Tattoo artist Emma Rose opens up about the heartbreaking loss of her boyfriend, who died from an overdose after a long battle with addiction. In this raw and honest conversation, Emma shares what grief has looked like for her in the aftermath—how she’s navigated guilt, anger, and the complicated layers of loving someone who struggled.She and Heather also talk about addiction as a whole—how to support someone who’s struggling, the emotional toll it takes on those who love them, and what Emma wishes more people understood about addiction and loss.

Addiction Support Resources:

SAMHSA National Helpline (U.S.)

24/7 support for those facing substance use disorders.

📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

🌐 samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Shatterproof

A nonprofit offering education, advocacy, & community.

🌐 shatterproof.org

Partnership to End Addiction

Personalized support for navigating a loved one’s substance use.

🌐 drugfree.org

Find Emma: https://www.instagram.com/erose.art/?hl=en

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Dr. Al Freedman knows firsthand what it’s like to be a parent in the rare disease world—his son Jack lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy for 26 years. In this conversation, he joins Heather to talk about the deep grief and isolation that comes with rare parenting, and what it means to lose a child to a disease no one else seems to understand.

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Aubrey Ide was only 18 when she lost her best friend Olivia Allen to cancer. In this episode, Aubrey sits down with Heather to share what it’s been like to grieve so young—how the loss changed her, what she misses most, and the milestones that feel so different without Olivia there.

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Grief doesn’t come with a roadmap—and it definitely doesn’t fit into a 3-day leave policy. In this episode, Heather sits down with Rebecca Feinglos, founder of Grieve Leave, to talk about what it really looks like to take time to mourn. After losing both of her parents and going through a divorce, Rebecca quit her job in 2021 to dedicate a full year to grieving—and she documented every step.

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When Amelia Lawrence’s son Leo was born with limited mobility, she didn’t know if he’d ever experience the simple joys other kids take for granted—like riding a bike or sitting comfortably at school. But everything changed when Leo was introduced to adaptive equipment designed specifically for his needs.

In this episode, Amelia shares how tools like a custom-built tricycle and Chill-Out Chair have transformed Leo’s daily life, giving him freedom, comfort, and the ability to participate in the world around him.

This episode is sponsored by Freedom Concepts, a company designing innovative, customizable mobility and seating solutions that empower individuals of all abilities to live with dignity, independence, and joy.

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

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When Maria Quiban Whitesell’s husband, Sean, was diagnosed with glioblastoma—a deadly and aggressive brain cancer—her world fell apart. Eighteen months later, she found herself a widow and a solo parent to their young son, Gus. In this powerful conversation, Maria shares the raw truth about navigating her husband’s illness, the impossible grief that followed, and how she learned to keep moving forward when it felt impossible.

Now an advocate for brain cancer awareness and the author of You Can’t Do It Alone, Maria opens up about what she wishes she had known, the importance of community and mental health support, and how she’s helping others find their way through devastating loss.

Buy Maria's Book, You Can't Do It Alone: https://www.mariaquiban.com/my-writings/

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Gabby Petito’s name is known around the world—but behind the headlines is a family still living with unimaginable grief. In this powerful conversation, Heather sits down with Gabby’s mother and stepmother to talk about what life has been like without her: the milestones she’s missed, the memories they hold close, and the heartbreak that lingers on birthdays, holidays, and especially Mother’s Day.

They speak openly about their pain, their regrets, and what they want the world to understand about Gabby—not as a case, but as a daughter, a sister, and a light that was stolen too soon.

The Gabby Petito Foundation: https://gabbypetitofoundation.org

The mission of the foundation is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations, through education, awareness, & prevention strategies.

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Jake’s birthday is coming, and it still hurts just as much as it did that first year. In this solo episode, Heather opens up about what it really feels like to face another year without her son—the lead-up, the dread, the heartbreak that anniversaries bring when someone you love is gone.

She shares how grief shows up in waves, especially on the dates that once meant celebration. If you’ve lost someone and find yourself holding your breath around birthdays or milestones, this is a space where you’ll feel seen.

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

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Jessica Patay is a full-time caregiver to her son with Prader-Willi syndrome—and the founder of We Are Brave Together, a global support network for caregiving moms. In this episode, she joins Heather to talk about the emotional toll of rare parenting, why self-care isn’t a luxury, and what it really takes to show up for yourself when you're constantly showing up for everyone else.

They get honest about burnout, identity loss, and the power of community when you feel like you're running on empty. If you’ve ever felt like you're disappearing inside the role of caregiver, this conversation is for you.

FIND JESS:

🌟Bite Size Self Care Suggestions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_oy2od5u7P9qyPEvrcR72yqF8J66RGFK/view

🌟We Are Brave Together: https://www.wearebravetogether.org

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

#raredisease #rarediseaseawareness #rarediseases #griefandloss #medicallycomplex

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After losing her daughter Kelsey, Debbie Waffle was left with a grief that didn’t fade—but she also felt a quiet pull toward purpose. In Part 2 of her conversation with Heather, Debbie shares how she began to live for Kelsey—writing her book My Grief Jar and training Kelsey’s beloved dog, Brody, to become a therapy dog, just as Kelsey had dreamed.

This episode is about the healing that happens in motion, the love that continues long after loss, and the ways a mother keeps her daughter’s spirit alive every single day.

READ DEBORAH'S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/My-Grief-Jar-Growing-Daughter-ebook/dp/B0DHV6JTRR

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

#raredisease #rarediseaseawareness #rarediseases #griefandloss #medicallycomplex

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