A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

Susan Lieu’s story is anything but ordinary. She’s the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, a truth-seeker, and the author of The Manicurist’s Daughter, a memoir about family, loss, and the impossible beauty standards.

In this episode, Susan opens up about losing her mother to a botched surgery at age 11, uncovering the secrets no one wanted to talk about, and how she found strength in the messiness of grief and resilience. It’s raw, authentic, and a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Find Susan Lieu:

🌟 Get the book: https://www.susanlieu.me/the-manicurists-daughter

🌟 Watch the one-woman show: https://susanlieu.vhx.tv/products/140-lbs-how-beauty-killed-my-mother

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

In part two of my conversation with Hillary Savoie, we dive into her incredible journey of self-discovery following divorce.

Hillary opens up about dating for the first time in her 40s, navigating relationships as the mother of a child with complex medical needs, and finding empowerment through sexual liberation.

It’s a candid, inspiring look at embracing new chapters, rediscovering your identity, and living authentically—no matter your age or circumstances. This is a conversation about growth, resilience, and the beauty of starting over.

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: 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

Motherhood can often feel like it defines us completely—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 of 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: 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

What happens when a grief therapist becomes the griever?

In this deeply moving episode, the Grief Girlie shares her story of losing her mom, dad, and sister in rapid succession. With unimaginable loss piling up, she found herself not just processing her own grief but also reevaluating everything she thought she knew about it.

Through raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom, she reveals the lessons no textbook could teach, offering insight into how we cope, heal, and rebuild when life feels shattered.

This conversation is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of truly understanding grief from the inside out.

Find Shea Wingate (The Grief Girlie):

Website: https://www.thegriefgirlie.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefgirlie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegriefgirlie?_t=8jCXsfPgTZT&_r=1

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

In Season 1, we opened the door to conversations about grief, rare diseases, and the incredible resilience of those facing grief. Now, in Season 2, we’re diving even deeper.

Get ready for untold stories of hope, love, and perseverance, with heartfelt moments and powerful connections. Join Heather Straughter as she continues her mission to build a space for growth, healing, and saying yes to life’s journey—no matter how hard it might be.

Streaming December 11th, and available wherever you listen to podcasts. Let’s find our place of yes—together.

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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

There are SO many families in need of support for their medically fragile loved ones. In this heartfelt episode, Heather shares touching letters and cards from families who’ve been supported by Jake’s Help from Heaven.

These messages of gratitude reveal the profound difference Heather and her team have made in the lives of those navigating the challenges of rare disease. It’s a sweet and endearing tribute to the power of compassion and community. 

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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

Today, Heather shares her eye-opening experience visiting Rifton Equipment, a company dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities. 

From adaptive tricycles to life-changing gait trainers, Rifton creates tools that restore dignity, independence, and joy for those who need it most. Heather reflects on the stories behind their products, the passion driving their mission, and what she learned about the lives forever touched by their work. 

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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

Ready to hear how A Place of Yes is changing lives? In this special episode, Heather dives into unfiltered listener feedback that reveals the true impact of the show—from sparking courage to helping others find hope in their hardest moments.

Tune in to hear Heather’s reactions and reflections on the powerful ways this community is making a difference.

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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

Have you ever felt a connection with someone you've lost—a sign, a dream, or a moment that made you feel they were right there with you?

In this episode of A Place of Yes, Heather shares a deeply personal experience of reconnecting with her son Jake through a vivid, comforting dream.

For the first time, she hears his voice—a voice he never had in life but one that now brings her peace and reassurance. Heather reflects on this moving encounter and explores the signs Jake has sent her over the years, bringing hope and strength to those navigating the loss of a loved one.

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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

What would you ask if you could ask Heather anything? In this special episode of A Place of Yes, we’ve compiled the most thought-provoking, heartfelt, and iconic questions from our Ask Heather Anything segment.

From navigating life’s toughest challenges to sharing personal wisdom, Heather answers it ALL. Tune in for a collection of juicy questions you won’t want to miss!

Find Heather and Jake's Help from Heaven:

❤️ 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