A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

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: [email protected] 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