing on stage, Jeff’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful.Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheavenResources & Ways to ConnectOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Season 3 of A Place of Yes continues the conversations about grief that are honest, messy, and full of heart. Join Heather Straughter as she sits down with guests who show us that even in the hardest moments, there’s room for love, laughter, and saying yes to life again.

We’re closing out Season 2 with a collection of the most powerful, moving, and unforgettable moments from this season of A Place of Yes. From raw grief and resilience to unexpected wisdom and strength, this mashup honors the voices that made this season so impactful.We’ll be taking a short break and returning this fall with brand new episodes. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram to stay in the loo, and get behind-the-scenes updates on season 3! 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: http://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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She’s buried 4 members of her immediate family. Only she and her mom are left. In part 2 of this devastating conversation, Heather sits down with Kelly Talbot to talk about the most recent two losses—her brothers Jason & Sean. We thank Kelly for sharing her story, and being so deeply vulnerable with our audience. We hope her story has inspired you ❤️‍🩹 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: http://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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She’s buried 4 members of her immediate family. Only she & her mom are left. In part one of this devastating conversation, Heather sits down with Kelly Talbot to talk about the first two losses—her brother Ryan, killed in a hit-and-run murder, and her father, who died after a long battle with cancer.This is just the beginning of a grief story that’s almost too much to comprehend. 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: http://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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leah Stern was more than just a daughter—she was her dad’s best friend. When he died of glioblastoma, her world broke open. In this emotional and raw conversation, Leah shares how she’s navigating life without him, the jealousy she feels when others still have their dads, and how grief doesn’t always look like tears—it can show up as rage, loneliness, and quiet resentment. This episode explores what it really means to lose a parent before you’re ready. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY SARATOGA CASINO & HOTEL: https://saratogacasino.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: http://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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices