A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast

This solo episode from Heather marks what would have been Jake’s 20th birthday—a milestone that brings both reflection and reality into sharper focus. Sixteen birthdays have passed since Jake died at age four, and in this episode, Heather revisits a letter she wrote to him on his first birthday after his death, uncovering how grief has evolved in ways she didn’t fully realize until now.
Heather shares what it means to live with grief over time—the shift from raw fear and constant anxiety to a more familiar, though still painful, presence in daily life. She reflects on the difficulty of imagining who Jake would be today, the weight of unanswered questions, and the quiet moments that still carry him forward. This episode is deeply personal, grounded in honesty, and a reminder that grief doesn’t disappear—it changes, softens, and becomes something we learn to carry.
Resources & Ways to Connect
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

APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast
Everything’s Jakey (Substack): https://everythingsjakey.substack.com/
Heather’s Substack (Oh, Heather):⁠ https://ohheather.substack.com/⁠

Shelby Forsythia is a grief coach, founder of Life After Loss Academy, and author of Of Course I’m Here Right Now—a practical, compassionate guide for anyone who wants to better support someone through grief. After losing her mother unexpectedly at 21, Shelby began searching for language that could make grief feel less isolating and more understood.
In this conversation, Shelby and Heather talk about the three core feelings so many grievers carry: feeling crazy, feeling alone, and fearing life will be like this forever. Shelby shares why the words we use matter more than we think, how common comfort phrases often miss the mark, and what actually helps instead. It’s a thoughtful, deeply useful conversation about validation, presence, and the simple language that can help grieving people feel seen rather than shut down.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Shelby Forsythia Website: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/

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

APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Timothy Schramm has spent more than 40 years walking alongside families in the immediate aftermath of loss. As a funeral director and national spokesperson, he has helped guide thousands of people through grief—often on the worst day of their lives—while also serving as a state and federal mass fatality responder in times of large-scale tragedy.
In this conversation, Tim shares what decades in funeral service have taught him about grief, human connection, and the quiet responsibility of showing up when it matters most. He explains how funeral directors help families make decisions they may not yet understand, why gathering together is such a critical part of the grieving process, and what it means to treat this work as both a calling and an honor. From deeply personal reflections to extraordinary experiences in disaster response, this is a powerful look at the people who help carry others through unimaginable moments—and why those moments shape us forever.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Tim is a spokesperson for the NFDA. Find out more at nfda.org nfda.organd rememberingalife.com
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

APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Dr. Darlene “Dr. Dee” Williams has experienced a level of loss most people can’t imagine. Over the course of several years, she lost 14 members of her family—including both parents, her only sibling, and close relatives—all connected to the long-term impact of 9/11. What followed wasn’t just grief, but a complete reshaping of identity, family, and what it means to keep going when so much has been taken.
In this conversation, Dr. Dee shares how she carries that loss while still choosing a life that holds joy. She and Heather talk about grief seasons, why grief isn’t linear, and how the idea of “growing around grief” can shift everything. Dr. Dee explains why joy and happiness are not the same, how guilt can show up when life starts to feel good again, and why community and connection are essential in navigating loss. It’s a conversation about surviving the unimaginable, honoring what’s been lost, and discovering that even after profound grief, joy is still possible.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Dr. Dee Williams Website: https://www.drdarlenewilliams.com/

Email: [email protected]

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

APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Robert Espinoza has spent his career advocating for dignity in caregiving and long-term care—but his understanding of loss is deeply personal. After losing both of his parents and surviving a near-fatal heart attack at 39, Robert’s perspective on grief, mortality, and what it means to be cared for has been fundamentally transformed.
In this conversation, he shares how those experiences reshaped his purpose and the way he moves through the world today. The discussion explores the contrast between sudden and anticipated loss, the emotional weight of surviving a life-threatening event, and the quiet ways grief shows up in moments of joy. It also expands into a broader, urgent conversation about caregiving, healthcare systems, and why dignity and compassion must be at the center of how we support one another—both personally and as a society.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Subscribe to Robert’s Substack, Care Actually: https://careactually.substack.com

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

APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast