True Emotion Dad
Laverne Friesen is a survivor turned thriver, transforming decades of abuse and trauma into a message of healing and hope. Raised in a cult and enduring emotional, physical, religious, spiritual, financial, and sexual abuse—as well as toxic relationships that left him questioning his reality—Laverne shares his raw, authentic journey of healing and spiritual growth.
Tune in for powerful conversations with like-minded guests, offering truth, vulnerability, and the reminder that a brighter, more authentic future is possible.
True Emotion Dad
Letters to Zachary: A Father’s Raw Journey Through Grief
In this deeply emotional and courageous episode of True Emotion Dad, host Laverne Friesen speaks with Jason Tuttle—a father who shares his soul-shaking experience of losing his 15-year-old son, Zachary. Born with rare medical conditions, Zachary required full-time care, which Jason lovingly provided as a stay-at-home dad for 12 years.
Jason takes us through the unexpected and devastating morning of Zachary's passing, the immediate aftermath, and the complex emotions that followed—from trauma and anger to numbness and eventual healing.
What began as a therapeutic journaling exercise became a powerful grief blog and online platform, Letters to Zachary, where Jason vulnerably documents his journey through child loss. His writing gives permission to grieve loudly, honestly, and imperfectly—especially for men who are often conditioned to stay silent.
This episode is not only about heartbreak—it's about love, legacy, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward, even just one millimeter at a time.
What We Talk About:
•The story of Zachary and his rare condition
•The traumatic ER experience and the moment of loss
•Grieving as a father, husband, and caregiver
•Supporting a non-verbal sibling through grief
•Creating Letters to Zachary to process emotions and help others
•Breaking the silence around men and vulnerability
•How grief changes relationships and reveals true support
•Jason’s hopes to share his story on stage and inspire others to open up
Key Takeaways:
•Grief doesn’t end—it evolves.
•Expressing emotion is not weakness. It’s strength.
•The smallest steps forward are still progress.
•There is healing in telling your story—even when it hurts.
🔗 Connect with Jason:
Website: www.letterstozachary.com
Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn
📘 Check out Jason’s grief coloring book and more on his website.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains emotional content related to child loss, grief, and trauma. Please listen with care.