Heidi Dunstan is a certified grief educator, author, and speaker — and she became that after losing her husband, Mike, suddenly from a massive heart attack just two days after Christmas and the day before her 40th birthday. In a single hour, her life shifted from planning a surprise birthday party to learning how to survive a loss that rewrote everything, including the holidays that followed.

In this conversation, Heidi and Heather talk about why “grief is love” is more than a comforting phrase, and how judgment can quietly shut grieving people down. Heidi shares why common lines like “I’m sorry for your loss,” “you’re so strong,” and “at least…” can miss the mark, and what matters more instead: presence, specifics, and the courage to simply show up. They also explore the overlooked secondary losses that come with grief — shifting friendships, silence from people who don’t know what to say, and the complicated pressure to grieve “the right way” — along with practical language that helps people feel seen, safe, and supported.

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

• Heidi Dunstan Website: https://heididunstan.ca/